By Barbara Erny, M.D.

We all want a healthful home that is clean and safe, and this is especially important for families with young children.

Children face the greatest risk from environmental hazards. Studies have shown that their bodies, and especially their developing brains, absorb more toxic home chemicals than adults do. In addition, young children are more likely to come in direct contact with environmental dangers because they are crawling on the floor, putting objects in their mouths and just generally exploring corners of the home an adult would never come in direct contact with.

Most parents know to guard against obvious home dangers, such as peeling lead paint, medications and household cleaners that could poison their child. But there are many other dangers in a modern home that are far harder to spot. This article describes the qualities of a healthful home – dry, clean, well ventilated, pest free, non-toxic, calm and comfortable – and provides tips on achieving them.

Dry
Excess moisture that allows microscopic dust mites and mold to thrive in hidden corners of a home can be a real problem. Molds and dust mites can trigger asthma attacks and allergies. A dry home will have cleaner air and also will be less attractive to household pests, such as rodents.

If you notice roof or pipe leaks, a musty smell or an area of the home that always seems damp, consult a home professional about what steps are needed to eliminate sources of moisture and safely remove any mold that has already started to grow.

Clean
Regular cleaning will decrease dust that can trigger allergies and asthma attacks. In addition, a clean house is less attractive to pests that can spread germs, such as rodents or insects.

Well Ventilated
Without good ventilation, harmful particles can quickly build up in the air. Use fans when cooking and open windows to air out rooms. Air filters can also be helpful, especially if you need to reduce possible asthma and allergy triggers or if you have a problem with excess pet dander.

In addition, ask smokers to smoke outside only. Second hand tobacco smoke can trigger asthma attacks and may contain as many as 4,000 chemicals, including 69 known cancer-causing agents such as formaldehyde, lead, arsenic and benzene.

Pest Free
To reduce the spread of germs and allergens within the home, it is important to keep out pests such as dust mites, rodents and fleas. However, remember to use non-toxic pest-control products such as traps to ensure your solution for the pest problem doesn't introduce a new danger in your home. Researchers have found that use of pesticides is associated with higher rates of leukemia, lymphoma and brain tumors. In addition, some studies have documented birth defects and developmental disorders that may be linked to pesticide use.

To non-toxically reduce the risks of dust mites, fleas and other pests getting into your home in the first place, seal cracks, take off shoes when entering your home and clean pets' feet. In addition, put away food and clean up crumbs, which attract pests.

Non-toxic
Toxic chemicals may be one of the biggest threats to a healthful home because they are invisible and are found in and on so many common household items, including the foods we eat, the water we drink, and the cleaners and fragrances we use. Even some of the products we buy to beautify our homes, like carpets and wall paints, carry hidden toxic dangers.

One of the easiest places to start to reduce home toxins is in the kitchen. To avoid pesticides on food, wash fruits and vegetables, peel non-organic produce, and buy organic when possible. Farmer's markets are a good source of less expensive local, organic food. In addition, avoid using pesticides on fruits or vegetables you grow in your own garden

Household cleaners are another big source of toxins in the home. Many people assume the chemicals in household cleaners have been carefully tested to ensure that they are safe to use. This is not the case. There are no government regulations on ingredients or labeling for household cleaners.

Many cleaning products contain toxic ingredients and will irritate the lungs and skin. This includes most anti-bacterial soaps, which the American Medical Association and other groups are seeking to ban because they are no more effective than plain soap and water and may carry added health risks. In addition, many air fresheners contain butane (lighter fluid) and acetone (nail polish remover), and some are even labeled "fatal if inhaled." Experts also are concerned that synthetic fragrances that mimic the hormone estrogen could disrupt the delicate hormonal balance that controls our bodies' growth, development and reproductive functions.

Fortunately, we have alternatives, which usually turn out to be less expensive too. To freshen the air, use natural citrus oil spray or baking soda. Safe and inexpensive alternatives to bleach, ammonia, detergents and other household cleaners can be made with baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice and water. The Consumer Reports Web site promotes homemade cleaners and provides recipes, as do many other Web sites and books.

Drinking water quality is another concern. New research has found that some types of plastic containers, including bottles and water cooler reservoirs, may leech chemicals into water. To be on the safe side, choose filtered tap water. Installed water filters, especially reverse osmosis units, may provide the purest water, but plain tap water is also fine. If you have old pipes, run cold water for about a minute before filling a drinking glass to remove metals that may be in the water.

Another source of toxins in the home comes from "off-gassing," which is the release of chemicals into the air through evaporation. If you have ever noticed how the smell of fresh paint or new carpet lingers in a home, you've experienced off-gassing. Creating a child's nursery or re-modeling your home can produce a lot of harmful chemical odors from plywood, chipboard, synthetic carpeting and furniture floor glues. Even new shoes or dry cleaning can release toxic chemicals in the air. To minimize your risk, use the least toxic home products you can find and keep windows open until the chemical odor goes away. Smaller items that can give off chemicals, such as plastic shower curtains, should be placed outside for a few days to air out before being brought inside.

Calm and Comfortable
A healthful environment is calm and comfortable, and this is especially important for children. The development of mental and physical health is connected, which means that noise, chaos, violence and arguments in the home can have a serious impact. One area where these factors enter even an otherwise nurturing home is through television. Because studies have found a correlation between the amount of television young children see and the rates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), smaller vocabularies, anxiety and depression in children, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that children under the age of 2 do not watch any television. This includes videos and commercial-free public television shows that are made to appeal to young children.

When even something as seemingly wholesome as a "Sesame Street" episode may carry risks, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of challenges to maintaining a healthful home. You may never be able to screen out every potential health hazard. However, by staying informed about risks, reading product labels carefully and keeping your home as chemical free and natural as possible, you can make a significant impact on your family's health.

Some of the above suggestions are easy to carry out right away, and others will take time. Don't get frustrated and give up. Do what you can do. Bit by bit, each step of the way, you will create a more healthful home for your family.

Additional resources:

Environmental Work Group
The National Geographic Green Guide

Dr. Erny is a physician at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) Sunnyvale Center. She is a member of the PAMF Physician Community Service and Patient Education Committees, the Santa Clara County Medical Association Environmental Health Committee, Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Natural Resources Defense Council. She travels overseas to do medical volunteer work and is a docent at Edgewood Park in Redwood City.