Home is Where Your Health Is

Simple Steps to Protect Your Lungs from Hidden Hazards at Home

Your home is a refuge - but it can also affect your health. From allergens and indoor air quality to less obvious dangers like radon and carbon monoxide, your home environment can have a big impact on your respiratory health.

Jordan Phillips, M.D., a board-certified pulmonologist, sleep medicine and critical care physician with Williamson Health’s Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine practice, shares common household hazards and simple steps you can take to protect your family.

Risk 1: Allergens

Dust mites, mold spores and pet dander are common household allergens, Dr. Phillips said, often leading to coughing, sneezing and congestion. For people with asthma or other chronic lung conditions, allergens can trigger even more serious reactions, such as shortness of breath or wheezing. 

“If you start to experience these symptoms and suspect allergens within your home, seek attention from your primary care physician or a pulmonary specialist, who can help you work through symptoms and learn how to best manage them,” Dr. Phillips said.

To reduce allergens in your home, Dr. Phillips recommended: 

• Wash and dry bedding regularly using hot water and high heat, and use mattress and pillow covers to help protect against dust mites.

• Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture regularly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum.

• Keep indoor humidity below 50% to help prevent mold growth; use a dehumidifier if needed.

• Change HVAC filters regularly. A pleated filter with a MERV rating of 11-13 can help trap pollen, dust and pet dander.

Risk 2: Harsh Cleansers

Cleaning products can release fumes and volatile organic compounds that irritate the airways, Dr. Phillips cautioned. Common culprits include bleach and ammonia-based cleaners, aerosol disinfectants, oven and drain cleaners and heavily fragranced products.

“It’s best to avoid using harsh chemicals and cleaning products whenever possible,” Dr. Phillips said. “But if you do need to use them, wear a mask to minimize contact with fumes while doing so.”

Risk 3: Radon and Carbon Monoxide

Other household dangers, like radon and carbon monoxide, can be a little more difficult to detect.

Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless and odorless gas that can become trapped indoors, particularly in basements. Long-term exposure increases the risk of lung cancer.

Also, odorless and invisible, carbon monoxide can become dangerous quickly. Produced by burning fuel - in cars, fireplaces, stoves, generators, and other household appliances - carbon monoxide exposure can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and confusion, and can lead to death.

To help protect your home, Dr. Phillips recommended: 

• Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.

• Ensure proper ventilation and use exhaust or vent fans with gas-powered appliances.

• Test your home for radon and pursue professional mitigation if elevated levels are detected.

• Talk with your physician about whether you qualify for lung cancer screening based on your age and other risk factors.

Risk 4: Cigarette Smoke

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but breathing in secondhand smoke is just as dangerous. “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” Dr. Phillips said. Secondhand smoke triggers more frequent and severe asthma attacks, leads to higher rates of bronchitis and pneumonia and raises your risk of developing coronary heart disease and lung cancer. Strive to keep your home smoke-free, as toxins can settle into fabrics and surfaces. If someone must smoke at your home, request they move away from doors, windows and shared spaces. 

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Your home should be a haven, not a hazard. If you’re experiencing respiratory symptoms, you suspect may be related to allergens or other household hazards, a pulmonary specialist can help identify potential triggers and develop a treatment plan. Learn more at williamsonhealth.org/medical services/pulmonology.