Study Reveals Major Health Threat in Your Home

  • New health threat takes a back seat only to high blood pressure, poor diet, and smoking.
  • Are you breathing in these cancer causers and heart attack triggers? Find out more…
  • Discover one simple way to find out exactly which toxins are in your home.

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

“Go get some fresh air…”

That’s a suggestion you may not hear much longer.

In fact, according to new research, it’s a suggestion you should probably ignore now… if you care about your health.

Not because taking a “breather” is a bad health practice.

No, taking a deep breath can have all sort of health benefits… except when it’s done in a toxic environment.

And according to a disturbing report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Monday, chances are every breath you take has something bad in it.

The report shows that air pollution has become a public health catastrophe liable for the premature deaths of 6.5 million people every year.1

This means air pollution is now the fourth-largest human health threat, just after high blood pressure, poor diet, and smoking.1

But the bad news gets worse.

Without action, death by air pollution will continue to rise. By the year 2040, the estimated death toll will reach 7.5 million.

So why exactly is air pollution deadly?

--More Particles, More Problems

Many factors add to air pollution levels including, industrial manufacturing, fossil fuel-based transportation and shipping sources, and even natural occurrences like volcanic activity.

However, according to the IEA’s report, the release of harmful pollutants is mostly due to unregulated production and use of energy, which creates particulate matter (PM).

PM contains acid, dust, metal, soil particles, and mold spores, which not only create air pollution, but are also responsible for reduced visibility or haze (think smog).

Source: bcairquality.ca

Miniscule PM is particularly problematic for your heath, because these tiny particles can get deep into your lungs, and some can even enter your bloodstream.

But more importantly, PM can cause deadly health issues like heart disease, strokes, and lung cancer with long-term exposure.

Not to mention PM can also trigger devastating symptoms like heart attack, aggravated asthma, irregular heartbeat, and decreased lung function through inflammation. 3

In addition to particulate matter, volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) contribute to the health issues associated with air pollution. VOCs are released from fuels, chemicals, and solvents and evaporate into surrounding air.

VOC levels are consistently higher in indoor environments. In fact, they can be up to 10 times higher than outdoors. One reason for this is the use of chemicals, paints, adhesives, cleaners and other household products.

Source: foobot.io

VOCs including benzene and formaldehyde are linked to a range of detrimental health effects like eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; loss of concentration; and nausea. More serious heath endpoints include liver damage, kidney damage, central nervous system damage, and cancer.4

However, since most folks spend a majority of time indoors these days, exposure to VOCs and mold spores is likely more prevalent.

--Breathe Easy

Unfortunately, the only universal resolve for decreasing air pollution is to decrease energy production or at the very least, make it more efficient. And since these actions are in the hands of policymakers and energy producers, any possible improvements will be a long time coming.

But there is something you can control – your home indoor air quality.

The first step to take is to figure out exactly what level of air pollution is inside your home.

You can do this with a home air test.

The most comprehensive home air tests use a sampling pump to collect air from your home and then a lab for analysis. I recommend using  Home Air Check.

They will mail you a pump and test kit. Once you mail it back in, they will analyze your sample and send you the results and a detailed report of likely sources of VOCs in your home.

This easy-to-read report will also include targeted advice for improving your indoor air quality.

In addition, Home Air Check uses a lab accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association. This accreditation takes months to complete and ensures the lab is fully competent in conducting air quality testing.

Click here to discover more about Home Air Check.

We are using Home Air Check to find out what’s in the air here at the Living Well HQ. We will share the results with you as soon as we get them in. Stay tuned for that!

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

P.S. Do you currently use an air filtration system? If so, what kind? Let me know!
nmoore@lfb.org

Sources

[1] Energy and Air Pollution 2016 – World Energy Outlook Special Report

[2] Particulate Matter (PM)

[3] Energy and Air Pollution

[4]  Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Natalie Moore

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

View More Free Articles

Men, If You’re Feeling Tired—Don’t Ignore THIS Warning

You know that feeling when you wake up tired… and stay tired all day? You chalk it up to age—but lately, it’s worse. You’re dragging… You need more coffee… Your energy just isn’t what it used to be! But what if it’s not just age? A new study shows that fatigue in older men could...

Read This

Mailbag: Science-Backed Strategies Target Belly Fat

“What is an effective strategy for gradually eliminating (white) belly fat?” —Slimming Down Hi Slimming, White fat is the most common fat in the body, and its primary purpose is to store energy. But belly fat isn’t just about appearances. Having too much of it is associated with health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and...

Read This

Just 35 Minutes Could SAVE Your Brain

For years, I’ve told you exercise is non-negotiable for healthy aging. As you age you must move more to protect your body and brain. Now, groundbreaking new research confirms what I’ve been saying all along. Exercise can slash your dementia risk—but with a surprising twist that eliminates your last excuse for not moving more. Dementia...

Read This

The One Supplement I'll Never Stop Taking

Omega-3s are one of the few supplements I’ve continued to take ever since I graduated from medical school. And now, exciting new research confirms what I’ve suspected all along… This remarkable fatty acid doesn’t only support heart and brain health—it could, quite literally, slow down the aging process itself. Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fats your body...

Read This

Your Morning Tea Pulls DOUBLE DUTY as a Heavy Metal Detox

You don’t need another reason to drink tea, do you? You already know tea helps with everything from boosting heart health and metabolism to reducing stress. It’s packed with antioxidants, calms inflammation, and gives you a gentler caffeine boost than coffee. But now researchers have discovered yet another benefit of your daily drink—and this one...

Read This

Fiery Spice Cools Painful IBD Inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s can cause inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine...

Read This

Ditch the Coffee Dehydration Myth and Enjoy Java Again

I can’t imagine starting my day without a delicious steaming cup of hot coffee. If you’re also a coffee fan, I bet you’ve been treated to well-meaning warnings by the non-Java drinkers… “Coffee is so dehydrating!” “It’s basically stealing water from your body!” “You need to drink extra water to make up for it!” Even...

Read This

Research Reveals Loneliness is “Poisoning” Your Blood

We humans are social creatures. We thrive on connection, communication, and shared experiences—which help shape our identities and foster a sense of belonging. Yet, loneliness and social isolation are alarmingly common in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world. The World Health Organization (WHO) says about 25 percent of older people experience social isolation. But new...

Read This

Mailbag: Ease Invisible Pain and Fatigue NATURALLY

“Why isn’t there more research on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? It’s mainly a woman’s condition and too many health professionals tell us “It’s all in your head,” or words to that effect.”   —Fatigued and Fuming Hi Fuming, Your frustration over the lack of research and dismissive attitudes when it comes to fibromyalgia and...

Read This

Junk Food DOUBLES Risk of Embarrassing Leaks

Ladies, if you need another reason to think twice before hitting the drive-thru, I have one for you. A new study found that a fast-food habit can contribute to a problem most women would rather not talk about—urinary incontinence. That’s right, those embarrassing “oops” moments when you laugh, cough, or exercise could be directly linked...

Read This