Home sweet home, a horror houses for poisons?:

Consuming Chemicals

by Dr. Hemantha Wickramatillake

Although we take it for granted, we inhale and touch many chemicals, in our households. These range from deodorants to many cleansing fluids.

What we do not realize is the fact that our dwellings being confined spaces, the concentrations of toxins we inhale inside houses are much more than what we breathe from outside sources, But most of us, doctors, scientists, still, talk and are more concerned of outdoor pollution.

Scientific American comments, 'Recent studies show that levels of harmful chemicals indoors are on average 3 to 5 times, but as much as 1000 times higher than levels outdoors, even in the most polluted areas of the country.'

Exposure to household toxins is linked to just about every disease that we know of, most notably cancer. Numerous animal studies have linked many of the more than 24,000 toxins that exist in our environment to negative health effects on the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, respiratory, reproductive and immune systems (Ben Kim).

Many household toxins have also been linked to mental and physical developmental problems in children. Because we are unable to feel, see, smell, or taste many household toxins at first contact, it is important to be aware of the most common household toxins and to proactively take measures to prevent or reduce our exposure to them.

Our bodies absorb toxins either through the skin, by swallowing or by breathing them in. Different chemicals and different degrees of exposure produce different effects on the body. These effects can range from acute poisoning through to chronic, long-term or delayed effects.

Acute effects occur when someone absorbs or swallows or inhales a poisonous substance such as kerosene, or bleach. Acute poisoning is very obvious with symptoms occurring almost immediately. Sometimes the effects of the toxins are less obvious and result in symptoms such as skin rashes, headaches and breathing difficulties.

These symptoms may be short lived or chronic. They may recur when the person comes in contact with the chemical again - often more severe with repeated contact. Some chemicals accumulate in our body. Chronic effects of toxic household cleaning products are often quite subtle and difficult to link to the chemical exposure. Symptoms may include migraine, depression, giddiness, nausea, or high blood pressure.

Long-term or delayed health effects of household products tend to fall under three categories: carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and endocrine disrupting chemicals. A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. A carcinogenic material is one that is known to cause cancer.

There are a number of carcinogens in common household products; we do not need to be exposed to these chemicals. They can have potentially destructive health consequences. These substances may be in small amounts, but over time, the cumulative effect can lead to cancer.

Chemical reproductive toxins are chemicals that affect reproductive capability and include the following four general categories: Mutagens; teratogens; chemicals causing sterility/infertility and; chemicals that may affect lactation. Fortunately there are not many reproductive toxins found in household products.

One such chemical, 2-butoxyethanol, appears in a number of spray cleaners, window cleaners and other products. An endocrine-disruptor is a chemical, or mixture that alters the function of the endocrine system i.e. in its production, release, transport, metabolism, binding, action or elimination of natural hormones in the body, and consequently causes adverse health effects.

These chemicals are chemically similar to human hormones and sometimes they increase their effect with unpredictable results. Many household cleaning products we use everyday contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals. One of the largest group of endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) known as nonyl phenols and their ethoxylates, mimicking estrogens, are in many cleaning products.

Toxic chemicals can also affect our immune system. One class of immune disorders is 'hypersensitivity' reactions, or allergic reactions, such as asthma, hay fever, and food allergies, some of which may be minor, others fatal.

A short list of toxins in our homes that may surprise you.

Formaldehyde (evaporates) from cushions, particleboard and the adhesives used to manufacture most inexpensive wood-based products. Carpets and carpet cushions may also emit formaldehyde, causing eye and upper respiratory irritation. It is common to experience these symptoms with newly laid carpets. Formaldehyde may even cause cancer on chronic exposure.

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in some countries is a natural radioactive gas that can seep into homes through cracks in the basement, the surrounding foundation and in well water. No exposures showing health effects have been recorded in Sri Lankan homes, although the bricks made from Mahiyangana clay emit a high dose, but within the normal rage (University of Colombo).

Levels of lead, once thought to be acceptable are now known as contributors to learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Lead is found in paint in older houses, old plumbing and soil near highways and busy roads. It causes neurological and kidney damage, high blood pressure, disrupted blood cell production and reproductive problems;

Carbon Monoxide (CO) could kill many persons by acute exposures to high doses coming through house garages and the use of CO from a car exhaust, in a close garage, is an easy mode of committing suicide. Arsenic is still lacing many household pesticides and is increasingly used as a wood preservative.

Low levels of inorganic arsenic 'may' pose lung cancer risk (Wickramatillake, Airbone arsenic, 2000). Vinyl chloride is the source of 'new car smell': the plastic interior of a new car emits this known carcinogen. Water sitting in PVC pipes overnight may also be steeping into a toxic tea!

However, it is assumed that pipe manufacturers providing pipes in Sri Lanka stick to prescribed standards, i.e. vinyl chloride monomer in the water, should be two parts per billion in drinking water. Very large exposures can lead to 'vinyl chloride disease,' which causes server liver damage.

Hydrofluoric acid 'can' cause intense pain and damage to tissues and bone if the recommended gloves happen to have holes in them. This highly corrosive substance is the active ingredient in many household rust removers.

Disinfectants: Phenols, which include biphenyl, phenolics and the preservative pentachlorophenol, are found in disinfectants, antiseptics, perfumes, mouthwashes, glues and air fresheners;

Pesticides: Household pesticides were developed to help make our lives safer and more comfortable. They rid our homes of mice, ants, termites, flies and other pests.

They eradicate destructive insects from our gardens and from cropland in rural areas. If not properly handled, any benefit derived from using pesticides can be cancelled out by the harm done to the health and well-being of people and animals.

Pesticides used in and around the home include products to control insects (insecticides), termites (termiticides), rodents (rodenticides), fungi (fungicides), and microbes (disinfectants). They are sold as sprays, powders, crystals, balls, and foggers. Pesticides are produced specifically because they are toxic to specific organisms. Consequently, they have risks as well as benefits, and it is important to use them properly.

The health effects associated with pesticide exposure include irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat; damage to the central nervous system and kidneys; and for some an increased risk of cancer. Exposure to high levels of cyclodiene pesticides, usually due to misapplication, may cause headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, weakness, tingling sensation, and nausea.

Some believe these pesticides might cause long-term damage to the central nervous system and the liver. Since the main ingredients in pesticides can be organic, they can also affect vision and memory.

Following precautions are recommended:

. Buy only legally sold pesticides;

. Reread the directions on the label each time you use the pesticide and follow the directions carefully. Use only the amount directed, at the time and under the conditions specified, and for the purpose listed;

. Use non-chemical methods of pest control when possible;

. Identify the pest and use a pesticide targeted for that pest;

. Ventilate the area well during and after pesticide use;

. Dispose of unused pesticides safely.

. Anyone considering the use of a pest control company should receive satisfactory answers to questions about the company's track record, insurance coverage, licenses, and the proposed treatment. In conclusion, be aware of what substances, from pesticides to cleaners, pose threats in your household.

Maintain ingredient awareness. Many poisonings still occur because of product combinations, like the ammonia-chlorine bleach reaction, which produces the deadly respiratory irritant chloramine (this can be a problem labelling practices have not addressed). Replace toxic agents with non-toxic alternatives. Above all, educate your household to reduce risk and exposure Consult the National Poisons Centre for issues regarding acute poisoning.

(Dr. Wickramatillake is a former Senior Environmental Health Specialist at the WHO Europe Office and a Senior Air Pollution and Health Scientist with the Medical Research Council, UK)