We all want our homes to be safe and secure from the dangers lurking beyond our front doors. But pollutants inside a house or apartment may pose risks of which we're not even aware. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor pollution can be more seriously problematic than outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. In fact, EPA studies have found that levels of at least a dozen common organic pollutants are typically two to five times higher indoors than outdoors. And some of the most seemingly benign household items-like shower curtains-release toxic chemicals.

The good news is that you can take a number of simple steps to improve the health of your home. You don't have to toss your big-screen TV or give away the family cat. Many chemicals can be eliminated by educating yourself about hazards in consumer products and by making thoughtful choices when you're in the supermarket. Vigilant home maintenance also keeps pollutants under control.

Here's a rundown of the major sources of household pollution and the major individual pollutants, along with tips for improving the environmental health of your home.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Indoor pollution comes from a variety of sources. Aerosol sprays and air fresheners, wood furniture, building insulation, furnishings, carpets, cleaning products, malfunctioning or poorly maintained appliances, gas stoves, nonstick cookware-all release particles and gases into the air that form a cocktail of pollutants. The evaporation of such chemicals is called offgassing. Examples of this are the plastic odor that comes from a new shower curtain and the fumes you smell when painting a room in your house. In some cases, offgassing can continue for years after a product is installed, which means you're breathing these chemicals all the time at home.

Among the chemicals that evaporate readily is a class known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although thousands of products contain VOCs, the worst offenders are those that offgas petrochemicals such as formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, and xylene, including carpeting adhesives and the pressed-wood products often used for making cabinets. Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of exposure to these vapors are nausea, dizziness, stinging or watery eyes, breathing trouble, coughing, and headaches. How an individual responds to a given pollutant, of course, depends on his or her age, medical history, and susceptibility. At their worst, however, household pollutants can affect the central nervous system and hormonal systems and possibly even cause cancer.

What you can do

• Open windows. Fresh air lessens the potency of indoor gases. If necessary, run ventilation fans in high-humidity areas.
• Read labels. Avoid items with artificial fragrances, since nice smells in cleaning products or air fresheners usually mean they contain phthalates, which have been found to interfere with the human hormone system.
• Follow directions and use products correctly.
• Throw away unused or partially used paint containers. Dispose of them at a local hazardous-waste center.
• Never mix household products unless directed to do so in the product-use instructions.
• Stick with low-VOC or no-VOC options when buying household cleaners, paints, glues, and plywood.
• Avoid products advertised as pine- or lemon-scented, since they contain terpenes that offgas formaldehyde in rooms with high levels of ozone.
• Try to switch to natural cleaning products such as white vinegar, baking soda, borax, vegetable-oil soap, and salt. They really work.
• Avoid burning candles with synthetic fragrances.
• Rinse surfaces liberally with water after cleaning with chemical products.
• Don't use more of a cleaning product than is necessary to get the job done.

FURNITURE AND BEDDING
It's hard to believe that your favorite napping couch or mattress might be hazardous to your health. But upholstered furniture and padded mattresses often contain flame-retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). In fact, almost a third of the foam in upholstered furniture contains these fire retardants. So do computers and television sets. PBDEs have been found to disrupt fetal development and thyroid hormone levels, and they may cause cancer.

.Although PBDEs are gradually being phased out in furniture and mattresses, exposure is almost unavoidable. Mattresses also contain petroleum-based polyester, nylon, and polyurethane (PU) foam, all of which offgas VOCs associated with upper respiratory problems. Some mattresses are treated with water- and stain-repellant compounds called perfluorochemicals (PFCs), such as Scotchgard. This class of chemicals never breaks down in the environment and can build up in the body over time. In laboratory studies, PFCs have been linked to birth defects and to many kinds of cancer, including breast, liver, testicular, and pancreatic.

• When buying new furniture, look for PBDE-free products.
• If you have a polyurethane foam mattress, replace it with one containing coil springs or naturally fire-resistant wool.
• Avoid contact with decaying or crumbling foam that might contain fire retardants.
• If you can't afford to replace furniture that contains decaying foam, cover it with sturdy cloth and clean the surrounding area using a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter.
• Don't reupholster foam furniture in homes where children or pregnant women live.
• If possible, don't use stain repellents.

CARPETS
Most carpeting is made of synthetic fibers that have been treated with pesticides and fungicides. Created from petroleum, they also contain a variety of carcinogenic chemicals. For months after a new carpet is installed, VOCs are released into the air (this is what's responsible for that "new carpet" smell). The offgassing is due not only to chemicals in the carpet itself but also to the formaldehyde-containing adhesives typically used to install it.

What you can do

• Unroll and air out new carpeting before installation.
• Use formaldehyde-free adhesives.
• Consider other, greener kinds of flooring, such as cork or linoleum.
• Buy a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove dust and particles in carpets.
• Don't use stain repellants on carpets.

FORMALDEHYDE
Formaldehyde is one of the most toxic pollutants in your home. Used in glues, plywood, fiberboard, antibacterial soaps, disinfectants, and even gas stoves, it has been classified by the EPA as "a probable human carcinogen." Formaldehyde fumes can trigger asthma attacks in people who are susceptible, and can cause irritations of the throat, skin, and eyes. Because it is widely used in building materials, formaldehyde is found in high levels inside homes.

What you can do

• If you're remodeling, use exterior-grade instead of interior-grade pressed-wood products. The formaldehyde in exterior-grade products is less likely to break down and get into the air.
• Maintain moderate temperatures and reduce humidity by using air-conditioning and dehumidifiers in your home.
• Use a low- or no-VOC sealant on all exposed paneling to contain the formaldehyde.
• Increase ventilation after bringing a new source of formaldehyde into your home.

MOLD
In the past few years, household mold has become a major environmental concern, and with good reason. Mold can begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or damp. Some common causes of molds are leaky roofs, wet clothes dried indoors, plumbing problems, poor ventilation in a bathroom or kitchen, over-watered houseplants, and humidifiers. Molds can produce allergens and exacerbate symptoms for the estimated 50 million Americans who already suffer from asthma and allergies. It induces hay fever and flu-like symptoms, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and skin rashes.

If someone in your family seems to have persistent flu-like symptoms, check your home for mold. It's not hard to recognize. Mold can be a furry growth in the cabinet under the sink, a red stain on the shower curtain, a gray patch in the corner where the roof leaked, or a brown stain on a wall. You can also detect mold by following a musty or earthy odor in your home. Any visible mold should be a red flag indicating that levels may have reached a point where they can affect your health.

• The key to controlling mold is reducing moisture.
• Clean up mold promptly and fix the water problem that is causing it.
• Dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours after a spill to prevent mold growth.
• To test for mold or have it removed, consult a contractor or company that is certified in mold treatment.

RADON
Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that seeps into houses through cracks in the foundation. The situation worsens with poor ventilation. Considered extremely harmful, radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. (after smoking), claiming 22,000 lives a year. The EPA estimates that one in every 15 homes has elevated radon levels.

What you can do

• Test radon levels in your home. Many hardware and home-supply stores sell inexpensive EPA-approved do-it-yourself kits.
• If radon levels are high, have a certified professional install a mitigation system.
• Don't close on a home you're considering purchasing until you have its radon levels checked.

PESTICIDES
Nobody likes multi-legged insects roaming around their house. But using chemical-filled pesticides can ultimately be more harmful than any creepy crawly. According to an EPA survey, 75 percent of U.S. households use at least one pesticide indoors each year. And some 80 percent of all exposure to harmful pesticides takes places indoors. The products used to eliminate household insects are often are associated with a range of problems, including skin rashes, damage to the central nervous system, and cancer. Children are at greater risk than adults because their nervous systems are still developing. Some of the most dangerous pesticides have been pulled off the market in recent years, but insect control should be carefully considered.

What you can do

• Dispose of any pesticides that contain diazon, which was banned in 2004 by the EPA.
• Use the least toxic pest control rather than synthetic pesticides.
• Consider making your own anti-ant remedies using ingredients such as borax, sugar, and water.
• Cleanliness is the best way to control bugs and insects. Make sure there is no residue or food left out on kitchen counters.
• Fix leaks, as bugs are drawn to moisture.
• Fill cracks with no-VOC sealants.
• Use boric acid at the back of kitchen shelves, in cupboards, and along floorboards if you have roaches.

LEAD
Although the use of lead in paints was banned almost 30 years ago, it still remains on the walls of millions of homes. Lead-laced paint sheds dust particles that, over time, can cause lung and respiratory problems. Old lead pipes are also a potential problem, as lead can leach from them into drinking water. Elevated levels of lead in the blood can increases chances of learning disabilities in children, behavioral problems, anemia, and, in extreme cases, brain damage.

What you can do

• If your house is more than 25 years old, have it tested for lead paint.
• If levels are very high, consider having it removed by a professional certified in lead-paint removal.
• One of the easiest ways to deal with lead is to paint over it. But avoid sanding and scraping, since either will release particles into the air.
• Call your water utility and find out the level of lead in your drinking water. If necessary, install a water filter.

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