By Amy Roffman New
08/12/07
Reactions to common household chemicals have been around for centuries. What is different today is the sheer number of people who suffer. Some people even call the problem 20th Century Disease.
You don’t have to be allergic to be affected. Although allergy-producing products are present in most homes, irritants are also common. These chemicals affect everyone, not just an unlucky few, notes Harold Nelson, M.D., Senior Staff Physician with the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine.
A survey of 1,004 adults in the US shows that 38% experience symptoms of allergies. This is nearly twice the number that researchers with the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), the group that sponsored the survey, expected to find. The ACAAI had thought the prevalence of allergies was closer to 20%.
Furthermore, 56% of respondents said that they lived in households with at least one person, which could include themselves, with allergies.
Of those residing in households of allergy patients, 60% said that they "...could not name any treatments other than prescriptions or over-the-counter medications", the ACAAI reports.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents with allergies had "never tried or considered" allergy immunization. However, the survey shows that those who do receive immunotherapy have a positive perception of the treatment approach. The only negative attribute, reported by more than half of the recipients, is the cost.
Why the sudden increase in allergic reactions to household chemicals? Blame the Arab oil embargo of the early 1970s. When builders started sealing up houses to cut fuel bills, they also started sealing in all sorts of common chemicals. As they build up, many of these chemicals and other irritants can cause runny noses, stuffy heads, headaches, and wheezing.
Here’s a look at some of the most common problem-causing household chemicals, and strategies for protecting yourself and your family.
Formaldehyde. This is the most common chemical irritant in modern buildings. It’s hard to build a house without formaldehyde—the chemical is in plywood, particleboard, stain-resistant carpets, insulation, and adhesives used for flooring. Exposure to formaldehyde can bring on a sore throat and a tingling nose. The good news is that the amount of formaldehyde emitted by these products decreases over time. So if you have a problem with new carpet this week, you might not have the same problem next year.
Pesticides. Read the label on any pesticide; these products can be very dangerous to your family and pets if used or stored improperly. A disturbing nationwide survey by the EPA in 1987 showed that fewer than 50 percent of consumers read the labels on pesticides.
Usually, pesticide irritation means problems with your skin, eyes, or respiratory tract. Pesticides can also affect your digestive tract (nausea, diarrhea) and nervous system (headache, dizziness).
Alternative natural pesticides are worth considering. According to William Rea, M.D., director of the Environmental Health Center in Dallas, boric acid, available in most home and garden stores, will stop crawling bugs without the harsh chemicals. In fact, you’ll find a host of less toxic pest controls at most garden centers.
Nitrogen dioxide. This odorless gas arises from unvented gas stoves and heaters. Nitrogen dioxide can cause respiratory problems in children, says John Whysner, M.D., Ph.D., executive secretary of the Environmental Health & Safety Council, American Health Foundation.
Carbon monoxide. Gas appliances, including furnaces and stoves, emit this deadly by-product. At low doses, carbon monoxide causes dizziness and flu-like symptoms: at higher doses, the gas is lethal. Use power exhaust blowers and keep burners properly adjusted can help reduce problems.
Solvents. Many household products contain hazardous chemicals. Benzene—found in paints, varnishes and solvent—can cause respiratory problems. Trichloroethylene—-found in household cleaners and degreasers—-can cause fatigue and dizziness. The key to avoiding problems with household products is to read the label and use the products only as directed.
Latex. Allergies to this rubber-like compound are most often seen in health-care workers who must wear latex gloves, according to Jordan Fink, M.D., chief of the allergy division of the Medical College of Wisconsin. Some people have also had reactions to latex condoms and to latex balloons used in some medical procedures.
While there are pills and ointments that can be used to treat latex allergies, Dr. Fink says that it's more important to avoid latex if you have a problem.
Dyes. Cloth dyes, especially dark blue, cause skin reactions in many people. Washing clothes before wearing them will get rid of excess dye that may cause problems.
Even after years of usage, hair dyes can also cause allergic problems that range from an itchy head to severe hair loss. Manufacturers of hair dyes recommend that you test the hair color on a small patch on your arm 24 hours before using it. Because an allergy is a reaction that builds with each exposure, it's important to do the test each time you color your hair.
We can't blame chemical makers for all our sneezing and wheezing. Nature must shoulder a portion of the blame as well. In fact, the number one household allergen is...
Dust. "When you say 'house dust,' " explains Dr. Nelson, "people think of the little specks floating in the air when the sun beams through the window". In reality, it isn't the dust that gets you, but waste products of too-tiny-to-see dust mites.
Dust mites live in house dust, so whatever you can do to get rid of dust will get rid of mites. Because dust settles from the air very quickly, bedding, furniture, and carpets are the dustiest places in your house. Washing all bedding and vacuuming furniture and carpets weekly will cut down substantially on dust.
Getting the dust out of the air is easier, but less effective. Air filters trap only the dust in the air, so any dust that has already fallen to the ground stays put until it is stirred-up by people walking or crawling on the floor. Combining regular cleaning with air filters might be more effective, since a filter will trap some of the particles that cleaning stirs up. Using high-efficiency air filters helps, too.
Pet dander. Here's the second most common allergen in the home. Animals naturally shed dander (dead skin cells), which becomes part of house dust. While rigorous cleaning may help for someone with a mild allergy, in most cases, Fluffy or Fido is going to have to go outside. (Or be limited to certain rooms of the house.)
Molds. These simple organisms thrive in areas of high humidity. Even if your climate is not naturally humid, using a humidifier in your home can encourage the growth of molds.
"Just by increasing indoor humidity", says Dr. Nelson, "you encourage mold growth and dust mites". Keep humidity in your home to a minimum by running air conditioning or a dehumidifier.
PROTECTlON POINTERS
In most cases, reducing your exposure to the allergen or irritant will clear up your stuffy head or dizziness fairly quickly. That means getting rid of dust, household products, or whatever irritant is causing your problem.
Use a heat recovery ventilator to remove polluted air and provide fresh filtered air. Many problems occur because there is not enough outside air to dilute the effects of chemicals and allergens. Use exhaust fans on a regular basis to remove polluted indoor air.
Use your air conditioner — Reduce exposure to airborne pollen from trees, grasses and weeds by staying in air-conditioned spaces. Keep windows closed during pollen season, especially on windy days.
Maintain optimal humidity — Keep humidity low (30 to 50 percent) to reduce indoor levels of dust mites, molds and insects. Use exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen and a dehumidifier in your basement. Vent dryers outside. If you use a humidifier, change the water daily.
Reduce pet dander — Avoid pets with fur or feathers. If your asthma is triggered by your cat, it's best to find a new home for your pet. If you choose to keep your cat, wash it once a week with soap and warm water to reduce airborne dander. Keep your cat outside as much as possible and don't let it in your bedroom.
Decontaminate your decor — To minimize dust that may aggravate nighttime symptoms, encase mattresses, pillows and box springs in dustproof covers, which can be removed and cleaned frequently. Replace bedding made of down, kapok or foam rubber with synthetic materials such as dacron. Wash sheets, pillow cases and mattress pads weekly in hot water. Replace synthetic pillows every two or three years. Consider replacing upholstered furniture with leather or vinyl, carpeting with hardwood, vinyl or tile, and heavy drapes with blinds, shades or washable curtains.
Ensure clean air — Have a utility company check your air conditioner and furnace once a year. Change furnace filters according to manufacturer's instructions. Consider installing a HEPA filter in your heating system. Maintain proper ventilation if you burn wood in your home.
Don't wear contacts during pollen season — Substitute your eyeglasses for contact lenses on high pollen-count days. Pollen grains can be trapped under lenses.
Clean regularly — Clean your home at least once a week. Because cleaning stirs up dust, however, wear a mask or have someone else clean if possible.
Attach a filter to your vacuum — Conventional machines tend to stir up fine particles of substances including dust mites. Equip your vacuum with two-ply microfiltration bags or an electrostatic filter that fits over the exhaust outlet. Also, consider a central cleaner with the collecting bag outside your home, or a cleaner fitted with a high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter.
| Allergies | American Academy of Allergy & Immunology |
| Environmental Illness | American Academy of Environmental Medicine |
| Indoor Air Quality | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Pesticides | National Pesticide Information Center |
| Testing and Consulting | Health and Energy Company, Omaha, Nebraska |