Hidden Toxins in the Home and Workplace

Chances are you are exposed to indoor air pollution in the house where you live or the building where you work.

When was the last time you were exposed to fresh paint, new carpets, a copier or laser printer?

What about cleaning products, nail polish remover or other solvents?

How about a big flat-screen TV, which can give off an odor of slowly cooking plastic?

Let's face it: these things aren't making the air we breathe any cleaner or safer.

Many of the products we use everyday are giving off toxins that we then breathe in, or absorb through our skin.

With 90 percent of time spent indoors, there is a good chance that indoor air pollution impacts your health, for the worse.

In fact, if the building in which you live, work or study in is a sick building, it could very well be making you sick too.

And you probably don't even realize what is making you ill.

Do you experience:

• Eye or ear irritation?
• Stuffy nose?
• Headache?
• Chest tightness?
• Impaired memory or concentration?
• Dizzyness?
• Nausea?
• Itching?
• Skin rash?
• Shortness of breath?

These are just some of the symptoms of sick building syndrome that I outline in my book Power Healing.

The source of the toxic indoor air is discovered in about a quarter of the cases, but in most cases, no single source of environmental exposure can be identified.

Of course if you or neighbors have a wood stove or fireplace, you can easily smell the source. Learn the results of a fascinating new study on indoor air pollution: Air Filters Cut Heart Risks from Pollution

A survey of 9,000 office workers in Europe found that 50 to 80 percent of them had symptoms typical of sick building syndrome.

In the U.S. it is estimated that up to 25 million workers have building related illness at any given time.

What are the main sources of toxins?

The first category is volatile organic compounds (VOC's).

VOC's are gases that come from:

• paint
• adhesives
• solvents
• cleaning solutions
• carpeting
• building materials
• copy machines
• laser printers
• and many other products

Exposure to VOC's can cause headache, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

Samples of air from buildings with sick building syndrome and without have established the connection between VOC's and illness.

And any exposure to tobacco smoke is hazardous to your health. If you or anyone you know smokes, get the help you need to quit.

While the problem of sick building syndrome has gotten more attention recently, it has been a recognized health issue for many years.

In 1998 the groundbreaking book Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes, Second Edition was published, which examined in great detail the vast amount of symptoms and illnesses caused by toxic exposures. This important book was written by Nicholas A. Ashford Ph.D., J.D., Professor of Technology and Policy at MIT and Claudia Miller, M.D., M.S., Professor in Environmental and Occupational Medicine the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

When Ashford and Miller wrote their book, sick building syndrome was commonly called tight building syndrome, which came from the effort to insulate and seal buildings for energy conservation.

Old buildings got tightened with storm windows and sealer, while new buildings went up without any opening windows at all. These steps effectively reduced the amount of fresh air that is brought into buildings.

The authors conclude: "Increased sources of indoor air pollution, coupled with decreased fresh make-up air, have transformed the indoor environment." (Chemical Exposures, page 17)

Groups with Chemical Exposure Sensitivity.

Tighter buildings, along with the rise in synthetic chemicals and consumer products, has led to people having trouble with low levels of exposure, according to Ashford and Miller, who observe that the types of people affected are remarkably diverse:

1. Industrial Workers
2. Office workers, school children and others who occupy "Tight Buildings"
3. People living where air or water are contaminated by chemicals
4. People with exposure to chemicals in pesticides, indoor air, consumer products, and drugs. (Chemical Exposures, page 3)

From hard-hat wearing industrial workers, to school children, and from office workers to farmers exposed to pesticides, these groups seem to have little in common.

Yet people from each of these groups have been identified as having trouble handling chemical exposures after experiencing such exposures in the past.

Mold and Asthma.

Mold is an all-too-familiar indoor air pollution problem for many people. While it is no surprise that mold overgrowth is common in damp places such as basements, mold can also grow in unlikely spots, such as the air ducts in office buildings.

Researchers from the School of Medicine at Cardiff University in Wales studied the connection between indoor mold and asthma symptoms. In a study funded by Asthma UK, they discovered that symptoms of asthma improved when indoor areas were cleaned to remove mold, and ventilation was improved by the use of fans.

Dr. Michael Burr, of the School of Medicine, explained: "In the houses where mold was removed, the symptoms of asthma improved and the use of inhalers decreased ... Removing mold also led to improvements in other symptoms: sneezing, runny or blocked noses, and itchy-watery eyes."

Break the Mold.

The U.S. EPA provides the following for controlling mold:

The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.

Check out the EPA's "10 Things You Should Know About Mold".

Ideas for Limiting Exposure.

Here are a few quick ideas for reducing exposures from common sources of indoor air pollution.

Paint
For your home or office, look for non-VOC paint. Stick with white, because adding a color can add VOC's.

Laser Printers and Laser Copy Machines
Use an inkjet printer or copier instead. There should be no odor when using these types of machines.

Household Cleaning Products
Use all natural and non-toxic cleaning products. I use baking soda and water for most cleaning, and vinegar diluted with water for windows, mirrors and glass.

New Clothing
Wash new clothes well before wearing, to soak out some of the dyes and bleach used in manufacturing. Avoid scented laundry detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheet products; these increase your exposure to chemicals. Get unscented laundry detergent instead.

Stale Indoor Air
With airtight buildings and homes, toxins can build up. Get outside for some fresh air from time to time.

And don't forget about keeping your pets safe from hazards in the home: Are Pills Poisoning Your Pet?

Now I'd like to hear from you...

Do you suffer from any indoor air pollution?

What symptoms do you experience?

How do you deal with the problem?

Please let us know your thoughts by posting a comment below.

Best Health,

Leo Galland, M.D.

Important: Clear the Air with your friends and family by forwarding this article to them, and sharing on Facebook.

Leo Galland, M.D. is a board-certified internist, author and internationally recognized leader in integrated medicine. Dr. Galland is the founder of Pill Advised, a web application for learning about medications, supplements and food. Sign up for FREE to discover how your medications and vitamins interact. Watch his videos on YouTube and join the Pill Advised Facebook page.

References and Further Reading:

Power Healing: Use the New Integrated Medicine to Cure Yourself. Leo Galland, 384 pages, Random House, (June 1, 1998)

Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes, Second Edition, Nicholas A. Ashford, Claudia S. Miller, 464 pages, Wiley-Interscience; 2 edition (January 8, 1998)

Thorax. 2007 Sep;62(9):767-72. Epub 2007 Mar 27. Full text: "Effects on patients with asthma of eradicating visible indoor mould: a randomised controlled trial."

Burr ML, Matthews IP, Arthur RA, Watson HL, Gregory CJ, Dunstan FD, Palmer SR, Department of Epidemiology, Statistics and Public Health, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK

The study was funded by the charity Asthma UK, the Medical Research Council, and the Wales Office of Research and Development.

U.S. EPA Website:
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html

This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute (i) medical advice or counseling, (ii) the practice of medicine or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, (iii) or the creation of a physician -- patient relationship. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your doctor promptly.

 

 

 

Follow Leo Galland, M.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pilladvised/

Comments

[kim duess]

05:52 PM on 04/09/2011

I have 2 friends who are very sick due to mold and workplace toxins. Thanks for posting this article. I will post on Facebook to help get the info out! ~ Kim Duess

[lfontay]

03:36 PM on 04/09/2011

When confronting severe health issues and your quest for answers, here are some things you might ponder along the way:

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." ~ A. Schopenhauer

Ritchie Shoemaker’s work is at stage two. Regarding CFS, I suggest you at least bring his work to the attention of some of your caregivers, particularly the objective blood testing. If they reject it, find new caregivers.

"The one permanent emotion of certain men is fear - fear of the unknown, the complex, the inexplicable. What he wants above everything else is safety. ~H. L. Mencken

Fear of this kind leads to “confirmation bias” by those searching for answers. Unfortunately, this approach can lead to the rejection of the very thing you are searching for.

By the way, there certainly are death panels. They are called health insurance companies who deny coverage to those who need it the most. I presume you have been one of their victims.

Good luck with your quest Keep an open mind. Those you ridicule today may hold all your answers tomorrow.

[lfontay]

03:41 PM on 04/09/2011

This comment was meant for No Death Panels, below.

[No death panels]

05:41 AM on 04/10/2011

In my opinion Shoemaker is still in the first stage.

[beauley]

07:22 PM on 04/07/2011

On a regular basis we hear of some unfortunate household that has suffered the tragedy of one or more of its members being overcome by odorless carbon monoxide (CO) gas, which has emanated from a leaky or improperly vented heating system.
Houseplants that Can Be Both Beautiful and Lifesaving
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2329758/houseplants_that_can_be_both_beautiful.html?cat=6

[James Shellhammer]

03:29 PM on 04/07/2011

I am allergic to most house hold cleaning products. The worst time of year for me is Christmas. Try to avoid all stores and peoples home. Now on two allergic medications, which I can tolerate the modern lifestyle. Thanks for the article.

[Galla Drast]

03:26 PM on 04/07/2011

We need more information about it. Please give me more articles like this.

Thank you!
Galla

Carpet Cleaning NJ - http://www.acecarpet.net/

[RMankovitz]

02:28 PM on 04/07/2011

Emerging research is showing that mold illness from the interior of water damaged buildings may adversely affect up to 25% of the population with certain genetic predispositions.

Mold illness, not an allergy, is inflammation within the body caused by an immune system gone haywire. It is a subcategory of biotoxin illness, called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS): an acute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response syndrome acquired following exposure to the interior environment of a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms.

This illness affects multiple systems in the body, causing the patient to exhibit multiple symptoms, including: fatigue, weakness, aches, muscle cramps, unusual pain, ice pick pain, headache, light sensitivity, red eyes, blurred vision, tearing, sinus problems, cough, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, diarrhea, joint pain, morning stiffness, memory issues, focus/concentration issues, word recollection issues, decreased learning of new knowledge, confusion, disorientation, skin sensitivity, mood swings, appetite swings, sweats (especially night sweats), temperature regulation or dysregulation problems, excessive thirst, increased urination, static shocks, numbness, tingling, vertigo, metallic taste, and tremors.

Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, MD, is arguably the leading clinician in this field, and has successfully
treated a significant number of patients, previously diagnosed as having CFS, fibromyalgia, Lyme, and other unrelated conditions.

For more information, see: http://www.survivingmold.com/

For research, cut and paste the following link:

http://www.survivingmold.com/docs/Resources/GAO/GAO-08-894SP_supplemental%20roster%20of%20Fed%20mold%20projects_3_2011.pdf

Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com
A research organization

[No death panels]

08:17 PM on 04/07/2011

Chronic Inflammato­ry Response Syndrome acquired following exposure to the interior environmen­t of Water-Dama­ged Buildings (CIRS-WDB)­" is not a recognized condition, but a term coined by Shoemaker. http://glo­balindoorh­ealthnetwo­rk.com/fil­es/Researc­h_Committe­e_Report_o­n_Diagnosi­s_and_Trea­tment_of_C­IRS_WDB_Ju­ly_27_2010­.pdf
The last sentence in the summary of the position paper published last month by the ACOEM on indoor molds pretty much tells the real story http://www­.acoem.org­/AdverseHu­manHealthE­ffects_Mol­ds.aspx

[lfontay]

03:41 PM on 04/09/2011

See my comment to you, above.

[OverseasVet]

12:21 AM on 04/09/2011

Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, MD a physician specializing in selling his anti-mold book and website and testifying for in law suits. He was selected by Policyholders of America a legal group who sues insurrance companies to produce the official sounding "Research Committee report on Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Inflammato­ry Response Syndrome Caused by the Exposure to the Interior Environment of Water-Damaged Buildings". This new sydrome has never appeared in any peer reviewed medical journal and is the sole construct of Dr Shoemaker and POA. Additionally Dr Shoemaker's theories were thoroughly rejected in court http://www.masstortdefense.com/2008/08/articles/daubert-decision-in-mold-case/ Prior to the court case he was cautioned by the FDA for using veterinary drugs to treat his patients http://www.casewatch.org/fdawarning/rsch/shoemaker.shtml . Do not get your medical advise from lawyers with an agenda.

[Stilyagi]

01:45 PM on 04/07/2011

Tell me about it. What do I do in the summer, when all my neighbours barbecue daily, sending wave after wave of toxic smoke into my place, stinking up my furniture and all? And don't say "close the windows!", because then I for sure can't get fresh air and it becomes like a furnace.

[VirgoLinnea]

12:52 PM on 04/10/2011

I can bet that outdoor air even with that smoke is healthier than the air inside your house. Toxic levels of chemicals indoors tend to be MUCH higher than outdoor air, even with the windows open.

[Stilyagi]

02:47 PM on 04/10/2011

Great, I'll take that bet. Let's make it a seriously high amount. Here's the first of MY evidence. Let's see yours.

"Are Backyard Barbecues Bad for Your Health? Charcoal grills pollute the air and may cause cancer"
http://environment.about.com/od/health/a/charcoal_grills.htm

[maidenofdforest]

12:36 PM on 04/07/2011

Don't worry, I'm used to pollution. Even the sink where we dump food to the grinder smells like sewage. And we pay more on our sewage fees because it is old and dilapidated the landlords charge us more for an update they themselves should do. Pass it on to consumersand let me count my profit. Ouch.

[themainpoint]

10:53 AM on 04/07/2011

Somebody really ought to do a study and test the air in the big boxmart type stores. I can barely breath when I've been in them (can count the times on one hand). The products they import must break many indoor air pollution regs and outgass an incredible amount of toxic chemicals. I feel concerned for those who work there.

You'd think they would invest in some ventilation for the health of their workers and customers.

[isis]

08:50 AM on 04/07/2011

My building at work was converted into a LEED building. The windows don't open and the building is put in "unoccupied" mode at certain times. We have areas where the carbon dioxide levels are high enough to cause many of the symptoms you list. And did I mention that we have laboratories?

[VirHop]

10:04 PM on 04/06/2011

Scented laundry products are mentioned, but there is a long list other sources of fake fragrances that are brought into the home and office, including perfumes, colognes, hair products, body lotions, cosmetics and dry cleaning, which is both toxic and of itself and these days also has added fragrance. Then there are the various (so-called) air fresheners, scented candles and sprays. Even kitty litter comes heavily scented. Put this all in a tightly sealed home or office with poor ventilation and the result is serious air pollution. Here's an article with more info on why scented products aren't safe: http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/scentedproducts.html
Virginia Hopkins

[jacquelinenh]

08:34 PM on 04/06/2011

If you get through the day by guzzling the office's communal pot of coffee, be aware that tap water may contain lead and other contaminants -- major triggers for sensitivities and other health problems -- explained here, http://www.healthyfutures.com/blog/howtostayhydratedatwork It is important to stay hydrated at work, so brining water and coffee from home is probably the best idea.