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Survey of household chemical hazards
Check your home and environment against the following list of possible chemical contaminants.
Any of those mentioned can cause severe permanent or temporary chemical allergies symptoms in susceptible people
It is important that you realize that the table is not exhaustive — possibly several hundred more exposures occur in a single day — but these are the common important ones and should act as a general prompt.
Signs of sensitivity to a chemical would, of course, include any obvious reaction that made you sick. But remember: if you find yourself liking a certain smell or it gives you a lift, be suspicious.
Also, a loss of ability to smell a substance that once had an obvious odour for you is a possible sign of an allergen.
Table of Household chemical hazards
Heating – Odours from hot radiators,grilles, heating bars.Gas fires
Oil fires Butane/propane stoves and fires Ducted warm air heaters Coal fires |
Cleansers – May be scented or have their own odour) LysolPhenol (carbolic)BleachesSoaps,DetergentsAmmoniaPolishes (for shoes, metal, etc.)Lavatory cleaners |
Fabrics – Synthetic upholstery, curtains,Carpets & rugs, Printed fabrics Clothes conditioners
Permanent pressing |
Cosmetics – Toilet water,Perfumes, Creams, Nail polish, Nail polish remover (acetone) Aftershave Deodorants |
In the House – Floor coverings Waxes, Linoleum, Rubber
Foam-backed carpet Treated (resistant) carpeting Solvents Patent ‘remedies’ Rubbing alcohols Dentifrices Paints Varnish Oil paints Polyurethane paints |
Newsprint, Paint, strippers, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroform Trichloroethylene, Dry-cleaning fluid, Aerosols (fluorinated hydro-carbon propellant), Insecticides Deodorants
Air fresheners Hair spray Degreasers Furniture polish Medicinal Ointments Bandages Impregnated dressings Sticking plaster Surgical spirit Medicines |
Textured paint,
Turpentine and substitute (whitespirit) Paint stripper Motor car Petrol Oil Plastic cockpit fittings Upholstery |
Leakages – Fridge, Heating boilers (flue) Petrol/oil (garage)
Foam rubber Pillows Cushions Mattresses Lounge chairs and sofa Carpet backing |
Remember, this is only a guide. The problem of chemicals is a complex one, and for all the answers you will need to consult a clinical ecologist.
CHEMICAL ALLERGIES to household chemical hazards
• If this also fails, you must consider a number of possibilities:
• Suspect chemical allergies if you qualify according to the self-inventory but changes in diet don’t seem to help.
• All the rules concerning masking and unmasking of allergies apply equally to chemicals as they do to food. The unmasking period may, however, vary and does not necessarily coincide with the four days so typical of food allergies.
• Chemical allergies may be the problem if you feel distinctly better (or worse) when you change your physical location. But you must allow for the fact that subtle changes in diet may bring about improvement as for example when you go abroad: it is impossible not to eat differently when you are in a foreign country.
• If you suspect chemicals may be a problem, survey your home and reduce exposures; then reassess. Anything you can smell has allergy potential.
• You may carry out chemical testing by challenging yourself, exactly as you did for food. Remember to allow for the unmasking period. Don’t underestimate the potential hazards, and make sure someone knows what you are doing and is standing by.
To lessen the risk of chemical allergies always avoid fumes and skin contact with these household chemical hazards. more info available at our environmental allergy category…..