HOW HEALTHY ARE OUR HOMES?

World Interiors Day, we look at some of the things we use inside our homes that are possibly not the best choices for us

Here are a feW tHinGs you Can replaCe in your House in order to reduCe your exposure to Harmful materials

Most of us spend at least half of our lives inside our homes without realising there is a connection between our homes and our health. Our homes can make us feel safe, but they can also make us sick. We spend nearly 80% of our time indoors, whether it’s at home or office. This World Interiors Day, we help you understand the hidden dangers within the four walls of your home.

There are many dangers around our home, though we seldom know what they are. So, let’s look at this list of common household items that truly put you and your health at risk.

NoN-Stick cookware

As Indians, we love to cook, and the use of non-stick cookware has proliferated over the years, thanks to its easy availability and attractive price points, in addition to its ability to cook food with less oil. But are these utensils safe? If you use your non-stick pots and pans on a daily basis, they are likely to scratch and break at some point, releasing toxic gases in your home.

air FreSheNerS

Over the past decade, the humble incense sticks have been replaced with air fresheners that promise odour removal without the smoke.However, scientific studies have shown that many common household air fresheners contain chemicals that may be potentially harmful.

Toxins found in air fresheners can accumulate in the body over time. It’s advisable to minimise the use of air fresheners.

houSehold cleaNiNg SupplieS

The chemicals in cleaning supplies bleach and disinfect to make our dishes, bathtubs and countertops germ-free, but many also contribute to indoor air pollution — these are harmful if inhaled or touched. Fragrances added to many cleaners, most notably laundry detergents and fabric softeners, may cause acute effects such as respiratory irritation, headache, sneezing, and watery eyes in sensitive individuals or in allergy and asthma sufferers.

carpetS, curtaiNS aNd MattreSSeS

Things that are not cleaned daily — carpets, curtains, and mattresses — absorb a lot of allergens, dust and bacteria. They also tend to attract dust that is difficult to get rid of even with vacuum cleaners. They are also potential sources of Formaldehyde which can lead to sore throat, itching and may also cause Leukemia. Also, your new carpet or cabinet could be subtly poisoning you with chemicals such as benzene, ethylene glycol, or formaldehyde.

FlooriNg

Choosing non-toxic flooring for your home might sound like a simple task, but unfortunately, many of the flooring options available contain harmful chemicals. There have also been concerns with regards to formaldehyde poisoning by vinyl and laminate wood flooring.

wallS

While floor cleaning is a daily routine in most homes, the walls always remain ignored barring a monthly mopping. However, this frequency might not be enough, as walls tend to assimilate germs and bacteria that over time put one’s family health at risk. Some of the bacteria get activated depending upon weather conditions.

Being mindful about the choice of materials we use in our homes can make a huge difference to the quality of our indoor health. The most ubiquitous items that we use every day can be the triggers for many health disorders; being aware of these will help us in making better choices for our homes.