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Many homes contain products that can be environmental hazards, such as cleaning products, drain cleaner and antifreeze. These common household products give off dangerous fumes or leave residues. Many can be harmful if they are not thrown away or stored properly (for example, if they are left in the garage).
You can make these products safer by using them only when necessary. When you do use household cleaning products, always use adequate ventilation. When not in use, these products should be stored in a safe, preferably locked, location. Be sure to dispose of empty containers through your local hazardous waste disposal center.
In addition to cleaners, another household environmental danger is mold. Molds grow almost anywhere and can be found in any part of a home. Common places where molds grow include:
· Damp basements
· Closets
· Shower stalls and bathtubs
· Air conditioners and humidifiers
· Garbage pails
· Mattresses
· Carpeting (especially if it got wet)
Molds can cause health problems in children. Children who live in moldy places are more likely to develop allergies, asthma and other health problems.
You can eliminate your family’s exposure to molds by keeping the surfaces of your home dry. Wet items that cannot be completely dried, such as carpeting, should be thrown away. Keep air conditioners and humidifiers clean and in good working order; use exhaust fans to keep your kitchen and bathrooms dry. In the bedrooms, avoid foam rubber pillows and mattresses as they tend to become moldy more easily.
Another airborne hazard is asbestos. Asbestos is a natural fiber that was commonly used in schools and homes for fireproofing, insulation and soundproofing between the 1940s and 1970s. Asbestos is not dangerous unless it becomes crumbly. If that happens, asbestos fibers can be released into the air and breathed into the lungs. Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause chronic health problems, including a rare form of lung cancer. Schools are required by law to either remove asbestos or make sure that children are not exposed. Asbestos can still be found in certain older homes, particularly as insulation around pipes.
If you think there is asbestos in your home, have a professional inspect it. If asbestos is found in poor condition, use a certified contractor to help solve the problem. Improper removal could cause even more problems.
Sometimes a parent’s job can create environmental hazards to children. This can happen when lead, chemicals and fumes from the workplace are brought into the home on skin, hair, clothes or shoes. People who work in the following areas are most at risk for bringing chemicals into the home:
· Painting and construction sites
· Auto body or repair shops
· Auto battery and radiator factories
· Shipyards
· Area in which the person comes into contact with harmful metals or chemicals
Help eliminate any risk to your child by finding out if you are exposed to lead, asbestos, mercury or chemicals on your job. If so, shower and change out of work clothes and shoes before coming home. When doing the family’s laundry, be sure work clothes are washed separately.