5 Ways to Reduce Toxins in the House

[Tips] 5 Ways to Reduce Toxins in the House. A healthy home should not be enough just to look clean and beautiful, but also free from toxic materials. Various research indicates the toxic chemicals easily found around the home, ranging from paint to carpet.

Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE) mentioned exposure to chemicals can cause various health problems in children, such as asthma, cancer, developmental disorders, and birth defects. For that, CPCHE issued five recommendations to reduce exposure to toxins at home.

1. Wiping the dust

Be diligent in wiping dust your furniture with a damp cloth because dust is a major source of toxic exposure. Wiping the dust with a dry cloth is not recommended because it will circulate back into the air.

"Dust the house is the main source of exposure to toxic substances at home, including lead even in very low levels," says Bruce Lanphear, children environmental health expert from Simon Fraser University, Canada.

It also suggested removing shoes when going into the house to minimize the amount of dust and harmful chemicals that go into the house. Storing toys in a closed container also helps reduce the amount of dust.

2. Environmentally friendly cleaners

CPCHE recommend to switch to a cleanser that is non-toxic. For example, use baking soda to clean the sink or tub. Vinegar mixed with water is also a surefire formula for cleaning various surfaces, including glass windows and floors.

Scientists said the polishing is not required to work cleaning houses. Besides air freshener is also best avoided. To wash, choose fragrance-free detergents and avoid dryer sheets because the fragrance in this product may contain harmful chemicals.

3. Renovation of the house with the appropriate

Home remodeling project can be a source of toxic exposure to children and pregnant women because the ingredients used in paints, pendempul, or glue can be spread a toxic gas.

Ideally you and your family are temporarily moved out of the house is being renovated. But if only a partial renovation, it is advisable to cover the area that was renovated with the meeting to avoid dust and other harmful substances.

4. Carefully choose plastic

CPCHE advised to ignore the label microwave-safe and should never put plastic containers or plastic wrap in the microwave as harmful chemicals will leach from plastic into food.

Place the food in glass or ceramic container and only the consumption of fresh foods whenever possible. Chemicals in plastics, especially bisphenol-A (BPA) has been shown to be dangerous because it interferes with brain development and function of hormones.

In addition, it is advisable also to avoid toys that contain PVC (vinyl), especially if the child still likes to bite. These chemicals contain phthalates, which has been banned from use in toys in America since June 2011.

5. Reduce mercury

Mercury is a metal that is toxic to the brain. This material is often found in several species of fish and shellfish. Therefore, be careful to choose fish, especially from polluted waters.

(your health is your future)

source: health.kompas.com