COMMON TOXIC GASES

Children spend a good part of each day at home, where they eat, sleep and play. For most children, home is where they feel secure and comfortable. But there also can be things in the home that are harmful to children. Some of these things are in the air they breathe, or in the dust and dirt found in homes and yards.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that has no taste, no color and no odor. It is produced by appliances or heaters that burn gas, oil, wood, propane or kerosene. Carbon monoxide can get trapped inside the home when:

· Appliances do not work properly

· A stove or furnace is not working properly due to a clogged chimney or vent

· A car is left running in an attached garage

· A charcoal grill is used in a closed area

Carbon monoxide poisoning is very dangerous. This is especially true for children because they are smaller and they need more oxygen than adults. Be aware of flu-like symptoms (headache, fatigue, nausea), especially if they affect everyone in your house at the same time or go away when you leave the house. If left unchecked, exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to memory loss, personality changes, brain damage and death.

You can protect your family by installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home, especially near bedrooms. And to keep carbon monoxide from entering your home:

· Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even if the garage door is open

· Never use a charcoal grill inside the home or in a closed space

· Have furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, hot water heaters, ovens, ranges and clothes dryers serviced and inspected at least every year

· Never use the oven to heat your home

Radon Radon is a gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in rock and soil. Radon can also be found in water, building materials and natural gas. Radon can seep into a home through cracks in the foundation, floors and walls. High levels of radon have been found in homes in many parts of the United States.

Breathing in radon does not cause health problems right away. However, over long periods of time, it can increase the risk of lung cancer. Radon is believed to be the second most common cause of lung cancer (after smoking) in the United States.

To find out if radon is a problem in your neighborhood, check with your health department to see if radon levels are high in your area. You can also test your home for radon. This is easy and inexpensive by using radon detectors. The results of these tests should be analyzed by a certified laboratory. You cannot test yourself or your child for radon exposure.