Pollution at home, three times more toxic than outdoor

Three major areas at home for toxins are bathrooms, junk under the kitchen sink and the garage area. Shower bathroom cleaners often contain sodium hypochlorite, a corrosive that irritates or burns skin and eyes, and causes fluid in the lungs, which can lead to coma or death.

Indoor pollution is a health concern for all age groups. It is responsible for up to 4-6 per cent of diseases in the country. This was pointed out by doctors in the city.

“Indoor pollution is three times more toxic than outdoor pollution. Women and children are more prone to it,” said Dr Praveenkumar Saxena, environmentalist and toxicologist.

According to a study, use of traditional energy is highly responsible for many deaths every year, than those from tuberculosis and malaria. Pulmonologists like Dr K Subhakar said that pollution from solid fluids is one of the underlying reasons for acute lower respiratory infections especially pneumonia among children.

“Everybody knows pneumonia is one of the fatal reasons for high number of deaths among children under the age of five,” he said.

Exposure to slid fluids include biomass, coal and wood are linked to different kind of diseases such as chronic respiratory diseases like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, asthma including lung cancer.

“Exposure to indoor chemicals would also be a source for many ailments. An individual who comes in contact with a freshly painted room will experience dizziness, nausea, headaches, etc. Three major areas at home for toxins are bathrooms, junk under the kitchen sink and the garage area. Shower bathroom cleaners often contain sodium hypochlorite, a corrosive that irritates or burns skin and eyes, and causes fluid in the lungs, which can lead to coma or death,” said Dr Praveen Kumar Saxena.

He continued “Toxic household cleaners like bathroom disinfectants, car waxes, window cleaners, furniture polish, drain cleaners, oven cleaners and dish detergents, contain chlorine in a dry form that is highly concentrated. Drain cleaners can contain trichloroethane, an eye and skin irritant and nervous system depressant. It can damage liver and kidneys.”

“Even electronic equipment like TVs, microwaves, which release dangerous gases when heated up are fatal to human health in the long run. Man’s pollution is by far the most toxic. We are now paying a price for environmental neglect by diseases through aging, vascular disease, autoimmune diseases and cancers,” explained Dr Praveenkumar Saxena.