The toxic air in your home

When you hear the words air pollution, you may immediately think of fumes from factories and the smog outdoors. But what should worry you more is the quality of the air in your own house.  In fact, a growing body of studies show that the air within homes and other buildings could be more polluted than the outdoor air. Even in industrialised cities. Long-term exposure to air pollutants will not only disrupt your immune system but also increase your risk for diseases like hypertension, asthma and coronary heart disease and cancer.  And now that most of us, including our children and the elderly are spending more time indoors because of the pandemic, it is a good time to access the quality of the air; and the toxins that lurk in our homes. 

Dr Joseph Wahome, a consultant toxicologist and chair of the toxicology society of Kenya, says that toxins are especially a cause for concern when it comes to children’s health.

“The number of children with asthma continues to increase despite ongoing research into the possible causes. The answer is most likely within the home environment."

 Good thing though is that there is a lot one can do about air pollution in the home.

Here are the top poisons you should be especially concerned about.   

Radon

Wondered how a non-smoker gets lung cancer? Think radon. Radon is a common naturally-occurring gas that is the major cause of lung cancer among non- smokers. When radon is trapped in the house, it can increase the risk of lung cancer among the dwellers.  Lung cancer is deadly because it is hard to catch early and is commonly misdiagnosed for tuberculosis. The gas has two isotopes(variants) that affect human health; Radon 222 and Radon 220.  Isotope radon 222, is more common in the modern houses made of stone and concrete, while the Isotope 220 is more common in the traditional houses. Both cause lung cancer.

 “It is a radioactive material that is released from the soil and bedrock," says Dr Wahome. It gets into the house through the cracks in the wall, water from wells/ boreholes and building materials.

A study published last year detaining the levels of Radon in earthen houses rural Kenya showed that Taita Taveta and  Nairobi's Kenyatta University area had very high levels of Radon while the Rift Valley region exhibited low levels. 

Cautionary measures you can take?   

·        Open your windows every day. Letting in fresh air is a quick fix as it will get out the radon and improve the air quality in your house.

·        Seal any cracks in your concrete walls and foundation.

In developed countries, one can get radon tests to check the quality of air in the house.  

Carpeting homes

Carpets are great; they keep your feet warm in the chill and serve aesthetic value. But what if you knew that the plush eye candy also holds on to pollutants that redistribute in the air when the carpet is disturbed?

“Carpets can contain large reservoirs of dust that elude all but the most diligent vacuuming. This dust also can contain elevated levels of pesticides, combustion soot, nicotine, and allergens,” says Dr Wahome.

Other reasons to consider minimal carpeting in your living areas include:

· New carpets give off gases, or volatile organic compounds that can harm one’s nervous system and lungs when inhaled over a long time. The technical term for this emission is off-gassing, and in some heavy-duty carpeting projects, it can last over five years. It is advised to air out a new carpet before putting it in your living space.

·        When there are smokers in the house, the cigarette smoke particles, and even vapour from electronic cigarettes will cling onto indoor fabrics including carpets. And if children are continually playing on it, they are exposed to the harmful elements. 

·        It harbours dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic insects related to spiders and they feed on dead shed human skin. Their droppings are known to cause allergic reactions and worsen asthma and eczema in children. They also live on curtains, mattresses and bedding. They can be reduced by ensuring that you clean/vacuum the carpet regularly, clean the curtains and bedding weekly and use dustproof bed covers.

Gas cookers

 Cooking gas has always been considered a clean combustion fuel, at least compared to charcoal and firewood. Gas cookers are an increasingly common method of cooking in many urban homes in Kenya. But these cookers, especially those without a vent, are making people sick by increasing the levels of indoor pollution. Four research and advocacy groups reviewed two decades worth of peer-reviewed studies and their report showed that gas stoves are exposing people to such high levels of air pollution in homes that would be illegal outdoors under air quality standards.  The pollutants released by gas stoves (nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and formaldehyde) were found to aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma. “In children exposed to the noxious components for a long period of time, it can lead to irritated airways and onset of childhood asthma and changed lung function,” said Brady Seals, the lead report author Brady Seals.

What can you do?

·        You could switch to electric cookers which have reduced risk

·        Use the back burners

·        If possible, set up a vent for your gas cooker that will ensure the emissions are directed outside

·        Ensure that your kitchen is properly ventilated or at least open the windows.

       Dust tracked from outdoors

Some homes have the no-shoe policy. And that is a great rule. According to WHO, out of all the toxins that are brought indoors, the most common is pesticides. And if your house has a carpet, they may linger in your house longer. Pesticides don’t only refer to chemicals used on the farm to kill crop pests, they also refer to insecticides commonly used in homes, disinfectants ( to kill microorganisms) fumigants, rodenticides and fungicides. Regular exposure to pesticides can cause:

·        Problems with the central nervous system.

·        Kidney problems.

·        Cancers

·        Ear nose and throat problems

A related study found that 85 per cent of these pollutants can be reduced by simply putting an entry mat at the door.

Another reason for the ‘no-shoe policy' is to reduce bringing in lead dust from outside. Lead is naturally found in soils. Its effect is especially more on children who will touch floors and put the dirty hands in their mouths. A buildup of lead in a child's bloodstream will damage organs and affect the workings of the brain and nervous system. 

“More recently, extensive testing has found lead in many children's toys,” says Dr Wahome.

Fireplaces in the house

WHO reports that 3.8 million people die from household exposure to smoke from dirty cook stoves and fuel.

“Improperly burning furnaces can generate high levels of carbon monoxide and aromatic hydrocarbons, whereas even those burning properly may still generate oxides of nitrogen (NOx) at levels high enough to cause respiratory tract irritation in sensitive individuals,” says Dr Wahome.

 Even exposure to low amounts of carbon monoxide has been found to intensify cardiovascular illness among in vulnerable populations.

 "These effects can be avoided by ensuring that all heating equipment (e.g., furnaces, wood stoves, heaters) is properly ventilated, maintained, and checked regularly. In addition, some ventilation of the building itself should always be provided," he advises. 

Toxic compounds in home cleaning agents

Every day, we use detergents and other cleaning agents to clean clothes, remove grime and kill germs. But some of these cleaning agents emit volatile organic compounds (VOC), the blanket term for phosphorus, nitrogen and ammonia among other chemicals that are considered the worst environmental hazards. Long term exposure can cause serious problems like damage to the liver, kidneys and the central nervous system. They can also be an irritant to the eyes and skin. 

Unfortunately, these components can’t be managed by wastewater management systems, and they end up back into the water sources where they accelerate growth of some plants, upsetting the balance of the ecosystem. But back in our homes, as we use these cleaning agents, they accumulate in the air. Air that you breathe in.

 What can you do?

·        Ensure that your use of these products is in a well-ventilated area.

·        Do not stock up large quantities

·        Use as instructed by manufactures and do not mix the home care products unless as directed.

Household solvents

Products with a high percentage of solvents, such as oil-based paints, paint removers, fuels, lighter fluids, furniture polishes, and some pesticides can cause potentially fatal pneumonia if aspirated into the lungs as a result of accidental ingestion.

“If used in an unventilated space, they can also cause symptoms of acute intoxication, including dizziness, nausea, and in some cases nerve damage among other serious effects,” says Dr Wahome.

Reduce the risk: 

·        Keep them closed tightly in their containers to reduce any emissions via evaporation.

·        Store any household solvents in a ventilated space.

·        Only buy what you are using to avoid need for storage.

 Mold and dampness

Use of damp construction materials, leakage of water through the roof or walls among other factors could contribute to high dampness levels in a house, enough to cause growth of mold. Mold is an unscientific term for unwanted fungi that grows indoors or outdoors. They need moist conditions to grow and they emit a smell.  High dampness levels can also cause an increase in dust mites in the house.

The presence of mold in living spaces has been associated with respiratory illnesses and one is advised to get rid of it as soon as it is spotted. If it isn't a full blown case needing professional accessment, you can clean out the existing mold with white vinegar

How can you reduce the dampness in your house?

·        Find out the reason for the dampness in the house and fix it

·        Ventilate the house, especially the bathroom properly

·        Don’t over-water houseplants

·        Remove damp materials from the house