Indoor Air Quality
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Biological Pollutants
On top of these emotions comes a large study, conducted by the US National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, that declares the cockroach as an important cause
of asthma-
Cockroaches are common in every home and hard to eradicate, even from the cleanest of households. Just as in animal dander, certain proteins in cockroach droppings and saliva can cause allergic reactions and may trigger asthma attacks. The study found that allergic children who were exposed to high levels of cockroach allergens were more than three times more likely to be hospitalised and missed school more often than allergic children with low exposures. Reducing the cockroach protein levels in the indoor air is, therefore, important if someone in your household suffers from asthma.
To free your home of as many cockroaches as possible, without making the matter worse with toxic pesticides, the US EPA recommends the following actions:
Do not leave out food or garbage.
Store food in airtight containers.
Clean all food crumbs or spilled liquids right away.
Wash dishes as soon as you are done using them.
Keep counters, sinks, tables and floors clean and clear of clutter.
Fix plumbing leaks and other moisture problems.
Take piles of boxes, newspapers, and other items where cockroaches may hide out of your home.
Make sure trash in your home is properly stored in containers with lids that close securely, and remove trash daily.
Try using poison baits, boric acid, or traps first before using pesticidal sprays.
Late at night your rumbling stomach tells you that the leftover slice of pizza on the dining table should make the perfect midnight snack. When you flick the light switch, however, several lowly critters scurry away from the 'Super Special' piece and your stomach rumble quickly turns to violent contractions instead.
Not enough that these creatures spread germs around the kitchen and leave their excrements
for you to clean or, heavens forbid -
