Page 32 - Silver Lakes June 2021

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

that will cruise in to fill that space – such
as carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide
(CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Any
unvented heating appliance where
the air is not channelled out through a
chimney will generate CO₂ into the indoor
environment when there’s complete
combustion of carbon-based fuels.
However, if combustion is incomplete, CO
will be produced.

Whilst high concentrations of CO₂
may cause sleepiness and headaches,
CO is highly toxic and if there’s a high
concentration of the gas in the room, it
can cause brain damage, organ failure and
possibly even death.
The other gas, NO₂, is also commonly
emitted from home heating elements
such as gas, oil, and kerosene burning
appliances, including stoves, room
heaters, and water heaters, as well as
wood-burning and coal-burning furnaces
and fireplaces. Some of the effects of NO₂
poisoning include wheezing or coughing,
conjunctivitis, headaches, throat irritation
and dyspnea (shortness of breath). recommend rather buying these in smaller plumbing is leaking or the roof leaks. It
quantities/volumes and, when you have can also occur in HVAC ducts and air-
POLLUTANTS finished the task, disposing of the rest conditioning filters, as well as inside
Formaldehyde from pressed wood, lead in a responsible manner. This is because washing machines and dishwashers if they
from lead-based paints and lead water gases from leftover cleaning materials can have been left standing with the doors
pipes, volatile organic compounds (VOC) escape into the atmosphere even if the closed for any length of time.
such as the organic solvents found in containers are ‘closed’, merely adding to
cleaning materials, disinfectants, aerosol the general mix of toxins circulating in the There are over 100 000 different types of
sprays and pesticides, along with some air in your home. mould found in nature, but in the home,
building materials and furnishings can the most prevalent are:
pollute the indoor atmosphere. The health MOULD • Acremonium – which often develops
effects from exposure to these pollutants If you have any damp areas in your home, into a fine, powdery substance
include eye, nose and throat irritation, the chances are that you have a thriving • Alternaria – found in showers, under
headaches, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, colony of mould growing there. Mould leaky sinks and around bath tubs
reduced co-ordination and various is often found in showers, under fitted • Aspergillis – in dust and on dry walling
allergies. baths where the sealant between bath
and wall has degraded (a good reason to • Aureobasidium – behind wallpaper
When it comes to cleaning materials, install a freestanding bath!), under sinks, • Chaetomium – in water-damaged areas
solvents and the like, the professionals in cupboards, and anywhere where the • Cladosporum – on fabrics and wood
surfaces
• Memnoniella – frequently grows in
insulation material
• Penicillin – on food
• Stachybotrys – thrives where there’s
damp wood, paper and cotton products
• Trichoderma – in damp areas, air-
conditioning filters and HVAC ducts
• Ulocladium – in kitchens, bathrooms
and around windows.

Stachybotrys, often referred to as ‘black
mould’, is one of the most toxic. It can also
have a grey or dark green appearance and
often has a musty smell. The mycotoxins
that it produces can cause severe health
problems, including flu-like symptoms,
headaches, respiratory damage, fatigue,
depression and memory loss.
MOULD PREVENTION
Controlling the amount of humidity

30 INTRA MUROS JUNE 2021