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THE TOXIC HOUSE

VANITY - PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Overview:
Personal care products contain chemicals which can be harmful. Shop for products that are chemical free or hypo-allergenic.

Problems:
Products like nail polish remover usually have strong smells associated with them, which is the first sign of a potentially harmful chemical at work. Acetone and ethyl acetate are the culprits in this case, and can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and can irritate the lungs if ingested. Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon and shows up in some nail polishes, but also in industrial paints and varnishes. It can irritate the skin and the respiratory tract and cause liver damage. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been shown to be a potent reproductive and developmental toxin, particularly for males. It is a useful additive in many cosmetics because it has useful properties. It imparts flexibility in mascara and nail polish, its oily texture gives skin a soft feel and helps lotions penetrate the skin.

Solutions:
Familiarize yourself with the terminology. Although ingredient labels on cosmetics are often difficult to read, it's valuable to know that a "plasticizer" and "butyl ester" are the same things as dibutyl phthalate. Other common forms of phthalates are diethyl phthalate, and dimethyl phthalate. Women who are pregnant, nursing or thinking about getting pregnant should avoid all personal care products with any of these words on the label. There are products on the market that are largely free of synthetic chemicals.

RUBBER DUCK - PHTHALATES

Overview:
Phthalates can affect the reproductive tract of male foetuses. Phthalate-free alternatives are available.

Problems:
Phthalates are chemical compounds that help give plastic products their flexibility and soft texture. These "plasticizers" are used extensively in the manufacture of products that range from children's toys to plastic wrap to medical devices in hospitals. Phthalates can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled as fumes, ingested when they contaminate food or when children bite or suck on toys. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring can sometimes emit small amounts of phthalates into the surrounding air, along with other toxic additives.

Solutions:
Try and prevent your child from chewing on plastic toys; better yet, buy natural fibre toys. Toys manufactured in Canada, the US and Europe are usually phthalate-free. Store food in glass or ceramic containers, especially fatty foods like meat, cheese, and butter. If you must use plastic wrap, leave a gap between the food and the wrap. Avoid re-using margarine or yoghurt tubs. If you use plastic cookware or containers, look for polyethylene plastic, which does not contain plasticizers. There are competitively priced alternatives to vinyl flooring available. Ceramic, marble or stone tiles, or wood can be used if a harder surface is desired. Cork flooring is softer, but avoid cork that is sealed with artificial resins. Linoleum, which is often confused for vinyl flooring, is made of renewable materials and has good durability.

LIVING ROOM

CARPET - DUST

Overview:
Carpets are reservoirs for mould, dust and other allergens. Many of these culprits stay outside if shoes are removed at the door.

Problems:
For small children, house dust is a major source of exposure to cadmium, lead and other heavy metals, as well as polychlorinated biphenyls and other persistent organic pollutants. Despite regular vacuuming, dust and other toxic compounds easily accumulate in rugs. Plush and shag carpeting in particular provide sticky fibres where dust can settle.

Solutions:
Investing in a good doormat will help prevent the tracking of dirt inside the home. Better yet, insist that all family members and visitors take off shoes at the door. Floors covered with wood, tile or linoleum are the best, and the easiest to clean. If you do have extensive carpeting, use an effective vacuum cleaner, one with a power head. A dirt-finder vacuum (which has a light that turns from red to green when the carpet is clean) is even better.

FIREPLACE - WOODSMOKE

Overview:
Woodsmoke generates hundreds of toxic compounds and many carcinogens. Have air-handling systems inspected regularly.

Problems:
Operating fireplaces with unbalanced air flows can cause combustion pollutants from vented appliances to spill into the house. This spillage can produce very high levels of indoor pollutants. Wood smoke is made up of several elements that can be damaging to your health. Tiny particles (particulate matter - PM10) that are less than 10 microns in diameter can become embedded in your lungs. Inhalation of PM10 causes coughing, irritation and permanent scarring and damage to the lungs. It contributes to cancer, heart disease and changes in DNA leading to autoimmune disease. Woodsmoke also contains a group of compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which include many Class A carcinogens, the most carcinogenic materials known to exist.

Solutions:
If possible, replace your woodburning appliance with a properly vented electric or gas fireplace or a vented gas heater. Do not use leaking or malfunctioning woodburning appliances. If you do burn wood make sure it is clean - never burn wood that has paint or coating on it. Have your woodstoves and fireplaces inspected each year. Check them for backdrafting and spillage. These steps will greatly reduce indoor pollution from woodsmoke. Have all air-handling systems including furnaces, flues and chimneys, inspected regularly.

CANDLE - LEAD WICKS

Overview:
Candles with lead wicks emit lead into the air. Use other lighting sources whenever possible.

Problems: Some candles contain dangerously high amounts of lead. The lead is found in the core wick, a metal piece inserted into the candles to support the wick as it is being burned, providing an even and slower burn rate. Votives, pillars and tea lights, scented candles and candles that produce puddles of wax are more likely to contain a lead core than other types. Lead is a serious poison that has been linked with behavioural and learning problems in children, and can accumulate in the body's bloodstream and organs.

Solutions:
Not all candles are made with wicks that have metallic cores. Studies have shown that metal cores in Chinese candles to be made of either pure lead or lead alloy, while those made in the U.S. or Mexico consisted of zinc or lead-containing alloys. Leaded candles have recently been banned in the Australia and in the United States. They are still available for sale in Canada although the federal government has urged the Canadian candle industry to stop manufacturing and importing candles with lead core wicks. Look for candles that are labelled lead-free.

WINDOW FRAME - LEAD

Overview:
Lead is a harmful pollutant and poses a serious threat to children's health. Leave lead-based paint undisturbed if it is in good condition.

Problems:
Lead affects practically all systems within the body. Lead at high levels (lead levels at or above 80 micrograms per decilitre of blood) can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lower levels of lead can cause adverse health effects on the central nervous system, kidney, and blood cells. Blood lead levels as low as 10 micrograms per decilitre can impair mental and physical development, particularly in children. Lead also accumulates in the body's bloodstream and organs.

Solutions:
Keep areas where children play as dust-free and clean as possible. Don't use antique cribs and toys as their paint work probably contains lead. Do not remove lead paint yourself. Do not bring lead dust into the home. If your work or hobby involves lead, change clothes and use doormats before entering your home. Eat a balanced diet, rich in calcium and iron, which can help prevent a buildup of lead deposits in the digestive tract, brain, bones and kidneys. Note that all paint should be kept in good condition since it can contain other chemicals like mercury and cadmium.

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