What is toxic house syndrome?

Essentially Toxic Building Syndrome is where the air quality in your home or office is so bad that it can affect the health of those inside. You see you might think you're breathing clean air, but in fact the air inside your home can have more than 900 harmful chemicals and organisms in it, which you simply cannot see.


What are the symptoms of toxic home syndrome?

Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.

How can I tell if my house is making me sick?

The “immediate” symptoms of poor indoor air quality can often resemble a cold or allergies. You can feel fatigue or dizziness and may frequently get headaches and experience eye, nose, or throat irritation.


Can something in my house be making me sick?

Is your house making you sick? Don't be surprised if the answer is yes. Toxins, pesticides, gases, mites, and molds are everywhere, and the more you're exposed to them, the greater your risk for developing the health problems they can cause.

What is the main cause of sick building syndrome?

Commonly cited causes are inadequate ventilation, chemical contaminants from indoor sources, and chemical contaminants from outdoor sources. Inadequate ventilation is one the most often cited reasons.


Explaining Toxic Home Syndrome



How do you test air quality in your house?

How to test indoor air quality
  1. Purchase an indoor air quality monitor.
  2. Evaluate health symptoms.
  3. Monitor carbon monoxide and radon levels.
  4. Get an air purifier.
  5. Call an air quality professional.


Can the air in your house make you tired?

WHAT HEALTH EFFECTS CAN BE CAUSED BY POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY? Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea.

How do I get rid of toxins in my home?

10 Ways to Reduce Toxin Levels in Your Home
  1. Choose Green Cleaners. ...
  2. Kick Your Shoes Off. ...
  3. Use Houseplants. ...
  4. Avoid Synthetic Air Fresheners. ...
  5. Remodel and Refurnish the Green Way. ...
  6. Open Your Windows. ...
  7. Clean Regularly. ...
  8. Keep Humidity Levels in Restraint.


What are the symptoms of mold toxicity?

Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.

What in your bedroom can make you sick?

Dust mites and bed bugs

Dust mites stick on your pillows, bed sheets, and mattresses. Also, bed bugs can bite, vomit, or excrete on your bedding that can cause skin irritation, allergies, asthma, and flu.

Can a nasty house make you sick?

A dirty house affects your physical health. It can cause skin irritations, allergies, and breathing problems. A messy house can also cause fatigue, headaches, and general irritability. It can even cause infections.


How do you test for sick building syndrome?

There is no specific medical test to diagnose sick building syndrome. Physicians usually treat the symptoms individually, but the real identification of a "sick building" is subjective.

Can your house make you depressed?

You might experience depression or low self-esteem because of housing problems. For example, this may happen if you need to move around a lot, making you feel less secure and affecting your relationships. Your living situation might make you feel lonely.

What are examples of a toxic household?

  • They make cruelly critical remarks. ...
  • They give you the silent treatment. ...
  • They lie—or deny. ...
  • They generalize during disagreements. ...
  • They sow conflict with other family members. ...
  • They change the subject to turn the tables on you. ...
  • They make you feel bad about feeling bad. ...
  • They move the goal posts.


How can I test myself for mold toxicity?

Getting a mycotoxin test may help you determine whether you have mold toxicity in your body. This is a great way to test whether the harmful antigens in the mold are negatively impacting your health. This test may help you decide how to treat your mold exposure and allergies.

How long does it take for toxic mold to make you sick?

These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and then recur on return to work.

Can air purifiers remove mold?

Do air purifiers help with mold? Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.


Can you test your house for toxins?

You can have the indoor air in your home tested to see what chemicals are in it. Professionals can test air using a variety of ways. They might collect a grab sample over a few minutes or a canister sample over hours or a day.

What are the three most common toxins for which homes are tested?

The Most Common Toxins Found in Homes Today
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) ...
  • Pesticides. ...
  • Mold and Other Fungal Toxins. ...
  • Phthalates and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) ...
  • Dioxins. ...
  • Heavy Metals. ...
  • Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) ...
  • Chloroform.


What are 10 harmful materials at home?

Some of the household products that contain hazardous chemicals are oven cleaners, tile cleaners, toilet-bowl cleaners, liquid drain openers, antifreeze, chrome-wheel cleaners, rust removers, gasoline, motor oil, lead paint, turpentine, lacquer thinner, and muriatic acid.


What drains energy from you?

Conflict and stress can quickly deplete your energy resources, say Lluch and Helen Eckmann, EdD, authors of Simple Principles to Feel Better & Live Longer. To deal with stress, they advise, communicate, compromise, and problem-solve.

How often should you air out your house?

It's recommended that you do so once a day, for at least five minutes. Fifteen to 20 minutes is preferable. However, when you open them is also important. Keep them open at night or in the early morning, when the weather is cooler.

Should you air out your house everyday?

Over time, the condensation will build up on walls and windows. It can damage the wood and contribute to mold or mildew growth. Airing out your home daily will ensure that the moisture leaves your home before mold forms. It's important to catch the condensation early.


What are the symptoms of poor air quality?

Health Effects from Specific Pollutants
  • Aggravated respiratory disease such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma.
  • Lung damage, even after symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat disappear.
  • Wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache or nausea.
  • Reduced resistance to infections.
  • Increased fatigue.


What are the 4 major indoor air pollutants?

Pesticides. Radon (Rn) Indoor Particulate Matter. Secondhand Smoke/ Environmental Tobacco Smoke.