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Home Improvement Health Hazards
Avoiding Health Hazards When Doing Home Improvement
Projects
When doing home improvement projects you may find
yourself using all kinds of chemicals and compounds.
Unfortunately, many of these often used items such as
paint and paint stripper can be bad for your health.
Here are some positive steps you can take to protect
your health.
Indoor air is considered to be one of the top five
hazards to human health according to the Environmental
Protection Agency. Their studies found that levels of
several Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) average from
two to five times higher indoors than they do outdoors.
Levels may be 1,000 times higher than outdoor levels
during and several hours immediately after certain home
improvement activities, such as paint stripping. Among
the leading causes of VOCs are paints and finishes.
VOCs are gases that are emitted from certain solids or
liquids and include a variety of chemicals, some of
which have adverse health effects.
VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products including:
cleaning supplies, paints, lacquers, correction fluids,
carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials,
adhesives, markers, pesticides, building materials,
furnishings and office equipment such as copiers and
printers
As a result of exposure to various organics some people
have experienced immediate symptoms such as eye and
respiratory tract irritation, visual disorders, impaired
memory, headaches and dizziness. Other symptoms include
eye, nose, and throat irritation; loss of coordination,
nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous
system. Some organics cause cancer in animals; some are
suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.
Steps to Reduce Exposure
Paints and other finishes can give off VOCs for years
after they are applied. Recently many manufacturers have
begun to manufacture paints, varnishes, etc. without the
use of VOC’s. If at all possible find products that have
low or no-VOC on the label.
Increase ventilation when using products that emit VOCs.
Be sure to meet or exceed any label precautions. Don’t
store opened containers of unused paints and similar
materials.
Use household products according to manufacturer's
directions. Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air
when using these products. Throw away unused or
little-used containers safely; buy in quantities that
you will use soon. Keep out of reach of children and
pets. Never mix household products unless directed on
the label.
Throw away any partially full containers of unneeded or
old chemicals. Because gases can leak from closed
containers, this one step could help lower the
concentrations of organic chemicals in your home. (Be
sure that materials you decide to keep are stored not
only in a well-ventilated area but are also safely out
of reach of children.) Find out if your community
sponsors special days for the collection and disposal of
toxic household wastes. If so, use them to dispose of
the unwanted containers safely. If not, think about
organizing one.
Buy limited quantities. Products you use only
occasionally, (i.e. paints, paint strippers, kerosene,
gasoline) should be purchased only in quantities you
will use right away.
Exposure to products containing methylene chloride such
as paint strippers, adhesive removers, and aerosol spray
paints should be kept to a minimum. Use outdoors when
possible; use indoors only if the area is well
ventilated.
Minimize exposure to benzene, a known human carcinogen.
Tobacco smoke, stored fuels, paint supplies and
automobile emissions are the main sources of this
chemical.
Fixing up your home can be an enjoyable pass-time and
make for a more comfortable home, make it a safer one
while you are at it.
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