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Home Safety Information
Home
safety information guides you how to do it yourself home safe against mold,
mildew, harmful gases, lead and other pollutants.
Learn
how to prevent from poisoning and cure.
Safety Test
Asbestos
Bacteria
Carbon Monoxide
Lead Test for Drinking Water
Lead Test for All Surfaces
Dust and Paint Lead
Mildew and Mold
Pesticides in Water
Radon Gas
Radon in Water
Septic and Plumbing Energizer
Water Quality
Mold and Mildew Pages
Biological Pollutants in Your Home
Floods Cause a Hazardous Potential for Toxic
Mold
How Dangerous is That Mold?
Is Your House a Sick House? The Mold/Air
Conditioner Duct Connection
Mold and Mildew: Prevention of Microorganism
Growth In Museum Collections
Mold FAQ
Mold in Homes
Mold Resources
Prevent Mildew in Your Home
Biological Contaminants
Managing Asthma in the School Environment
Environmental Asthma Triggers
Mold Allergy
Causes and Symptoms of Mold and Dust Induced
Respiratory Illness
Molds in the Environment
Questions and Answers on Stachybotrys Chartarum
and Other Molds
Mold Remediation in Schools and
Commercial
Buildings
Mold Remediation in Schools and
Commercial
Buildings: Introduction
Mold Remediation in Schools and
Commercial
Buildings: Checklist for Mold Remediation
Should I Be Concerned About Mold?
The Mold Scare: Reaction vs. Reality
Investigating, Evaluating, and Remediating
Moisture and Mold Problems
Asbestos
Asbestos is a health hazard in many homes, offices and schools.
Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer. An estimated 20,000 people will die
each year for the next 30 years from asbestos exposure.
Bacteria in Water
Bacterial contamination causes severe digestive problems, fever,
nausea, diarrhea and sometimes even death. According to the EPA, total
coliform and E. coli bacteria testing is recommended twice a year.
Carbon Monoxide
Invisible and odorless carbon monoxide gas kills over 5,000 people
each year. Clogged chimneys, malfunctioning stoves, water heaters, space
heaters, as well as auto, boat and airplane exhaust releases carbon monoxide
into the air that you breathe.
Drinking Water
Lead-contaminated water from lead pipes and fixtures contributes to
lead poisoning in over 40,000,000 homes. Every time you drink from the
faucet, cook with tap water, or brush your teeth, you may be at risk.
Lead
Lead poisoning causes brain damage to children from birth to 8
years old. Test your home or office for this deadly toxin. . Test
dinnerware, mini blinds, ceramics, soil, plumbing pipes and fixtures,
children's toys and antiques, etc.
Dust and Paint Lead
Ingesting lead paint and breathing in lead dust is the #1
contributor to lead poisoning which causes brain damage and affects over
200,000 children each year.
Mildew and Mold
Medical studies have found that mold & mildew are the #1 causes of
allergic symptoms. The black mold Stachybotrys found in home, office and
school environments has been linked to fatal pulmonary disorders.
Our simple, do-it-yourself test identifies dangerous molds & mildew
in 48 hours. Optional lab analysis is available to indicate the exact count
and type of mold & mildew present.
Pesticide in Water
Pesticide ingestion and inhalation can damage internal organs,
cause cancer, and eventually even cause death. The World Health Organization
estimates that one-half of the ground and well water in the
U.S. is
contaminated with pesticides, resulting in 20,000 deaths each year.
Radon Gas
Radon gas has been found in varying amounts in every state in the
U.S.
killing up to 30,000 people each year from lung cancer.
Radon in Water
Over 17,000 homeowners with well water are affected by water-borne
radon according to the U.S. EPA. Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung
cancer and is emitted in homes from well water during showering, cleaning,
brushing your teeth, and doing laundry.
Septic and Plumbing Energizer
Detergents, deodorant soaps, drain cleaners, and toilet bowl
cleaners contain hydrocarbons and harsh chemicals that kill the necessary
bacteria in home septic systems which are required to digest and process
waste. The end result is backed up toilets, continuously costly pumping and
clogged pipes.
Water Quality
Water contamination causes cancer, birth defects and Blue Baby
Syndrome. PRO-LAB's Professional Water Quality Test Kit offers 5 instant
tests for over-chlorination (Causes cancer), nitrites/nitrates (causes Blue
Baby Syndrome), hardness and alkalinity (clogs and damages pipes), and iron
(stains fixtures, laundry and even hair). Contains 5 individual laboratory
grade test strips for accuracy and reliability.
MOLD AND MILDEW
Biological Pollutants in Your Home
Outdoor air pollution in
cities is a major health problem. Much effort and money continues to be
spent cleaning up pollution in the outdoor air. But air pollution can be a
problem where you least expect it, in the place you may have thought was
safest--your home. Many ordinary activities such as cooking, heating,
cooling, cleaning, and redecorating can cause the release and spread of
indoor pollutants at home. Studies have shown that the air in our homes can
be even more polluted than outdoor air.
Many Americans spend up
to 90 percent of their time indoors, often at home. Therefore, breathing
clean indoor air can have an important impact on health. People who are
inside a great deal may be at greater risk of developing health problems, or
having problems made worse by indoor air pollutants. These people include
infants, young children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
What Are Biological Pollutants?
Biological pollutants are
or were living organisms. They promote poor indoor air quality and may be a
major cause of days lost from work or school, and of doctor and hospital
visits. Some can even damage surfaces inside and outside your house.
Biological pollutants can travel through the air and are often invisible.
Some
common indoor biological pollutants are:
ˇ
Animal
Dander (minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin)
ˇ
Dust Mite
and Cockroach parts
ˇ
Fungi
(Molds)
ˇ
Infectious
agents (bacteria or viruses)
ˇ
Pollen
Some of these substances
are in every home. It is impossible to get rid of them all. Even a spotless
home may permit the growth of biological pollutants. Two conditions are
essential to support biological growth: nutrients and moisture. These
conditions can be found in many locations, such as bathrooms, damp or
flooded basements, wet appliances (such as humidifiers or air conditioners),
and even some carpets and furniture.
Modern materials and
construction techniques may reduce the amount of outside air brought into
buildings which may result in high moisture levels inside. Using
humidifiers, unvented heaters, and air conditioners in our homes has
increased the chances of moisture forming on interior surfaces. This
encourages the growth of certain biological pollutants.
The Scope Of The Problem
Most information about
sources and health effects of biological pollutants is based on studies of
large office buildings and two surveys of homes in northern U.S. and Canada.
These surveys show that 30% to 50% of all structures have damp conditions
which may encourage the growth and buildup of biological pollutants. This
percentage is likely to be higher in warm, moist climates.
Some diseases or
illnesses have been linked with biological pollutants in the indoor
environment. However, many of them also have causes unrelated to the indoor
environment. Therefore, we do not know how many health problems relate only
to poor indoor air.
Health Effects Of Biological Pollutants
All of us are exposed to
biological pollutants. However, the effects on our health depend upon the
type and amount of biological pollution and the individual person. Some
people do not experience health reactions from certain biological
pollutants, while others may experience one or more of the following
reactions:
ˇ
Allergic
ˇ
Infectious
ˇ
Toxic
Except for the spread of
infections indoors, allergic reactions may be the most common health problem
with indoor air quality in homes. They are often connected with animal
dander (mostly from cats and dogs), with house dust mites (microscopic
animals living in household dust), and with pollen. Allergic reactions can
range from mildly uncomfortable to life-threatening, as in a severe asthma
attack. Some common signs and symptoms are:
ˇ
Watery eyes
ˇ
Runny nose
and sneezing
ˇ
Nasal
congestion
ˇ
Itching
ˇ
Coughing
ˇ
Wheezing
and difficulty breathing
ˇ
Headache
ˇ
Fatigue
Health experts are
especially concerned about people with asthma. These people have very
sensitive airways that can react to various irritants, making breathing
difficult. The number of people who have asthma has greatly increased in
recent years. The number of people with asthma has gone up by 59 percent
since 1970, to a total of 9.6 million people. Asthma in children under 15
years of age has increased 41 percent in the same period, to a total of 2.6
million children. The number of deaths from asthma is up by 68 percent since
1979, to a total of almost 4,400 deaths per year.
Infectious diseases
caused by bacteria and viruses, such as flu, measles, chicken pox, and
tuberculosis, may be spread indoors. Most infectious diseases pass from
person to person through physical contact. Crowded conditions with poor air
circulation can promote this spread. Some bacteria and viruses thrive in
buildings and circulate through indoor ventilation systems. For example, the
bacterium causing Legionnaire's disease, a serious and sometimes lethal
infection, and Pontiac Fever, a flu-like illness, have circulated in some
large buildings.
Talking To Your Doctor
Are you concerned about
the effects on your health that may be related to biological pollutants in
your home? Before you discuss your concerns with your doctor, you should
know the answers to the following questions. This information can help the
doctor determine whether your health problems may be related to biological
pollution.
ˇ
Does anyone
in the family have frequent headaches, fevers, itchy watery eyes, a stuffy
nose, dry throat, or a cough? Does anyone complain of feeling tired or dizzy
all the time? Is anyone wheezing or having difficulties breathing on a
regular basis?
ˇ
Did these
symptoms appear after you moved to a new or different home?
ˇ
Do the
symptoms disappear when you go to school or the office or go away on a trip,
and return when you come back?
ˇ
Have you
recently remodeled your home or done any energy conservation work, such as
installing insulation, storm windows, or weather stripping? Did your
symptoms occur during or after these activities?
ˇ
Does your
home feel humid? Can you see moisture on the windows or on other surfaces,
such as walls and ceilings?
ˇ
What is the
usual temperature in your home? Is it very hot or cold?
ˇ
Have you
recently had water damage?
ˇ
Is your
basement wet or damp?
ˇ
Is there
any obvious mold or mildew?
ˇ
Does any
part of your home have a musty or moldy odor?
ˇ
Is the air
stale?
ˇ
Do you have
pets?
ˇ
Do your
house plants show signs of mold?
ˇ
Do you have
air conditioners or humidifiers that have not been properly cleaned?
ˇ
Does your
home have cockroaches or rodents?
ˇ
Toxic
reactions are the least studied
and understood health problem caused by some
biological air pollutants in the home. Toxins can damage a variety of organs
and tissues in the body, including the liver, the central nervous system,
the digestive tract, and the immune system.
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