10 Reasons Why Your Home Might Make You Sick

Our homes are meant to be safe havens, but there are a number of reasons why your home could be negatively impacting your health. Indoor air quality, which can sometimes be significantly worse than the air outside, or water entering your home can sometimes carry things that make us feel sick or can make us sick in the long term. And many of these things are subtle and difficult to detect, if not literally invisible.

It can be difficult to determine whether something in your home poses a potential threat to your health in the short or long term. If you think something in your home is making you feel sick, you should always consult a doctor or healthcare professional before jumping to conclusions about potential causes. But it’s worth taking a look at the things in your home that might be making you feel sick—just keep in mind that just because you find something on this list doesn’t necessarily mean it’s something that’s making you feel sick.

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Mold spores can cause a range of symptoms , from sneezing and nasal congestion to coughing and wheezing. Even if you don’t smell mold , having your home inspected for mold is never a bad idea. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend testing for mold at home —if you see signs of mold, no matter what type it is, it needs to be cleaned up .

Dust and allergens

Make sure all fabrics (such as carpets and curtains) are clean and thoroughly vacuumed to remove dust and other airborne contaminants. We have a guide showing you what to do to keep indoor allergens under control.

Surface microbes

Wipe down frequently touched surfaces, such as light switches and doorknobs, that can transmit bacteria that make you sick. And look for signs of bugs in your home: Bugs like cockroaches can spread bacteria around your home that can make you sick.

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that can cause fatigue, headaches and many other symptoms. At high concentrations, it can be fatal without you even noticing, so you should always treat CO in your home as an emergency. Carbon monoxide can come from sources such as a gas water heater or furnace. The CO from their exhaust should be vented out of the house through the chimney, but if you have a leak somewhere, or if your chimney is faulty or blocked (you checked it recently , didn’t you?), these gases can build up. in the air – and you will feel bad or even worse. If you don’t already have CO alarms , install them immediately. If so, make sure they are working properly and do not require replacement.

Carbon dioxide (CO ² )

At normal levels, CO2 is not dangerous – in fact, it is produced by our own bodies. However, in high concentrations it can cause a long list of negative symptoms and, in extreme cases, even lead to death. It’s a good idea to monitor the air quality in your home and keep an eye on CO2 levels. If you find that these levels are higher than they should be, have an HVAC professional inspect your water heater and heating systems to make sure your chimney is clean and functioning properly.

Water pollution

The United States has pretty good drinking water , all things considered, but both well and city water can be contaminated with a variety of substances that can make you sick on a regular basis.

• Bacterial contamination of well water. Well water can be contaminated with a variety of contaminants, including coliform bacteria , some of which can make you feel sick. You should test your well water regularly, and if you find bacteria, you can try ” shocking ” it with chlorine.

• Lead: Lead gets into our drinking water in a variety of ways, and it can be very dangerous ( the EPA safe exposure level is zero) if you are exposed to it over a long period of time. You can test your water for lead at a certified laboratory or with an approved home test kit .

• Nitrates and other chemicals. Some hazardous substances can end up in both well and tap water, such as nitrates (from fertilizers that wash into the water supply), arsenic, and so-called “forever chemicals.”

You can test your tap water fairly easily to determine if it is the cause of your symptoms. Filters—either in a faucet, pitcher, or whole-house system—can help, but most filters can’t effectively remove bacteria or many chemicals (like nitrates), so you can’t just plop a Brita on water. click and finish. If you find any of these contaminants in your water , you should contact your local authorities and call the Environmental Protection Agency .

Cigarette smoke residue

If previous occupants smoked cigarettes in the premises, you may be dealing with ” third-hand smoking .” Dangerous chemicals released in cigarette smoke stick to surfaces and penetrate other parts of the home and can cause a wide range of symptoms. You can try to get rid of smoke residue by doing a thorough cleaning and decluttering , but if the smoke has settled into the bones of the home, you may have to do a gut renovation to clean it out.

Remains of a drug laboratory

It’s rare, but it happens. Several years ago, a Tennessee family couldn’t figure out why they all began developing mysterious respiratory illnesses after moving into a new home. They discovered that the previous occupant was operating a meth lab out of the house, and residual contamination from the illegal lab was making them all sick. Look for signs that your home may be infested by a former drug lab. If you think you see them, your best bet is to hire a company to remove them for you, but be prepared to pay a hefty fee for the service.

VOC release

Even a new (or newly furnished) home can make you feel sick. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemical compounds that turn into vapor at room temperature—substances such as benzene or formaldehyde. These chemicals are found in a wide range of products, including paint, furniture, carpeting, curtains and other household items. When new, these products release VOCs over a period of time. Because you’re indoors, these VOCs become concentrated— ten times higher than outdoors.

When you inhale VOCs, you may experience a wide range of symptoms, including headaches, eye and throat irritation, or nausea. Prolonged exposure may cause serious illness. If your home is recently built or you’ve just renovated it (even if you recently painted it or had new furniture delivered), your sudden illnesses may be due to the release of volatile organic compounds. The good news is that it will go away over time, and increasing ventilation in your home by opening windows can help reduce its impact.

Radon

Another gas that can make you seriously ill is radon, a radioactive gas that is completely invisible to humans—you could be breathing it right now and not know it. And you can breathe this for a long time and not realize it. But long-term exposure to radon can cause cancer , as radioactive substances enter your lungs, and by the time you notice symptoms (such as a persistent cough or difficulty breathing for which there is no other obvious explanation), it may be too late. Most home inspections performed when selling a home include radon testing, but if you have not done so, it is recommended that you test your home for radon by hiring a professional or using a store-bought test . If your home tests positive, you can mitigate the situation , but you should evacuate until the work is completed and your home tests negative, and in the meantime, consult with a medical professional.

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