Table of Contents
Combustion gases. These gases include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide. They can cause flu-like symptoms, respiratory illnesses, or even death. Don’t use unvented combustion appliances (such as portable kerosene heaters) indoors.
How do you see if your house is making you sick?
Common Symptoms: Respiratory Symptoms – congestion, aggravated asthma or allergies, sinus infections. Cognitive Issues – foggy thinking, sleep disturbance, frequent headaches. Emotional Changes – feeling agitated or depressed. Physical Symptoms – stomach discomfort, muscle aches, fatigue, rashes, sore throat.
How do you know if your house is toxic?
What Are the Signs of Toxic House Syndrome? Mold growth. Condensation around windows and in high humidity areas such as bathrooms. Lingering condensation. Dampness that doesn’t seem to go away. Dust build up in your ventilation system.
Can you get sick from your house?
Some germs found inside the home may make you sick with a cold, flu, salmonella, or other illnesses. Germs are everywhere — including your house. Thankfully, most of them should be harmless to you as long as you don’t have a compromised immune system.
Can house dust make you sick?
The average home collects 40 pounds of dust every year. And living in it are microscopic bugs that multiply fast and can make you sick: dust mites. “Dust mites are one of the biggest predators that live in your home,” said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency room physician at New York City’s Lenox Hill Hospital.
Why am I so congested in my house?
The most common indoor allergens include dust, cockroaches, mold, and cats and dogs. These allergens often lead to postnasal drip, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, itchy skin, fatigue, and for some people, even difficulty breathing as well as wheezing.
How do I find hidden mold in my house?
Most mold is unmistakable, but sometimes small or largely hidden growths just make a surface look dirty. A quick test for mold can be done when you dip a swab in diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 16 parts water) and dab it on the wall. If the spot quickly lightens (or keeps coming back after cleaning), assume it’s mold.
What are the three most common toxins for which homes are tested?
The Most Common Toxins Found in Homes Today Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Pesticides. Mold and Other Fungal Toxins. Phthalates and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Dioxins. Heavy Metals. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Chloroform.
How do I know if mold in my house is toxic?
Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots. If you find mold with any of these qualities in your home, don’t get too close, and call a professional right away.
What’s making me cough in my house?
Its spores can cause a stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, and itching. If you have mold allergies, lung problems, or a weak immune system, these spores can lead to a serious lung infection. Mold grows where there’s moisture, so watch for leaks in plumbing, walls, and the roof.
What is the sick building syndrome?
Introduction. The term “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.
What are the symptoms of dust mites?
A dust mite allergy can range from mild to severe. A mild case of dust mite allergy may cause an occasional runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing.Symptoms Sneezing. Runny nose. Itchy, red or watery eyes. Nasal congestion. Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat. Postnasal drip. Cough. Facial pressure and pain.
Why do I get sick everytime I clean?
Besides the obvious factors that can weigh in on sickness while cleaning, some people find the harsh chemical cleaners used in the process is enough to make them sick. Common cleaners like bleach and store-bought products containing bleach and other chemical additives can cause sickness if they aren’t handled properly.
What could I be allergic to in my house?
Although many substances in dust can trigger allergic symptoms, the most important indoor allergens are dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, and molds. Unlike seasonal allergies such as hay fever, indoor allergies may last all year long.
Can mold grow in sinus cavities?
Several types of fungi can cause a sinus infection. Most fungal sinus infections result from mold or yeast. Tiny fungi can enter the sinuses when someone breaths them in. Many types of fungus live on or inside the body all the time.
Can mold grow in your sinuses?
The nasal and sinus lining develops severe swelling. This causes a blockage of the sinus outflow tracts, trapping some mold to grow and accumulate inside the sinuses. Associated pooling of sinus secretions creates a secondary bacterial infection in most cases as well.
Why is my nose stuffy in my room?
Your nasal congestion could be caused by dust mites, seasonal allergies, pet dander, reflux disease, hormonal changes, or chemicals in your environment like secondhand smoke.
How can you tell if you have mold behind drywall?
Be aware of signs that drywalls are moist such as: water stains. dark rings. discoloration. deterioration like peeling, bubbling or cracking of the paint or wallpaper.
What does black mold smell like?
It’s often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants. You might notice a musty smell, but not be able to see any mold growing. An outsider should be able to smell the mold if you can’t because your nose has adjusted to it.
