Attention to environmental problems in the dust of your house

The identified environmental poisons are so-called perfluorinated substances, which include all-weather bags and kitchen equipment because of their water-repellent and anti-grease properties, as well as the brominated and phosphorus flame retardants used to make electrical and electronic products and less flammable textiles. Direction of the environment.

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Stricter regulation

The Directorate of the Environment commissioned Bergfall's environmental advisers to inform themselves. They have been the subject of documentation and have gained more knowledge in order to be able to identify the substances most frequently contained in the household dust, indicates the report that they submitted to the management. The common point to these environmental poisons is that they can adhere to particles and surfaces. The research results also show that they are slowly entering the environment and can have serious long-term effects on health and the environment. The reason we get these substances in the dust is because we report different products to us. Something can also enter through the open doors and windows.

"We are discovering more pollutants in household dust, and the results serve as documentation for the purpose of achieving stricter international regulation for new environmental pollutants," said Ellen Hambro, director of the Environment Directorate. , who nevertheless pointed out:

"The amount of pollutants we receive from dust is low compared to food and other sources, not all of the sources of environmental poisons are of greatest concern to us, but the total burden of environmental pollutants over the course of time. time.

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Check and suck

The report also explains how people can protect themselves from environmental pollutants in household dust. One obvious suggestion is to vacuum frequently, preferably with central vacuums and with the help of HEPA filters. Another is to check the contents of the products you bring home and avoid them. But "in most cases, it is difficult to avoid bringing the environmental poison back home because it is present in the product, without necessarily being indicated in the package or otherwise," the report says. "Phthalates and siloxanes, which are included in perfumes, cosmetics, body care products and smells as fragrance carriers, are an exception, cosmetics are always labeled with the content, and many skincare products are labeled without fragrance. "Ingunn Corell Myhre, chief engineer in the Chemicals Division of the Environmental Directorate, also has a good proposal:

"By choosing eco-labeled products, you avoid environmental poisons," she told Dagsavisen.