AVOIDING POLLUTANTS

I have been decorating the boys’ bedroom this week. Paint is such a lot better to work with now compared to a few years ago. In the past if ever I picked up a brush with paint on it I would end up dizzy and talk nonsense for hours. More than I do normally. I left the windows and doors open for a day or two to clear the air and Julie decided to test the room out first. I saw her go into the room on Saturday morning with a drink of tea and a new children’s book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. A few hours later a blurry-eyed mother who read the whole book in one sitting passed the room as being safe. I heard that JK Rowling was standing to earn about €50 million on the first day of publication. That works out at about €83,000 a page, this is not the norm though, most (children’s) writers live in abject poverty!

AVOIDING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS

Hello Ian
I have three children between the ages of four and six months. I am concerned that there are hidden pollutants in the home; have you any advice on where to look? Thanks DJ.

Reply
There's no doubt that environmental pollution can affect health, especially for small children, and it's important to ensure they're safe. To clarify things in your own mind about the problem, divide the pollutants up into categories. Those in the air they breathe, those in the food and drink they consume - and those in the environment around them. Here are a few tips to get you going:

POLLUTANTS IN THE AIR

· Cigarette smoke is one of the worst, do not smoke or let others smoke in your home or car.

· Try to cut down exposure to traffic emissions.

· Keep your home as dust-free and clean as possible. Use natural cleaning products such as tea tree oil.

· Check for carbon monoxide: get flues and chimneys swept at least once a year, get all gas and solid fuel fires serviced regularly, don't sleep in unvented rooms with gas or kerosene heaters, and don't run cars, lawnmowers or barbecues in the confines of the garage.

POLLUTANTS IN FOOD

· Always wash food, especially fruit and vegetables, before use.
· Buy organic food if possible.
· Use natural methods to keep pest levels down in the vegetable garden.
· Read labels and get to know additives and preservatives.

POLLUTANTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

· Ensure children always wash their hands after the toilet and before eating. Keep toys, dummies, and so on, clean.

· Beware of lead. If you live in an old house check for lead in paint, water pipes and even old toys (run cold water for 30 seconds before use). Ask the local environmental health officer for more information if you're worried.

· Minimise exposure to pesticides: always follow directions on the packet closely, use non-toxic alternatives where possible, store safely out of reach, and restrict play in treated areas such as the garden.

· Don't forget UV light as a pollutant: restrict time in the sun and use a high factor sun cream. Test your home for radon. The area from Greencastle to Muff seems to have the highest levels. New houses are tested by law now but if you are worried then arrange for a radon measurement to be carried out. Contact the radon helpline on FREEPHONE RADON 1800 300 600 or email radon@rpii.ie.


Environmental.