A Common Household Chemical That Can Cause Lung Damage

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http://drbenkim.com/articles/lung-damage.htm

A

Common Household Chemical That Can Cause Lung Damage

By Ben

Kim, D.C.

Researchers

at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences report that exposure

to a chemical found in mothballs, air fresheners, and toilet deodorizers can

cause lung damage and possibly even lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

The

chemical in question is called 1,4-dichlorobenzene or 1,4-DCB. If you know what

mothballs smell like, you know exactly what 1,4-DCB smells like. 1,4-DCB is a

volatile organic compound - a chemical that is given off as a gas from common

household products.

Researchers

found that people with the highest blood levels of 1,4-DCB performed 4 percent

worse on lung function tests than people with the lowest blood levels of

1,4-DCB.

Four

percent may not seem significant, but this " modest reduction " in lung

function can translate to serious health complications for people who already

have lung challenges, like asthma, or for the young and elderly, who may not

have strong immune systems. For example, a study published in 2005 found that

children between 6 months and 3 years of age face a risk of developing asthma

that is in direct correlation to their exposure to 1,4-DCB in their homes.

*How To

Minimize Your Exposure to 1,4-Dichlorobenzene*

1. If

you use mothballs to repel insects, replace the mothballs with cedar blocks. If

you don't know where to find cedar blocks, type " cedar blocks " into

your favourite search engine and you will find several sources. Sand your cedar

blocks with fine sandpaper about once a year to keep them aromatic and

effective at repelling insects.

2.

Don't use diaper pail deodorants, which commonly give off a steady dose of 1,4-DCB.

If you choose to use diaper pail deodorants, be sure to at least keep them

outside of your baby's room so that your baby is not exposed to fumes while he

or she sleeps.

3.

Avoid conventional room deodorizers, especially if they give off a mothball-like

scent. The best way to keep your home or work environment smelling fresh is to

clean on a regular basis with non-toxic cleaners. Vinegar diluted with water is

excellent as a multi-purpose cleaner.

4.

Don't use urinal and toilet bowl blocks/deodorizers that smell like mothballs.

Again, regular cleaning with vinegar or non-toxic cleaning agents are your best

bet of keeping your toilets smelling fresh /and/ preventing unnecessary lung

damage.

5.

Strive to breathe as little as possible in public restrooms that smell strongly

of mothballs. Just don't pass out!

Low to

moderate-level exposure to products that contain 1,4-DCB can cause lung damage.

Over time, steady exposure to large amounts of 1,4-DCB can cause a variety of

health challenges such as headaches, dizziness, eye irritation, liver damage,

and kidney damage.

The

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has stated that 1,4-DCB " may

be reasonably anticipated to be a carcinogen. "

The

state of California has gone further in stating that 1,4-DCB is a human

carcinogen.

Regardless

of how products that smell like mothballs are classified now and in the future,

it certainly won't hurt your health to be mindful of the five points listed

above on how to minimize your exposure to 1,4-Dichlorobenzene.

 

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The

contents of this website are the opinions of Dr. Ben Kim unless otherwise

noted. The information on this website is not intended as personalized medical

advice and is not intended to replace the relationship that you have with your

primary care provider. Any decisions you make with regard to your daily choices

and medical treatments should be made with the help of a qualified health care

provider.

 

 

 

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