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What is Sick Building Syndrome?

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Sick building syndrome is also known as building-related illness, environmental illness, or multiple chemical sensitivity. Clinicians consider it to be an illness that people suffer from when they are exposed to undefined physical, biological, or chemical agents that are located in a building. This term was first used in the year 1986 when the illness was recognized. However, the term is used a lot more in medical literature nowadays. It is mostly attributed to indoor air quality that is poor. Its diagnosis is challenging because of the wide variety of symptoms that mimic other medical conditions. What Are the Syndromes of Sick Building Syndrome? Sick building syndrome can affect an individual’s neurological, respiratory, and skin systems. That is why most people mistakenly self-diagnose themselves with flu or cold. Some of the possible symptoms of the syndrome are as follows: -Chills -Fever -Body aches -Nausea -Irritability -Fatigue -Forgetfulness -Difficulty concentrating ...

Can You Get Tested for Mold Allergies?

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To many people, allergies can be the bane of their existence. Their symptoms prevent many of us to function properly during our day. Although most of them are non life-threatening, we still want to live a life without them. Fortunately, there are many things we can do in order to avoid suffering from its symptoms and they always start with identifying what you are allergic to. There are many types of allergies and mold allergy is one of them. It is caused by the spores produced by fungi that can grow indoors or outdoors. What sets mold apart from other allergens is that it can be anywhere. You can’t see it. Unlike a peanut butter allergy where you just have to avoid all kinds of foods that contain it, it is not easily prevented. If you’ve been suffering from allergic reaction symptoms but can’t seem to pinpoint the culprit, you may have mold allergies. How will you know for sure? Is it possible to test mold allergies? The answer is yes! How Can You Test For Mold Allergies? Mold a...

Wildfire Smokes Effects on Air Quality & the Concerns to Your Health

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Air quality is often not a topic of great concern – although recently the concern in relation to air quality has become magnified with the devastating wildfires that have occurred in California. This year’s disastrous wildfire season, specifically in California, have caused hazardous air conditions across the state. The Mendocino Complex Fire, one of the largest wildfires in California’s history, spanning over 180,000 acres has had an overwhelming impact on air quality in the region! The impact on air quality in the affected areas and in most of California is at levels that they have never seen before. Just take a look at the Environmental Protection Agency’s  air quality map of California and you will be able to see for yourself the scary impacts to the air quality in California caused by these roaring wildfires. California Wildfires: What to Know About These Natural Disasters Wildfires are mainly driven by the temperature and moisture levels in the environment. Therefore, wild...

When Does A Freshly Painted Room Stop Smelling?

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Painting or repainting a house is one of the most common ways of adding color and improving the ambiance of a room. However, one drawback of using paint is the smell it leaves in the rooms where it has been applied. Other than the fact that the smell itself is quite pungent and unpleasing, the chemical compounds in the vapor that is released are harmful to one’s health especially for those with weak immune systems. What Causes The Pungent Smell Of Paint? With that in mind, the question that pops up is the cause of this particular… SMELL! The answer to this has to do with some compounds found in paint that are called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). As the name suggests, these are compounds that are volatile which means that they easily evaporate into the atmosphere. While most other things organic are known to have great benefits, VOCs are extremely harmful and are the cause of headaches and dizziness when you get into a recently painted room. The smell comes about when the VOCs ...

5 Methods to Clean Up and Eliminate Mold From Your Home!

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Mold infestation is a critical problem facing many homeowners today. This disgusting fungus is either black or green and mostly thrives in poorly lit areas with inadequate ventilation. Molds pose a constant menace for people living in a humid climate. Molds are known to release a musty and unpleasant odor that may lead to detrimental impacts on everyone in your household. If left unchecked, they can trigger allergies and asthma attacks on persons who are vulnerable to these conditions. Identifying mold isn’t tricky but we have an in-depth guide to identifying symptoms of mold in your home . If you’re wondering how to clean up and eliminate mold from your house, this article snippet is designed for you. 5 Methods to Clean Up and Eliminate Mold From Your House: You are advised to clean up and eliminate molds as soon as you notice their infestation. Mold exposure comes with a ton of health implications, and it may not be easy to determine whether or not the symptoms are a result of con...

Tips to Prevent Mold in Your Home

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Molds can be described as a kind of fungus, which grow in numerous places naturally. However, molds in a home can negatively affect air quality and pose a health risk. Therefore, it is prudent to prevent the growth of molds in your house . Fortunately, preventing molds in your home is not complicated. This is because the secret lies in controlling humidity and moisture. The following are some useful tips to prevent mold in your home: 1. Check Humidity Levels Mold is known to grow in areas with a high moisture content and that is why you should keep your house dry. The best way to go about this is to install a hygrometer to measure the levels of moisture inside. The recommended moisture levels are 60% or lower. 2. Open Windows When Showering The windows to your bathroom should be opened whenever you are taking a bath or shower. This helps to vent out moisture thus preventing its build up. Alternatively, you can open a door to the bathroom if there is no window. 3. Wipe Down Bathro...

Why Are Paint Fumes Unsafe & Toxic?

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DIY projects are a good way to put your skills to use as you do something on your own. One such popular DIY project is interior painting. But, there has been an outcry on the dangers that paint portend when inhaled. Why are paint fumes unsafe and toxic? This article comprehensively examines why the chemicals in paints are toxic. Are All Paints Toxic? You should note that not all paints used in DIY or industrial projects are harmful. It depends on the ingredients used by the manufacturer of the paint. Different manufacturers use different materials for their paints (solvent-based, latex and oil). As such, it would be wrong to assume that all paints are hazardous to health. What you should be worried about are the paints that contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). These have toxic chemicals that have a harmful effect on your health when inhaled. As you paint, the chemicals silently evaporate into the environment, where you inadvertently inhale them. Oil Based Paints Versus Water-...