Ottawa – Every day, we are exposed to chemicals and pollutants in the air, water, soil, food and products we use in our home. Here are some tips on how to help protect yourself and those around you.
Remove outdoor footwear
Take off your shoes in your home. When you are outside, your shoes can pick up dirt and harmful chemicals, which you can track into your home.
Make your home smoke-free
Toxic chemicals found in tobacco and cannabis smoke are inhaled when people breathe in second-hand smoke. Non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke have an increased risk of lung cancer, coronary heart disease and respiratory illnesses.
Keep dust and dirt away
Clean hard floors and surfaces with a wet cloth or mop to remove dust and dirt. Vacuum weekly. If possible, use a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap small particles, including dust. Exposure to dust and dust mites can cause allergic reactions and trigger pre-existing health conditions such as asthma.
Prevent the spread of mould
Inspect your home for visible signs of mould or areas with too much moisture. Look for stains or discolouration on floors, walls, window panes, fabrics and carpets. Check for a musty “earthy” odour. If you find small amounts of mould, clean them up with dish soap and water. You don’t need to use bleach. Consider hiring a professional to clean up large areas of mould or if the mould keeps coming back after you clean it. Be sure to fix the underlying cause (water damage, too much humidity or not enough ventilation) to prevent more mould from coming back. Exposure to mould can lead to health effects, like eye, nose and throat irritation, and can make asthma symptoms worse.
If you rent and you find large amounts of mould, speak to your landlord. Be sure they fix the underlying cause to prevent more mould from coming back.
Control moisture levels in your home
Keep humidity levels between 30 and 50%, using a humidifier or dehumidifier if necessary. Low humidity may aggravate skin allergies and cause respiratory infections. High humidity can lead to mould.
Use your fireplace safely
Ensure your gas or wood fireplace is properly installed, maintained and used. Improperly maintained gas or wood fireplaces may emit carbon monoxide (CO), particles, and other pollutants. Exposure to CO can lead to health problems ranging from tiredness and headaches to chest pain and even death, depending on how much CO is in the air.
Reduce the use of candles and incense
Candles and incense can be a source of particles and other indoor air pollutants. Particles typically consist of smoke, soot, liquid or solid particles in aerosol, or biological matter like mould, bacteria, pollen and animal dander. They can be harmful to your health if you inhale them.
Use and choose low-VOC products
Use products labelled “low emission” or “low VOC” as they may give off fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Paint, varnish and glues often have a noticeable smell that comes from emissions containing VOCs. VOCs can cause breathing problems, headaches, and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
Choose composite wood products that have met established formaldehyde limits. These products will have a “TSCA Title VI compliant” label statement. Composite wood products include furniture, cabinets, countertops and flooring. Formaldehyde is a common VOC.
Ventilate your space
Keep your home well ventilated by opening the windows or running your kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan to prevent buildup of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a large group of chemicals that are present in indoor and outdoor air. Some have an odour while others do not. VOCs can cause breathing problems, headaches, and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. New household products like furniture, mattresses, cabinets, building materials, wallpaper, paints, varnishes and glues can emit gases into your indoor air. This is known as “off-gassing.”
Check for lead paint
Homes built before 1991 may have lead-based paint or base coats of lead-based paint beneath the newer ones. Have the paint in your home tested if you think it may contain lead. A certified inspector can measure paint lead levels in your home, or you can mail paint chip samples to a testing laboratory. If you have lead-based paint, consider hiring a professional to remove it. Painting over it can be an acceptable option if the underlying leaded paint isn’t disturbed. Don’t sand, scrape or burn off leaded paint as it can release harmful dust. Lead can cause many harmful health effects, especially to the brain, nervous system, blood system and kidneys. Exposure to lead, even at low levels, poses the greatest risk to young children because their bodies are still developing.
If you rent, ask your landlord to have the paint tested if you think the paint in your home may contain lead.
Check for asbestos
Before 1990, asbestos was commonly used for fireproofing and insulating against cold weather and noise. You may wish to contact a professional to test for asbestos if you’re planning renovations or demolitions and your home has building materials that you think may contain asbestos. This includes materials like insulation, exterior siding, floor or ceiling tiles, cement and plaster. If a professional finds asbestos, hire a qualified asbestos removal specialist to get rid of it before starting work. Avoid disturbing asbestos materials yourself since this could increase the risk to your health and your family’s health. Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause cancer and other diseases. There are usually no significant health risks if materials containing asbestos are tightly bound in products and in good condition, sealed behind walls and floorboards, isolated in an attic, and left undisturbed.
Test for radon
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. Do a long-term radon test for 3 months to measure the level of radon in your home. The results will help determine whether you need to reduce the radon level in your home. Follow test kit instructions to place the detector in the lowest level of your home (basement or first floor) where you spend at least 4 hours a day. Exposure to radon is the number 1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
If you rent, your landlord can do a long-term radon test for 3 months to measure the level of radon in your home.
Reduce ozone in your home
Choose air purifiers carefully as some air purifiers and other electronic equipment release small amounts of ozone into your home. We advise against using products that intentionally release ozone, such as ozone air purifiers, into your home. Ground-level ozone is a key component in urban smog and can pollute indoor air. Prolonged exposure to ozone can result in decreased lung function.