In addition to helping you breathe in and out, your lungs are responsible for filtering pollutants out of the air you breathe as well as regulating air to its proper body temperature. A person's lungs help him to breathe 30 pounds of air per day,...
When anyone begins a demolition or renovation project, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies require notification if the project involves asbestos removal. These requirements have become law due to the danger of serious...
The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue that encapsulates the major organs in the body. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks this layer of tissue, which causes excessive pressure on the underlying organs. Complications of this condition...
Indoor air pollution can result from sources that you can see, such as cigarette smoke or spray cleaner emissions. Your air can also be polluted by malfunctioning wood stoves or fireplaces. House dust, along with dust mite colonies, can cause...
Asbestos poisoning occurs when asbestos fibers build up in the lungs after exposure. Asbestos exposure traditionally occurred in commercial and industrial settings, especially in the 1970's. Today it is more commonly seen in asbestos removal...
Talc, one of the softest minerals, is used as an ingredient in bath and body powders and other household products. Although this common mineral seems innocuous enough, it can be poisonous if swallowed, cause skin irritation and may contribute to...
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that has been used in a wide range of fields including, but not limited to, construction, manufacturing and mining. The industrial revolution of the 1800s especially increased the prevalence of use....
The mineral fibers of asbestos stand up well to heat, water and chemicals, making them a durable building material that's fireproof and has good insulating properties. But those same fibers can cause serious health problems when inhaled. What was...
Talc is the softest of all minerals found on Earth and has been used for years as a powder in a variety of products. The original talc powders, also referred to as talcum powders, sometimes contained asbestos, which can naturally appear in talc. A...
An estimated 1.3 million workers in the United States are exposed to asbestos, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. People in the construction industry, particularly those involved in demolition of old buildings and...
Asbestos was used for many decades to reduce the risk of fire in buildings, particularly factories. It was also used as siding on houses. Asbestos is a mineral---either chrysotile or amphibole---that has long fibers. Like so many materials used in...
When damaging influences such as fatty foods, polluted water and air, and chemical-laden cosmetics drain your energy levels and weaken your immune system, it's time to take an honest inventory of your habits. Though many physicians, such as Dr....
The early years of life are crucial in a child's development. A child who receives affection and positive feedback from adults, good nutrition and has safe surroundings is less likely to face the challenges of poor health, poverty and...
Purchasing a repossessed home means you will be fixing the things that the previous owner did not fix. In some cases, the improvements that must be made are the result of the former homeowner damaging the property before moving out. Most...
Asbestos was used as insulation and fireproofing material in buildings constructed before 1960. It can be found in attics and crawlspaces, wrapped around pipes, in furnace ducts, as the backing in floor tiles and in shingles and siding. Textured...
The pollution inside your home could pose a greater threat to your health than the smog outside. With many pollutants, indoor concentrations can register two to five times higher than outdoor levels, according to the Environmental Protection...
Asbestos is a dangerous material that has long-term negative effects when a person is exposed to it. The mineral once was used in building materials to help prevent fires. It was used in insulation and even in tiles that covered homes. People,...
Soil pollution at the industrial level in the United States is subject to government oversight and regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency, which was established in 1970. Individuals can take action to protect soil from pollution at the...
Asbestos fibers cause the most damage when they are inhaled, because they don't break down easily and can stay in the lungs for a long time. If you have asbestos in your home or workplace, don't disturb it or try to move it yourself. Call an...
Air pollution can be naturally occurring or it can be man-made. You can take steps reduce the presence of natural allergens such as pollen, dust and pet dander indoors. Reducing outdoor air pollution, more typically associated with the...
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was used extensively as a building material in the construction industry because of its insulation and fire-retardant properties, high tensile strength, and chemical and thermal stability. In...
If you want to install a water purification system in your home or office, you have many different options, according to the Advanced Purification Engineering Corp. Water purification methods include purification by distillation, ion exchange,...
Asbestos is a long, thin, fibrous mineral found in such products as vinyl floor tiles, cement and insulation. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause cancer and...
Americans spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Furnaces, tobacco products, building materials, household chemicals and furnishings release pollutants into your home or...
Once you've identified an offending allergen, be it pollen, mites, dust follicles, cat or dog dander, asbestos, chemicals in the air, or mildew and mold, try to remove that allergen from your environment and observe symptoms. It may take a few...
Renal cancer, or kidney cancer, affects the kidneys, the pair of organs responsible for filtering waste and excess water from the blood. Each year, approximately 52,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with the disease, according to the American...
You may think of air pollution normally as an outdoor concept, but air pollution can also affect your indoor living or work environment, warns the National Institutes of Health. This can create "sick building syndrome," which arises when...
Asbestos, used in the manufacturing of various types of building products, is a mineral known for its thin fibers. The fibers can easily become airborne, where they pose significant hazards, warns the National Institutes of Health. Know the facts...
