Health Within Your House

What are the risks inside my house?
 

The Canadian government's Healthy Home Guide provides tips for minimizing risks in each room in your house. Most risks involve indoor air quality. Some can make you ill and even kill you. Fortunately, they can be detected and reduced to a healthy level. Good ventilation matters, too. [source]

Carbon Monoxide

• Carbon monoxide has no smell and can kill you quickly. It is produced when any type of fuel is burned. Indoor sources may include faulty or poorly maintained furnaces, hot water tanks, dryers, fireplaces, and wood stoves. Outdoor fuel-burning appliances (barbecues, lanterns, etc.) should not be used indoors. [source]

• Carbon monoxide detectors are inexpensive and last for many years. [source]
   

Radon

• Radon is a radioactive gas that has no smell and is the second highest cause of lung cancer in Canada, behind smoking. [source] If your house is located in an area with radon, it can rise up from the earth and into your house. The Halifax peninsula has a medium risk level for radon. South and west of the peninsula, the risk level rises to high. [source]

• Radon gas test kits are inexpensive and need to be used only once, during a three-month period when your heating system is operating. You can order one online. [source] If radon is found in your house, a certified radon mitigation contractor can install a radon-reduction system to exhaust it outdoors. [source]
   

Mould

• Mould is a fungus with spores that become airborne and can cause long-term respiratory illness. It forms on indoor surfaces where moisture is present, either visible (e.g., bathrooms) or hidden inside a ceiling or wall. Mould should be removed immediately, along with the cause of the moisture. Small, visible patches can be removed by a homeowner. Larger patches and hidden mould call for a qualified professional. [source]

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VOCs

• VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are gases from frying, smoking, cleaning products, adhesives, solvents, scented products, and new building materials that are still offgassing. They can cause respiratory illness and even organ damage, depending on the amount of exposure. [source] There are ways to reduce your exposure to VOCs. [source]

Asbestos

• Asbestos is a mineral that was used until 1990 for fireproofing and insulation in houses: in siding, in floor and ceiling tiles, around hot water pipes, etc. Inhaling its fibres can lead to lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. If asbestos products are left sealed and undisturbed, they pose no risk. If you plan to renovate your house, hire a qualified asbestos removal specialist to test for asbestos and remove it safely. [source]

 

Airborne Particles

• Those tiny particles floating in the air come from sources outside the house (vehicles, industry, wildfires) and sources inside the house (skin, pets, pests, burning, smoking, and microplastics). Inhaling them can trigger allergies and cause respiratory illness in some people.

• When they settle on surfaces, you can remove them with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuum cleaner. Its extremely fine HEPA filter (MERV 17 rating) traps 99.97% of dust, mold, bacteria, and other particles with a size of at least 0.3 microns, so it's safe for you to breathe the vacuum cleaner's exhaust. [source]

• An air purifier can reduce particles in the air. It's basically a fan with a very fine filter inside, typically MERV 13. [source]

  • You can make your own inexpensive air purifier with a 20" x 20" fan and a 20" x 20" MERV 13 filter (available from filter companies and home improvement stores in Halifax/Dartmouth). [source]

• Until 1990, lead-based paint was common in houses. Lead is toxic, so if you're planning to sand or scrape old paint, take precautions.

Pests

• Insects in houses are not just annoying, but also can cause respiratory illness and aggravate allergies.

  • Fruit flies are common in summer. [source] They can be defeated with a homemade fruit fly trap [source] or a commercial product. [source]

  • Dust mites in bedding can be reduced by using dust-mite-proof covers for mattresses and pillows, plus regular laundering and vacuuming to reduce allergy symptoms. [source]

  • Getting rid of ants in the house requires a knowledge of the type of ants and their habits. There are some do-it-yourself options. [source] To stop them coming in, a pest control company may apply pesticide to the ground around the perimeter of the house. Carpenter ants dig tunnels through the wood in your house, so structural integrity is an added concern.

  • Getting rid of cockroaches requires a cleanliness campaign and insecticide. [source] Poorly applied insecticide can make you ill, so hiring a company may be wise.

  • Getting rid of bed bugs requires a licensed pest control company. [source]

• Rodents can chew through wood and even insulation on electrical wires.

  • First, inspect the perimeter of your house and seal places where they can get in.

  • Various types of mouse traps are available. Poison is not the best option. [source]

Noise

• Noise from inside, outside, neighbours, vehicles, and industry can raise anxiety, interfere with sleep, and even reduce life expectancy. [source] If eliminating the noise isn't possible, there are two options:

  • Sound isolation adds an acoustical layer to the wall or ceiling between you and the noise. For adjoining houses that share a wall, an STC rating (sound transmission class) of 60 is a good target. [source]

  • Sound masking uses background white noise to help cover up recognizable sounds. You can download a white noise app for your phone or purchase a white noise device (a small fan in a case). [source]

 

Fire

• Fires can start from candles, cooking appliances, faulty wiring, etc. [source]

• The National Building Code requires a smoke alarm on each floor of a house. The alarms also should be interconnected with wires or a wireless signal, so that an alarm can be heard on each level, regardless of where the fire is located. The best option is to power the smoke alarm from your house's electrical system, so you don't have to change the battery regularly. An electrician can do the wiring. Choose a smoke alarm with dual sensors (ionization and photoelectric) to detect both types of fires: smouldering and flame. [source]

• Purchasing a fire extinguisher is a good precaution. A multi-purpose ABC-type extinguisher is recommended. [source]

• Your house should have an evacuation plan, especially for upstairs. Escaping from a window may be necessary if the usual path to the exterior doors is blocked by a fire. [source]

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Falls

• You can check each room in the house for fall hazards. [source]

• Check that stairways are well lit, especially for visitors who aren't familiar with your house.

• When buying mats, look for a rubber surface underneath or install a rubber underlay to prevent sliding.

• A grab bar that helps you move into and out of a bathtub or shower can prevent a fall. An occupational therapist can advise you on where to attach it. A contractor can locate studs inside the wall to anchor the grab bar securely. [source] Financial assistance may be available for safety and accessibility upgrades to your house.

• When using a ladder, check that the base is stable, keep your hips between the side rails, and don't climb too high. [source]

Dangers to Children and Pets

• Anchor bookshelves and chests of drawers to the wall, using furniture straps. Falling furniture can be deadly. [source]

• Check for old window blinds with cords that can strangle a child or a pet. They are now illegal to sell in Canada. [source]

• Secure chemicals, medications, and other risky items. [source]​​​​​