Problems and dangers in the home

Not that long ago asbestos was seen as a wonderful substance with many beneficial uses. Yet now everyone knows that it is a highly dangerous material and a serious health risk.

Now the safety of mobile phones and powerlines is being openly questioned. What are the health risks from these and other products in and around your home and what can you do to reduce or eliminate their effects?

Undetected risks and problems in the home could arise from electromagnetic fields and radiation (EMF/EMR) from:

Power lines and electrical installations

Mobile phones and DECT cordless phones

Nearby mobile phone base stations, transmitters and radar installations

TVs and computer monitors

Fluorescent and low-voltage lighting

Microwave ovens

Electric blankets

Household electrical appliances such as: hairdryers, ovens, hobs, extractor fans,washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, freezers

Other electrical goods - particularly if they have a transformer or are double insulated (no earth wire)

Burglar alarms

Storage radiators and underfloor heating

Other risks in and around the home could arise from:

Pollution from building materials, furniture and equipment

Poor ergonomic design of equipment, furniture and systems

Ineffective or inappropriate lighting

Distractions and loss of concentration from poor layout

Heating and cooling systems

Poor air quality

Sources of combustion

Cleaning and maintenance products

Ineffective or insufficient cleaning

Noise and vibration - even at low levels

Sick building syndrome (SBS)

Garden weedkillers, fungicides and insecticides

Out of the home, your car could expose you to high magnetic fields, and you should not use a mobile phone without an external aerial and hand-free kit. If you use an electric wheelchair all the time you should consider ways to shield yourself from its EMFs.

Signs and symptoms

If you or your family begin to experience any of the health problems below - especially if the symptoms are less noticeable when away from home - then you should take immediate action to discover the cause. Always seek medical advice if symptoms persist.