These Pollutants Can Be On Your Baby Crib and Kids’ Toys

Volatile Organic Compounds in Your Home

Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) are a group of organic chemicals that can quickly evaporate into the air at room temperature. There are thousands of different VOCs produced and many can cause health problems for your family when exposed to them. 

Sources of VOC Air Pollutants 

• Household cleaning products: like cleaning agents, air fresheners and disinfectants 

• Paints and solvents: newly painted surfaces, glues and adhesives used to stick wall and floor finishes contribute to VOC levels in the environment

•  Furniture and building materials: Some materials used in construction and manufacturing furniture can emit air pollutants.

•  Printers and photocopiers during operations

•  Carpets and fabrics: Some floor systems and textiles are treated with chemicals as bonding agents and preservatives emitting VOC’s.

•  Combustion appliances like stoves and ovens produce VOCs as byproducts of combustion. 

VOC’s in our home and how to minimize effects 

Furniture

Your home furniture is mainly made of particle boards pressed wood, fabric, mattresses, and paint; some of these finishes can emit these pollutants in your house. You should be careful when purchasing or refurbishing your furniture at home. Consider settling for furniture made from natural materials such as solid wood, bamboo, or metal. 

Toys 

VOC’s can be emitted from your children's favorite toys. This is because of the materials used in manufacturing these toys. The materials that produce these air pollutants can be plastic, fabrics, and paint. In some cases, your children's electrical toys will release pollutants during operation and can cause harm to your children. 

Always choose natural materials like wood, cotton, and bamboo when picking toys. Check labels for harmful chemicals and allow newly purchased toys to air out in a well-ventilated area before giving them to your children.

Baby Cribs

Your baby crib can be made from various materials, and VOC’s will be present in some of these materials and finishes. Wooden cribs with materials like MDF, particle board, paint used for finishes, and even adhesives and glues during construction will carry these VOC’s to your home. Look for cribs made with wood, choose cribs with water-based finishes and adhesives, and choose cribs that carry certifications that comply with low emission standards and are labeled environmentally friendly. 

Health Risks of Total Volatile Organic Compounds

Exposure to high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) will pose health risks to you and your family. It's important to note that the severity of these risks will depend on the specific types and concentrations of the VOC’s present during exposure.Here are some of the general health risks associated with elevated levels of air pollutants

Respiratory irritation 

Prolonged exposure to certain bacteria may lead to respiratory irritation, causing symptoms like coughing, throat irritation, difficulty breathing, and asthma. Do you know that pediatric asthma rates have jumped by 72% in the US? Sadly, numerous indoor air pollutants have been directly tied to causing or increasing the risk of asthma developing in your children.       

Eye and skin irritation, headaches, and dizziness

Exposure to some air pollutants can irritate the eyes and skin upon contact. Inhaling VOC’s may result in headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Some VOC’s have been associated with Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), acute symptoms such as nose, eye irritation, and headaches.

Central Nervous System

Long exposure to certain VOC’s in your home has been associated with central nervous system disorders, like memory impairment and cognitive dysfunctions. These pollutants can affect the spinal cord and brain functioning in your household.

Test your home health today!

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Results provided on-site with a full report providing you with the health status of your home and suggested remedies.

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