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THE TOXIC HOUSE

Welcome to The Nature of Things Toxic House. This is a site about the hazards of indoor pollution, largely created by the synthetic and organic chemicals that are a part of our daily lives. It might sound like a place you want to stay away from, but really it's a place intended to help you make informed decisions about the places and spaces in which you live. We can't live without chemicals, and in many ways they help to improve our lives. However, as environmental engineer Dr. Richard Corsi points out, some chemicals are better than others, and we can make educated choices about their risks versus their benefits.

As you'll see, there are potentially harmful substances at every turn, but it's important to stress that most of us are only ever exposed to very low levels of toxic compounds in our own homes. Therefore contact with the odd chemical trace might not be so bad, but as scientists are discovering, it's exposure to traces of many different chemicals over a lifetime that may be cause for concern. And, it is becoming increasingly evident that children are most at risk, as the chemical burden in their bodies could well affect their growth and development. The long-term impact of chemicals in our everyday lives is yet to be fully understood, but we hope that this site prompts you to evaluate your indoor environment and to seek out more information.

KITCHEN

CUPBOARD - CLEANING PRODUCTS

Overview:
Household cleaners can be irritating, toxic, and sometimes carcinogenic. Vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda are good alternatives.

Problems:
Cleaning products comes in all shapes and sizes and most of them contain one or more chemicals that are harmful. A few to be on the look out for: sodium hypochlorite, used in chlorine bleach, can cause lung and eye irritation. Formaldehyde, a preservative in many household products, is a suspected human carcinogen and is a strong irritant to eyes, throat, skin and lungs. Spot removers and carpet cleaners can contain perchloroethylene, an animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen. Phenol and cresol, found in disinfectants have been linked to diarrhea, fainting, and kidney and liver damage. Long-term exposure to certain metal polishes can cause damage to the nervous system, skin, kidneys and eyes.

Solutions:
Less toxic alternatives can be found at organic foods stores, and even some conventional stores. Citrus-based cleaners are very effective as well as environmentally friendly. Made with orange peels, these products are nontoxic, petroleum-free, and biodegradable. Natural acids such as vinegar and lemon juice are good at cutting grease, and when mixed with water, ordinary baking soda can usually do the same job as a commercial can of cleanser or all-purpose spray - without leaving harmful chemicals behind.

FOOD - PESTICIDES

Overview:
Trace residues of pesticides are routinely found on fruits and vegetables. Buying organic produce is the best way to reduce pesticide intake.

Problems:
Pesticides are assessed for safety by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and pesticide levels on foods are monitored by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Pesticide residue on food could pose a risk to your health. Most pesticide standards are based on the assumption of exposure to one pesticide at a time. There is little information available on exposure to multiple pesticides or on the cumulative effects of low levels of pesticides over a lifetime. Children are most at risk of ingesting concentrated pesticide residues because they tend to eat a much less varied diet than adults. They are particularly vulnerable because childhood is a period of critical organ development and rapid growth.

Solutions:
Organic produce is the safest bet, but often expensive, or not always readily available. There are other ways to cut back on pesticides. If you eat conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, you could reduce your consumption of the following foods, which an American study has shown to consistently have the largest number of trace levels of pesticides: strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, peaches (U.S.), cantaloupe (Mexican), celery, apples, apricots, green beans, grapes, and cucumbers. You should also wash fruit thoroughly, especially apples, peaches and pears. Although some pesticides concentrate closer to the skin, they are still largely systemic, that is, they are throughout the fruit. Therefore peeling produce is considerably less valuable than the fibre and nutritional value that the skin of most fruit or vegetables provides. Parents should diversify children's diets, spreading foods out over time, giving children's immune systems a periodic break.

FORMALDEHYDE - CUPBOARD

Overview:
Pressed wood products often contain formaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen. Try to buy wood products that emit little formaldehyde.

Problems:
Formaldehyde is a colourless liquid or gas with a pungent odour. It adds permanent-press qualities to clothing and draperies; it is a preservative in some paints and coating products; and a component of glues and adhesives. Exposure to formaldehyde in the home is most likely to occur through pressed wood products that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product, and thus may emit more formaldehyde than similar products. Symptoms associated with exposure to formaldehyde include eye, nose and throat irritation, skin rashes, itching, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

Solutions:
Try to avoid products that contain formaldehyde, especially pressed wood products. A new product known as "wheatboard" is a good replacement for pressboard. It contains no formaldehyde and is currently available in Western Canada and should be available in Eastern Canada by the end of 2002. Opt for solid wood or pressed wood products that are fully covered with a water-repellent finish. Coating unfinished products with water-based coating products can also reduce formaldehyde emissions. Finishes should be applied in multiple layers and should cover all surfaces of the product. Apply the finish in a well-ventilated area and allow the product plenty of time to air out. Generally, increasing ventilation after bringing new sources of formaldehyde into the home will help reduce exposure.

DISHWASHER - CHLOROFORM

Overview:
Chloroform gas builds up when you run your dishwasher Allow dishes to dry in the dishwasher with the door closed

Problems:
Chlorination is an important method of water sanitization used in most municipalities. However, its by-product is chloroform, an invisible gas that forms when the chlorine and organic molecules in the water mix together. The higher the temperature of the water, the more chloroform produced. Many dishwashing detergents also contain chlorine, which increases the chloroform that escapes with the puff of steam when the dishwasher door opens.

Solutions:
Use a non-chlorinated detergent in the dishwasher. Leave the dishwasher door closed until the dishes are dry. Doing so without operating the "dry" cycle will conserve energy as well. If you have to open the dishwasher immediately after the wash cycle, try and avoid breathing the steam as it comes out of the unit. Turning on the kitchen fan and opening windows also helps steam to travel out of your breathing zone.

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