7 Ways Your Home or Office is Making You Sick

The majority of people are in two areas:working and at home. With the majority of people believing that one out of four USA is working from home in 2022, people spend more time at their homes. It is possible to get sick from the buildings you reside in. It’s known as sick building syndrome. Some common signs of symptoms associated with sick building syndrome are:

• Nausea;
• Light-headed/dizziness;
• Eye, throat, and nose irritation
• Chest tightness;
• Headaches;
• The body is aching;
• Rashes;
• Incessant sneezing;
• Forgetfulness/difficulty focusing;
• Constant fatigue.

Every structure can make you sick. While you are able to help reduce the symptoms of illness by limiting exposure to the environment, the place that causes you to be sick may be an area that you must be in — such as your house or work place. It is essential to recognize and treat the cause properly. This article will discuss the various common causes of illness related to the building and the best way to go on them.

1. Heating and Cooling Systems

Heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) Systems are known as causes of building-related illnesses. The issue with this is the fact that HVAC systems are generally a part of the entire infrastructure, which means that when a substance is found to be contaminated the risk is that it has been distributed throughout the home.
If your HVAC system cools in your house, it could create stagnant water within the HVAC ducts, which could lead to the accumulation of mold and bacteria. In the event that your HVAC system’s ducts and HVAC equipment fail to undergo regular maintenance or cleaning they could also result in the poor quality of air. The microbial expansion and air contamination may result in problems such as:

• A difficult time breathing — particularly those with asthma
• Headaches;
• Rashes or skin irritations;
• Eye irritation, pain or discomfort;
• Sneezing that is constant or runny;
• Throat irritation.

HVAC systems are an effective way to heat and cool your home. Below are some things you can take care of to ensure your HVAC systems aren’t making you sick:

• Replace air filters according to the recommendations by your HVAC company or the company that manufactures filters typically every 60 days with lower-level filters, and more frequently for higher high-quality filters.
• Replace your air filters with one that is more suitable to your home. If you have pets or large homes the simple one-inch filter might not be sufficient.
• Plan regularly scheduled HVAC repair and cleaning. Examples include leak check and corrosion tests, as well as air cleaning of ducts.

2. Plumbing Leaks

Apart from the obvious leak problem that is in the air In addition to the obvious issue of leaks in the home or commercial plumbing, leaks can lead to serious health problems. In certain instances, pollutants from the pipe that are leaking could end in the drinking water of your family and cause further problems. Drain Pro is the only company that offers Emergency Plumbing Service which anyone in UAE can avail of. They are proud of our decades of services in the field of plumbing, whether it is maintenance or repair of your pipes and lines. 
When pipes in your plumbing rupture or leak within or beneath your home the risk is mold and other microbes. This could cause a range of respiratory problems and symptoms, ranging from irritation to breathing difficulties. Each home has plumbing and leaks are not uncommon, which is why it’s important to know what you are able to do and what alternatives to make sure that you don’t get sick due to plumbing leaks.

• Check for leaks regularly across your house. There are leaks that lie beneath the surface and require specific equipment and knowledge, however the more straightforward leaks like leaks in the toilet — ought to be easy to detect yourself.
• If you discover an issue, shut off your water supply to minimize the possibility of damage. Also, dry and wash the area in which the water leaks;
• If you are concerned that your water bill increasing and you’re unable to find any leaks or have discovered a leak but it’s not fixable then you might need to avail commercial or residential plumbing services.

Plumbers can assist with issues such as:

• Leak detection;
• Water damage restoration;
• Waterline repair;
• Sewer line repair.
• One of the most effective ways to prevent leaks in your plumbing is to perform preventative maintenance on your plumbing system or changing the entire plumbing system for your entire structure new, secure start with dependable plumbing.

3. Furniture and textiles

Your flooring, furniture, and other materials made of textiles (e.g. carpets, bed sheets) contain harsh chemical treatments in the process of making them and provide a perfect environment for microscopic insects like dust mites. Based on the American Lung Association, dust mites are a widespread, naturally-occurring insect that can cause a range of health issues, including:

• Nasal congestion;
• Sneezing;
• Coughing;
• Congestion;
• Headaches;
• Eye irritation;
• Skin irritation;
• Sinus pressure;
• Asthma attacks.

Flooring, furniture and other materials add the appearance of your office or home However, they could be a contributing factor to your health Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the steps you can be taking to prevent this from happening:

• Clean your surfaces and furniture regularly;
• Cleanse your floors and furniture often;
• Benefit from professional deep-cleaning services that will be used to steam and clean your flooring furniture, floors and other fabrics.
• Microscopic bugs prefer humid environments So, make use of an air dehumidifier in order to reduce your water content present in the air.
• As time passes no matter what frequency you wash, it could be time to upgrade flooring, furniture, and other types of textiles.

4. Appliances and household items

The common household appliances and products can cause you to suffer from sickness, particularly those that make use of water. Some household items and appliances which can cause you to get sick include:

• Dishwashers, washing machines sinks, and water-related features (faucets and showerheads, fountains, etc.) all contribute to being sick. Each appliance uses water and could be ideal places for mold or bacteria to flourish — particularly when there’s an issue with the water;
• Drying racks for dishes and clothing make the ideal habitat for bacteria. The same is true for dish rags as well as sponges that are used to clean dishes.
• Shower mats which are utilized when you step out of the bath or shower are another ideal spot for bacterial growth. Also, damp towels are a source of bacteria;
• Refrigerators cause dust and can lead to dangers for mold.

Appliances and household appliances can facilitate things but there are some specific steps you can take care of to make sure they’re not contributing to the spread of sickness:

• Clean your home’s appliances and household items. If you’re able to put it in the washing machine ensure that you do (shower mats towels) as well as when you’re required to scrub it with chemicals and hot water also do it;
• Make sure to check your appliances to make sure they’re functioning properly. Find any leaks, and pay attention to the odd smells emanating from dishwashers, washing machines, and dishwashers. If you spot leaks, call the business you purchased your appliance, or a repairman, or maybe plumbing experts;
• Get your fridge cleaned clean shelves, scrub the shelves, and be sure to not leave food items in your refrigerator for too long.
• If you own an water filtration system installed within your sink, refrigerator, or an individual pitcher, make sure you regularly replace the filter.

5. Cleaning Products

Cleaning is among the most effective ways to prevent illnesses related to building, but a variety of cleaning products can be a cause of sickness in themselves. They can cause eye/nose/ear/throat/skin irritation, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and they can even lead to cancer. The most common chemicals that are hazardous to stay clear of in cleaning products include:

• Perchloroethylene;
• Formaldehyde;
• 2-Butoxyethanol;
• Ammonia;
• Sodium hydroxide
• Chlorine.

Vacuums are cleaners that may also contribute to illnesses and, in some instances they may cause worse harm than benefit. If your vacuum doesn’t come with a high-efficiency, effective filter, it might emit dust or other debris to the air. It’s the same in the event that your vacuum’s bag or collector is overflowing.
As we’ve mentioned before cleaning is among the most effective methods to remove harmful bacteria at your workplace or in your home Therefore, it is crucial to take into consideration the following factors:

• Examine the ingredients of cleaning products, including those that advertise as “green” or “natural”;
• Think about making your own DIY cleaning supplies;
• Clean up or dust cloths after each use.
• Make use of professional cleaning or maid service;
• Clean your vacuum, and then change your filter.
• Upgrade your vacuum equipped with HEPA filters. HEPA filter.

6. Building Materials

Many building materials be a cause of illnesses. Many building materials can contribute to. There are some that are still in use while others aren’t, but can be found in older houses. They contain hazardous materials and chemicals , and if they are disturbed, the materials can be released into the air. Here are some chemicals that could be present in building materials

• Asbestos: Asbestos was previously used to provide heat insulation for flooring and ceiling tiles and adhesives, plasters roofs, wallboards, cement and fireproofing. Asbestos is a carcinogen that causes cancer;
• Chromated Copper Arsenic (CCA): CCAs were utilized to stop wood rot, and therefore are present in certain items that use wood. CCAs can cause cancer;
• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is created through natural processes. It is used to preserve food items. Formaldehyde can cause cancer and can cause ear, nose, or throat irritation, breathing difficulties, and nausea.
• Perfluorinated substances (PFCs): PFCs are used to create staining and various household products (e.g. Personal hygiene items). There are many kinds of PFCs, however, a few are carcinogens.
• Phthalates Phthalates are chemical compounds used to make plastics more durable and more flexible. They are present in many different products , including PVC and flooring, toys hair products, furniture upholstery. They may negatively impact the reproductive and hormonal systems of the human.
• Lead Lead found in older pipe, earth, and pottery and is used to make paint for houses. The exposure to lead is extremely risky and can impede brain development, trigger seizures, harm kidneys, harm nerve systems and cause death.

Below are a few alternatives to building materials that are harmful:

• If you’re making or renovating a home, take care to select your materials and be sure that you avoid products that contain the chemicals listed above:
• If you’re dealing with asbestos in your house consider hiring asbestos removal experts. They’ll take away all of asbestos in a safe manner;
• Keep your windows open buy activated carbon filters and then use an air purifier to move polluted air and to bring fresh air into;
• It is possible to remove the lead paint yourself however, you should ensure that you turn off heating and cooling systems, and seal your house, use warm water ready to put away the lead in, then take the paint off on walls, then take out household objects when the paint is in the house to prevent the growth of lead. It’s best to engage an expert
• Renew or maintain properly wood or other substances with chemicals that are harmful.

7. Pollution and insufficient ventilation

The quality of air is crucial and air pollution and insufficient ventilation are two of the most troublesome factors which can hinder. They can trigger asthmatic reactions, difficulty breathing as well as irritation throughout one’s body, headaches muscle aches, and dry eyes. The air you breathe could be contaminated through a myriad of sources both indoors and outdoors:

• Water pollution
• Smoke pollution;
• Chemical pollution;
• Radon pollution.

There are many methods to reduce thisTake a look at the following suggestions:

• Cleanse your home and vacuum up allergens and other chemicals that are accumulated in household dust.
• Don’t smoke , or allow smoking to take place in your home or outside, near doors or windows.
• Put doormats in the interior and outside of doors to allow the occupants to put their feet when they enter. Also, you should clean them frequently;
• Keep your humidity at a healthy level with a humidifier/dehumidifier;
• Conduct tests to determine if you are exposed to radon or other chemicals or gases you might be concerned about.
• Inject fresh air every now and then to ensure it is possible that HVAC equipment recycle the same air.
• Change your air filters frequently and have your ducts cleaned frequently.

If you think about the amount of time we are spending indoors, it is crucial to ensure it is safe to breathe in the air as well as the materials that surround us isn’t creating sickness. The above info should give you an understanding of the possible indoor dangers that are present and the best ways to deal with these. In the case of the safety of your plumbing professionals from Drain Repair UAE are ready to assist. We can conduct a thorough check to make sure the plumbing is secure and running effectively.