Freaking Out About Voc's in Carpet and Paint!

Even if you are concerned, what can you do about it now? Move on. Live well.

M.

I'm one of the "canaries in the mine" who became ill from toxic overload more than 20 years ago. Back then, I knew very little about the health effects of the ever-growing list of chemicals in the average modern home. Since then, I've had to learn a lot, just to survive. I still never feel totally well, and my sleep, breathing, and moods can be seriously affected if I go out in public for a couple of hours. So your concern is well-placed.

VOC's aren't great, but unless your kids are more fragile than average, VOC's alone won't make them sick. Won't make them healthier, but won't ruin them, either. But they will add to the total toxic load your children have received, and could push them a little closer to overload and illness.

So compensate by evaluating your whole home. You may well be using products regularly on or around your kids that are much more toxic than you think. This would include fabric softeners, air "fresheners," scented detergents and household cleaners, chlorine-based wipes and bleach, anti-bacterial hand soap, sulfites and parabens in shampoo, pthalates and other chemicals that leach into foods that are stored and heated in plastic containers, even common toiletries and colognes.

You can google terms like "healthy home" or "non-toxic house" for all sorts of info, tips, and recommendations for alternatives to commercial products. I use very little besides baking soda and vinegar to clean my home, and visitors often comment on how fresh and relaxing the environment is.

I understand why you would be concerned. Actually the carpeting would be more my concern. Why? I saw first hand as we replace carpeting in half of our house a few years ago. It was in March and a nice day. The installers had to turn up the heat (and it was 60s outside) for the padding and to expand and had to keep the windows closed. I could see a haze in the air in my house and it reaked of fumes! Thank goodness I had my air purfiers. Normally I just have one air purifier running but I had both on that day. After they left I opened up all the windows and turned the ceiling fans on.

I know that wasn't good for anyone else around me, but I had to get the smell out and the fume.

My suggestion would be to get a high quality air purifier in your home. I have had one for over 10 years and it has really helped me and my family. Especially since I live close to a golf course, which was put in well after I built my home.

It is great that you are conscientious of these things.

What is in us, on us and around us becomes a part of us.

If you would like any insight on what air purifier to purchase, email me.

I was to concerned all things have a smell to them some stronger than others my hubby totally gutted out our bathroom in Feb it is now completed but he sent me in for a gallon of paint at Home Depot I had to ask ?'s to make sure he was using low voc paint & he was...The lady told me that most items made today are low voc & are ok to use they aren't made like they once was years ago & are getting better , but to always use some sort of ventilation while painting even afterwards so open the windows turn on celing fans...We have rooms that have been totally gutted our home is old we have lead based paint I believe in some areas of the house but hubby uses caution we have to do this to our home it is old I want it updated new walls new paint new new new we can't just sell it as is I want to live here till we are able to move & buy a new home my hubby owns this home this is where we live & have to keep it up.I worry to the extreme& hubby knows alot of what to use & not use

Well, do you have any idea how much of the stuff YOU were exposed to as a child? I'm sure I was exposed to TONS of it as were most people. Sure, now we know that it can be harmful, but it doesn't mean it IS going to harm your children. I've personally never used non-regular paint -in my nurseries or anywhere else. Don't borrow worries and trouble or you'll drive yourself nuts. I don't think you need to be concerned -especially since most people have never and still never even think of this. It's certainly not something I concern myself with.

I really wouldn't worry about it. I mean, you've probably been exposed to VOCs your whole life just like the rest of us, and there's nothing wrong with you, right? I think this is another one of those things where if you have the choice, low VOC is great, but if not, there's really no harm done. Your kids will be fine!

Last year I switched to natural products for cleaning my home and I have been reading up on products in our homes. It is scary when you look at what is going on with the hardwood floor, mattresses, leather furniture, paint and carpet. Just to name a few. Who would have ever known that these can have toxic chemicals which are escaping into our home environments. And our home environments are worse now because we have our homes so well insulated that there is little ventilation. Prior to switching products, I thought the smell of the disinfectant was good but in fact many of the products that I use to use are not good for me or my family. It is amazing over the last year the difference I can tell since switching to these natural products. Isn't it sad what manufacturers will do all for $$.

you seem from all your postings that your a very organic earthy person so i can see where your upset. But let me as you this if you where told they where going to use this paint and didn't than you have a case against the company also. You talk to a worker and the worker probabaly has no idea what low voc paint is. Because I just learned something by researching your ?. So if you asked a worker he possible doesn't know what hes using. Ask to check his can and see if you can find anything on it that states no or low voc and if you can't than you may have a case and you could have them come and either re paint with low or no voc or you can ask them for your money back because they did not follow what you asked and said they where going to use this.

Hi R.---Just be sure to open windows as often as possible to evacuate any remaing fumes. And be sure that you are supporting your family's health with LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, legumes/beans, nuts and seeds. A plant based diet will help the body to repair any damage that may be caused by environmental factors...be sure to be eating mostly plants. Animal proteins, more than 10% of the daily diet, will compromise our health. See The China Study by T Colin Campbell.

Then, be sure that your food does not contain negative ingredients, such as HFCS (which will soon be called corn sugar on labels), MSG (which also goes by many different names), artificial colors, sweeteners and flavors...bascially anything that you cannot pronounce. My reasoning goes like this...even though our government tells us that these compounds are 'generally recognized as safe', research has been done on single compounds only. What does the combination of them do in a vulnerable body? Why take a chance on anyone? Especially when so many healthy foods are available.

As another mom has said, please don't drive yourself crazy on what-if's after the fact. Keep the house ventilated as much as you can, and support the body with an optimal diet. Any questions, please feel free to contact me. Enjoy this beautiful weather and open every window in your house! Be well, D.

I would be really upset that the painter didn't use what you asked and didn't tell you until it was done. But, there's nothing you can do about it now that's it's already there. I wouldn't stress about it. You tried to make the right choice for the health of your family, but it didn't work out. Next time you will make sure the right paint is used. And you can continue to look for non-toxic products in the future for use in your home.