Chemical sensitivity — also termed toxic injury, environmental illness, or sick building syndrome — refers to the repeated appearance of symptoms like headache, confusion, sleepiness, upset stomach, aching joints, or problems with ears, nose, and throat resulting from relatively low levels of exposure to chemicals. The good news is that the symptoms improve or disappear entirely when the triggering chemicals are removed.

According to the EPA, the air in our homes is often two to five times more polluted than the air outside. Since people spend 90 percent of their time indoors, this is particularly alarming, especially for the young, elderly, chronically ill, and chemically sensitive who are more susceptible to the effects of pollutants.

Every day, we are exposed to hundreds of dangerous chemicals in our homes. In fact, the warning signs are everywhere: on toothpaste, dish soap, laundry detergent, hobby supplies, air fresheners, non-stick pans and mattresses. Even if you are not chemically sensitive, compounds in these products can aggravate allergies; irritate eyes, nose, throat, lungs or skin; cause headaches or dizziness; and zap energy. Even worse, some may trigger nervous system disorders, respiratory diseases and cancer. There are many effective ways to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals and improve your health.

Air It Out

Good ventilation is key to improving indoor air quality. When you want to freshen up the house, try healthy alternatives to chemical-laden air fresheners. First, turn to nature. Open windows and allow fresh air to circulate, and fill your home with plants. Plants increase the amount of available oxygen and filter various pollutants.

You’ll also want to change your furnace and air conditioner air filter seasonally. Filters trap particles and debris that you don’t want in your furnace motor, much less your lungs. Look for air filters with higher minimum efficiency reporting or MERV levels to filter out more particles than the common fiberglass filters.

In addition to protecting the air in your home with a furnace filter, you’ll want to clean the air in your home. With so many different air cleaners on the market, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. For maximum protection from toxins, allergens, and other harmful particulate matter, purchase a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that removes at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles .3 micrometers in diameter or larger.

Clean Safely

Now that we’ve addressed the air, let’s talk about surfaces. Your first thought might be to keep them clean. Well, you’re right, but most household cleaners contain hazardous chemicals and carry a warning label identifying potential risks. Instead, try products made with plant- and vegetable-based ingredients and essential oils. Breathe easy and have a sparkling clean home with cleaners that are nontoxic, biodegradable and free of synthetic dyes and fragrances.

Replace Toxic Items

Now let’s talk about you. Your body’s largest organ, your skin, comes into contact with hundreds of chemicals every day. Lotions, soaps, detergents, perfumes, shampoos, cosmetics and deodorants use synthetic ingredients that can be toxic. Try organic products that are free of petrochemicals, parabens (preservatives), phthalates (plasticizers), synthetic fragrances and artificial colors. You might need to spend some extra time reading labels, but for the chemically sensitive, the effort is worthwhile. In addition to personal care and cleaning products, other items around the house could be harmful. Many shower curtains, garden hoses and children’s toys, for example, contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a toxic chemical that has been found to leach chemicals that can increase respiratory problems and can be carcinogenic. Again, check labels and seek greener alternatives made from all-natural ingredients.

Purify Your Water

Just like air cleaners, you can find several water purifiers on the market. Also like air cleaners, they are not all the same. To reduce contaminants in your tap water, drink water that has been filtered through a premium 10-stage filter that attaches to your kitchen faucet. Premium filters are also available for the shower and bath to filter out chlorine, and are particularly important for chemically sensitive people who have itchy eyes, dry skin, or scalp pain after they shower.

Eliminate VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a major contributor to indoor toxins and are found in many common household items. To minimize their effects, work from the ground up. Most carpets are treated with chemicals that off-gas VOCs. Carpets also trap dirt, allergens such as dust mites, and pesticides tracked in from outside. Consider replacing old carpet with solid surface flooring. If you must have carpet, look for “Green Label Plus” certified carpet. Fresh paint also contains VOCs, so look for low- or no- VOC paints and finishes such as Benjamin Moore’s Natura line. In addition to these concerns, most of us unwittingly sleep on toxins including petrochemicals, formaldehyde, fire retardants and other VOCs every night when we recline on polyester sheets and polyurethane foam mattresses. Bedding products made with natural fibers and no chemical treatments may be the best means to a refreshing night’s sleep.

It’s not easy for a chemically-sensitive person to live in a world we’ve so efficiently packed with chemicals. But when it comes to your home, there are ways to protect yourself. Just take the information above, combine it with the will to make a few changes around your home, and you’re that much closer to creating a healthier environment for your entire family.

Local Green Irene Eco-Consultant, Judi Radloff, helps others implement green solutions in their homes. Contact Judi at judi.eastside@greenirene.com.