Making Your Home Allergen Free

Other Contaminants

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other primary contaminants in homes include:

• Dry-cleaned clothing: It may contain the chemical perchloroethylene, which can cause nausea, headaches, and dizziness.
• Laminated wood products, wallpaper, and stain-resistant fabrics that contain formaldehyde, which can cause watery eyes and burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat. It can also lead to nausea, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, skin rashes, and allergic reactions.
• Synthetic carpets and new furnishings that have been wrapped in plastic can contain benzene, styrene, toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde in the adhesives and glue strips, the underlay, or rug pads. These chemicals can lead to respiratory problems, as well as watery eyes and burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat.
• Proper ventilation is also key, according to the EPA. The agency suggests cracking open the windows to let in fresh air on winter days when the weather is mild enough.

Although it takes effort and planning, creating an allergy-free home is possible.