RISK 11: HOUSEHOLD TRASH

One person can produce up to 5 lbs of trash per day – -meaning a potential 1,900 lbs per year! Just imagine if all of this accumulated inside your home at one time! As much as you don’t like taking the garbage out, it seems preferable to the alternative. Keeping your trash bags in a closeable garbage can is an easy way to prevent vermin and stray animals from tearing into the bags. Scattered trash will not only invite more vermin to snoop around, but will also most likely end up in storm drains and sewers which will eventually litter local bodies of water.

Living a cleanly lifestyle, including cleaning up meat and other food residues, peelings, and leftovers, will help decrease potential illnesses and other health problems. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a night or two when the dishes pile up, but trying your best to keep your kitchen and other vital areas of the house like bathrooms clean will help prevent the growth of mold and other bacteria.

A lot of your trash including papers, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, plastic bags, aluminum cans, and glass containers are recyclable. If your neighborhood already has a weekly recycling pick-up, find out what items are accepted and join in! If your neighborhood doesn’t, talk to your homeowners association about the possibility and process of getting one started. In the mean time, separate out items you can recycle and take them to places like the Drive-In Recycling center in Bryan on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Other companies like Target have recycling bins for more unusual items including plastic bags, small electronics, and ink cartridges. Instead of throwing away useful household items that your family no longer has need of, consider donating them to Good Will or Salvation Army so that others can use them. It’s recycling that also lends a kind hand to others in your community!

We at Stearns hope that this and other blogs in this series have inspired you with ways you can create a happy and healthy home and community. We look forward to learning with you and sharing more tips in the future. If you ever come across helpful information or links that you’d like to share on our blog or our facebook page, feel free to comment!

RISK 10: AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

During the blistering summers, we thank our lucky stars that air conditioning has become a staple in our homes. However, as air circulates through a home it can bring along unwanted passengers – namely infectious respiratory diseases, dust, and fungi. It can even spur and spread microorganism growth. The regular changing of filters for your air conditioning system can reduce and even prevent the spread of bacteria and small particles. After each replacement, make sure to mark in memorable spot, such as your family calendar, the future date you need to change your filter.

To prevent the growth of microorganisms which can lead to illness, have the cooling tower of your system treated with chlorine before the beginning of cooling season. This treatment should involve the cleaning of any growth or corrosion from water condensing on the system’s pipes, as well as the cleaning of circulating water.

Read our blog post about increasing indoor air quality for more tips about how to improve air in your home. And remember, as tempting as it is to crank up your air conditioning when it gets hot outside, your lungs and your wallet will thank you if you keep the temperature moderate instead of frigid. Drastic temperature and humidity change negatively affects our respiratory systems.

Our earth contains a lot of water, but only a small percentage of it is freshwater used for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. By being aware of how you can keep this water free of pollutants, you can take steps to improve your family’s health and the health of everyone and everything in your community.

RISK 7: STORM WATER RUNOFF

Storm water runoff is large amounts of rain that collect and wash over impermeable areas of pavement such as streets, driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots. This water carries with it chemicals and other pollutants, as well as trash and debris. The water and all that it contains then enters storm drains which feed into local bodies of water without being processed.

By simply disposing of household chemical products as directed on their containers, you can stop these pollutants from mixing into the local water supply. Make sure to pick up trash (try to recycle it if possible!) so that it doesn’t end up littering rivers, streams, and lakes in your area. Cleaning up or composting yard waste, such as grass clippings and branch trimmings, are ways to make sure this debris doesn’t get washed into storm drains. Also, pick up your pet waste! Although this is a job no one treasures, it helps prevent harmful bacteria from getting into local bodies of water. Plus, it frees you from having to worry about where you step in your yard.

You can also think about collecting rainwater in barrels or cisterns for later use in your gardens. This lessens the amount of runoff and prevents it from collecting chemicals in the street. You can also have designated areas in your yard where rainwater can naturally collect and be filtered by native plants. Such plantings along the street and driveway also help to filter water before it enters drains. If you ever make any changes to your patios, pathways, or driveways, consider using permeable pavement that allows water to soak through it into the ground instead of collecting into runoff.

RISK 8: DRINKING WATER WELLS

If you have a well on your property that you use for drinking water, you can take into consideration all of the above suggestions to keep it pure. Also make sure to have your water tested yearly, if not more frequently, to determine any potential dangers. Locate possible problem sources such as nearby livestock or septic tanks, as well as the close use of pesticides, fertilizers, and motor oil. Keeping all of these problem sources away from the well will reduce the risk of water contamination. Your well should be constructed so that runoff, potentially containing debris, bacteria, and pollutants, drains away from it. A cap or screen on your well will prevent vermin from entering and tainting your water.

RISK 9: HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER TREATMENT

If you have a septic tank, frequent maintenance and pumping will prevent leakage of harmful bacteria into the surrounding groundwater. Also, refrain from using your septic tank as a means of flushing dangerous chemicals – dispose of these as directed on their container.

RISK 5: PESTICIDES

No one likes pests in their home, and rightly so. Our homes, after all, are our sanctuaries. But it’s important to be aware that the sprays we buy to kill fleas, ants, flies, and other insect pests, can also be potentially harmful to us. When aerosol sprays settle, particles become part of the dust in our home that can be inhaled or accidentally ingested. Repeated exposure can be especially harmful to children. But, careful use of these products can rid your home of annoying pests without side effects to your family’s health.

Before purchasing any pesticide, be sure to carefully read the label. There, you can learn about how to properly use and dispose of the product, as well as what pests it kills and how harmful it is to you. One of the following words will appear on the label: Caution, Warning, or Danger. Caution means it is least harmful to you, and Danger means it is most harmful. Select the pesticide that will kill or deter your pests while being least toxic.

After you use your pesticide, wash any surfaces that might have pesticide residue on them (like counter tops) before placing food on them. Also wash your hands and clothes items that were exposed to pesticides. And of course, always dispose of pesticide as directed on the container– never down a sink, or sewer drain. The best way to do dispose of a pesticide is to appropriately use it!

RISK 6: VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

VOCs are chemicals within household products and furnishings that become gaseous at room temperature. A few examples of products that emit these gases include, paint, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, air fresheners, pesticides, cosmetics, particle board, glues, and adhesives.

The most effective way to decrease the effects of VOCs is to remove them from your home. When this isn’t possible, increase ventilation during activities that involve high amounts of VOCs and properly dispose of old and unused products lingering in your house. New products have been and continue to be developed that contain less VOC levels. These products often are environmentally friendly in other ways, like low VOC carpet that also contains recycled content. You can learn more about these products in the searchable Environmental Preferable Purchasing Database.

Remember to talk with your contractor about the use of low VOC products when making any changes or additions to your home. Improvements to your home should not only make it an enjoyable, more functional place, but should also make it a healthier one.

RISK 3: CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fuels, such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, and charcoal, are burned. Carbon Monoxide is extremely toxic in high doses, so it is important to recognize your early symptoms of overexposure, including headaches, fatigue, confusion, and dizziness.

Keeping your fuel burning appliances maintained and venting properly prevents any harmful excess of Carbon Monoxide in your home. You can even have your fuel burning gas furnaces, water heaters, ovens, cook tops, dryers, and space heaters inspected before each heating season begins. Also, make sure that your chimneys and flues are not blocked before use.  You can install Carbon Monoxide Detectors in your home, but their performance and reliability vary. Maintaining good care and proper use of those fuel burning appliances, as well as ensuring ventilation in your home are the most sure-fire ways of preventing Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

RISK 4: RADON

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that originates from the breakdown of uranium. This gas seeps into soil, rock, and water sources and can enter your home through cracks and openings in your foundation. If you test your home for radon and find that the gas is present, you can first reduce this flow of radon through having any cracks in your foundation sealed. Keeping your home well ventilated also reduces radon by drawing the gas out and bringing fresh outside air in. A more complicated method of radon reduction is to pressurize your home to prevent the natural movement of radon from the high pressure ground soil to the low pressure cavities of your home. Before you have anyone work on your home to reduce radon levels, make sure your contractor is certified in radon mitigation.  Go to the EPA Website for checklists and more information.

RISK 2: LEAD CONTAMINATION

In yesteryears, lead was used within many paint products. If your home was built before 1978 it most likely contains lead paint—but don’t fret! There are some simple things you and your contractor can do to prevent harmful lead exposure.

Lead contamination mostly occurs from breathing or ingesting lead dust. To reduce build up of this dust, simply take time to clean surfaces such as floors, window sills, and counter tops regularly. If you have children, keeping their hands (this may be the most difficult task!) and toys clean will help reduce their lead exposure. You may accidentally track lead dust in from the exterior of your home, so just remember to wipe your shoes before you enter. Eating healthy can even reduce the risk of lead contamination! Foods that are low in fat and high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C will do the trick.

Before a contractor begins work on your pre-1978 home, they should perform an EPA approved lead test. Containing the area where work is being done by sealing off doors and HVAC vents will help prevent the spread of lead dust to other parts of your home. Any furniture in the work area that can’t be moved should be covered and cleaned when the work is completed. Practices that minimize dust will be used during the renovation, but you should still stay out of the work area if possible. A careful and thorough clean up after the job is finished will rid your home of the lingering bits of dust.

Your contractor should also give you a copy of the Renovate Right pamphlet before work begins which contains more information about working with lead products. Be assured that we at Stearns make the concern of lead contamination a priority when completing any project for you.

There was a recent article in the Environmental Issues Blog that identified and discussed potential environmental risks that can be present in our homes. Although awareness is the first step, we felt the article was a little doom-and-gloom: we therefore want to share suggestions on how you can decrease these risks and create a healthy, happy home environment!

RISK 1: INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Since many of us are inside for the majority of the day, it’s important to be aware of pollutants from household items. After identifying sources of pollutants, you can eliminate or reduce their presence to improve the air quality of your home. This is a reason that you and your contractor should be in the know about the types of materials and emissions in products such as carpet or paint whenever you have changes made to your home.

Improving ventilation is also another way to increase air quality. Try to ventilate for short-term activities such as cleaning that involve chemical fumes. When the weather permits, open your home up to the outdoors— this not only brings in fresh air, but it’s also a perfect way to enjoy nature’s beauty. At Stearns we believe that this connection to your surrounding environment is a key part of living.

You can purchase air cleaners and purifiers, small and large; however some of these can be expensive, so be cautious and do your homework before making a decision! Remembering to change the air filter of your home’s HVAC system on a timely basis is a simpler alternative.

You can also introduce indoor plants into your spaces. These plants help remove pollutants from the air and are good for your well-being – they relax and refresh.

The kitchen is rife with plastics, many of which leach dangerous chemicals into our food. Keep your health in mind—learn to use plastics safely.