ARE THEY HOME BECAUSE THEY ARE SICK... OR...

ARE THEY SICK BECAUSE THEY ARE HOME

Every year people are advised to get a flu shot. We prepare, and we suffer through “flu season”.  Stuffy head, upset stomach, fever and just general ick. Sound familiar? While these symptoms are generally paired to colds and flus, they are also side effects of mold sensitivity. When the home is locked up tight to keep the cold out, we are keeping indoor air in and preventing a natural air exchange.

Most Americans spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors and on average the concentrations of pollutants are 2 to 5 times higher than they are outdoors (AIM, 2016). These higher concentrations and accumulation build up over time and present much larger health concerns, especially for children. Currently, 1 in 12 children have asthma and it is the leading chronic illness in children (AAFA, 2017). While individual people will have different triggers, there are things that homeowners can do to reduce indoor air pollutants. 

• Second-Hand Smoke: Although this topic has been extensively talked about, it is pertinent to address. Over 4700 chemical ingredients exist in tobacco smoke. In the short term it will cause eye, nose and throat irritation and over time those subjected to secondhand for long periods of time risk exhibiting the same health problems as a smoker such as; wheezing, pneumonia, bronchitis and even lung cancer.
• Dander: Pets are a part of the family but, the proteins in the skin flakes are a primary trigger for allergy symptoms, pet hair can also collect other outdoor allergens and bring them into the home.  (AAAA, 2017). While there are no completely hypoallergic cats or dogs, you can work with an allergen to try to reduce the effects of pet dander on your respiratory system. Regular grooming is one of the easiest ways to reduce allergens. Another is to regularly vacuum and dust to reduce this dander in the home and the installation of an air purifier.
• Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide: Carbon Monoxide is an odorless gas given off by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Nitrogen Dioxide is another invisible gas that is commonly produced in the same ways. This is found in homes using fireplaces, gas stoves, unvented heaters, and woodstoves. These air pollutants irritate the throat, nose, eyes and the respiratory system. Over time and prolonged exposure, it can lead to impaired lung function, chronic bronchitis, and worse pulmonary edema. In efforts to minimize your risks, ensure that your combustion appliances like heaters and appliances are properly installed, and that fireplaces have a dedicated air supply going into the fireplace to better direct the smoke and the chemicals. Remember to have your heating system checked regularly, the EPA recommends an annual inspection (Baker, 2013).
• Radon: This natural gas is found everywhere in low levels it is produced naturally as the uranium in the Earth breaks down and radiates from the ground. (It is also another gas discharged while burning combustibles). Radon accounts for 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year, second behind smoking (ATSDR, 2017). Homes with levels above 4 pCi/L is a dangerous level and is over 35 times as much as would be permitted standing next to the fence of a radioactive waste site. (Radon Facts, 2017). This radon gas gets inside your home from the dirt floor crawlspace from your home’s crawlspace. Radon can be easily measured in your home through the purchase of an inexpensive Radon kit and then you can find out what solutions would be the best fit for your home. It could include installing a new vapor barrier under the home, or the installation of a venting system to ensure the gas is removed from under the home and sent outside where it can dissipate more safely.
• Mold: The most common cause of indoor mold is high humidity in the home. Not all mold is harmful, but mold spores are a common cause of respiratory issues and asthmatic flare-ups. The list of symptoms of mold exposure is extensive and includes; flu-like symptoms, watery eyes, dry skin, shortness of breath, hair loss, fatigue, diarrhea and a plethora of other unpleasant things. (Mayo Clinic, 2018). To keep mold at bay, keep the humidity in your home below 50%. This will help to ensure that mold is less able to grow. Clean up spills immediately and ensure that your bathroom vent fan is in clean working order to reduce moisture accumulation. Moisture in the walls and floorboards in large concentrations is most commonly caused by high humidity under the home due to the stack effect. This can be corrected by encapsulating the space under your home or sealing damp basements.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of indoor allergens or irritants, but it is a good start to better air quality for you and your family.

Resources:

AAAA. (2017, October). Pet Allergy Overview. Retrieved from http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/pet-allergy

AAFA. (2018, January). Asthma Facts and Figures. Retrieved from http://www.aafa.org/page/asthma-facts.aspx

AIM. (2017, December). Indoor Triggers of Asthma. Retrieved from http://getasthmahelp.org/indoor-air-quality.aspx

ATSDR. (2017, June). What are Possible Sources of Indoor Air Pollution? Retrieved from  https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=33&po=7

Baker, D. (2013, August). 7 Common Indoor Air Pollutants. Retrieved from https://usgreentechnology.com/7-common-indoor-air-pollutants/

Mayo Clinic. (2018). Mold Allergy. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mold-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351519

Radon Facts. (2018.) Radon Facts. Retrieved from http://www.radon.com/radon_facts/