Over the years, building codes have changed to eliminate the use of dangerous building materials used in construction. Some of the most common toxic chemicals found in building materials include: Asbestos Mercury Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Chromated Copper Arsenic (CCA) Lead The Dangerous Effects of Lead Paint Lead was widely used in the production of …
You might have plants around your house for decorative purposes.They are nice to look at and create a nice ambiance; plants also provide numerous physical and mental health benefits. In addition, good air quality is essential and beneficial for all of us as plants are natural air purifiers. Plants can manipulate your home’s humidity in …
There’s a unique art for finding the optimum atmosphere for comfort in your home. For many, nothing’s worse than the high levels of summer heat and humidity when there’s no means of temperature control. Surprisingly enough, though, discomfort in such conditions is the least of your worries. Nevertheless, high humidity can cause significant damage to …
Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling, colorless, flammable chemical. All forms of life naturally produce formaldehyde as part of cell metabolism. So if formaldehyde is produced naturally by all forms of life, when does it become harmful, and should you be concerned? Where is Formaldehyde Found? When you think of formaldehyde, embalming fluid might come to mind. …
It’s sometimes known as the “silent killer” because it can sneak up on you, damage your health, and ruin your home before you even notice it’s there. It’s never a good thing to discover black mold lurking somewhere in your home. Its discovery can only lead to a wide range of adverse effects. While it …
Indoor air quality has an enormous impact on our overall health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “the average American spends over 90% of their life indoors”. With all that time you spend inside, it’s essential to enjoy good air quality. Unfortunately, several factors in our everyday lives could be causing the quality of our …
Breathing. It’s the natural and automatic process that we as humans rely on to oxygenate our bodies. We inhale and exhale 20,000 times in a single day without ever thinking about the air we breathe or what’s in it. So you may be surprised to know that the very air you depend on for survival …
“Hypoallergenic” is a word that’s becoming increasingly visible on product labels. Anything from cleaning supplies to clothing fabrics, makeups, skincare products, and even pets are all available in hypoallergenic versions. But what does it mean for something to be hypoallergenic? And are hypoallergenic products even effective? By definition, a hypoallergenic product is “designed to reduce …
When it comes to our homes, we go to great lengths to maintain our family’s health and safety. Many Virginia residents install high-tech water filtration systems, smoke detectors, and burglar alarms to protect their loved ones from harm. However, there is an area of home safety that often gets overlooked: air quality. People assume air …
When people have trouble breathing while exercising, they often justify the sensation by saying, “I’m just out of shape.” While this may be true, in many cases, shortness of breath could be a symptom of something more serious: exercise-Induced bronchoconstriction. What is Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction? Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (commonly known as exercise-induced asthma or EIB) is a …
What is Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction, and How Can I Prevent It? Read More »
