6 Hidden Health Hazards in Your Home

Your home is probably the most important place you spend most of your time. It’s where you spend most of your days and spend most of your social life. And while your home shouldn’t feel like a prison, it’s important to know what’s hiding there. Many health hazards can be found in your home, especially if safety measures aren’t taken. Here is a list of some hidden health hazards you could find at home.

  1. Mold

Mold is an extremely common problem for anyone who has lived in a damp environment long enough. Unfortunately, mold isn’t always easy to spot and remove, making it dangerous. The EPA even puts out warning labels on products that contain mold. This poses a health hazard because when breathed in or ingested, mold spores can cause various respiratory issues and gastrointestinal problems. Sometimes, fixing this problem can be as simple as having your carpets professionally cleaned.

  1. Radon

Radon gas is naturally created by the decay and breakdown of uranium found in soil. While radon gas doesn’t pose any immediate threat, it does cause cancer later on over time. According to the National Cancer Institute, it causes lung cancer. More than 4,000 lung cancer cases each year are caused by exposure to radon. This accounts for more deaths from lung cancer than all other types of cancer combined. Even though there are certain steps homeowners can take to prevent radon from getting into their homes, experts have still found that the best way to deal with this problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

  1. Lead

Lead is another hazardous material that you might find at home. Children and babies can easily get lead poisoning, and it can also make adults sick. How Dangerous Is Lead? High blood lead levels can damage children’s brains, and developing organs and even stunt growth. As lead builds up over a person’s lifetime, ingesting lead may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), stomach ulcers, memory loss, and even death.

  1. Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is one of the deadliest pollutants. If not properly sealed off, appliances and furnaces can easily release carbon monoxide, leading to fatal consequences. Carbon monoxide gets inside the body through small holes such as cracks and hairline fractures in the skull. Because people tend to underestimate how bad it can hurt themselves, many people die from carbon monoxide poisoning.

  1. Fumes

Fumes are a harmful type of vapor that comes from chemicals that have been exposed to high heat. A lot of fumes are found in cooking and heating devices. Many consumers don’t realize that factories and industries create chemical fumes that drift into our homes, creating poisonous vapors that harm humans.

  1. Gas Leaks

Gas leaks are usually associated with old pipes or appliances. However, some gases are very hazardous to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Methane is highly flammable and toxic, causing headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Hydrogen sulfide is highly corrosive and extremely irritating to the eyes.

Conclusion

Every house has hazards that we need to be careful about. Fortunately, most residential hazards don’t pose much danger once discovered. Homeowners need to know what to look for to avoid accidents and being poisoned.

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