cleaning Archives - Amazing Health Advances

How House Dust is Secretly Sabotaging Your Health and Waistline

The AHA! Team — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:30:52 +0000

Rebecca Jacobs via NaturalHealth365 – Strange as it seems, being an indifferent housekeeper could be right up there on the list of risk factors that promote health problems and obesity. Recent studies suggest that endocrine-disrupting chemicals lurking in ordinary household dust may disturb metabolic health and trigger the accumulation of body fat, especially in children. Read on to discover the truth about how chemical residues in household dust can contribute to weight gain and serious health problems. House dust attracts, holds, and redistributes contaminants “House dust” is composed of a blend of shed skin cells, hair, bacteria, dust mites, and a sprinkling of dead insects’ body parts. This environmental mix also includes particles of pollen and soil, fibers from clothing, and microscopic specks of plastic and dye. As unwholesome as this mixture is, the real danger of house dust may be its content of pollutants and carcinogenic compounds, all of which can function as endocrine disruptors. No matter how vigorously one cleans, dust can become entrenched in carpets and accumulate in crevices, leading over the years to a harmful buildup – even in the tidiest of homes. Even more troubling is that dust in place for many years can hold residues of banned substances, such as DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Warning: Household debris contains dangerous phthalates from flame retardants and plasticizers According to an article in Chemical and Engineering News, phthalates are the most common harmful contaminants found in dust, with DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) – a phthalate plasticizer found in plastic food containers, cosmetics, and vinyl flooring – topping the list. According to recent studies, DEHP can disrupt hormone function and reduce sperm motility in men. Dust is also a major source of human exposure to PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ether. Found in flame retardants and fabric protectants, PBDEs are known endocrine disruptors. Although PBDEs have been banned, they still exist in the environment – and in household dust. And now, for a shocking fact: According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit environmental agency, the concentrations in house dust of some phthalates and flame retardants actually exceed soil-screening health risk thresholds set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Toxic compounds in dust can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or ingested through the mouth – as can occur when eating with dusty hands. Exposure to household contaminants can trigger weight gain In a study conducted by researchers at Duke University and published in Environmental Science and Technology, precursor fat cells – or adipocytes – were exposed to household dust containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The result? The team found that extracts from seven of the eleven house dust samples caused precursor adipocytes to mature and accumulate more fat – while nine of the samples caused the cells to proliferate and increase in number. The team found that the flame retardant TBPDP (2,4,6-Tribromophenyl-2,3-dibromopropyl ether), the plasticizer DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), and the pesticide pyraclostrobin had the greatest effects on fat accumulation. Lead author Dr. Heather Stapleton remarked that the findings raised concerns for human health, especially because the dust’s fat-producing tendency occurred at concentrations below the EPA-estimated child exposure levels. Disturbingly, as little as 3 micrograms of dust triggered fat-producing effects – well below the 50 milligrams of house dust that children could be consuming daily. Certain pollutants are linked to leukemia, researchers say Some compounds found in dust, including PBDEs, PCBs, and PAHs – or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – are suspected leukemia risk factors. According to the Environmental Working Group, PBDEs, in particular, have been linked in animal studies to thyroid hormone disruption, learning and memory impairment, hearing deficits, decreased sperm count, and even cancer. Todd P. Whitehead, an environmental scientist at the University of California, studied dust in California homes as part of his work with the California Childhood Leukemia Study. The research showed that homes of children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, tended to have higher levels of PAHs, PBDEs, and PCBs. Whitehead called the findings the “strongest type of evidence” to suggest that these compounds are risk factors for childhood leukemia. In addition, Professor Marsha Wills-Karp of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reports accumulating evidence that exposure to contaminants in dust might lead to diseases such as obesity, asthma, and autism. How can I reduce the exposure to unwanted pollution in my home? Natural health experts recommend frequent hand washing and using a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air filter to reduce exposure to and ingestion of dust. Avoid using feather dusters, which only redistribute dust, and clean with a damp rag. Whenever possible or practical, opt for wood or tile floors over carpets. Experts report that normal vacuuming only removes about 10 percent of entrapped dust from carpets. Other actions you can take include changing bedding once a week, removing all clutter from floors, and storing closet contents in garment bags or boxes. Finally, you may want to consider opening up the window (as often as possible) and using a good quality air purifier, at least in the bedroom. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov ACS.org ACS.org Express.co.uk EWG.org To read the original article click here.

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Swap Out Hazardous Household Cleaning Products for These 8 Nontoxic Alternatives

AHA Publisher — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 07:00:16 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Every day we use products to clean our homes, sanitize surfaces, and freshen the air, all in the name of creating a healthy living environment. And why not? Ads we see on the TV, internet, and in magazines, placed by companies that claim to have not only our best interest at heart but our families as well, promise a clean, healthy, safe home. Why wouldn’t we believe them? Unfortunately, too many people are taught to trust those in power, the ones with the money, larger than life because “they know what’s best for us.” And those same people follow without question, allowing these entities to introduce toxic substances into our food, water, and the products used to supposedly clean our homes and create a healthy, safe environment. But researchers are uncovering startling information that tells a different story. The majority of common, popular household cleaning products are devastatingly harmful to humans and pets. Common Household Cleaning Products May Be More Harmful Than Previously Thought It is well documented that the only way to get past a tainted food supply is to buy local, organic, and fresh – and even that is questionable. Unsafe water is another concern that is finally coming onto the public’s radar. Toxic household cleaners are not necessarily a new conversation, but it is gaining more traction as research reveals just how hazardous they are. An alarming body of research recently published by the University of Bergen in Norway found that long-term use of cleaning products (once a week for twenty years) could have the same effect on the human body as smoking 20 cigarettes a day over a ten to twenty-year period. Researchers believe that this damage could occur due to the irritation of the mucous membranes that line the lungs caused by exposure to the chemicals in the cleaning products. Inhaling these chemicals frequently (at least once a week) over a long period of time (around twenty years) can result in airway changes that are destructive and extremely harmful. After all, the particles that are contained in the cleaning products are intended to clean surfaces, not enter the human body or be inhaled into the lungs. The containers have strong warnings about ingesting the products, but the truth is, the mucous membranes aren’t the only vulnerability; the eyes and skin are also significant conduits by which toxins can enter the body. This includes exposure to toxins during application or use and any airborne contamination lingering after the product has been used. This endangers others who may not have had direct contact with the products due to use but are present in the living environment and touch the surfaces or breathe in the fumes – even long after the product was used. The research concluded that household cleaning products create as much air pollution as cars. Exposure to Household Cleaning Products Can Lead to Severe Adverse Health Effects Chronic or long-term exposure to household disinfectants, sanitizers, and cleaners has been linked to several serious health conditions, including: Increased asthma symptoms and complications Increased risk of conditions associated with asthma such as COPD, scarred lung tissue, and lung infections Low sperm count Increased risk of developing COPD Miscarriage Damage to the nervous system Headaches or migraines Menstruation irregularities in women Symptoms of airway irritation or inflammation, including wheezing, chest pain, and shortness of breath Increased risk of pneumonia caused by exposure via inhalation Products that top the list as most hazardous include those that contain corrosive chemicals, such as drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and toilet bowl cleaners. Ammonia and chlorine are also harmful chemicals that many cleaning products proudly advertise right there on their labels. Laundry detergents, dryer sheets, and fragrance products are also laden with harmful chemicals. Many fragrances that are added to cleaning solutions can also cause serious health problems. Ditch Harmful Products and Try THESE Nontoxic Alternatives Cleaning your home should be to rid your living environment of harmful toxins, not introduce more of them. Harsh chemicals may remove dirt and germs from surfaces, but the damage they do to the human body is a steep price to pay. Even products that carry an “organic,” “green,” or “natural” label or certification can still emit air pollutants that can be harmful. Using nontoxic, truly natural cleaners will significantly reduce your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals while keeping your home healthy, clean, and sanitized. The good news is all you need are eight staples that are probably in your pantry right now: Baking soda Gentle, non-scratch scrub Oven cleaner Drain cleaner Carpet deodorizer Litter box deodorizer Castile soap Laundry soap Bath soap All-purpose cleaner for home Shower cleaner Coconut oil Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal cleaning solutions Clean wood furniture Sanitize wood cutting boards Use instead of WD-40 to lubricate squeaky hinges, etc. Moisturize leather goods (instead of leather conditioner) Essential oils (citrus is a good choice but eucalyptus, frankincense, peppermint, and tea tree oil are nice too) General cleaner (added to water) Insect repellant or “bug spray” (add a few drops of citrus, eucalyptus, frankincense, peppermint, or tea tree oil to water and put in a spray bottle) Room freshener Put in a diffuser during illness (frankincense cleans the air, eucalyptus helps relieve stuffy heads) Use in homemade laundry soap Hydrogen peroxide General cleaning solution Antibacterial cleaner Clean food prep areas Lemons (peel and juice) Clean and freshen refrigerator Clean and freshen garbage disposal Room freshener Clean cutting boards Clean coffee maker Furniture polish Rubbing alcohol (vodka also works) Countertop cleaners Sanitize surfaces White vinegar Disinfectant (follow with hydrogen peroxide for deeper disinfecting) Window cleaner Clean tile floors and bathtub (mix with baking soda) All-purpose cleaner for countertops (except stone, marble, or granite countertops) Bathroom grout Using truly natural, nontoxic cleaning substances will help keep a healthier, cleaner home. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org Thoracic.org OEM.BMJ.com To read the original article click here.

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Tip of the Week: Cleaning Up the Home Can LOWER Your Stress Hormones, Which Is Great for the Immune System

AHA Publisher — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 08:00:40 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – Curious about how to clean your home in the most effective way possible? And, more importantly, why you should do it? Keep reading for perhaps a surprising reason linked to your immune system. While there are more ways than one to get the job done, the important takeaway is to actually do it. It turns out that the cleanliness of your living space could have a much greater effect on your physical and mental health than you may realize. Research, including a 2013 study published in Psychological Science, reveals some incredible insights regarding the effect of a messy vs tidy home on a person’s decision-making, stress level, and mood. Health Tip of the Week: Clean Your Home to LOWER Your Stress Hormones The 2013 study, telling titled “Physical Order Produces Healthy Choices, Generosity, and Conventionality, Whereas Disorder Produces Creativity“, included three separate experiments on the link between the cleanliness and orderliness of a living space and a person’s decision making. While one of the experiments found that being in a messy space seemed to enhance creativity for some participants, being in an orderly room increased a person’s likelihood of donating money and choosing healthier snacks! Another study out of Indiana University revealed that people who report having clean homes also tend to report more physical activity than people who live in messier environments. One hypothesis is that cleaning and tidying a home is a decent source of physical activity. It could also be that people who are more likely to stay active are also more likely to remain organized in their houses. Either way, it’s an important correlation worth exploring if you’re looking for an effective, cost-efficient, and productive way to support your well-being. Yet another study from Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin determined that the more cluttered or messy a home was, the more tired and depressed the homeowner felt. Importantly, people who lived in messy homes also had greater levels of cortisol, a major stress hormone associated with damaging health effects if it remains chronically elevated. Such findings were noted even after the researchers of this 2010 study controlled for confounding factors like neuroticism or marital satisfaction. And let’s not forget – keeping a tidy home can also reduce your exposure to many common allergens and irritants, especially if you use non-toxic household cleaning products. Again, this research isn’t necessarily able to say that the cleanliness of a person’s home directly causes these effects. But the correlation makes perfect intuitive sense. People who feel depressed, stressed, and moody often lack energy necessary to maintain a clean space – and a cluttered and unclean space can contribute to overwhelm, frustration, and lowered moods, including anxiety and depression. Look around your home and ask yourself: Does your external environment in anyway mirror or reflect your internal environment? Want to Keep a Tidier Home? Here Are 5 Housecleaning Tips From Professionals You don’t have to wait for spring cleaning or even the New Year to begin a new housekeeping habit. Here are five simple strategies to keep in mind: Don’t try to do it all at once. Tackle the basics with frequency before worrying about other smaller, less-trafficked areas. Just be sure to do the more important tasks – e.g., cleaning the bathtub or shower – at least once every other week. Clean when it’s bright outside! It’ll help you see clearly all the dirt and grime. Store your cleaning tools (including rags, rubber gloves, and extra paper towels) near areas where you need to use them. It’ll save you the hassle of walking all around the house just to gather your supplies. Vacuum and clean the floors last to make sure you catch any debris or allergens that fall to the ground as you clean higher areas in your home. Play music or your favorite podcast. Bottom line: Don’t make it stressful (enjoy the process) and know that a cleaner home will produce positive results in your life. And, of course, get started today. Sources for this article include: Sagepub.com, IU.edu, Psychologytoday.com,Today.com,NIH.gov, Cleaninginstitute.org, Providence.org To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Tips from a Microbiologist on Keeping the House Clean During COVID-19

AHA Publisher — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 07:00:05 +0000

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) via Newswise – UNLV microbiologist Brian Hedlund on the science of germs, where they like to lurk, and how to effectively get rid of them. The barrage of coronavirus-related news stories can be dizzying. Even for the seemingly well-informed, it’s become increasingly difficult to sift through it all to discern truly helpful tips to keep our homes and families safe and to regain a little bit of control in our lives. Take cleaning, for example. Just as we’re getting the social distancing thing down by staying safe at home, we’re beginning to take a long, hard look at our house cleaning habits. After all, the kitchen has suddenly transformed from a place to (occasionally) cook a meal into the family restaurant, workspace, and school – sometimes all at the same time. So what do we need to know about the germs lurking where we live, and how do we keep them at bay? Brian Hedlund is a UNLV microbiologist who studies how tiny organisms thrive in harsh environments. He’s also well-versed in the science of germs: how they work, where they like to hang out, and, importantly for us, how to effectively get rid of them. We caught up with Hedlund, who shared some background on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and a few simple recommendations on how we can all do our part to keep our living spaces clean. COVID-19 has forced us all to take a closer look at what we touch and how we clean. How do germs “work” and how does COVID-19 stack up? There are roughly 1,000 bacteria per square centimeter of human skin, and several orders of magnitude more on certain areas of the body like the armpits and the groin area. These microbes are released into the environment as skin sheds or as we physically touch our surroundings. More importantly for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, microbes are also released in aerosols from sneezing and coughing or from mucous secretions. Whether we are careful or not, we are constantly picking up microorganisms from the external environment. Once they are deposited onto a surface, the survival of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, is highly dependent on the biology of the organisms and the physical and chemical environment they find themselves in. Many human-associated bacteria are free-living and can survive or even grow separately from humans. However, others are entirely host-dependent and must be transferred to a new host in order to grow, as is the case for SARS-CoV-2. The data are still coming in about how long SARS-CoV-2 can survive outside of a human host, but the best evidence suggests at least a few days. Are certain surface types more susceptible to piling up potentially harmful germs? It’s important to look first at high-touch surfaces and how many people are in contact with those surfaces – think of tables and counters, doorknobs and handles, phones, remotes, keyboards, steering wheels, and light switches. The number of high-touch surfaces is greater than people tend to think it is. That said, the physical and chemical conditions of the surface are important as well. Microbes, including SARS-CoV-2, can adhere more securely and generally survive better on textured surfaces where they can be protected by dirt, oils, and other materials. Some of that material can also provide nourishment for growth of some bacteria. Most heavy metals have antimicrobial properties, but other metals, such as iron, can provide energy for microorganisms and can lead to the proliferation and survival of certain bacteria. Water is necessary for microbial activity and growth, so moist places are particularly conducive to microorganisms. Generally, dark or shaded surfaces are better for microbial growth and survival than those receiving direct sunlight since UV light is damaging to DNA and other macromolecules. Any advice on how often people should clean high-touch and other surfaces? Coronaviruses are surrounded by a lipid membrane and have a single-stranded RNA genome. This is important because the lipid membrane is very sensitive to soap and the RNA genome is very sensitive to UV light. In general, these are very sensitive microorganisms that don’t survive a long time without a host. People should generally be most concerned with surfaces that receive public contact and/or those that are conducive to microbial growth. If you are in public and touch surfaces that people might have sneezed or coughed on, or even just touched, then it would be a good idea to disinfect anything you touch after that, including cell phones, keys, glasses, and anything you touch frequently because they could serve as intermediates for transfer to your own respiratory mucosa. This is especially important during the current pandemic or for people who are immunocompromised or otherwise prone to respiratory infections. We now spend all of our time at home. Does staying home affect what and how often we need to clean? Absolutely! If you’re home alone or with a limited number of people, then the risks are obviously reduced. However, SARS-CoV-2 infections are often asymptomatic and/or have long incubation periods, and this virus is very infectious. So, extra caution is warranted even in ideal situations. I’m generally not as concerned about microorganisms in our own private spaces. Sure, we can all reduce microbial burden of high-touch areas, but the vast majority of microorganisms within our own private spaces are safe, as long as we’re in good health and pay attention to any problems with our our natural defense systems – skin, mucosal membranes, eyes, etc. It’s very important not to neglect problems with skin and mucosal surfaces and to make sure you’re in good overall health by eating and sleeping well and managing mental health and stress. Of much greater concern, especially now, is limiting the transmission of microbes from other people. We all need to carefully think about the surfaces that could possibly transmit microorganisms from public spaces, and be sure to take the proper precautions when we get home. I know people hear this everywhere, but it’s very important to observe social distancing and practice good hand-face hygiene at this time. If you’re in public (e.g. grocery store) and practicing social distancing, then your hands and anything that your hands touch become critical. So, think about what you touch with your hands. Your steering wheel, car keys, cell phone, door knobs, etc. These are the surfaces we all need to be aware of Should we be concerned about germs on our mail or other packages delivered to our homes? While I don’t think this is a major route of infection, we generally don’t know the provenance of packages that arrive in the mail, and we’re still working to better understand SARS-CoV-2. Because of this, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to treat packages with some caution. The outside packaging could certainly have come into contact with microorganisms, and I’d advise at minimum washing your hands after opening a package and to treat the packaging itself with care by wiping down the package or the surfaces it comes in contact with. Since we don’t think SARS-CoV-2 survives very long away from a host, the internal contents are probably generally safe, but again hand washing is always a good idea for high-risk individuals. Even at home, hand washing is important. Does the type of soap matter? Soap works by dissolving lipid membranes that surround coronaviruses and many other microorganisms. What’s most important right now is to be aware of what you’re touching – particularly outside your home – and to wash your hands with any soap available before touching your face. Temperature is also important. Warmer water disperses soap better than colder water, which makes it more effective. It’s also important to scrub your hands carefully. You now know the drill about singing “Happy Birthday” or “I Will Survive” for a fun way to ensure you’re washing long enough. Beyond that, soaps that are most effective at dissolving grease would likely be most effective at killing coronaviruses. These are typically ionic detergents. That means that they have a salt listed in the ingredients – typically sodium or potassium. Some mild soaps might not be ionic, and I think they would be less effective. There’s also a necessary balance between washing too much and washing too little, and using harsh detergents or weaker detergents containing moisturizers. Washing too often with harsh detergents that don’t contain moisturizers can dehydrate the skin and increase chances of skin infections. Alcohol is a strong disinfectant, for example, but be careful because it can dehydrate skin. For those who have to venture out at this time, what’s your advice to steer clear of harmful germs? An important thing to remember with many pathogenic, or disease-causing microorganisms is that they need to be delivered to the correct locations in order to cause disease. For SARS-CoV-2, this is the respiratory mucosa, although it is also thought that this and other viruses can proliferate in other locations, such as the eye, and then transfer to the respiratory mucosa. For this and other respiratory pathogens like influenza, avoiding airborne droplets, either directly or indirectly, is critical. For now, we need to practice social distancing, always practice good hand-face hygiene, and, for the health of others, cough and sneeze into your elbow. To read the original article click here.

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