In 1996 E. B. was a 58-year-old man with a ten-year history of chronic sinus congestion, hoarseness, and headaches. By the time he consulted with Dr. Elliott, he had tried many forms of treatment, including nasal surgery, frequent courses of antibiotics, decongestants, and steroid nasal drops. After removing dairy products from his diet, he noticed only a partial improvement in the congestion. Dr. Elliott then suggested that he try eliminating all scented products from his body, including detergents, soaps, and colognes. Through a process of trial and error, E. B. discovered that his aftershave lotion was a significant cause of his symptoms. His voice has now returned to itsformer resonance and he is without headaches and sinus congestion.
Discussion
Manufacturers of fragranced products need list only"fragrance"on the label, not the actual chemicals. The perfume industry is self-regulated and is not required to provide formulations, test results, safety data, or consumer complaints to the Food and Drug Administration. Millions of people are made ill by artificial fragrances, which are now used in almost every cleaning, laundry, and personal care product on the market. Most people are unaware that fragrances can cause or contribute to health problems. The most common symptoms related to fragrances include asthma, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, mental confusion, memory loss, nausea, irritability, depression, rashes, and muscle and joint pains. With increasing awareness and growing demand, products are now becoming available that are frag ranсe-free or scented with purely plant-derived substances.
building exterior, including drainage, roof gutters, roofing, painting, and staining
• a checklist of regular maintenance requirements for which outside services may be called upon, such as chimney sweeping and ductwork cleaning
• warranties and contact numbers of appropriate subcontractors
Proper Use of Exhaust Fans,
Smoke Detectors, and CO Monitors
Smoke detectors and CO (carbon monoxide) monitors will warn occupants only when functional. Exhaust fans will prevent excess moisture or remove pollutants from cooking only if the occupant remembers to use them.
When exhaust fans are in operation, the owner may need to provide make-up air by opening a window or manually turning on a supply switch. Understanding and maintaining such devices is an important part of maintaining a healthy home.
Avoiding Artificial Fragrance in the Home
The use of toxic fragrances is so prevalent in our culture that many chemically sensitive individuals have a hard time finding a home to rent or buy that is free of acquired odors from scented products. In fact, these common synthetic fragrances pose a health threat to any occupant and should not be used in a healthy home. As Dr. Elliott explains, artificial fragrances are found throughout most homes and workplaces in body and hair care products, household cleaners, detergents, fabric softeners, air fresheners, and even some magazines. Fragrance is cited as an indoor irritant and pollutant in several major studies.17
In the days before “better living through chemistry,” fragrances were made from flowers. Now approximately 95 percent of all ingredients used by the fragrance industry are synthetic.18 According to the US Food and Drug Administration, about 4,000 petroleum derived chemicals are used in fragrances.19 These include toluene, formaldehyde, acetone, benzene derivatives, methylene chloride, phenyl ethyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, and benzyl acetate. A single fragrance can contain as many as 600 different chemicals.
In a 1988 study, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health identified 884 toxic substances in a partial list of 2,983 chemicals now being used by the fragrance industry. 20 Many of these substances are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, reproductive disorders, and skin irritation. According to the National Academy of Sciences, there is minimal or no data on toxicity for 84 percent of the ingredients found in fragrances.21
Currently there is no agency regulating the fragrance industry. Tlie FDA is aware of the serious nature of the problem but is unable to undertake the astronomical expense of testing each of the chemicals found in fragrances. Without such testing, the FDA would be subject to lawsuits by manufacturers if fragrances were banned. Thus, as is often the case, the onus falls on the consumer to make informed choices. At the end of this chapter you will find the names of some companies that supply fragrance-free products or products with fragrances derived from natural sources.
Avoiding Biocide Use in the Flome and Garden
Pesticide use should be unnecessary in a well — built home. Similarly, a well-planned and healthy garden with site-appropriate plant selections and careful gardening practices should not require the use of any toxic herbicides. There are almost always effective benign methods for dealing with house and garden pests. Because of the potentially devastating health consequences of pesticide use, more benign solutions should be rigorously pursued when a pest problem arises. The principals of integrated pest management are discussed at greater length in Division 10.
Healthful Flome Cleaning
Cleaning substances with a skull and crossbones abound in our grocery stores for use in home care, but these highly toxic and caustic substances should not be used for the maintenance of a healthy home. Fortunately, safe and environmentally friendly cleaning products are readily available. Please refer to the list at the end of this chapter and to the general cleanup section in Division 1 for healthy suggestions for every cleaning need.
A Healthy Home Must Be a Smoke-Free Home Almost everyone knows of the threat caused to personal health by smoking tobacco. Most people are also well aware of the threat caused by inhaling passive smoke. Once smoke is absorbed into the surfaces of a home, it takes extensive renovation to eliminate it. A nosmoking policy along with the careful design and use of fireplaces is essential to the maintenance of good air quality.
