Do you know how much time you spend inside? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, which has only increased with the implementation of quarantine in the age of COVID-19. Why is this significant? Especially since there’s so much pollution outdoors, shouldn’t it be a good thing that we spend so much time inside? Based on the EPA’s research, the air inside of our homes is generally 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside.
That means that even with power plants, transportation pollution, factories, and much more, our homes have more toxic air. So, where are those toxins coming from?
Some of the most common forms of toxins found in residential properties include:
We’ll detail where you can find each of these products in your home and how you can deal with each of them.
Lead
Do you remember the yellow number 2 lead pencils that everyone had in elementary school? Even though everyone was nervous about accidentally poking themselves with one, they were actually made of graphite and not lead. You don’t need to be worried about finding traces of lead inside of your backpack.
Instead, stay on the lookout for lead in the following places:
Artificial turf or AstroTurf
Pipes and plumbing materials
Paint and coatings
Old toys
Ceramics
Cosmetics
Gasoline
You should never try removing lead on your own (unless you’re throwing out old toys or cosmetics). Removing lead paints yourself can actually cause the lead substance to spread throughout your home, and make it easier to inhale, which will increase your chances of lead poisoning. If you suspect that there are lead materials in your home, call a lead abatement specialist today.
Asbestos
Are you familiar with mesothelioma commercials? Well, guess what causes that disease? That’s right, asbestos.
Asbestos used to be an incredibly popular material that was used in cement, roof shingles, steam pipes, ceiling and floor tiles, textured paint, and insulation. While it is not technically banned in the US, it has become increasingly less popular throughout the years because of its major health effects.
If you’re concerned that there might be asbestos in your home, don’t delay in contacting an asbestos removal professional. It’s important that you remove this toxic substance from your home as soon as possible.
Mold
Mold is one of those toxins that you can never fully banish. It’s incredibly common, especially in places that are moist or prone to water leaks.
The most common locations to find mold are:
Kitchen, especially around the dishwasher or under the sink.
Bathroom, near the shower, toilet, or sink.
Laundry room, make sure to check your washing machine before tossing clothes in.
Garage, especially if this is where your water heater is housed.
You don’t even need to necessarily see the mold to know that you have a problem. If you notice musty odors, standing water, or worsening allergies, then you could have a mold problem on your hands. Don’t wait until the problem increases in urgency to take action. Call a mold remediation company right away to investigate the situation.
Unfortunately, no matter how often you dust, vacuum, wash your dishes, and change your air filters, these toxins can still make their way into your home. That’s why it’s important to make yourself aware of common toxins and have an environmental services company that you trust on call.
At Burns Environmental Services, we know how important it is to keep your home toxin-free, and we understand the struggles you face in trying to accomplish this goal. This is why we’ve perfected the necessary methods to cleanse and detoxify your affected spaces. To learn more about the environmental services that we offer, visit our website or contact us today by phone at (800) 577-4009.