The smell of new carpets or freshly painted walls is actually
chemical fumes! Many office carpets emit a chemical called 4-phenylcyclohexene,
which is found in the latex backing used in some carpets. This
chemical is thought to be one of the chemicals responsible for
"sick" office buildings. Carpets may also emit benzene,
which is known to cause cancer, leukaemia, anaemia, weakening
of the immune system and can damage the developing foetus. Benzene
is toxic if it is breathed in, makes skin contact or is swallowed.
Carpets also catch air pollution from the home, which
has settled on the carpet. Carpet cleaners and deodorisers themselves
contain toxic chemicals which may leave a residue on the carpet.
There is a possible link between carpet cleaners and Kawasaki
Disease, which is a children’s disease which leads to acquired
heart disease. As young children often crawl and lie down on carpets
they are greater risk of being exposed to chemical fumes from
carpets.
Even the furnishings of the typical home can be harmful.
Fabrics that are labeled "wrinkle-resistant" are usually
treated with a formaldehyde resin. These include no-iron sheets,
curtains and even clothing. Children can inhale formaldehyde from
the fabric finish that provides a “permanent press ” quality to
new fabrics and draperies, and they can absorb it through their
skin from touching treated clothing or bedding for extended periods
of time.
Inhaling formaldehyde fumes can cause respiratory problems and
asthma-like symptoms, such as breathlessness, shortness of breath,
wheezing, coughing and/or chest tightness. Repeated exposures
may cause bronchitis, with symptoms of cough and shortness of
breath. Formaldehyde may be linked to cancer of the nose and throat
in humans. Test animals exposed to formaldehyde fumes have developed
nasal cancer. (It is also known as Formalin, Methanal, Methyl
aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Morbicid acid and Oxymethylene.)
Scotchguard was taken off the market in 2000 after it
became public that it contained a chemical (PFOS), which emits
toxic emissions. PFOS has been linked to hormonal problems and
asthma attacks.
Incense sticks
have been linked to cancer, asthma and dermatitis (a skin rash).
One study reported that foetus or nursing infants whose parents
burned incense had a higher chance of getting leukaemia (a cancer
of the blood organs). Carbon monoxide, benzene (which can cause
cancer, leukaemia and damage the developing foetus) and fine particles
(“particulates”) are also released when incense is burnt.
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