Allergens in your home

You can use the following tips to help avoid health problems that are caused by allergens in your home.

• Keep your home clean and as free from dust and dust mites as possible.

  This can help reduce allergens. There are many ways to control dust and dust mites in your home, such as washing bedding in hot water to kill dust mites and eliminating furnishings, such as drapes, that collect dust.

• Try to control animal dander and other pet allergens.

  Ideas include dusting and vacuuming often and regularly cleaning areas where your pet sleeps, such as pet beds or cages.

• Use exhaust fans that vent to the outdoors.

  These fans are typically installed in kitchens and bathrooms. They can help get rid of moisture that allows microorganisms, including moulds, to grow. Ventilating attic and crawl spaces and keeping humidity levels below 50% can help prevent moisture buildup in building materials.

• Try other ways to control indoor moulds and bacteria.

  Ideas include preventing leaks, removing wet materials, storing fireplace wood outside the home, and using a dehumidifier during humid weather. Try to:

  • Keep humidifiers clean and refill them daily with fresh water.
  • Frequently clean evaporation trays in air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators.
  • Replace or remove water-damaged items from your home. This includes water-damaged carpets and building materials.
• Make changes in your home to help reduce allergens.
  • Remove carpets and replace them with hardwood or tile floor.
  • Have sofas with covers that can be removed and washed.
  • Use blinds instead of drapes, because they collect less dust.
  • Have air filters in some rooms, especially in the bedrooms.

Household products

Many of the products you use to clean your home or use for hobbies and home improvement projects contain potentially hazardous chemicals. Some can be toxic and in sufficient doses can cause eye and respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, visual problems, and memory impairment. You can use the following precautions to help prevent problems.

• Follow the instructions on the label.

  This is one of the most important ways you can protect yourself.

• Have good ventilation.

  When you use cleaning or other products, be sure to open windows or use an exhaust fan.

• Never mix household chemicals.

  For example, do not mix chlorine bleach and ammonia. Some mixtures can create toxic fumes that can be fatal.

• Use environmentally safe products.

  Vinegar, lemon juice, boric acid, or baking soda can be used instead of store-bought household cleaners. And they are less damaging to you and to the environment.

• Be especially careful with products containing methylene chloride.

  Methylene chloride is in certain products such as paint strippers, adhesive removers, and aerosol spray paints. If you use products that contain this chemical, make sure you have adequate ventilation or use them outdoors, if possible. Also, wear gloves to avoid skin contact. But whenever you can, use environmentally safe products instead.

• Avoid exposure to benzene.

  Benzene can cause cancer. Benzene is found in tobacco smoke, fuels, and paint supplies.

• Limit your exposure to newly dry-cleaned clothing or furnishings.

  Dry-cleaned goods may give off chemicals that can cause skin rashes, headaches, and dizziness. If your clothes have a strong odour when you pick them up from the cleaners, hang them outside, if possible.

Woodstoves and gas ranges

You can use the following tips to help prevent indoor air pollution from wood stoves and gas ranges.

• Make sure the wood stove doors fit tightly.
• Burn only aged or cured wood that is completely dry.
• Never burn pressure-treated wood.

  This type of wood is treated with chemicals.

• Get regular inspections.

  Have chimneys, flues, and furnaces inspected each year.

• Make sure that the flames on your gas stove are blue.

  If your gas stove has a persistent yellow flame, it may be improperly adjusted. Ask your gas company to adjust the burners so the flame tips are blue.

• If you're planning to buy a new gas range or stove, consider one that does not use a pilot light.

  Consider changing to an electric stove.

Learn more

Watch

Polluted air comes from many sources, such as factories, cars, buses, trucks, and power plants. And there are other sources that you may not think of, such as dry cleaners, wildfires, and dust.

There are at least six major components of air pollution.

Ozone

Ozone is a gas that exists at ground level as well as miles above the earth. It's made by a chemical reaction between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of heat and sunlight. "Good" ozone occurs naturally about 10 to 30 miles above the earth's surface. There, in the stratosphere, it forms a layer that protects the earth's surface from the sun's harmful rays. At ground level, "bad" ozone (smog) exists. Exhaust from vehicles, industrial emissions, gasoline vapours, and chemical solvents are major sources of nitrogen oxides and VOCs. Add sunlight and hot weather to the mix, and harmful concentrations of ozone may develop.

Particulates

Particulates include dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets found in the air. They come from many sources, such as vehicles, factories, construction sites, unpaved roads, and burning wood. Other particulates are formed when gases from burning fuels react with water vapour and sunlight. This can result from the combustion of fuels in motor vehicles and from industrial and power plants.

Carbon monoxide

In cities with lots of traffic, most of the carbon monoxide put into the air comes from vehicle exhaust. It also comes from manufacturing processes, wood burning, and forest fires. Indoor sources include cigarettes and space heaters.

Nitrogen dioxide

When mixed with other particles in the air, nitrogen dioxide can often be seen as a reddish brown layer over many urban areas. Sources are fuels burned by vehicles, electric utilities, and industrial plants. Nitrogen dioxide is one of the nitrogen oxides, a group of highly reactive gases that contain various amounts of nitrogen and oxygen.

Sulfur dioxide

This gas is formed when fuels containing sulfur are burned. Examples are when coal and oil burn, when gasoline is extracted from oil, or when metals are extracted from ore. Sulfur dioxide is put into the air when fossil fuel is burned, such as by coal-fired power plants. Other sources are industries that create products from metallic ore, coal, and crude oil or those that burn coal or oil, such as petroleum refineries or metal processing facilities.

Lead

Leaded gasoline used to be the main source of lead in the air. But because leaded fuels have been phased out, the main sources of lead emissions are metals-processing facilities, especially lead smelters.

Effects on your health

Air pollution is a threat to your health. And it also damages crops, trees, water, and animals. The different sources of air pollution can cause different problems.

Ozone

Because of the heat factor, ground-level ozone is a summertime air pollutant that can be dangerous, especially for people with respiratory illnesses. Problems include:

• Irritation of the lungs.
• Coughing, wheezing, and pain when taking a deep breath, and breathing problems while exercising.
• Permanent lung damage from repeated exposure.
• Aggravated asthma, increased susceptibility to pneumonia and bronchitis, and reduced lung capacity.

Particulates

Very small particulates that can get into your lungs are especially harmful to your health and may increase your risk of lung cancer and heart problems. Particulates in the air you breathe can cause:

• Asthma attacks.
• Chronic bronchitis.
• Coughing and difficult or painful breathing.
• Reduced lung function.
• Eye, nose, and throat irritation.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide reduces the body's ability to deliver oxygen to tissues and organs, such as the heart and brain. It is especially dangerous for people who have heart problems. Carbon monoxide can be fatal to those exposed to extremely high levels. Every year carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of deaths from toxic chemicals. People with carbon monoxide poisoning may have:

• Headaches, irritability, or loss of consciousness.
• Difficulty working, learning, or doing complex tasks.
• Aggravation of heart problems, such as angina, heart failure, and coronary artery disease.

Nitrogen dioxide

Nitrogen oxides cause many problems, including:

• Breathing problems for people with asthma and heart conditions.
• Visibility impairment. Nitrogen dioxide and nitrate particles block light transmission and reduce visibility in urban areas.

Sulfur dioxide

Sulfur dioxide causes:

• Breathing problems for people with asthma and heart conditions.

Lead

Lead may cause serious health problems, including:

Learn more

Your drinking water may come from a public water system or a well, or you may use bottled water. Public water systems are regulated by provincial, territorial, federal, and municipal authorities. But water from a well may need testing to make sure it is safe to drink. You may be able to use a water filter or a water purification system to provide safe water. It is important for you to know where your drinking water comes from, if it is treated, and if it's safe to drink.

Be aware that water can be contaminated by organisms such as bacteria or fungi, by chemicals such as pesticides, and by metals such as lead or mercury.

Here are ways you can avoid pollution in your drinking water.

• Have your private well water tested.

  If you have a private well, you are responsible for getting your well water tested to see if it is safe to drink. You may want to get your well water tested regularly to make sure it is safe. Also make sure that the well is not located too close to a septic system.

• If there is a problem with your public water, follow instructions from authorities.

  If you are on a public water system, a local agency will let you know when there is a problem with the water. Follow all instructions for purifying your water (commonly called "boil orders") or for using other water sources. Authorities will tell your community when it is safe to drink from the public water supply again.

Pesticides

Exposure to pesticides may come from residual agricultural pesticides in foods; from household or workplace products used to control rodents, insects, and termites; and from disinfectants and fungicides. The most likely ways you are exposed are small quantities of pesticides in the foods you eat and by direct contact with surfaces (such as plants, soils, or structures) where pesticides have been used.

If not used properly, both workplace and household pesticides can be dangerous. Exposure to high levels of some pesticides can cause headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, nausea, weakness, and tingling sensations. Some experts believe that some pesticides may cause cancer or damage to the central nervous system.^{footnote 4} For agricultural workers, exposure to pesticides has been linked with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.^{footnote 5}

Pesticide exposure during pregnancy has been associated with miscarriage, fetal death, and early childhood cancers such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Indoor use of pesticides increases children's risk of brain tumours, ALL, and birth defects. Children can be poisoned by stored pesticides, so these should always be kept out of reach. Health Canada recommends that children have as little exposure to pesticides as possible.^{footnote 6}

Mercury in fish

Most people should not eat more than 150 g (5 oz) per week of fish that are known to have higher mercury levels. These include fresh or frozen tuna (not canned "light" tuna), shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy, and escolar. Some people need to restrict high-mercury fish even more: ^{footnote 7}

• Nursing mothers or women who are or may become pregnant should limit high mercury fish intake to no more than 150 g (5.3 oz) a month.
• Children 5 to 11 years of age should limit high mercury fish intake to no more than 125 g (4.4 oz) a month.
• Children 1 to 4 years of age should limit high mercury fish intake to no more than 75 g (2.7 oz) a month.

Most Canadians don't need to limit how much canned (white) albacore tuna they eat each week. But women who are or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children need to limit canned albacore tuna intake to no more than:

• 300 g (10.6 oz) each week for women who are or may become pregnant, or who are nursing.
• 150 g (5.3 oz) each week for children 5 to 11 years of age.
• 75 g (2.7 oz) each week for children 1 to 4 years of age.

Health Canada has no restrictions on eating fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. These include salmon, rainbow trout, pollock, herring, shrimp, mussels, clams, oysters, and canned "light" tuna.

Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.

Chemicals from plastics and other products

Some people are concerned about bisphenol A (BPA). This is a chemical found in some types of plastic (polycarbonate) bottles. BPA also is used to line the inside of some types of food cans and other containers. A study has shown that people who have high levels of BPA in their urine have a greater risk for heart disease.^{footnote 8} And a group of experts concluded that bisphenol A may have some effect on the behaviour, brain, and prostate gland of a developing baby (fetus) or young child.^{footnote 9, footnote 10} Health Canada has banned plastic baby bottles that contain the chemical bisphenol A (BPA). Don't use bottles marked with the number 7 or the letters "PC" near the recycle symbol. You can use glass or BPA-free plastic bottles instead. Visit the Government of Canada's webpage on bisphenol A at www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/packaging-materials/bisphenol.html for more information.

In the past, a group of substances called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used in electrical equipment, plastics, and dyes. Although they are no longer made in North America, they remain in the environment. Exposure to PCBs has been linked to health problems, especially mental functions such as memory and attention in children.^{footnote 11} Exposure to PCBs also has been linked to sperm problems in men.^{footnote 12} Visit the Government of Canada's webpage on PCBs at www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/environment/pcbs.html for more information.

Chemicals called phthalates may cause problems with the reproductive organs of infants and young children, especially boys. Phthalates can be found in some plastic items (such as some medical devices) and in products such as powders, lotions, and shampoos.^{footnote 13, footnote 14}

Sand or silica dust

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny pieces of sand or silica dust. Silica is a common mineral found in sand and rock. Breathing in silica may be a risk in certain jobs, such as construction, mining, rock drilling, sandblasting, and masonry. Silicosis may also be a risk for people who work with glass or ceramics.

Silicosis can cause breathing problems and damage to the lungs. Symptoms may appear many years after exposure to silica. But they can occur much sooner when there is a high level of exposure.

Silicosis can't be cured, but medicines can help manage the symptoms and treat problems such as infections.

To help prevent silicosis, you can do things to avoid dust exposure. For example, you can wear a mask or other device that prevents the fine silica dust from getting into your lungs. Employers are legally responsible for limiting exposure for workers and taking steps to protect workers.

Learn more

A poison centre can give you immediate advice in the case of a poisoning. Call 911 if the person passes out, has trouble breathing, is hard to wake up, or is having a seizure.

• Call 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669).
• Have the poison container with you so you can give complete information to the poison centre, such as what the poison or substance is, how much was taken and when.
• Do not try to make the person vomit.

Call a poison centre now if:

• You have ingested household chemicals.
• You fear you may have a carbon monoxide leak in your home. Get outside and call.

Symptoms of an environmental illness depend on what exposure to a health hazard you may have had. The symptoms may be like those you can get with other conditions. Talk to your doctor if you think you have been exposed to something and have:

• A headache.
• Fever and chills.
• Nausea.
• A cough.
• Muscle aches.
• A rash.

You may find it helpful to create a written exposure history to take to your doctor. This may help identify the cause of your illness.