Doctor Says Your Home can Make You Sick

January 24, 2007

by Enersen, King 5 News

Seattle, Washington

You may have heard of sick-building syndrome. But could your home

also make you sick?

One lung doctor says yes and touring an average home is how he hopes

to educate homeowners on the dangers.

" Living in a home that is polluted with mold can cause all sorts of

respiratory problems, " said Dr. Neil Schachter, pulmonologist.

And that's a great concern to Lerman, who has a 4-year-old.

" We want to make sure that our house is as healthy as it can be so

that my son can be as healthy as he can be, " he said.

So agreed to a tour of his home by lung specialist Dr.

Schachter who pointed out water damage to him.

" What really counts is what is underneath there, " he explained.

The EPA estimates indoor air quality is two to five times more

polluted than the air we breathe outside.

Dust is another culprit. It's found in carpets, so put easier-to-

clean area rugs over carpet, get rid of dust ruffles, and don't keep

stuff under the bed. Clutter in your basement also attracts dust

mites.

" All these things can cause allergies, can cause asthma, " said Dr.

Schachter.

He advises cleaning a moldy shower with chlorinated wipes to avoid

spraying chemicals, which can irritate your airways.

Pollutants can also come from outside, so to keep them out, install

a filter that it adjusts to fit most windows.

It's been an eye-opening tour for this homeowner.

" You assume that your house is healthy until you get someone to

point these things out, " said .

Now is committed to get rid of more than just the dust in an

effort to keep his family healthy.

Here are some sobering statistics: 24 million Americans have chronic

lung disease and 16 million have asthma.

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