| The EPA has found that the air quality inside most | | | | volatile organic compounds that new carpeting emits |
| condos and houses is three times as bad as the air | | | | or off-gasses. Again it is the glue and dye in the |
| quality outside in terms of pollution and harmful | | | | carpeting that contains chemicals that can irritate |
| fumes and gasses. Most home and condo owners | | | | people. The highest amount of VOCs will be |
| aren't aware of this fact, but they are probably | | | | off-gassed right after laying new carpeting. One way |
| aware of the way this type of pollution makes them | | | | to avoid this is stay out of your condo or house for |
| feel in terms of health. Everything from breathing | | | | a couple of days after new carpeting is installed and |
| problems, allergies, headaches, nausea and even in | | | | air the rooms out before coming back for good. You |
| some cases the possibility of increased risk of cancer | | | | can also shop for carpeting that has lower levels of |
| can result from being exposed to certain chemicals | | | | VOCs in the materials. |
| commonly found in the home and in home furnishings | | | | Probably most people have heard of the dangers of |
| and finishes. To improve both your health and quality | | | | lead paint. Unless your condo or home was painted |
| of life, not to mention the environment, you need to | | | | before 1978 you most likely don't have anything to |
| know what items could pose a potential threat, | | | | worry about. Today paint in the United States |
| especially if you're buying an older condo or house | | | | contains no lead. But if you do believe and the paint |
| and want to renovate or remodel it yourself. | | | | is flaking or you need to scrape it or sand it to |
| Pressed wood products are one of the most serious | | | | repaint, then there is a serious danger of tiny lead |
| offenders when it comes to toxic emissions in the | | | | particles being thrown into the air and inhaled. |
| home. Pressed wood can include such building | | | | Even in small doses lead can cause major health |
| materials as particle board, paneling and some types | | | | problems for adults and especially for children and |
| of insulation. The problem stems from the glue that is | | | | pregnant women. Everything from damage to brain |
| used to hold the pressed wood products together. | | | | cells and your nervous system can result from |
| The idea of using wood scraps that would have | | | | exposure, and if children pick up the paint chips and |
| otherwise been landfill is great in theory and still is, | | | | eat them it can be even more harmful. If you've |
| but the older glue gave off formaldehyde, which is | | | | bought an older condo with the intention of |
| highly irritating at the least and can cause allergic | | | | remodeling and suspect there is lead paint present, |
| reactions, respiratory illness and possibly some forms | | | | then you should hire a professional to remove it in a |
| of cancer. | | | | safe way. |
| Though there are a lot more regulations now days to | | | | Another source of potential health problems is the |
| control the levels of formaldehyde in wood glue, you | | | | chemicals used in making such items as draperies, |
| need to be aware of any pressed wood products | | | | furniture coverings, mattresses, televisions, |
| that may be in older condos or houses that you | | | | computers and even some pajamas resistant to fire. |
| purchase or move into. Wood paneling, kitchen or | | | | Flame retardants are probably a necessary evil and |
| bath cabinets or even particle boards used in | | | | can slow fires giving a homeowner a chance to |
| construction can still pose health problems. One bright | | | | escape and survive. But they contain PBDEs or |
| spot is that the older the pressed wood product is, | | | | polybrominated diphenyl ethers, which are given off |
| the less formaldehyde it gives off. Humid air and | | | | into the air and inhaled or even ingested. When inside |
| smaller condo rooms or houses make the problem | | | | your body, they stay there and can possibly impair |
| worse. So the best thing is to try and find out how | | | | your memory, cause learning problems in children, |
| old the house or condo is you live in or are buying | | | | decrease fertility and cause thyroid problems. Cancer |
| and if any pressed wood is present. Paneling and | | | | is even a possibility. Some forms of PBEDs have |
| cabinets can be replaced and might be the best idea | | | | been discontinued since 2004, but the old products |
| in the long run. | | | | that contained them are still present in some homes |
| Because of raised awareness about these potentially | | | | and the one type that is still in use is suspected of |
| dangerous substances and the growing trend in green | | | | causing similar health issues. |
| building, most new construction condos like these | | | | By familiarizing yourself with potential hazardous |
| have fewer hazardous materials than older homes. | | | | building materials and chemicals in furnishings you can |
| You can even go a few steps further and check out | | | | reduce your exposure and improve the quality of |
| the eco-friendly Chicago real estate developments | | | | your indoor air and life. Both your body and the |
| that have LEED certification. | | | | environment will thank you for it. |
| Another big culprit of indoor pollution is the VOCs or | | | | |