Environmental Justice
Action in Southern Africa
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Environmental Justice
Action in Southern Africa |
The
household toxic tour The living room and bedrooms
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.
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