Join Dr. James Odell for Season 2 of the Science of Self-Healing Podcast! He's the Medical and Executive Director for BRMI, as well as a practicing naturopathic doctor for over 35 years, and he's here to share with you his extensive knowledge of medicine from a different perspective.
Ever wondered about the quality of the air you breathe inside your home? In this eye-opening episode, we explore the hidden dangers lurking in our indoor air and what we can do about them. From common household products to surprising sources of pollution, we'll uncover the truth about the air we breathe every day. Learn practical tips to create a healthier home environment and protect your family's well-being. Tune in for a breath of fresh air on a topic that affects us all!
Transcript: The Air You Breathe: How Clean Is It Really?
Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Science of Self-Healing podcast. For health and wellness knowledge from a different perspective. Produced by the Bioregulatory Medicine Institute, also known as BRMI. We are your source for unparalleled information about how you can naturally support your body's ability to regulate, adapt, regenerate, and self-heal. I'm your host, Dr. James Odell, the medical and executive director for BRMI, as well as a practicing naturopathic doctor for over 35 years. And remember, this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the direct care of a qualified health professional who oversees and provides unique and individual care. The information here is to broaden our different perspectives and should not be construed as medical advice or treatment. Let's get started.
Our homes should be havens of comfort and safety, but many common household products and materials can expose us to harmful chemicals and toxins. From mold to synthetic fragrances, these pollutants can impact indoor air quality and put our health at risk. However, by making some thoughtful eco-friendly changes, we can drastically improve the air we breathe at home.
This episode explores strategies for detoxifying your home’s air quality by talking about the biggest offenders, and offering solutions.
Let's begin with one of the most important and easily addressable issues: avoiding fragrances and toxic cleaning products.
There are currently around 3,000 different chemical fragrances with about 800 known carcinogens. In fact, animal studies have also linked some fragrance chemicals to an increased cancer risk. That’s concerning. In addition, fragrances and the chemicals used to make them are known to cause other health problems. For instance, many people have reported issues like breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, and headaches when exposed to products with fragrances. These can trigger or worsen asthma, especially in children. And some fragrance chemicals are known to cause allergic reactions like skin rashes and itching in certain individuals. Other fragrance ingredients may disrupt the body's hormones, possibly leading to reproductive issues and other effects.
People are exposed to fragrance chemicals from various sources daily, such as personal care items, cleaning products, and air fresheners. This constant exposure raises concerns about the combined health impacts over time. Additionally, fragrance formulas are considered trade secrets, so companies don't have to disclose all the chemicals used, making it hard for consumers to avoid potential hazards.
While the fragrance industry claims exposure levels are safe, health advocates worry about the lack of thorough safety testing, limited regulation, and the possibility that fragrance chemicals may contribute to health issues when combined with other chemical exposures.
So, it’s probably a really good idea to switch to fragrance free products, and or use essential oils. Use essential oils in a diffuser instead of synthetic air fresheners or scented candles. Also switch your laundry detergent to one with essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances. Open windows regularly to allow fresh air circulation and reduce buildup of fragrance chemicals indoors. Use exhaust fans or air purifiers with activated carbon filters to remove fragrance residues from indoor air. And, be sure to replace those scented trash bags with unscented ones.
Lastly, be aware of most conventional cleaning products since they usually contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like ammonia, chlorine and formaldehyde that can irritate eyes, throats and lungs. A study by the Canadian Centre for Indoor Air Quality found VOC levels were 25 times higher in homes using traditional cleaners. You can easily make your own cleaners with cedarwood essential oil, alcohol, and other non-toxic ingredients. Just do a Google search for DIY with the ingredients you like. There are so many DIY recipes, so you can basically replace most toxic cleaners.
The next critical issue related to air quality in our homes is mold. And it's really important to be highly aware of its potential presence.
This is a very difficult one to fix, but the most critical of all. We have a great presentation for Dr. Jess Peatross on this topic. You can find it on our on-demand virtual symposium. Her best recommendation, if you can, is unfortunately to move. It’s that serious. If you can’t move, please watch her presentation, which goes into great detail on how to handle this serious issue.
Here are a few ways you can prevent mold growth in your home. Start by cleaning your air conditioner and dehumidifier by using vinegar. Standing water and high humidity encourage the growth of dust mites, mold and mildew. All of these can worsen asthma. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner when needed, and clean both regularly. Fix leaks throughout the house and ventilate to control humidity. Make sure your house has proper drainage and its foundation is sealed properly to avoid mold formation, and check your home regularly for any signs of it.
Next, we have an air quality concern that affects approximately one in four homes in the U.S. Radon.
Surprisingly, about 22% of homes in the U.S. have radon levels above the EPA’s recommended safety level of 4 picocuries per liter, which are generally in the northern U.S. states. If you currently live in California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Mississippi, you are probably okay. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States. So, test your home, and install a radon mitigation system if necessary.
This next issue applies to about 38% of you, which is the percentage of homes with gas-fueled cooking appliances (which include ranges, cook tops, and ovens).
Cooking can be a big source of indoor air pollution, especially if you have a gas stove. Scientists who measured indoor air quality found that cooking a single meal on a gas stove can produce levels of nitrogen dioxide that the EPA considers unsafe to breathe. Gas stoves release several toxic pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and formaldehyde during the combustion process.
Carbon monoxide is odorless and can quickly build up to dangerous levels indoors, potentially causing carbon monoxide poisoning with symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even death at high concentrations. Nitrogen oxides and particulate matter can exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma, especially in children. In fact, a recent study found that almost 13% of asthma cases were due to this.
So, make sure that you turn on your exhaust hood every time you cook, install a properly vented hood which vents to the outside, or consider replacing your gas cooktop with an induction electric cooktop. People who have this type of electric cooktop often rave how wonderful they are to cook on.
And consider that while the cooktop is often the primary focus, gas ovens also emit harmful pollutants that can degrade indoor air quality, especially without adequate ventilation. One Rocky Mountain study found venting gas stoves reduced nitrogen dioxide levels by 54%, essentially cutting the levels in half.
Moving along, here’s a fairly easy one to correct. Don't allow smoking Indoors.
Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic and at least 70 are known to cause cancer.
In children, secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear infections, and more severe and frequent asthma attacks. In fact, it is estimated that secondhand smoke exposure causes 15,000 hospitalizations per year for children due to respiratory issues and other conditions worsened by secondhand smoke.
Since there is no safe level for secondhand smoke, it is best to ask smokers to go outside to smoke.
You might not readily think of this one, but don't Idle the car in the garage: Idling vehicles in attached garages can directly impact indoor air quality by releasing high concentrations of harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs.
The carbon monoxide (CO) comes from incomplete gasoline combustion and can rapidly rise to dangerous or even lethal concentrations within just 1-2 minutes of idling in an attached garage, even with the door open. CO reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Idling also releases nitrogen oxides (NOx) like nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are respiratory irritants that can exacerbate asthma and lung conditions. The exhaust contains fine particulate matter (PM) like soot and smoke particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues, heart disease, and lung cancer with prolonged exposure. Additionally, idling produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde, many of which are carcinogenic and can cause eye, nose, throat irritation, headaches, and nausea.
These pollutants can quickly accumulate to unsafe levels in an attached garage and seep into the living space, severely compromising indoor air quality throughout the home. Proper ventilation, minimizing idling time, and avoiding operating combustion equipment in attached garages are crucial to prevent dangerous indoor air pollution.
I’ve got just two more recommendations for you. Use low-VOC paints and natural home products when you can: Paints release VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, for months after application. VOCs can include highly toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Use low-VOC or no-VOC paints, varnishes, and waxes. Some of the VOCs in these products have been linked to cancer, headaches, eye and throat irritation and worsened asthma.
A California study found homes with standard paints had VOC levels up to 1,000 times higher than recommended.
And avoid carpet, but if you can’t, air it out for 72 hours before bringing it into the house. Also consider natural fibers such as wool, instead of the unnatural fibers.
Lastly, look for eco-friendly products that are marked “low VOCs” and be sure to open windows and use exhaust fans when using these products.
And lastly, before I just list some very quick tips, consider using an air-purification device.
An air purification system can be a great idea for improving indoor air quality. However, you will need to do some research before just purchasing an air-purification system, and choose wisely. For example, some technologies remove pollutants such as dust, animal dander, and other particles from the air, while some inactivate gaseous pollutants such as VOCs and chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene.
A 2023 review found that air-purification devices for removing suspended particles (think dust and pet dander) are between 70 - 95% effective, while devices aimed at removing gaseous substances (think chemicals in gas form) are generally between 20 - 80% effective depending on the device.
This review also stated that using a HEPA grade filter of 13 or above was above 80% effective for removing particles, so be sure to look at the ratings when buying filters.
So it’s really about deciding what you need to remove from your home…Do you want to remove particles like dust, gaseous chemicals like formaldehyde, or both? Removing particles can be done by using filter material or by charging the particles so that they clump together on walls, floors, and other surfaces.
While devices that remove gaseous pollutants, may use activated charcoal, UV light, or ozone to convert the pollutants into non-harmful products. However, there are a few products on the market that use a combination of technologies to purify the air.
Here are some additional quick tips…..
Beware of dry cleaning chemicals: Dry cleaning solvents can be toxic to breathe. Let dry cleaned items "air out" outdoors for a day or two before bringing them inside. So, don't hang dry cleaned clothing in your closet immediately. Better yet, see if there's an eco-friendly dry cleaner in your city that uses some of the newer dry cleaning technologies, such as liquid CO2.
Make sure you have Installed a carbon monoxide detector.
Keep pets out of your bedroom.
Vacuum your floors regularly using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter vacuum cleaner since it can trap tiny particles that other vacuums expel back. The EPA cites HEPA vacuums as effective at removing dust, dander, pollen and tobacco smoke from indoor spaces. Consider replacing your standard bag - or bagless vacuum cleaner since they are another primary contributor to poor indoor air quality. A regular vacuum cleaner typically has about a 20 micron tolerance. Although that's tiny, far more microscopic particles flow right through the vacuum cleaner than it actually picks up. Just make sure that it is a true HEPA vacuum and not HEPA-like.
Avoid using nonstick cookware. Teflon coated pans give off toxic gasses.
Don't disturb asbestos.
Ventilate your wood stove. Fireplaces and wood or gas stoves can produce carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particle pollution. If you use a wood or gas stove or fireplace, make certain it is fully vented to the outside.
Beware that formaldehyde, VOCs, and flame retardants are commonly used in pressed wood products, mattresses, upholstery, drapes, carpets, cabinetry, and other home furnishings and are dangerous to your health. Look for low VOC products, natural products, untreated products and use good ventilation and air purification devices when newly purchased.
Upgrade your furnace filters. Remember to buy MERV 13 or above to trap more particles. Also, have your furnace and air conditioning ductwork and chimney cleaned regularly.
Avoid powders. Talcum and other personal care powders can be problematic as they float and linger in the air after each use. Many powders are allergens due to their tiny size, and can cause respiratory problems.
Improve Indoor air quality with plants. Certain plants can help purify indoor air by absorbing toxins like benzene and formaldehyde. NASA research revealed that plants like English ivy, peace lilies, snake plants, and rubber plants are effective natural air filters. The study found they removed up to 87% of air toxins in just 24 hours. So get some houseplants. Even NASA has found that plants markedly improve the air! However, if you have pets in the house you will need to make sure that your plants are non-toxic to pets. Boston ferns and most palm tree plants are safe for pets.
Open windows at every opportunity. Increase ventilation by opening a few windows every day for 5 to 10 minutes, preferably on opposite sides of the house. (Remember, although outdoor air quality may be poor, stale indoor air is typically even worse by a wide margin.)
Be sure to use your bathroom, kitchen, and attic ventilation fans to draw the air out of these areas.
The same principles apply to ventilation inside your car—especially if your car is new—and chemicals from plastics, solvents, carpet and audio equipment add to the toxic mix in your car. That new car smell can contain up to 35 times the health limit for VOCs.
By being aware of the potential air pollutants and knowing ways to mitigate and eliminate them, you can create a healthier environment for your family.
Thank you for your time today, and remember that this podcast is made possible by the Bioregulatory Medicine Institute, also known as BRMI, a nonprofit, global, non political, non commercial institute to promote the science and art of bioregulatory medicine. We extend our gratitude to each and every one of you for listening today, and if you haven't already, make sure to visit us at: brmi.online. A treasure trove of invaluable information awaits you there. Connect with us across various social media platforms as well. Come and become a member of our thriving tribe. If you've enjoyed today's episode, we invite you to show your support by rating us, leaving us a review, or sharing the podcast within your circle. Our podcast and mission flourish through sharing, and your participation means the world to us. Our organization is sustained by donations, each of which is tax deductible and fuels projects like this. Visit our website, brmi.online, to contribute or simply to explore the wealth of uncensored and impartial information we offer. No contribution is too small. In just two weeks, we'll be back delving into another captivating topic. Until then, we thank you once again for listening. May wellness and wisdom be your path. Be well.