One person in seven in the UK is affected by some
sort of lung disease. When thinking about air quality most of
us think it applies only to
the great outdoors, much of which is caused by traffic. However,
almost all the air we breathe contains a level of pollution,
and some of it can be
more harmful when trapped in confined spaces like your home
for instance.
How can we detect it? Well, in some cases it can
cause allergic reactions and irritate your eyes, skin, nose,
and lungs. In severe cases it can even
cause dizziness and nausea. You may notice an improvement in
symptons when you let in more air from the outside, or find
the symptoms get
worse after leaving home (or work) for a while and then returning.
The most effective way to control most indoor
air pollution is to get rid of the cause, and to improve ventilation.
Perhaps an air cleaner may
improve things, but there are many options and costs can be
high.
THE MAIN CAUSES OF HARMFUL AIR POLLUTION IN THE
HOME:
Tobacco Smoke - Contains a number of dangerous
substances including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other
gasses and particles.
Animal Dust - Minute
particles of skin and fur are a major cause of allergy in some
people. If you have a pet vacuuum carpets and
upholtery
regularly, and keep pets out of bedrooms.
Mould, Mildew, and Bacteria - These can come from badly maintained
air conditioners, or from a source of damp. Try to ensure that
rooms
like bathrooms and kitchens are well ventilated; this will help
prevent the condensation that causes mildew.
Cooking and Heating Appliances - Gas appliances can cause harmful
amounts of nitrogen dioxide and/or carbon monoxide, if they
are
not
properly installed and vented. Low levels can give you headaches,
cause nausea, and irritate your breathing and eyes.
High
levels can kill you.
Make
sure your appliances are professionally installed and inspected
and have vent to the outside. Gas appliances should
only
be worked on by CORGI registered engineers. If you suspect a
gas leak, turn off the appliance at the mains, open doors
and
windows and get help straight away. Your local telephone directory
should contain an emergency number under GAS.
House dust mites - These are present in every home particularly
in bedding. It is virtually impossible to get rid of them. Allergic
reactions can
be
minimised by washing bedding regularly, and using special pillow,
and matress covers, which the mites can't pass through.
Toxic Chemicals - Some household products used for cleaning,
as pesticides, or painting, or as solvents, can cause dizziness,
nausea, or
allergic
reactions. Follow the manufacturers instructions carefully,
and use them in well ventilated places. If possible use
non
toxic alternatives.
Formaldehyde Gas-Some adhesives, carpets, upholstery fabrics,
ply and particle boards used in buildings release this gas.
It can give you headaches, dizziness,
rashes and nausea, and irritate your eyes, nose and throat.
If you can't remove this source, cover the source with
a
coating and increase ventilation.
Radon Gas -
This can be released from soil or rock. In some areas of the
UK where houses are built on granite, radon can seep into
buildings,
and drains through cracks in the rock below. Local consumer
advice services should be able to let you know
if
this is a problem in the area. If so you can have you home tested
for levels, and there are professionals who can treat it.
Asbestos -
Asbestos fibres can be dangerous. Lagging on pipes, tanks and
boilers, some wall and ceiling texture coatings, roofing,
flooring,
and insulation boarding, have at some time all included asbestos.
Be particularly aware if you are drilling or renovating
in
a property built more than twenty five years ago. Seek advice
from you local council. If it is crumbling and in poor repair
you
should engage a professionsl asbestos removal company. But if
it is in good condition and sealed then it is safer to leave
it
where
it is rather than to try to remove it. But do not cut, sand
or drill into it.
Source. The main source of this information is
the "British lung foundation" Telephone 08458 50 50
20 for futher advice and assistence
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