No-one wants to believe that their home is a health issue, after all- home is the place we should feel most safe and secure! However, more often than not quite serious issues can lurk in properties. Some things you can tackle yourself, others will need a professional calling in. Here are just a few of the health issues to think about with your home.
Toxic Home Syndrome
Did you know that the air in your home could be making you ill? The air inside of a home can contain more than nine hundred toxic chemicals at one time. This is usually caused by things like gas cooking and drying your washing. While you can’t avoid some things, you can ensure your home is properly ventilated to combat this. If you’re worried that you may have toxic home syndrome, signs include coughing, dizziness, sneezing, and feeling tired a lot of the time. You may also experience more serious symptoms, like eye irritation, muscle pain and asthma. Aim to open windows for half an hour each day to air it out, an air purifier could be useful too. It goes without saying that keeping your home generally clean and tidy will help too.
Moisture And Mould Problems
You'll know when you have moisture and mould problems. Condensation on ceilings and windows create the perfect environment for mould, it doesn’t just look bad it’s bad for your health too. You can experience allergic reactions as a result of these things, including symptoms like a runny nose, red eyes, and a rash. Mould is particularly dangerous to infants, the elderly, and those who have cancer or chronic lung disease. Mould can grow anywhere in the home that provides it food to grow, so making sure you eliminate moisture is key. You may not be able to get rid of all of the spores in your home, but you can prevent moisture to discourage it from growing. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners can help you, but there are other options out there.
Asbestos
Homes built before the year 1980 can contain asbestos in old floor tiles ceiling tiles, siding, and other areas. It’s possible that some newer houses can also contain asbestos, although it has been banned in most countries for many years. The only real way to find out is by booking an asbestos survey to see if your home is contaminated. If an area in your home containing asbestos is damaged, fibres can be released which are toxic to your health. It’s crucial to ensure your home doesn’t contain asbestos. Dealing with asbestos should never be done alone; you should always contact a professional.
Radon Gas
Radon is a deadly, natural occurring gas with no odor or colour. This gas is estimated to cause 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the US alone each year, and 1,100 deaths in the UK. If you want to test for radon, you can buy your own test kit. If your home is level 4 or higher, then you absolutely must take action. Hopefully, you now have more insight into whether your home is a health issue or not. Don’t leave it until it’s too late. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can put your mind and ease and allow you to find out for sure.
