Who likes to clean dust? Honestly, I do not, but what must be done, must be done, especially if one reacts violently to household dust mites. The mites are not the only problem, and certainly not the greatest.

Household dust is not a matter that is relevant only for housewives, because apart from the annoyance of constant clean up, it is also one of the largest sources of pollution for the whole family. It offers a welcome reservoir for heavy metals, anti-flame retardants, pesticides and plasticizers. Children are particularly at risk since they have direct contact as they often play on the floor and put things into their mouths. Because children are still in a stage of development, pollution can have significant effects. Lead, in particular, can affect the nervous system. A further complication is that their body organs are also still in the developmental phase, including the organs that detoxify the contaminants. Sensory and chemical allergies are another risk factor.

Dust: A Source of Pollution in the Home

Canadians launched a national study of house dust over a four-year period. (1) It is already becoming apparent that the whole problem, which is associated with the dust in our homes is very underestimated. Furniture, electronics, building materials, even toys have one thing in common. They are constantly emitting gases of harmful substances. These are bound up in house dust and distributed throughout the living area. If the resulting dust is not removed regularly, a high source of a potential pollution exists. Children are particularly at risk because they suffer from hand-mouth contact quickly through exposures which the scientists from Health Canada have already made known.

From the Street to the House

It is still largely unknown to scientists where all the components of household dust come from. One known source is certainly the dust that is introduced by our shoes into the house. With this, not only bacteria and germs are introduced, but also particles of pollutants from road traffic, pesticides, chemicals, molds, pollen and more. Especially in rural areas, for example, the pesticide pollution from agriculture is often disproportionately high, so there, it’s important to leave the shoes at the front door. (2,3)

What’s so Bad About Dust?

House dust is serious, because it consists mostly of fine dust that is can enter the respiratory track and therefore immediately enter the blood stream. With certain chemicals and metals, this is especially pronounced. They can affect the memory as these poisons accumulate in our bodies. Some of these memory poisons, such as those in most household dust like anti- polybrominated flame retardants, will remain years to decades in our bodies. During this period other new substances are constantly added which brings not just interactions with other chemicals, but will inevitably also have further health consequences.

Heavy metals like lead and mercury, for example, which accumulate in house dust, are found in some indoor concentrations which are higher than they are in water or soil around the home environment. As a further complication, common allergens from pets, dust mites, pollen and mold, which burdens the immune system of allergy sufferers as well.

Dusting is required

In order to limit the hazard of household dust, regular thorough vacuuming and wiping up or mopping is required. Frequent hand washing, especially in children, helps to reduce the burden. Everyone should always take off their shoes upon entering the living space, particularly to reduce the introduction of heavy metals and pesticides. In flame retardants, which are found in large quantities in household dust, it is difficult, because home appliances, upholstered furniture, and other household items are constantly giving off gases which are hard to prevent. The best solution is to keep dust and its health consequences at bay. In addition to the aforementioned measures, it is important to use the vacuum, dust clothes, and mop in and around the home as much as possible to reduce the exposure to chemicals. It will take scientists some time to discover the affects and the consequences from chemicals and other factors in household dust.

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network

Literature:

1. Health Canada, The Canadian House Dust Study, January 30, 2007
2. Chensheng Lu2, Richard A. Fenske, Nancy J. Simcox and David Kalman, Pesticide Exposure of Children in Agricultural to Community: Evidence of Household Proximity to Farmland and Take Home Exposure Pathways, Environmental Research, Volume 84, Issue 3, November 2000, Pages 290-302
3. NJ Simcox, RA Fenske, SA Wolz, IC Lee, and DA Kalman, Pesticides in household dust and soil: exposure pathways for children of agricultural families, Environ Health Perspect. 1995 December, 103 (12): 1126-1134.

Allergies and Asthma? Be Careful when Burning Scented Candles

Candles are the most popular mood-makers. In particular, scented candles are very popular. They provide an “individual smell” in shops, at events, in restaurants and in homes. However, lung doctors warn against using scented candles, especially if they are made of paraffin. Paraffin candles are made from petroleum, which is produced from oil. Slags are often used by the oil industry for the manufacturing of candles. This allows the production cost of the candles to be kept to a minimum, ensuring a larger profit margin for manufacturers and retailers. Alternatively, lung doctors recommend candles from beeswax or soy instead, and advise consumers to refrain from scented candles and other scented air products altogether. (1) The Medical Association of the German Allergists speak out and are critical of fragrances. (2)

Scented Candles – A Problem for Allergy and Asthma Suffers

Pulmonary doctors of the German Lung Foundation (DLS) consider the use of scented candles made from paraffin as a concern for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. When the burning materials are released, they may cause or exacerbate the respiratory symptoms. Even people with perfume allergies are at risk. Skin reactions may be exacerbated by the burning of scented candles. Those with perfume allergies are therefore advised to abandon all scented candles.

Which is of Greater Concern…Natural Fragrance or Chemicals?

It is often stated, it was “only” a natural fragrance. The consumer often makes purchases with this promise of a false sense of security. Whether natural fragrances are a better choice than chemical fragrances is answered by Professor Thomas Fuchs, an allergist with the Department of Dermatology with the University of Medicine at Goettigen, November 2010 in the Rheinische Post: “… in the end fragrances are fragrances, whether they are natural or produced in the laboratory.”

Should those with a fragrance allergy use any fragrances at all? Professor Fox, who belongs to the Association of German Allergists, makes his position on this matter clear: “Those who are affected by a fragrance allergy should also do without all fragrances as much as possible.”

Fragrances Can Trigger Asthma Attacks

Scented candles are very problematic for asthma sufferers. It is reported that some asthmatics must resort more often to using asthma inhalers. Extreme caution must be used to leave locations where scented candles are being burned.

Paraffin Candles Emit Pollutants

“Paraffin candles are made from petroleum,” said Professor Harald Morr, CEO, on the website of the German Lung doctors. “Especially people, who have already developed a contact allergy to certain perfumes, risk the increase from the burning of substances released to the skin or allergic symptoms in the airways. This can cause skin rashes and asthma symptoms.”

Concern for the burning of candles is not just for asthma or allergy sufferers alone, but also for anyone who is in a room where candles are burning. It is recommended by pulmonary doctors from the German Lung Foundation to be cautious and have good ventilation, especially in small rooms or in places with poor ventilation. In addition, they even advise, to set up fans to get rid of the pollutants faster which are released by the candles. Is this advice over the top? Surely not, because especially if several candles are burning at the same time, this can quickly lead to significant pollution in indoor environments. Not only is the paraffin of concern, but also the wicks, which are very often contain lead. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published that the proven lead exposure in children was caused to a considerable extent by the burning of candles. (3)

Candle Magic to Create Atmosphere

Those who are concerned about health should refrain from scented candles and instead use candles from plant based sources, soy and beeswax instead of those made from paraffin.

In addition, beeswax candles should be organic. Conventional beeswax is contaminated by pesticides and drug residues which can be expected to be released during burning into the air.

Mood candles in the living room should be limited to special occasions and should be selected for their pollution-free quality. After the use of each candle it is important to thoroughly air out the room, and make sure that candles are “suffocated” completely.

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network

Literature:

1. Lungenärzte im Netz, Paraffin in Duftkerzen kann die Atemwege reizen und Asthma hervorrufen, 15.11.2010
2. RP, Experte rät zu Verzicht auf Parfüm, 24.11.2010
3. Silvia K. Müller, Vorsicht bei MCS: Kerzen können zu Schadstoffbelastung in Innenräumen beitragen, CSN, 13.12.2008

Experts call for alternative disinfectant for swimming pools

Indoor swimming pools in cities were once a status symbol. Now there are other factors to consider. The cost for the maintenance of swimming pools is enormous. But there is another factor that is not often in the foreground, but certainly plays a role: chlorine – the chemical added to disinfect the water. Chlorine is effective and cheap, but it is toxic and has destroyed the health of many lifeguards and swimmers. In some cities there were staff shortages in the pool, because one lifeguard after another died because of cancer.

A recent report on the health hazards of chlorine in swimming pools:

Swimming in chlorinated indoor or outdoor pools may increase the risk of cancer. Because of this fact a team of researchers has been created by Manolis Kogevinas at the Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona. The researchers have identified more than 100 chemical intermediates in chlorinated pools. They advise not to stop swimming in pools, but want to achieve a change in terms of hygiene and in bathrooms which would require swimmers to make adjustments and to wash thoroughly with soap before the swim.

“Chlorine is a highly active microbial killer and reacts with a variety of organic substances. These include skin cells, sweat and urine, the bathroom specialist Rudolf Wagner declared at a water workshop for the press-text interview. “If one takes a shower before the swim, one reduces these reactions immensely,” said Wagner. “An alternative to chlorine is ozone. This oxidant is less strong and less reactive.”

Chlorine: High reactivity

Although chlorine is an effective bacteria killer, scientists have long warned against the negative consequences for human health. The team with Kogevinias discovered from a 50-member group of subjects, that some of the intermediates of the disinfectant were poisonous and never before found in swimming pools.

The swimmers had their blood, urine, and breath tested before and after a 40-minute swim in the water. After the session, the subjects showed some increased markers of DNA damage that can lead subsequently to cancer. The chemical intermediates enter through the skin and respiratory organs in the body. Nevertheless, the researchers point out that it is too early to conclude long-term health problems from these short-term changes.

Previous studies have shown that lifeguards suffer from increased asthma, respiratory problems, allergies and ear, nose, and throat irritation.

When making plans, consider health risks

In new planning and renovation of swimming pools safe disinfectants should be prioritzed. Exposing pool staff and swimmers to chlorine and its toxic breakdown products, based on research results in recent years, should simply be no longer acceptable. It is easier not think about the health risks for employees and swimmers even when experts are calling for further research but it is unacceptable to continue to expose these people to the known health risks..

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network

Literature: PT Austria, Chlor im Pool: Ziemlich ungesunde Mischung pte/14.09.2010

Fragrances, which are used in many households and skin care products can cause contact dermatitis when oxygen is exposed to air, as this research shows as presented at the dermatologist conference in Gothenburg, at the University of Gothenburg and at the Sahlgrenska Academy.

The Swedish researchers have focused their research on identifying how these can be activated by contact with oxygen in the air and how this in turn affects the skin. A specially focused study examined whether the activated fragrance caused a contact allergy in eczema patients at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital Dermatology Clinic and at the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Department of Dermatology in Malmö. It was found that a high percentage of the 3,400 patients with eczema had an allergic reaction to the tested fragrance substances.

“In an effort to get a deeper understanding as to how contact allergies occur, we now use state-of-the-art microscopes to track what happens to an allergen when it enters the skin,” said Ann-Therese Karlberg, Professor of Dermatochemistry / skin allergies and researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy.

When determining how an allergenic substance works, it must be also taken into consideration the skin’s ability to activate a substance by metabolism.

We have developed a mixture that corresponds to the composition of real skin enzymes. We use them to find out if the chemicals can be activated in the skin and to see what the allergen is.”

The discovery from the Swedish scientist will help health service providers by developing new diagnostic tools to correctly diagnose allergic contact eczema, and long-term contribution to reducing the number of cases with allergic contact dermatitis. For the patients, a correct diagnosis that they can avoid exposure to triggering substances, and to heal their eczema gives them a chance.

“Future research will include evaluating new diagnostic methods and conducting more in-depth studies on what penetrates the skin. This will allow us to develop new drugs and to replace the only treatment, cortisone ointment, which is currently available for eczema,“ said Prof. Karl Berg, who believes that their research through their effects on producers, consumers and legislators can improve the prevention work.

Contact allergy

It is estimated that in Europe almost 20% of the population is affected by a contact allergy, which means that patients develop eczema when they come into contact with substances to which they are allergic. After nickel, fragrances are the most common cause of contact allergy. For this type of allergy, there is no cure, but cortisone cream can alleviate the symptoms, and avoiding all possible contact with the allergen is helpful as well.

Literature:

Ann-Therese Karlberg, Göteborg University, New discovery of the causes of contact allergy, 6 October 2010