What to throw away from home and what to do to live in a he althy fairytale home

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What to throw away from home and what to do to live in a he althy fairytale home
What to throw away from home and what to do to live in a he althy fairytale home
Anonim

Indoor air pollution is causing an epidemic of respiratory diseases. There are several causes of indoor pollution, explains English expert Tim Robinson

“Building materials, paints, varnishes and carpets are associated with VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can harm people with respiratory diseases, especially babies and young children. Personal hygiene factors, including air fresheners to aerosols, dry cleaning solvents, allergens (pollen, molds, etc.), as well as cooking fumes are also factors,” the expert stated.

So how can you make your home he althier?

Daily

- Artificial air fresheners - many release chemicals such as benzene, the hydrocarbon toluene, formaldehyde and phthalates. Excessive use can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, headache, nausea, general feeling of illness and in the long term it can cause damage to the respiratory tract and lungs.

Air freshening products mask unpleasant odors in buildings. But if you're using them to mask a musty or musky scent, for example, look for signs of mold and deal with it. Treat the cause, not the smell.

- Forget about cheap candles too. Paraffin wax candles (derived from petroleum) have been found to produce higher levels of toxins than other types of wax.

Choose candles with "soot-free" wicks made from cotton or wood and clean burning waxes such as soy, beeswax or coconut. Check the ingredient list and open the windows when lighting the candles to keep smoke to a minimum.

- Do not dry your clothes on the radiator! This can increase moisture levels by up to 30%, creating ideal conditions for mold spores to breed - a serious he alth risk for people with weak immune systems or severe asthma. If you cannot dry laundry outside, use a dryer or a well-ventilated indoor space away from living quarters.

- Forget the wood stove too, as it emits more polluting particles per hour than diesel trucks.

Bedroom

- The bedroom should be a no-go area for pets. More than half of dog and cat owners say their pet disturbs their sleep at night, and dander from their fur can cause allergies.

- Vacuum your bed. It can contain up to 1.5 million dust mites, which can trigger asthma and allergies, warns environmental he alth expert Dr Lisa Ackerley. Vacuum mattresses and pillows regularly and use hypoallergenic dust mite covers. Hang blankets and pillows outdoors on crisp, cold days to kill dust mites.

- Maintain the temperature: 16 to 18 degrees is considered an ideal bedroom temperature, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Above 24 degrees is likely to cause anxiety, while a cold room with a temperature of around 12 degrees will make it difficult to relax.

Kitchen

- Keep the windows open and the outside door if possible. Always use the hood while cooking. A humid environment increases the risk of difficulty breathing at night by 90%, as well as the possibility of bronchitis by 67%. It also puts you at a significantly higher risk of asthma and allergies.

- Be careful with the toaster. Burnt toast produces the toxic chemical acrylamide, which may be linked to cancer. Toast the bread until golden.

- Read the label. Many everyday cleaners contain volatile organic compounds that can irritate the throat and lungs when evaporated, especially sprays. Look for allergy-friendly products that are fragrance-free.

- Keep your oven clean by regularly placing a heatproof bowl of water on high for 20 minutes to dissolve the grease. Open windows while cleaning the kitchen to improve ventilation. This means you won't have to resort to harsh oven cleaners.

- Upgrade pans: Research shows that 37% of us cook with blistered, peeling or scratched non-stick pans, which can cause toxic chemicals to leach from the coatings. Ceramic cookware offers a good alternative as it can heat up to 450 degrees without releasing harmful toxins.

Bathroom

- Bacteria, mold and mites love bath mats and shower curtains. Dry off in the shower instead of dripping onto the mat. Wash your shower curtains regularly.

- Sharing is not helpful. Give each family member their own towel - and wash them at high temperatures to kill germs.

- It's all in the head: Don't forget the shower head when cleaning the bathroom. American scientists discovered that it is there that high levels of the bacterium mycobacterium avium, which can cause lung infections, are found.

- Do not store medicine or makeup in the bathroom. Heat and humidity cause deterioration, and moisture can encourage bacterial growth.

- Complete Evaporation: Some products that are safe when used alone can sometimes cause harmful fumes or other chemical reactions when mixed with other products. The key example is bleach and toilet cleaner.

  • house
  • apartment
  • cleanliness
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