Beacon

There has been considerable concern in recent months about the dangerous levels of toxins in some imported clothing and toys. But each day our children and families are exposed to a far more insidious cause of poor health and discomfort in the very places they should be most safe: their homes.

The cost of unhealthy homes is huge. There are economic costs: days off work and school, doctors’ visits and prescription fees, hospitalisations, not to mention reduced productivity. It is far harder to pin down the value of a healthy family, but most would rate this as priceless.

Research shows that home environments and occupant health are intrinsically linked. That’s not surprising. We spend a great deal of time indoors – 75-90%. For those most vulnerable – infants and the elderly – time spent indoors is often greater.

But many New Zealand homes are downright unhealthy. Home health depends on three main aspects: air quality (levels of pollutants, particulates, toxins and mould), moisture levels and temperatures. Many New Zealand homes fail to meet minimum World Heath Organisation (WHO) standards in at least one of these areas.

Air pollutants

Of course, there are air pollutants everywhere. But those inside are 1000-times more likely to be inhaled than outdoor ones. Pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), respirable particulates, gasses, fungi, bacteria and dustmites.

VOCs come from the chemicals in construction materials, furniture, paint, carpets and household products. They are highest after a home has been built or renovated. While many are in low concentrations, together they can form a potent cocktail of harmful compounds, causing nose and throat irritations, respiratory problems and also cardiovascular disease.

Gasses like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone are present in high levels in some New Zealand homes, especially those with gas heaters (35%) that are not vented to the outside. Gas cookers, open fires and vehicle emissions from attached garages are also responsible. These gases reduce immunity, cause coughing and sneezing, prolong the effects of colds and flu and result in more, and more severe, asthma attacks. Even small amounts of carbon monoxide cause tiredness and clumsiness, loss of concentration, nausea, dizziness and headaches.

Almost half of New Zealand’s homes (45%) are mouldy. Mould and fungi, like dustmites, are proven to exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma. While mould is inevitable to some degree, it multiplies fastest in damp, poorly insulated and badly ventilated houses – the majority of our homes fall into this category.

Our homes are also cold – unacceptably so, according to WHO. Research shows that many of our homes are as much as 6°C colder than WHO minimums in winter. Quite simply, people in cold homes are more likely to get sick.

What you can do

Care in choosing material, paints and furnishings will significantly reduce the toxin levels in your home. Other simple steps include:

Vent gas heaters to the outside, or better still, when replacing your heater opt for one that provides “clean heat”, like a low-emission woodburner, pellet burner or heat pump.

It’s simple: a healthier home has healthier occupants. Don’t you and your family deserve one?