Is Your Home Office Making You Sick?

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

21 Aug 2007 07:30 PM

Home office. Corporate office. Any office. In my opinion they are all environments that can compromise our mental health (slave driver boss, mandated overtime, etc.), but what about our physical health?

In a previous blog Aimee detailed research that found some laser printers emit what is considered as "dangerous" levels of ultra-fine toner particles into the air. The study went on to say that people exposed to high levels of these particles are at risk of suffering respiratory irritation, severe cardiovascular problems, even cancer.

Unfortunately, even if you don't work near one of these types of laser printers there are other indoor pollutants found in both home and corporate offices that could be just as harmful.

For instance:

Mold--I have severe allergies and major sinus problems so I know how torturous it is to be exposed to high levels of mold. This is especially true for asthma sufferers too. There are a number of places in your home office that can be a breeding ground for mold. The biggest culprit--your humidifier. It's a good idea to replace the water often and clean it out with soap and water on a regular basis. Also, wet carpeting is also a haven for mold spores. To protect yourself keep your carpets clean and dry.

Cleaning Products--By now you know that many cleaning products contain hazardous materials. There have been a number of studies done on this topic and the resounding conclusion is this: Whenever you use cleaning products, do so in a well ventilated area. Also, it's not wise to mix products (unless you have a degree in chemistry). Mixing products like ammonia and bleach produces chlorine gas, which is toxic.

Wood-burning Stoves--As long as we are on the subject of proper air circulation, you should know that wood-burning stoves that aren't properly ventilated can emit nitrogen dioxide, which can cause major problems for people with lung diseases.

Radon Gas---This colorless and odorless radioactive material exists in soils and rock and is considered one of the leading causes of lung cancer. The gas can be found in high concentrations in basements and crawl spaces.

Related Articles:

My Mold Story

Guess I Should Have Read The Label First!

Household Product Alert--Dryer Sheets

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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