Open a Window - Even in the Winter!

Ventilation is one of the biggest factors when considering the health of a living environment. Unfortunately, ventilation takes a back seat when winter hits. Instinctively we close the windows and turn up the heat.

Indoor air specialist Richard Walter says allowing a bit of outdoor air may offer an important health boost during the winter months.

Walter, head of A+ Engineering Construction in Nevada, says building construction has changed in recent years, which means buildings are tighter than ever.

“We live in a ziploc plastic bag and it’s terrible for our health.”

The solution, according to Walter, is access to outdoor air.

"You need clean air for your lungs. You don’t get clean air inside your house.”

Walter suggests leaving a window open 2 inches or less in your bedroom every night. It may cost you 10 dollars or more each month, he says, but the health benefits outweigh the additional costs.

In fact, Walter believes we are putting our comfort ahead of our well being. By limiting our exposure to outdoor air and relying on a thermostat to monitor our indoor air, we add to the level of hazardous contaminants in the form of Volatile Organic Compounds. These VOCs become more active at higher temperatures, causing us to breathe in more toxic substances. In addition, the warmer temperatures heighten microbial growth which can breed illness.

Germany is a strong proponent of healthy ventilation and readily encourages open windows in the winter months.

According to one blogger who now lives and works in Germany, the Germans’ “cultural obsession” with fresh air is in stark contrast with the United States.

“In the US, the office buildings that I worked in all had sealed windows. The entire building was closed and kept climate controlled. You couldn’t open the windows even if you wanted to.”

Now living and working in Germany, Andrew Couch sees lots of open windows in the middle of winter. When asked about the cultural difference between the U.S. and Germany, one co-worker quipped,

“Germans need fresh air. Americans need air fresheners.”

It’s never too late to change our habits when it comes to fresh air. Why not invest in a new comforter or a warm pair of socks, and open a window this winter?

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Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter

Winter means more time spent indoors. If our indoor air quality is compromised, we increase our chances of illness. How can we prepare our homes for winter given the fact that our indoor air often contains more pollutants than outside air? According to Ted Myatt, ScD, a senior scientist with the consulting firm Environmental Health and Engineering, Inc., "The air in your house contains pollen, mold, and ozone that leach in from the outdoors, as well as pet dander and pollutants from household cleaning products."

The combination of weatherproofing and heated, dry air boosts air pollutants even higher and seals in toxins. "Exposure to indoor pollution is associated with allergies, severe asthma, hospitalizations for cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and even heart attacks," Myatt says.

An article featured on MSN.com offers these tips for decreasing the health risks associated with indoor air.

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Crack a Window
Opening up windows when it's freezing outside sounds, well, cold (and costly). But sealing a house too tightly doesn't allow the entry of new oxygen or the escape of carbon dioxide that you exhale. As a result, your body doesn't get the amount of oxygen it needs, and you end up feeling tired and lethargic, explains Matthew Waletzke, a certified building biology consultant in Long Island, NY. He adds, "Oxygen levels can be especially low in a sealed bedroom after a night's sleep."

Clear the air: Open your bedroom windows for 5 to 10 minutes after you wake up in the morning and again before you climb into bed at night; this is enough time to let carbon dioxide out and oxygen in without chilling the rest of your house.

Clean Up What You Bring Down
Dragging winter blankets out of the attic and lugging decorations up from the basement stirs up dust, triggering allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, wheezing, and congestion, says James Sublett, MD, chief of allergy at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Clear the air: Take boxes outdoors to wipe off the dust, then wipe them down (along with what's inside) before you bring them back in and plop them in the front hall. Wash any blankets or linens in hot water before you use them (same goes for winter clothes that can go in the washing machine). You can also put on an N95 dust respiratory mask (available at drugstores) before you head to the attic or basement, Dr. Sublett says. It'll shield you from 95% of airborne particles that set off sneezing fits, but you'll probably still want to dust off boxes if you plan on taking off the mask.

Use Common (Candle) Sense
Scented candles, especially the industrial strength (and size) that many people light around the holidays, give off more than fragrance—studies show they produce tiny bits of pollution known as particulates that can inflame the respiratory tract and aggravate asthma, Dr. Sublett says. This is especially true if some of the dust you kicked up unearthing Grandma's decorations is still floating around. "Allergens like dust can hitch a ride on particulates, enter deep into your lungs, and make breathing more difficult," he explains.

Clear the air: Stop burning candles, especially the ones inside large jars, which tend to send even more particulates into the air, says Jeffrey May, principal scientist at May Indoor Air Investigations in Tyngsborough, MA, and author of My House Is Killing Me! If the holidays aren't the same for you without that soft, candlelit glow, choose unscented tapered candles, and place them far from vents and other air sources.

Turn Off Ventilation Fans
Exhaust fans work by sending the stale indoor air outside and replacing it with fresh air. However, running powerful fans such as commercial-size kitchen fans, large exhaust fans, or bathroom fans all at once (especially for an extended period of time) can redirect exhaust gases that may include deadly carbon monoxide fumes produced by gas or oil heaters back into the house instead of up and out the flue, explains Max Sherman, PhD, a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Clear the air: Turn exhaust fans off as soon as they've done their job, or consider replacing a manual switch with a timer to limit unnecessary use. Install carbon monoxide detectors as well; they're just as important as fire detectors.

Replace Filthy Filters
The upside to winter's drier air is that it makes it difficult for mold to grow. But existing mold from damp basements and lingering spores in air-conditioning systems can become airborne (and stay there) if all the windows are closed, May says. Mold can irritate your eyes, cause congestion, and worsen existing respiratory problems.

Clear the air: Change your heating system filters every 3 months, Dr. Sublett says. Filters act like armed guards, holding hostage pollutants that feed mold—such as human skin cells, pollen, and pet dander—so they can't escape into your indoor air. May recommends a filter with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating of at least 8. Check the packaging. And have a professional service your heating system annually. Summer may be the best time—that way you can fix problems before you need the heat.

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To view the article in its entirety, click here.

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Are You One of the Few?

If you're reading this and you have a concern about indoor air quality, you are in the minority. According to the June 2012 issue of Consumer Reports a staggering 70 percent of Americans are not concerned about the health of their home. In fact, only 9 percent consider indoor air quality a threat to their health.

Here is the most interesting statistic, however: 65 percent of surveyed households have someone with a health condition affected by indoor air quality! More than half (and probably many more than this) would benefit from improving their home's indoor environment and are unaware of the connection.

The article, titled Is Your Home Making You Sick?, lists six hidden home hazards and offers suggestions for ways to protect yourself.

1. Household cleaners. The article cites the Environmental Working Group's 2009 study identifying 457 air contaminants in 21 household cleaners. "One fragrance can contain 50-200 compounds, including dozens of volatile organic compounds." The best cleaner for glass? "Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 1 quart of water."
2. Old lead-based paint. "If you have young children and an older home, have it tested for lead by an EPA- or state-certified pro using an XRF machine, or have paint-chip analysis by an EPA-certified lab."
3. Carbon monoxide and radon. "Run a long-term (90-day or longer) radon test. They cost $20-$40 and are sold online." In addition, the article suggests installing a CO alarm on each level, including the basement.
4. Combustion of particles or gases. "Even vented gas ranges, cooktops, furnaces, and fireplaces can release harmful gases, soot, and particles into the air if they're not properly installed and maintained." Suggestions include running the exhaust hood when using your gas range or cleaning your oven, as well as opening a window. (I recently cleaned my oven using sea salt, washing soda, and baking soda, and it's sparkling! See this previous entry for the recipe and before and after pictures.)
5. Interior mold. "The ideal indoor relative humidity is between 30-50 percent. Less than that and nasal passages can become dry. At higher levels mold can grow." Suggestions include making sure gutter pipes extend at least five feet from the house and ensuring that the soil around the foundation slopes away from the house. (Note: The article also suggests treating small areas of mold with a mixture of chlorine bleach and water, which will not be 100% effective. See question #12 in this interview with leading toxicologist Dr. Jack Thrasher.)
6. Air fresheners, candles, and incense. "Behind the soothing fragrances of air fresheners, candles, and incense are volatile organic compounds. Air fresheners can also contain phthalates, which are linked to cancer and reproductive problems." The article quotes Dr. Stanley Fineman, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, who says, "Most patients who stop using scented products have noticed an improvement in their symptoms."

Improving the air quality in your home is one of the most practical ways you can improve your health. It may even save your life or the life of someone you love.

To read an online version of the full article, see Is poor indoor air quality making you sick? at the Consumer Reports website.

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Environmental Link with Breast Cancer

A report issued this week by the Breast Cancer Fund, a national organization working to eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer, presents evidence that toxins in the environment are contributing to the rising breast cancer rate. Contributing factors include synthetic hormones in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and meat; pesticides in food; solvents in household cleaning products; flame retardants in furniture; radiation from medical treatments; and BPA in food containers.

I pay close attention to information regarding breast cancer. My mother and both of my grandmothers battled breast cancer. When my family tested positive for aflatoxins soon after leaving our home, I aggressively pursued nutritional and environmental elimination of toxins with heavy emphasis on aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are recognized as a known carcinogen, according to the World Health Organization.

According to Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog for October 5, 2010:

The report, State of the Evidence: The Connection Between Breast Cancer and the Environment, is the sixth edition published by the Breast Cancer Fund. “With each new edition of the report, the growing scientific evidence compels us to act to prevent breast cancer,” said Jeanne Rizzo, RN, president of the Breast Cancer Fund. “This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our message is clear: we must move beyond awareness to prevention.”

The report states that a woman’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is 1 in 8—representing a dramatic increase since the 1930s, when the first reliable cancer incidence data were established. Between 1973 and 1998 alone, breast cancer incidence rates in the United States increased by more than 40 percent. Strikingly, the increasing incidence of breast cancer since the 1930s parallels the proliferation of synthetic chemicals. Today, approximately 85,000 synthetic chemicals are registered for use in the United States, more than 90 percent of which have never been tested for their effects on human health.

The report’s lead author, Janet Gray, PhD, professor at Vassar College, said that widely understood risk factors for breast cancer such as primary genetic mutations, reproductive history and lifestyle factors do not address a considerable portion of the risk for the disease. “A substantial body of scientific evidence indicates that exposures to common chemicals and radiation also contribute to the unacceptably high incidence of breast cancer,” Dr. Gray said. “This report focuses on these environmental issues.”

The report dedicates several chapters to pesticides, focusing on various studies linking triazine herbicides (atrazine, simazine), organochlorines (aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, heptachlor) and the phenoxy herbicide 2,4-D, as well as the link between hormones used in meat production to breast cancer. The report reviews both epidemiologic and animal studies and routes of exposure, with an emphasis on exposure to farmworkers and other vulnerable populations. Toxic synthetic pesticides and hormones are prohibited in organic agriculture.

“At a time when virtually every American has been touched by breast cancer,” said Ms. Rizzo, “we need individual, corporate and government commitment to eliminating the environmental causes of breast cancer. Action now means fewer of our children and grandchildren will face the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer. We simply can’t afford not to act.”

To read the article in full, click here.

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Global Indoor Health Network

Global Indoor Health Network is a newly-formed group of scientists, physicians, researchers, building engineers, indoor air quality experts, industrial hygienists, attorneys, teachers, injured workers, advocates, and others.

Global Indoor Health Network was previously named ACHEMMIC (Action Committee on the Health Effects of Mold, Microbes and Indoor Contaminants) and will continue the goal of raising awareness on the issue of indoor air quality.

Global Indoor Health Network's Vision is as follows:

Our vision is a global community of individuals and organizations working together to ensure that comprehensive information and guidance concerning medical treatment, investigative techniques and solutions are available to address the effects of contaminants in the indoor environment of homes, schools and businesses.

Global Indoor Health Network's Mission is as follows:

Our mission is to proactively participate with others in the public and private sector to promote accurate health policy, strive for consistent standards, and advance education and awareness to ensure healthy indoor environments for individuals and families around the globe.

Global Indoor Health Network's home page states:

The people who have been harmed by contaminants inside our homes, schools and businesses come from all walks of life around the globe. They are white collar workers, blue collar workers, retirees, veterans, teachers, business owners, homeowners, tenants, children, parents and grandparents. They live in owned, mortgaged and rented houses or apartments--large and small, new and old. They are affluent, poor and middle class. They are able-bodied taxpayers and disabled citizens. They are the insured and uninsured by health, workers compensation and property casualty insurance companies. They depend on integrity in medical science within teaching facilities and within the courts to protect their health and safety and the health and safety of their families. They represent the melting pot of citizens around the world.

For more information on joining Global Indoor Health Network, click here.

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Hazards of Increasing the Mutagenic Load

As we consider the health implications of the Gulf disaster, compromised indoor air quality, pesticide exposures, and more, we must also consider the mutagenic load discussed in this previous blog post. In the following 3-minute video, internist and toxicology specialist Dr. Michael Gray explains the dangerous consequences of increasing this load.

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Building Forensics

The following article comes from the UK and is titled, "Toxic Mould and Construction Defects Harming Public Health." This clearly demonstrates that the issue of indoor air quality is an international one.

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The quest for reduced carbon emissions from buildings – and therefore a lower level of air changes – has in recent times created a general increase in ‘building tightness’: new and restored buildings fail to ‘breath’ properly, leading to a general moisture build-up which in turn results in the health concerns of mould and rot or decay. Typically, Building Forensics has found that the application of new building tightness conditioning such as BREEAM, LEED and part L of the Building Regulations, coupled to poor construction management, is increasingly causing such building defects and health issues.

Jeff Charlton of Building Forensics states: “Building Forensics has found increasing evidence that construction management is failing to control quality standards or, indeed, even to comply with manufacturers’ or architects’ design or installation requirements. Worse still, we’ve found that few surveyors or inspectors have the equipment or training to undertake non-intrusive investigation or to be able identify hidden defects such as missing insulation, thermal bridging and the presence of toxic chemicals.”

He continues: “And Building Forensics is further finding that facility managers are increasingly mis-diagnosing design and build faults which cause condensation or pooling and mould. They wrongly attribute these symptoms to presumed leaks which insurers then wrongly pay to fix. And meanwhile the health problems continue to get worse.”

The combination of high cellulose materials and misuse of vapour barriers, thermal bridging from poor or missing insulation or failure to seal the building envelope properly can result in the growth of toxic mould such as Penicillium, Tricoderma and Stachybotrys.

While visible mould is a good indicator of the health risk, it should be recognised that the moisture required for mould growth, sometimes from leaks but usually from condensation, often occurs out of sight in voids or behind plasterboard cavity walls. The problems start with the building or renovation of buildings with no regard to the historic knowledge that buildings need to breath and remove moisture, especially in a cold wet climate.

And as was shown in US timber frame construction 10 years ago, identifying the problems generally requires more equipment than a standard two pin wood moisture meter and current inspection techniques.

Jeff Charlton is available for comment and interview on the findings of Building Forensics, and more information on typical health concerns and construction defect can be found at the Building Forensics website.

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WHO Guidelines on Indoor Air Quality

The World Health Organization released a set of guidelines on July 16th targeting damp indoor environments. The guidelines state that "the most important means for avoiding adverse health effects is the prevention or minimization of persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building structures." This is a significant conclusion and will prove pivotal in the days ahead.

The press release continues, "In many EU countries, 20–30% of households have problems with dampness. Strong evidence indicates that this is a risk to health. In damp conditions, hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi grow indoors and emit spores, cell fragments and chemicals into the air. Exposure to these contaminants is associated with the incidence or worsening of respiratory symptoms, allergies, asthma and immunological reactions."

The document is extensive and is the result of a rigorous two-year review of the research done by 36 leading experts worldwide.

WHO Guidelines on Dampness and Mould

The guidelines also conclude that occupants of damp or mouldy buildings, both private and public, have up to a 75% greater risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma.

When I see this as a news story I think of the words of Solomon, "there is nothing new under the sun." Mold (or mould) is clearly talked about in Leviticus 14. A home desecrated with mold, fungus, or "plague" in the King James version, was to be destroyed if the mold spread after treatment.

Mold has been a problem throughout history. Lord Carnarvon and 26 of his colleagues met with "mysterious deaths" following the opening of King Tut's tomb in 1923. Scientific studies later revealed high levels of Aspergillus at the site.

The potato famine in Ireland, the Ergot Epidemic, trench mouth in World War I, all have fungal origins. In 1938 Russian scientists determined that hay contaminated with stachybotrys killed thousands of horses in Russia and Eastern Europe.

New or old, the WHO document is a step in the right direction.

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