A Healthy Home Is a Happy Home …

The month of May is recognized as National Family Wellness Month, Building Safety Month and National Clean Air Month. And, many individuals and families as a whole, including those that are reading this very article, are health conscious, and as such, are pursuing healthier diets enriched with organic, whole foods. Often when I mention to my patients how very important it is to consume only clean, healthy food products, I get the look of, “Thanks, Captain Obvious.” However, one human health aspect that does not seem to get the respect it deserves is the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy home environment. In fact, it can be just as vital as making healthy dietary choices; but, unfortunately, it is often overlooked. 

Trace exposure to harmful substances, compounded over time, can build up within the body and eventually reach a “tipping point,” at which time illness begins to manifest. Unfortunately, in today’s world people are exposed to trace amounts of toxins more frequently than in the past. It makes sense to be careful to minimize one’s exposure in an effort to lower the body’s total level of toxicity, commonly referred to as the “toxic load.” In the practice of environmental medicine, we take the idea of the total toxic load very seriously.

Many commonly used household products contain ingredients that can induce sickness and greatly elevate the body’s toxic load over time. Certain carpet selections, paints, flooring and other building materials contain potentially harmful chemicals. Some household cleaning products also contain chemicals that can negatively impact one’s health and increase toxicity. Phthalates, bisphenol A, formaldehyde, radon, lead, carbon monoxide, atrazine and antimony are but a few of the harmful substances often present in the average home environment and should be treated with great care.

The goal is not to produce paranoia and fear but to cultivate a sense awareness and caution not only within our patients but also with regard to the general public. Why should any individual put himself or herself in harm’s way if it can be avoided?

For those concerned about the safety of their home, schedule a visit at the Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, located at 7510 North Forest Dr., in North Charleston. For more information, call 843-572-1600 or visit coem.com. Additional information on making safer product choices can be found at ewg.org, CreateYourHealthyHome.com and epa.gov/Indoor-Air-Quality-iaq.