In 2010 there were more than 80,000 unregulated chemicals on the market, with thousands added every year since. In the chemical industry, the sad truth is that chemicals are innocent until proven guilty and less than 1% have been properly tested for health effects. 

Studies show that our homes are more toxic than ever. The question I hear is, 'Aren't there government regulations that are supposed to protect us?’ Well, No. Standards only reflect exposure to one chemical at a time, not the hundreds or thousands that we’re often exposed to 24/7. In other words, no consideration is given to how all these chemicals react with one another, let alone to how our bodies react to them.

Years ago, a friend of mine was exposed to a low level gas leak at her new stove. This leak was so low that you couldn’t even smell it. This caused her to become sensitive to normal chemical exposures to the point that she was bedridden. She later learned that her body couldn’t detox chemicals very well and it was almost two years before she was well enough to leave the house. An overexposure like this, is usually what sends someone over the edge. It can build up over time, year by year, until it’s too late. Once your body starts to react, getting back to good health can be a long and hard journey.

If your doctor suspects the buildup of toxic chemicals in your body, we have a variety of ways to test your home for chemicals. Whether you’re sitting on the couch watching TV, cooking, exercising, or sleeping, if there are high levels in your environment, you’re breathing them into your lungs and absorbing them through your skin. 

We test for chemicals like formaldehyde, Volatile Organic Compounds, pesticides, toxic sewer gasses, and toxic gas leaks that are too small to smell. Some things can be detected with meters while others require more advanced testing. When sampling for VOCs, your report will include all the Significant VOCs present in your home, and what categories of chemicals are the worst offenders. This analysis can even be expanded to provide more detail, if your test indicates unusual levels. You'll also get recommendations on how to reduce your exposure to a standard that can actually allow your doctor's treatments to do their work, and to help your body heal.

If you decide to have me check your home, we'll set an appointment so I can perform the appropriate testing, and examine its conditions. You'll get a written report, and then we'll get back on the phone. We’ll discuss your findings, answer your questions, and go over my recommendations to make your home a healthy home.

Chemicals are continually released by all sorts of things in our homes. Some have an odor and others don't. Some off-gas quickly and are reabsorbed by walls and other porous surfaces around us. Others off-gas over many years and linger in the dust settling onto our furniture and floors. If you don't know what chemicals are around, you might not know how to get rid of them. And as long as you remain in the conditions that are making you sick, it’s difficult to heal.

Knowing what's in your environment, is the first step to removing toxic chemicals from your home. Once we know what they are, we can create a plan to clean them up. After you’ve reduced your toxic load, you’ll breathe better and sleep better knowing the air you’re breathing is as clean as it can be.

If you're worried about the chemicals you're being exposed to, click on "Request a Consult". You'll be asked to provide a few details about your personal circumstances and concerns. We'll set up a time to talk through WHAT type of testing would be most helpful for you and your home.