If only germs were brightly colored or otherwise visible so we could see how to avoid them. It’s easy to think that an airport, public bathroom or drinking fountain would be the strongest magnets for germs around. We might be surprised, however, at how illness can spring from many seemingly innocuous places in our own homes.
Thankfully, there are simple ways we can minimize some of these health risks. Here’s a look at some of the things in your house that might be making you sick and how you can prevent that.
1. Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that’s both colorless and odorless. Outdoors, it’s generally not a problem, but things turn ugly when it becomes trapped in buildings and is breathed by residents.
According to the EPA, only smoking causes more lung-cancer deaths than radon. A study published by the American Academy of Neurology also found that radon exposure is associated with strokes, as we reported in “This Common Household Substance Is Now Tied to Stroke Risk.”
That sounds grim, but you can test the air in your home to determine radon levels.
Start with a do-it-yourself home test kit, available online or in home-improvement stores. Your local health department may also provide radon-testing kits free of charge. If it shows high levels, contact a certified radon-service professional as there are ways to fix this.
2. Bedding, upholstery and more
Dust mites are microscopic pests that live in household dust. But for as small as they are, they can be a big problem. Mattresses, sheets, pillowcases, drapes, upholstered furniture and even cute little stuffed animals can harbor the critters that can trigger allergies and asthma attacks.
Follow tips from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to minimize dust mites. The group encourages keeping your home below 50% humidity, replacing carpet with hard-surface floors if possible, washing bedding in hot water and, of course, dusting regularly.
3. Dish towels
Wait a minute, dish towels are meant to aid in cleaning — could they be causing problems? A study from the University of Arizona determined that 89% of the used cloth dish towels it examined had fecal bacteria on them, and E. coli contaminated 25.6% of the used towels.
Michigan State University Extension suggests using disposable paper towels to dry hands and clean messes in the kitchen and to frequently launder cloth towels in hot water if you use them.
4. Sponges
Innocent little SpongeBob, a kitchen problem? He could be.
A study published in the journal Scientific Reports warns that sponges are “disseminators” of bacteria that cause food poisoning and recommends replacing sponges weekly.
Yes, that seems extreme, but the study demonstrated that kitchen environments host more microbes than toilets — mainly due to the contributions of sponges.
The study also showed that resistant bacteria survive even boiling or microwaving — the common ways folks try to clean their sponges at home.
5. Fridge
What exactly is that mysterious liquid in the vegetable crisper? The USDA recommends some basic methods for keeping your refrigerator clean, warning that bacteria from spoiled food can linger and lead to illness, especially where foods have spilled.
Stay on top of spills, clean shelves with hot, soapy water and do a weekly run-through of your fridge to toss out perishable foods that have passed their safe-to-eat date. Cooked leftovers should be stored for only four days, and raw poultry and ground meats just one to two days.
6. Vacuum cleaners
Vacuum cleaners sure are a handy invention. But sucking up dust and bacteria doesn’t mean they’ve vanished.
A study by researchers in Canada and Australia revealedthat vacuum bags hold on to bacteria, molds, endotoxins and allergens. What’s more, dust can spread during vacuuming.
Regularly replace the bag or empty the canister according to the manufacturer’s instructions and check those same instructions for other tips, such as how to wash or replace filters.
7. Water
We rely on our water for drinking, cooking, bathing and so much more. Yet, headlines about the troubled water systems in Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi, remind us that we need to always be aware of the specifics regarding our own water system.
An article in Johns Hopkins Magazine notes that household pipes can pass harmful chemicals, including lead, and also harbor microorganisms that can cause illness.
Consult the online reports from your local water utility or regional water-quality reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if you have tap water provided by a municipality. If you have a private well, be alert for any changes in your water’s smell, color or taste, and consider testing it annually.
8. Gas stoves
Don’t take the air quality inside your home for granted if you have a gas stove.
The appliance revered by home chefs can emit high levels of nitrogen dioxide, an airborne particle that has been linked to childhood asthma, according to researchers at Harvard Medical School.
Gas stoves and the pipelines that fuel them can also contain toxic chemicals, such as hexane, toluene and benzene. These compounds are linked to an increased risk for asthma, cancer and other illness.
If you have a gas stove at home, here’s how you can protect your indoor air quality and health while cooking:
- Use an exhaust fan or range hood.
- Keep your kitchen ventilated by opening windows or doors.
- Run an air purifier that’s suitable for the size of your kitchen.
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