5 Common Household Items That Are Making You Sick

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your very own home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Hard to believe, right? Well, what’s even more alarming is the number of household items just about every homeowner has inside their home that are actually making you sick. Let’s dive right in:

1. Candles: sure, they smell good, but in addition to filling your home with a pleasant scent they’re also filling it with harmful gases and toxic particles. Avoid purchasing and/or lighting candles made from paraffin wax - a byproduct of petroleum that has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer.

2. Cleaning Supplies: most store-bought household cleaning supplies contain VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. They can lead to chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions and headaches. It’s also important to steer clear of cleaners containing ammonia and chlorine bleach.

3. Dryer Sheets: now that’s a surprise to most of you, right? Believe it or not, the wax-like material on dryer sheets is often a mixture of quaternary ammonium salt and silicon oil or stearic acid which is linked to asthma.

4. Air Fresheners: you may want to think twice before spraying the bathroom after taking care of business. The chemicals inside air fresheners have been compared to the toxicity levels of secondhand smoke. Open up a window or create your own natural air freshener instead!

5. Gas Stoves: if you have a gas range in your kitchen, we’re not telling you to get rid of it. What we are telling you, though, is that you need a proper ventilation system in the kitchen to get rid of nitrogen dioxide that can irritate your lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infections.

Provide the best indoor air quality in your home in Twin Cities - St. Paul, and speak with indoor air quality experts at Uptown Air Conditioning. We're already trusted in thousands of local homes and businesses with over 100 years of experience, satisfaction guaranteed service and individualized solutions to suit your indoor air quality needs.