Tips to Avoid “Sick-House” Syndrome

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What is Sick-House Syndrome?

Although we all know that fresh air is good for us, we tend to associate it with spending time outdoors. Since many of us spend most of our lives indoors, we should educate ourselves on the danger of what is called “sick-house” syndrome.

This occurs when our homes, offices, etc. are sealed tightly to prevent noise, pollution, or cold air from entering. Unfortunately, this also prevents harmful fumes caused by paints, cleaning products, deodorizers and wood smoke from getting out.

Even our furnishings, carpeting, and clothing can emit dangerous pollutants.

How Can We Prevent the Build up of Dangerous Pollutants?

Studies show that the air in our homes should be changed ten times per day – anything less causes build up of dangerous pollutants.

Below are some tips to help avoid “sick-house” syndrome.

    • Ventilation

First, open the windows (just a crack is sufficient) when possible, and check to make sure that all vents are unblocked.

Another problem that lack of ventilation can cause is mold and mildew. This is found to be a danger not only to your health, but it can also damage the structure of your house.

Especially in rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms, where humidity is likely to be high, proper ventilation is essential. The use of fans in these areas are helpful.

Also, check areas such as the attic, and underneath floors for proper air circulation. If you have a humidity problem upstairs, it probably means that the attic or roof space needs more ventilation. Be aware that some types of flooring can cause structural damage if there is not adequate ventilation beneath it.

    • Pleasant Odors

We all want our homes to smell nice, and a clean, well-ventilated house will. But unpleasant odors happen, and we must not become overzealous in using artificial scents that add more pollutants to the air.

Aerosols, in particular, are not eco-friendly and often contain nasty additives. Do not fall into the trap of trying to create a “fresh smelling” home by adding more chemicals to our already polluted air.

You can easily make your own room deodorizer by sprinkling a few drops of vanilla or essential oil on a cotton ball. Place this in a small open container to prevent the oil or alcohol from damaging your furniture.

Other natural room fresheners to use include baking soda, white vinegar, fresh or dried herbs, or even a bowl of fresh apples.

And, if you like the scent of fresh flowers, treat yourself to the real thing instead of using an artificial spray. Try to keep chemical-laced cleaners, and perfumed products to a minimum, and use natural products as much as possible.


Do You Suffer from Sick-House Syndrome?

If you or your loved ones suffer from unexplained drowsiness, headaches or a general malaise, try getting fresher air through the house. Your family and your home with breath easier and avoid the “sick-house” syndrome.

Further Recommended Reading :

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

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3 comments

How does Mold Get into your Home? - The Mold Blog November 30, 2007 - 5:24 pm
[...] Tips to Avoid Sick-House-Syndrome [...]
6 Easy Mold Prevention Tips - The Mold Blog December 3, 2007 - 1:36 pm
[...] Tips to Avoid Sick-House Syndrome [...]
Simon Hahessy August 31, 2009 - 10:44 am
Mold and indoor air pollutants can be very dangerous as the EPA states indoor air quality is 5-20 times more polluted than outdoors. Everyone should get their home or office evaluated, especially if you are demonstrating symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, nose bleeds, respiratory issues, allergic reactions, diarrhea, fatigue or eye or skin irritation. If you have additional questions, I would suggest giving AirMD a call. AirMD is an environmental-testing company that offers several types of green, indoor environmental evaluations including mold inspections, air testing, Chinese drywall testing and water testing. AirMD is based on scientific analysis and also offers a natural, organic line of chemical-free cleaning solutions called PURE AirMD. Synthetically fragranced and chemical-based cleaning products have no role to play in today’s world. No one should have to suffer negative health effects from the chemical vapors and ingredients in their cleaners. PURE AirMD™ products are non-toxic, organic, biodegradable and human friendly. The unique soap formula, a natural antibacterial agent, uses enzymatic reactions to break down dirt and grease. PURE AirMD™ products are important for all health-conscious individuals, especially hyper-allergenic, chemically sensitive and immuno-compromised individuals. Most importantly, PURE AirMD™ ingredients are found on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) list. Therefore, no warning label is required to be placed on PURE AirMD™ by any Federal, State or Municipal agency. For more info and to order products, visit http://www.airmd.com.
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