Are We Safe In Our Homes?

After battling the freeways on the way home from work we breathe a sigh of relief when we step into our homes. Most of us know that outdoor air pollution can damage our health, but what we don’t know is that indoor air may be even more harmful.

Levels of indoor air pollution can be from two to more than 100 times higher than outdoor pollution, according to the U.S. EPA. This is due in large part to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate, or "offgas," from home decorating and cleaning products.

Most of us spend as much as 90% of our time indoors, therefore these levels of air pollutants are cause for concern. Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Homes built after 1970 are more likely to harbor bad air because, to keep energy consumption down, builders tightened up houses to prevent the loss of precious heat. Unfortunately, this also traps pollutants indoors.

What does all this do to your family’s health? Environmental and indoor pollutants get trapped in the fatty tissue of the body and can cause all manner of ills--both mental and physical.

According to a study published in New Scientist, in homes where aerosol sprays and air fresheners were used frequently, mothers experienced 25 percent more headaches and were 19 percent more likely to suffer from depression, and infants under six months of age had 30 percent more ear infections and 22 percent higher incidence of diarrhea.

Another concern with exposure to these pollutants are the ill effects they can have on some people--such as burning of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, asthma attacks and cold or hay fever symptoms.

Dr. Claude Matar, retired medical doctor and board certified naturopathic physician, gives advice on what you can do about the problem:

· Clean up your home of the toxic chemicals and then clean out the toxins already trapped in your body.

· Read Clear Body Clear Mind by L. Ron Hubbard. This New York Times best-seller outlines Mr. Hubbard’s research into the mental and physical effects of toxic residues in the body.

· Declare your home a smoke-free zone. Secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems, especially for children. Ask smokers to take it outside.

· Make sure you have good ventilation--it reduces indoor air pollution. Leave doors between rooms open most of the time for better air circulation. Open windows when possible and install exhaust fans in bathrooms to remove moisture and chemicals from the house.

· Fix all leaks and drips in the home, as standing water and high humidity encourages the growth of mold and other biological pollutants.

· Fit your gas range with a hood fan that exhausts the air outside. Use the fan or open a window when cooking to remove gas fumes.

· Check commercial cleaning products and pesticides for toxic ingredients, and use according to manufacturers directions. Keep your home well ventilated when using these products. Consider switching to less toxic alternatives.

Make sure your family is safe in your home and give them the gift of health by reducing the toxins already in their bodies. For more information on the book Clear Body Clear Mind visit www.clearbodyclearmind.com.