26/04/2022
Is your home making you sick?
Our home can sometimes make us unwell.
From mould to dust, to air pollution, it’s worth considering how our place of abode can be improved to keep us healthy.
Here are some dangers that affect our health, and ways we can improve our homes to reduce these risks.
Mould
With all this wet weather, mould is popping up everywhere.
Humidity, sub-floors and close living quarters promote damp and mould growth. This can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, wheeze, respiratory infections, asthma and allergy. Mould has even been linked to depression.
Ensuring good ventilation, insulating walls and floors, using anti-mould paint, fixing any water leaks and using de-humidifiers can help reduce mould in your house.
Dust mite
Allergies are on the rise and 20% of Australians are allergic to something in the environment (not just medications). Anaphyllaxis, or full blown airway swelling and constriction, has increased four fold over the past 20 years. One of the most common allergies is house dust mite, which are microscopic mites that feed on dead skin that we shed. Symptoms of allergy can include itchy eyes, nose, skin, and shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough.
Reducing house dust mite requires a concerted effort to eliminate carpet (or vacuum regularly), use dust mite resistant covers for pillow and mattresses, wash all bedding and clothes in hot water (over 60 degrees in a front loader), avoid soft toys and use chemical sprays and air filters to eliminate house dust mite populations.
Air pollutants
Concerns have been raised about pollutants in the home, including trichloroethylene (in paints, adhesives and can cause headache and nausea), formaldehyde (in paper towels, synthetic fabrics and can cause nose and throat irritation), benzene (in plastics, detergents, glue and can cause eye irritation and headaches), xylene (in rubber, leather and can cause dizziness and confusion), and ammonia (in window cleaners, fertilizers and can cause eye irritation and cough). Be aware of these ingredients in products you buy for the home.
From the above, what can you change today in your home to make it a healthier home?
Pick one and let the team at Osana know.
