Air Quality Effects Child Health
Few people think about how much they will affect their baby’s future health and well being, by the decisions they make when fitting out their bedroom. Commercial paints, plastic bed covers, and new plastic toys contain a cocktail of synthetic chemicals that off-gas volatile organic compounds. The National Asthma Council of Australia stated that “These compounds have been shown to produce airway inflammation and limit airflow after one-hour exposure in animal models.
Their presense in the bedroom has also been associatedwith type-2 T cell (Th2) deviation and increased allergic sensitization in children.
Fluffy toys make an ideal environment for dust mites. The glues andresins used in the wooden cribs, foam mattresses and most pressed woodproducts contain many toxic chemicals including formaldehyde. Thischemical is a known carcinogen, which means it is known to cause cancer.
Most vacuum cleaners disperse 80% of the particles they collect,straight back out the machine. This means that dust and allergen particles are now airborne and in the breathing zone of your baby orchild. So unless you have a suitable vacuum cleaner, vacuuming the room can potentially do more harm than good.
A good quality air filter is essential in most homes and businessess. Many baby care products (creams, oils, powders etc.) contain a cocktailof toxic chemicals like propylene glycol and sorbelene. Just take aminute to read the list of ingredients on the packaging of some baby products and with minimal research you will find that so manyi ngredients are petroleum based and potentially toxic.
Children breathe more rapidly than adults and inhale 50% more air perpound of body weight. This makes them a lot more susceptible to air contaminants than adults. Their immune systems are still developing andso the level of contaminants we expose our children to at this earlystage, can potentially affect their general health status in thefuture. It may be beneficial to expose your child to some impurities in order to strengthen their immune system, but few people realise the incredible toxic chemical load that their children are exposed to everyday.
The massive increase in allergies and asthma in children, as a result of their home environment can easily be avoided.
A new health science in Australia known as Building Biology concerns itself with indoor environments and considers the impact of harmful chemicals and microbes in the water, air, food and products that we consume and use. A Building Biologist consults at your home in order to assess and advise on your indoor environment. As part of your pre-conception care, it’s essential to ensure that the toxic chemical load in your home environment is minimised. Building Biologists are happy to work with your health practitioner of choice to ensure a completely holistic approach.
Raphael Siket - ecolibria - 2008
