If  you are facing the difficulty of analyzing toxics in your home, here is the list of  ten common toxics that are generally the most problematic. The list does not exist in order of the most severe, as any one of these can be deadly if they exist in the right amount and under the proper circumstances. Because there are so many types of houses and methods for building, the actual details and circumstances surrounding each individual case will determine the impact and the health risk factor for each toxic.

1. LOCAL AIRBORNE TOXICS
This category of exterior toxics includes wood smoke, industrial emissions, auto and truck exhaust toxics, and local pesticide and herbicide spraying. Although in certain parts of the country, certain types of these toxics are not found, in others, they exist in very serious quantities and frequency. For example, sometimes spraying is not much of a concern in certain parts of the country, but because it is so dangerous, it receives our undivided attention. The principles that make it a major concern locally, also affect other toxic drift patterns and contamination at long distances.
Toxic drift is a subject met with relatively little concern for most, but the fact is we live is a world community where no area remains unaffected and independent. For example, nuclear tests in Nevada in the 40's left Vermont with one of the highest levels of radioactive iodine in the country.  Our concerns are not just about spraying but for any other source of  local contaminants as well, including manufacturing toxics, road toxics from inter states and heavily traveled roads, land fills, and more localized pollution perhaps from individuals such as wood smoke, fabric softeners, paint odors and so on.
Many times it is not the amount that is the problem, but how close and what the particular circumstances are.

2. WATER
Most of the water in this country is contaminated with some sort of pollution, either natural, say from cows contaminating farm wells, or man made, from toxic waste sites to general industrial water pollution. From the aluminum silicates that are used to reduce particulate cloudiness in treatment plants to natural bacteria, it is very hard to find good clean water, especially if water is handled by man in any volume. One of the  most over looked concerns with water besides drinking,  is the capability of the body to absorb toxics through the skin when bathing. Though many people try to filter their drinking water, the vast skin membrane of the human body absorbs large quantities of toxics from water when bathing.
We forget natural clean water is cleansing and healing. Scientists like to believe it is possible to make clean water, and although it can be done to a certain degree, we can never make healing water, or recreate what has already been given to us naturally.
Check with your local water board for results of their monthly testing. If you live in Honolulu, there is a list of contaminants in the water that is over a page long, including pesticides and other super toxics. This type of contamination is a very serious problem, simply because water is not the only source of these contaminants, and there are scores of other toxics that are related chemically.

3. PESTICIDES
 In our discussions with numerous applicators of termite treatments, we have discovered that there is no set method of regulating how much goes into the soil, and this is why tremendous amounts of  these poisons are dumped into the ground during one application. The transferability of these poisons in the air through the soil, through concrete, concrete block and so on is very easily achieved and should be expected, as soil gases are drawn from sometimes great distances around a home through floors and walls. Our chemist friends tell us the permeability of 1 foot thickness of concrete should be likened to a wet sponge. Pesticides pose one of the most severe health risks to humans. Exposures can cause serious physical damage and death.
Pesticides are present in many other items in the home, including bedding, mattresses, foods, carpets, imported furniture and any other items that are imported, as well as other household products.
Lawn care, garden and bug repellents are products that should not be used around the house, especially if you have kids. These sit on the grass, get into the water, and are easy for kids and others to get into their system. The smells are enough to damage neighbors health and the run off contaminates the water.

4. H.V.A.C. TOXICS
 Again, this area is generally more of a concern in the cooler climates, but it is very common in most parts of  the country.
There is so much damage done by fuel spillage, it is a constant  problem in our homes today. ALL gas appliances leak gas and unless enclosed in an air tight room or installed outside, should be avoided. Heating oil is typically spilled during tank filling, as supply pipes are frequently installed improperly or overflow indicators fall into disrepair.
Frequently heat exchangers in forced hot air systems develop cracks and leak toxics into the air. Old or poorly tuned furnaces can belch toxics, which venting pipes and bells can allow to leak or blow-back when chimneys do not draw properly due to heavy negative pressure in the cellar or house. Dirty or contaminated duct work is another major concern, as so much ducting and equipment is made with exposed fiberglass on the inner walls. Moisture and dirt in duct work and evaporation pans for cooling can prove to be perfect environments for legionella and mold or mildew.
Ducts are lined with fiberglass, a known carcinogen, which can be distributed through out the building and easily breathed in. Mold can grow on debris caught in the fiberglass and  all sorts of bacteria can result. Equipment is also designed and built with toxic adhesives, rubber and plastics that contaminate breathing air.

5. STANDARD BUILDING MATERIALS
What can I say here?? If  people knew all the toxics used in standard modern day building materials, they would all be living in caves! And the fact that the businesses making and selling these materials have been so irresponsible in not cautioning us about this, is a world wide tragedy. This is a difficult area to address in one paragraph, but great care should be given to what materials are used and how they are used. The danger lies in not just what makes up a material, but in how it is used. Always plan on paying more for better materials and insisting on the higher quality items.
Asking sales people if their products cause health problems is like asking a drunk driver if he can handle the road.
Get good advise here!

6. CARPETS - FLOORING
 Almost all carpeting is toxic and will develop more problems from being exposed to humidity and moisture, human and animal dander and dirt over time. To say nothing of what happens during the aging process, as toxic particulate matter that makes up the carpet breaks down and becomes distributed into the breathing air. On top of it all, or actually underneath it all, the under-layments used to support carpets are generally recycled waste materials which are usually more dangerous than the carpets themselves, and will remain so for all the years it is in existence. This stuff is just eternal non biodegradable toxic waste for the planet like many other synthetic plastics.

Most new carpet is very bad. Mid- life carpet is better. And old carpet is typically very bad.
If you have to use carpets, go for older orientals or hand made throw rugs,or low pile commercial carpet- like polypropylene blends.

7. CABINETS - FURNITURE
 Most synthetic wood products are made with materials that are highly dangerous to living organisms. They are generally a pot-pourri of chemicals we would die from if exposed to in any concentrated quantity. But because some sales person puts a sticker on it that says " solid wood product" we believe him!! Oh boy. There usually is only a small limited amount of  solid wood trim somewhere when you see this note, not any quantity and certainly not the whole item, so beware. And solid pine? Remember new growth pine is loaded with active terpenes which are chemicals that cause people all types of problems, especially if they are sensitive. Melamine, fiberboard, pressed board, medex, masonite, CDX plywood, T-111, all these are only a few of the many types of prefabricated boards that cause health problems from glues and binders and toxics in the wood materials [which are basically recycled waste products].

8. PERSONAL ITEMS
  From detergents, cars, clothes, computers, deodorants, soaps, any scented items including perfumes, personal hygiene items, garbage bags, you name it-  it's all filled with and gives off dangerous toxics! When are we going to realize this? In this section, as in others, we have an overlapping of concerns, such as old clothes and stored goods, either in closets or cellars that are filled with mold. Clothes and personal items that may become contaminated with perfume from scented soaps, or moth balls, and so on. Dry cleaned clothes, rubber or leather items, furniture that has been treated with scotch guard or stain master, and imported furniture from overseas that has sealers or paints on them.

9. MOLD, MILDEW, YEAST
  As man becomes more sensitized by chemicals, we also become more sensitive to natural contaminants such as mold and mildew. In many places around the world, people are dying from exposure to these toxics. And not only are they toxic when they are alive, but many become more of a problem when they are killed, and create gases that can be very reactive, both on the inside of  the body, and on the outside of the body.
Mold is a huge problem all over the world. Unfortunately,many people do not consider mold to be a health threat. But I can assure you, it is. Not only by itself, but it can also team up with other toxics, like natural gas, to create compound toxics or extra strong toxics that can double wammy our system.
 

10. FOOD
  Although this is somewhat out of the housing category, it can not be denied that we are eating toxic chemicals, which seriously affects our overall health, and our ability to stay healthy. The same chemicals we find in many toxic compounds and building materials, can be found in processed foods and beverages. It should not be forgotten that many of these chemicals are exactly the same, and even more deadly when we eat them. Poisons like toluene are used to clean beverage containers before they are filled, but there is no requirement for this information to be passed on to us.
 

CONCLUSION
There are scores of seriously toxic chemicals and toxic materials all around us today. Sometimes as a result or regular exposures, we may become sensitized to certain ones. Sometimes we become sensitive to many.
Everyone has a different body chemistry and may be sensitive to particular things, while others are not.

The key is to;
1. pay attention to what is happening to others- their activity brings a certain result;
2. study all the available information out there, so you know the  truth;
3. tune into our own bodies, and pay attention to things we may be reactive to,
4. practice avoidance of all toxic materials,
5. and take good care of our body with plenty of fresh clean food, air, living environment and exercise.
Do not stay anywhere the body does not feel good!!!!

Good health is becoming very hard to maintain with all the threats in our modern society.
    We can all help teach others how to live a healthy lifestyle, by being a good example ourselves!

• Tad Taylor's Healthy Homes LLC