Air fresheners and household cleaning products are responsible for thousands of deaths every year, a shocking report has claimed.
The joint report from Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) warns toxic fumes from air fresheners and cleaning products could emit dangerous carbon monoxide emissions pose fatal threat in the home.
The UK report, titled Every Breath We Take: the lifelong impact of air pollution, investigated the health hazards of household products previously thought to be innocuous and found that everyday products found in the kitchen and bathroom as well as faulty boilers and even fly sprays contribute to poor indoor air quality that could prove harmful.
The report goes so far to say more than 40,000 deaths a year in the UK can be linked to the effect of air pollution outside and inside the home and “indoor air pollution may have caused or contributed to 99,000 deaths annually in Europe”.
The study highlighted that while the damage caused by outdoor pollution like street from car fumes is well understood, but many people are ignorant of the risks from air inside the home.
Household sprays often use chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which start off as solids or liquids but readily evaporate into the air.
VOCs are suspected to cause cancer in humans and have been shown to cause cancer in animals and can be found in ordinary products like perfume and hair spray, cleaning agents, dry cleaning fluid, paints, lacquers, varnishes, hobby supplies, and from copying and printing machines.
The recent study’s findings found higher levels of a VOC called limonene – which is dangerous to inhale on its own and can become formaldehyde – used abundantly in air fresheners and fragrant candles, to produce a lemon citrus scent.
The report pays particular attention to the “adverse effects” toxic air levels could have on children, pregnant women and the elderly.
The report says: “Examples include the adverse effects of air pollution on the development of the foetus, including lung and kidney development, and miscarriage; increases in heart attacks and strokes for those in later life; and the associated links to asthma, diabetes, dementia, obesity and cancer for the wider population.”
The report suggests government grants local authorities new controls to limit outdoor emissions to safeguard the public.
Dr Andrew Goddard, of the Royal College of Physicians, said: “Taking action to tackle air pollution in the UK will reduce the pain and suffering for many people with long term chronic health conditions, not to mention lessening the long term demands on our NHS.”
Reducing VOCs in your home:
Formaldehyde-Free Furniture
Most people don’t think of their furniture when assessing their indoor air quality, but if yours is made from treated wood or particle board, it probably contains formaldehyde, the same chemical used in funeral homes as a preserving agent.
Stop Sleeping with Chemicals
You’ve heard that you spend approximately a third of your life in bed well time to get serious about making that space safe.
You’ll be shocked to realise most conventional sheets have a formaldehyde-resin finish to make them “easy care” and/or water-resistant. One option is to use organic sheets made from natural fibres like organic cotton, which is readily available in a wide range of styles and colours.
Also consider buying a mattress made from more health-conscious materials, such as natural fibres and untreated wood.
Avoid Synthetic Carpets
The American Lung Association says new carpet — as well as the glues and filling used during installation — can be a source of VOC emissions and act as a “sponge” for chemical and biological pollutants.
So it’s better to leave your shoes at the door and opt for natural flooring such as hardwood, bamboo, cork or tile, floors.
Leave the mixing to the experts
Do not mix different household cleaners or solvents together. Mixing can create new and dangerous pollutants.
Ventilate! Ventilate! Ventilate!
Make sure you get enough fresh, clean air into your home.
Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors after you bring new VOC sources into your house, such as new carpets, furniture, or drapes.
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