Toxic Hazards in the Home
 
MOVING house is bad for your health – as well as your nerves. Setting up home in a newly built abode can make you ill and an old house is often no better.
    Chemicals used in building materials can linger undetected. They can cause headaches, skin irritation, nausea and even cancer. Studies in Britain and Australia have found high levels of toxic chemicals seeping from furniture, floors and paints in new homes. The Australian study, published in New Scientist magazine, found new properties in Melbourne had toxic chemicals up to 20 times the safety limit.
    British researchers monitoring 800 homes found toxic chemicals were twice as high in homes less than a year old than in houses built 10 years ago. According to indoor pollution expert Jeff LLewellyn, this is because we are using more toxic materials which tend to seep out. Mr LLewellyn – from the Building Research Establishment, which carried out the UK research – says househunters need to keep their wits about them. He says: "The more serious health hazards like carbon monoxide and lead poisoning are worrying. We really don't know how many people seek medical help because there could be other factors. Also GPs don't have a thorough understanding of these environmental problems. If someone seeks help with regular headaches, the doctor won't necessarily draw a link between the illness and their home."
    So if you've got rid of cat fleas the previous owner left behind, don't celebrate yet. First follow SALLY JANE's guide to changing your scream home into a dream home.
 
PAINT : Freshly decorated new homes often have high levels of chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) on painted surfaces. They can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness and drowsiness. Some are directly linked to cancer.
    In older homes, lead based paints were used until the seventies. They are particularly harmful to children who chew on painted toys. The poison attacks the nervous system, gastro-intestinal tract and the blood-forming tissues. Symptoms range from a metallic taste in the mouth to headaches, digestive problems and abdominal pain. Prolonged poisoning can result in brain injury, convulsions, coma and even death.
What you can do : In new homes gloss paint contains a higher percentage of dangerous VOCs, so use low-odour matt paints and ventilate the house well. Or close all windows, turn up the heating and sweat out the chemicals while you are out.
 
WALLS : Walls are normally not a problem in new homes but old houses often have damp, dryrot and condensation which cause structural damage as well as making you ill. Damp and condensation can encourage mould and fungi. When breathed in, the mould spores can make colds and coughs worse and heighten respiratory problems, allergies and athsma. Mould also gives off toxic vapours which can cause sickness, nausea and headaches.
    Asbestos was often used to line walls in the 1950s. It in not a problem if left undamaged, but once damaged you need to take action to prevent serious health problems, including cancer of the chest lining.
What you can do : A surveyor should spot damp initially, but you should be able to detect the smell like wet soil. Get professionals to carry out damp-proofing. Solve condensation problems with good ventilation and apply a fungicide on mould.
    If you suspect you have damaged asbestos, do not tackle it yourself, but contact your local Environmental Health officer.
 
FLOORING : The chemical formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of chipboard for flooring and fitted kitchens and will be three times higher in a new house or fitted kitchen. It smells and will irritate the skin, eyes and mouth. American research has linked it to cancer. There are normally no similar problems with older homes, but try to check if formaldehyde has been used on any surfaces in the past few years.
What you can do : Proper ventilation is the key. Install trickle vents at the top of you windows. These keep a low level of ventilation moving, without causing draughts and wasting energy. Fumes will drop quickly but if vents are closed they will build up again.
 
CARPET : A chemical called styrene often seeps out of new carpets. It can cause nausea, dizziness and headaches. The World Health Organisation says styrene can cause cancer in humans and several studies have shown that breathing it may cause leukæmia.
What you can do : Ventilate your home well to clear the styrene fumes.
 
GARAGE : If your house has in integral garage, you could be at risk of benzine poisoning because toxic fumes from a parked car could filter into the house. When breathed in, benzine can cause cancer in adults and leukæmia in children.
What you can do : Don't park older cars in a connecting garage. Leaving your car outside to cool before parking inside will greatly reduce benzine levels.
    Leave the garage door open for a while after you have parked the car.
 
FIRES : With many gas fires installed in new homes, there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a highly toxic, colourless and odourless gas emitted from faulty gas appliances. It kills and seriously poisons hundreds of people every year. Breathed in, carbon monoxide goes straight to the blood stream. Signs of poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, fainting, and in severe cases, coma and respiratory failure. Open fires can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
What you can do : Make sure gas appliances are serviced when you move in and annually by a certified Corgi engineer. For extra peace of mind, invest in a carbon monoxide detecting patch or alarm.
    In older homes, make sure the chimney is not blocked and rooms are properly ventilated. Having windows open in winter may let heat out – but it may save your life.
 

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