Tackle the toxins

Our safe havens can harbour potentially harmful toxins and poor air quality too. Here are some steps to improve air quality in the home...

The idea that our homes can make us ill is far from a myth – and there’s even a term for it: Toxic Home Syndrome.

“Toxic Home Syndrome occurs when individuals and families are exposed to a potent mix of airborne pollutants within the home, arising from poor ventilation, causing respiratory and skin diseases to occur more frequently,” explains Peter Howarth, professor of allergy and respiratory medicine at Southampton University.

Things like mould, damp and condensation play a big part in Toxic Home Syndrome.

Symptoms can include fatigue, dizziness, headaches and respiratory problems, while young children and the elderly, or people with pre-existing health problems, are often most at risk.

In more serious cases, indoor air pollution could even contribute to major illnesses including cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.

Clean your air

Make sure you have adequate ventilation in your home to take out the pollutants and moisture that can build up.

All sorts of household products, including candles and household cleaners, contain potentially dangerous pollutants, and if these aren’t removed through ventilation they simply build up in your home.

Wooden flooring

Carpets harbour dirt, dust mites, pet hair, fungus and other potentially harmful particles that can aggravate the lungs. Swapping carpet for wooden flooring makes it easier to keep clean.

Go green when you clean

Use eco cleaning products which have fewer toxins and pollutants in them. Non-eco household cleaners can release formaldehyde when they come in contact with the air.

Curtain call

Change your shower curtain regularly to reduce mould growth which releases spores and toxins into the air. These can cause or exacerbate respiratory and skin conditions such as asthma and eczema.

Cut the moisture

Shut the bathroom door when showering, wipe down wet surfaces, put on your extractor fan and cover your pans when cooking.

Excessive moisture allows dust mites and mould to thrive, can aid bacterial growth and affect the survival of viruses.

Watch what you burn indoors

A real fire – as opposed to modern central heating – might seem like an appealing style statement, but what you burn indoors could contribute to toxic air. Consider substituting older wood burning stoves with a cast iron radiator.

Harness some plant power

As well as looking good and nurturing a sense of calm, certain house plants could even help clean up the air in your home.

Boston Ferns (Nephrolepis) are one of the best plants when it comes to removing formaldehyde from the air.

Aloe vera is already well known for its health benefits, but one of Aloe vera’s lesser known benefits is how well it can remove benzene and formaldehyde from the air.

Spider plants (Chlorophytum) are great for eliminating significant amounts of formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene and ammonia from the air.

Just taking some simple steps can lead to a healthier home