Healthy bedrooms are rooms that don't have toxins and allergens. The best way to ensure your family has a safe and healthy slumber is to make sure that each bedroom is full of only healthy products.
The bedrooms of children are a particular area of concern as they often spend as much time in there as they can. At first glance you may think that there's nothing harmful in your child's room. What harm could there be from simple furnishings like a bed, desk, bookshelves and a closet? You'd be surprised how over time even small amounts toxins can have negative effects on your child's health.
Carpets are one big area of concern. You see, carpets are made from nylon which is manufactured using petrochemical and formaldehyde glues. Even carpet underlay is often bound together with formaldehyde glues. The result is a toxic chemical air quality.
Your air quality is compromised further when the formaldehyde glue in the carpet lining begins to break down which it does naturally over time. As the glues age and dry, the chemicals become airborne and are easily inhaled or ingested. From a health standpoint the breakdown of formaldehyde can cause everything from nose and throat irritation to cancer.
Carpets also attract dust. Studies have shown that carpeted rooms have higher dust levels than rooms with solid floors such as hardwood.
These airborne contaminants mixed with dust can trigger asthma symptoms.
In my next post, I'll look at childhood asthma and other environmental health concerns and what you can do to your child's bedroom (and yours) to make it a safe place to sleep and play. Flooring options include hardwood, bamboo, and cork flooring because they are naturally sealed or oiled. As a result, there is no chemical off gasses. Solid floors are also better for dust control.
Published by Sherrie Le Masurier on July 30, 2006 07:10 PM
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