The Shocking Truth About Indoor Air Pollutants
Most people do not know what the main cause of air pollution is. If you asked, most would think that a factory, or busy road, were the leading causes of air pollution. In fact, most people would be surprised to find that the answer to the question is inside the home. Although your home might not be the most common place where you would find polluted air; the problem comes from the fact that we spend a majority of our day indoors, and this means more exposure to the contaminants that might be in the air.
In today’s day and age, insulation is important, in terms of energy savings. For this reason, a majority of homes are very well insulated. In turn, if there are pollutants in the environment, they are going to stick around for more time. The indoor air we are exposed to is two to five times more polluted than the air we are exposed to outside. Many of the products we use are filled with synthetic ingredients; these gradually exude harmful toxins in the environment we are exposed to. The EPA has even gone as far as saying that indoor air is among the top 5 risks to public health.
Cleaners, air fresheners, and other products we use, have created a toxic home and environment. Some of the most harmful chemicals and contaminants include: formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Paints, detergent, and furniture polishes we use, contain these and other harmful chemical blends. Dyes, chlorine, sulfuric acid, are also contaminants which are found in these products and cleaners, which we use on a daily basis in our homes. Even the markers, paints, and supplies our kids use, contain these harsh chemicals.
Carpets, our furniture, and other household items, are more dangerous to our health than we would ever expect; these can make our homes extremely toxic and dangerous places to be. Even new carpeting emits harmful volatile organic compounds, after being installed in the home. Gas and wood stoves emit kerosene, and other harmful gases and chemicals. Building materials, insulation material, and even the play sets for our kids, have been treated with toxic chemicals.
Although most believe the exterior air and pollutants are dangerous, our homes are far more dangerous, and contain more pollutants, than the air we breathe outside each day.
