Toxins are substances that can harm your health when you ingest (eat or drink), inhale, or come in contact with them. While toxins in the air outdoor pose a threat to our health, indoor toxins, such as the following seven, pose an even greater risk. Read more: What Toxins Can Be in Your Home? Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
QUESTION
What are bed bugs? See AnswerRelated Disease Conditions
-
Mold Exposure
Mold exposure may cause symptoms in people who are sensitive to molds. Symptoms of mold allergy include sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, coughing, redness of the eyes, and rash. Prevent mold growth by keeping indoor humidity low, between 30%-50%, using bathroom fans when showering, repairing plumbing leaks quickly, and using an air conditioner during humid seasons.
-
How Long Does It Take to Get Lead Poisoning?
Lead poisoning usually takes months or years of exposure to a small amount of lead at home, work or daycare. When exposed to large amounts of lead, it can quickly lead to lead poisoning (acute poisoning).
-
Is the Black Mold in My Shower Toxic?
Mold in your shower can cause annoying symptoms and health problems in people who are sensitive to it. Learn the signs of mold exposure, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
-
What Does Black Mold Do To You?
Black mold is one of many molds that can cause allergic symptoms like sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and skin rashes. Learn the signs of mold exposure, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
-
Asbestos (Exposure Dangers, Testing, Symptoms)
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that is found in soil and rock. Asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are disturbed and released into the air then and inhaled. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes three lung diseases; asbestosis, lung cancer, and noncancerous lung disease. In asbestosis, the asbestos fibers scar the lungs. Asbestosis and lung cancer have the same symptoms of cough and shortness of breath.Asbestosis progresses slowly, frequently even 20 to 40 years after asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure include can come from a variety of products, for example, drinking water due to the decay of asbestos cement in water mains and erosion of natural deposits (which increases your risk of developing benign intestinal polyps), insulation, vinyl floor tiles, some paints and patching compounds, oil and coal furnaces and doors, heat-resistant fabrics, and automobiles brakes and clutches. Some uses of asbestos are banned; however, most are not. Examples of products banned from using asbestos are commercial, corrugated, and specialty paper, flooring felt, and artificial fireplace embers that contain asbestos. Examples of products not banned from using asbestos include vinyl flooring, clothing, roof and non-roof coatings, friction materials, and some car components.Cancers of the larynx, throat, kidney, esophagusand gallbladder have been linked to asbestos exposure. Treatment is dependent upon the type of condition related to asbestos exposure.
-
What Does Lead Poisoning Do To Adults?
Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the earth’s crust. Excess lead buildup in the body can cause lead poisoning. Although lead poisoning primarily affects children, it can also prove to be dangerous in adults.
-
Lead Poisoning
Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure for lead in U.S. children. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. All houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint. However, it is the deterioration of this paint that causes a problem. Approximately 24 million housing units have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust. More than 4 million of these dwellings are homes to one or more young children. Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned by lead.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Prevention & Wellness
- Lead Exposure Harms Kids in Many Ways
- Are You Absorbing Toxins From Your Makeup?
- Health Tip: Keep Toxins from Your Home
- Health Tip: Asbestos Tips For Homeowners
- Wallpaper May Breed Toxins: Study
- Toxins in Your Fast-Food Packaging?
- 45 Potential Toxins Found in Household Dust
- Cigars Loaded With Harmful Toxins, Study Shows
- Health Tip: Thwart Mold at Home
- Many Cleaning Products Said to Contain Toxins
- J&&J First to Promise Toxin-Free Products
- Toxins Make Halloween Face Paints Scary
- Fragrances May Emit Potential Toxins
- Lead Poisoning and Kids
- Health Tip: Prevent Mold in Your Home
From 
Home and Health Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Subscribe to MedicineNet's General Health Newsletter
By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.