Articles

Is Your Home Making You Sick?

by Lucy Rector Filppu

It seems like an ideal family afternoon: your kids are playing peacefully with their toys while you chop meat for dinner in the kitchen. And yet, looks can be deceiving. Both of these seemingly innocent scenarios carry with them potential hazards, according to those who specialize in helping families stay safe from toxins in the home. "Parents need to be informed and understand the risks, they need to read labels and educate themselves," notes Gary Schwartz, of PHASE Associates, LLC, a firm specializing in safety, industrial hygiene, and indoor air.

Obviously, your home is not a chemical plant, and the Environmental Protection Agency is unlikely to come knocking on your door anytime soon. But there are lots of toxins possibly lurking in your living room. Here are a few tips to keep your home safe:

Rethink Plastic Toys

That rubber ducky in the bathtub may be cute, but is he safe? That's a question of much debate among scientists around the globe. Animal and human studies have linked chemical phthalates found in plastic toys to a broad range of health problems, including prostate and breast cancer, and altered genital development. While some argue against these findings, most child safety advocates tell parents to avoid using any soft plastic mouthing objects (teethers, sippy cups, pacifiers, etc.) unless they are clearly marked PVC-free or phthalate-free.

Keep It Hot

That hamburger may look delicious. But meat can be hazardous to your health. E. coli is a germ that thrives in undercooked meat, causing severe illness and in some cases, death. Best defense? Always scour cutting boards with soap and water, wash your hands before and after food preparation, keep children away from any raw meat, and make sure that any meat you eat is thoroughly cooked at the center.