2012年3月15日 星期四

Spring cleaning efforts can lead to healthier lifestyles

Annual U.S. Prevalence Statistics for Chronic Diseases reports that allergies and asthma strike one out of five Americans each year, and though there is no cure for allergies,If you have a kidneystone, simple measures such as spring cleaning can greatly impact the physical and mental health of those living in a home.

A sure sign of spring is increased pollen and mold counts, but bacteria, mold and haphazardly stored items throughout a home can negatively impact a person's health as well,Shop for trim and crown moulding, according to health experts.Choose from our large selection of cableties,Silicone moldmaking Rubber,

Molds, for example, are predominantly present outside, but commonly exist in homes as well. Some mold spores are found floating through the air and in house dust, so it is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"Pollen and mold is pretty much everywhere," said Col. Kenneth Shaw, assistant deputy commander for Clinical Support Services at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. "You can't avoid it outside, and pretty much every house is going to have mold inside because you're going to track it in on your shoes and clothes. There really is no practical way of keeping it out."

The U.S. Public Health Command reports that molds love moisture and need to have a food source. Good food sources for molds are cloth, wood, and wallboard. When there is moisture that is not dried promptly, molds move in and reproduce quickly. In humid environments, keeping surfaces dry enough to prevent mold growth can be quite a challenge, but if left untreated,Low prices on projectorlamp from Projector Point London UK. mold can cause thousands of dollars in damage to a home and lead to health problems.

When mold is found in a home, residents can simply scrub the mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and let the area dry completely.

While most people don't really have any reaction to mold, inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, reports the EPA. Some allergic reactions may include runny nose, scratchy throat, itchy eyes, and sneezing, said Shaw. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. Wheezing is a serious symptom that may mean asthma, in which case the person should see a health care provider.

Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold.

"It's rare people can get flu-like symptoms from mold," said Shaw. "Those types of symptoms are more likely to be caused by bacterial and viral infections."

Out of 32 places in the home, the top spots for bacteria are the toilet bowl, kitchen sink, drain, kitchen sponge or counter-wiping cloth, and the bathtub, according to a study reported by the Hygiene Council in 2007. But only 3 percent of Americans felt they were more likely to pick up germs from their bathtub than from their garbage bins.

To sanitize these areas during spring cleaning efforts, the FDA recommends mixing one teaspoon of chlorine bleach into one quart of water for a homemade sanitizing solution or using a commercial sanitizer.

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