Home is where you hang your hat at the end of the day. But what you may not know is that your home could have hidden dangers that may be affecting your health. These dangers include:
1. Mold
Mold may be lurking in your home without you even knowing it. These microscopic organisms thrive in moist, oxygen-rich areas. In homes, mold usually grows in damp areas with poor ventilation.
Exposure to mold can cause sinus and nasal congestion, eye irritation and chronic cough. Mold can also trigger asthma attacks in some people as well as lung infections in those who have respiratory disease.
2. Lead
If you live in a home built before 1978, there’s a good chance that lead paint was used at some point. And if you have lead pipes, your drinking water and soil may be contaminated with this metal.
Lead exposure can cause a number of serious health issues, especially in young children. Lead can lead to developmental and behavioral issues in children, but they can also affect adults in similar ways. This toxic metal can cause nerve disorders and other issues.
Have your home and water tested for lead. You can buy and perform the test yourself, or you can consult with an environmental organization.
If you do have lead paint in your home, a certified lead paint removal company can come in and remove it. If you have lead pipes and do not have the funds to replace the pipes, make sure that you never use hot water from the tap for drinking or for making baby formula.
2. Bacteria in Your Pipes
You do your best to keep your home clean, but there’s one key area that you may overlook: your pipes. Bacteria may be growing in your plumbing system, and among the possible harmful bacteria you may be ingesting is legionella.
One way to reduce the number of bacteria in your pipes is to have them professionally cleaned with hydrojetting.
“Hydrojetting is an environmentally friendly option to clean your home or business sewer drain pipes using high pressure water,” says SPT Pipe. “A high-pressure hose with a nozzle connected to a machine produces a powerful stream of water that clears grease, hair, mineral buildup, and other debris that has been forced down the drain.”
3. E. coli and Salmonella
One of the dirtiest rooms in your home is the kitchen. If you’re a meat-eater, there’s a very real possibility that salmonella and/or E. coli may be lurking somewhere in your kitchen.
These two forms of bacteria can cause some distressing gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea and vomiting. They can also cause life-threatening dehydration.
Humans are typically infected with salmonella after handling or eating contaminated raw foods, including poultry, eggs, fruits, beef and vegetables. E. coli infection typically occurs after consuming contaminated foods that weren’t properly cooked or cleaned.
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling food. If possible, use two cutting boards – one for fruits and vegetables, and one for meats.
Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood separated from other foods in the refrigerator. When preparing meat, be sure to cook it to the safe temperatures indicated by the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
4. Pesticides
There may be more pesticides in your home than you realize, including weed killers, insect repellent, roach sprays and even your dog’s flea and tick shampoo. There are also dangerous chemicals in some unexpected places, like pressure-treated wood and wallpaper.
Household pesticides are one of the leading causes of poisonings in children, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). If used or stored improperly, these chemicals can cause breathing problems, nerve damage and other health issues.
Read the labels on these products and store them properly. Keep all household pesticides locked away from children.