While having a clean, well-maintained home is important, common household products can be toxic. Being exposed to such products long term may secretly be taking years off your life. Therefore, knowing which household products to be cautious about is a must.
Air Fresheners
Having a fresh-smelling home is often desirable; therefore, many people opt for air fresheners. However, doing so can be problematic for your health, according to 2011 review published in Environmental Health Perspectives. The author of this review points out that scented consumer goods emit toxic volatile organic compounds, and respiratory, neurological, and dermatological problems attributed to scented products like air fresheners have been reported.
Mixed Cleaning Products
Mixing leftover cleaning products together into one bottle may be tempting, but doing so is dangerous. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that mixing bleach with ammonia produces toxic fumes. Therefore, keep all cleaning products in their original containers. Regardless of which products you’re using to clean with, make sure your home is well-ventilated when using such products.
Pesticides
Pesticides do help kill bugs and rodents, but spraying your home and yard with pesticides can be dangerous for you and your family. If you’re spraying pesticides in or around your home, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and CDC recommend removing children, toys, food, and pets from treated areas until the pesticide has dried -- and wearing impermeable gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants while spraying pesticides. Avoid using pesticides near outdoor vegetable gardens.
Lead-Based Paint
While lead exposure may not kill you, it is problematic for your health and causes developmental delays and lower IQs in children. The CDC reports that children under six years old are most at risk for lead poisoning, and if your home was built before 1978 the paint in it likely contains lead. Deterioration of lead-based paint causes lead in house dust that is breathed in by homeowners.
Carbon Monoxide-Producing Appliances
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, and can cause permanent brain damage. Some common household appliances produce carbon monoxide gas and need to be properly vented during use or used outdoors. According to Mayo Clinic, the following fuel-burning appliances produce carbon monoxide: space heaters, furnaces, cooking ranges, water heaters, fireplaces, charcoal grills, portable generators, and wood burning stoves. Make sure all appliances are properly installed and vented, and equip your home with a carbon monoxide detector to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
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