Nobody can deny that the bathroom isn’t exactly the most sanitary part of the home—but there’s more danger lurking in the average bathroom than just germs and bacteria. If you’re starting to cough, sneeze, or have trouble breathing whenever you walk into your bathroom, something isn’t quite right. Let’s learn more about some commonly overlooked health risks hiding in your bathroom, how they impact your health, and how to remove them.
Mold
The bathroom is the perfect breeding ground for mold. It’s dark, moist, and full of body oil from which to feed. Mold can be extremely hazardous to your health, especially if you have respiratory diseases such as allergies or asthma. Symptoms of prolonged mold exposure include nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, chest tightness, and more. There are many ways to prevent mold growth in your bathroom, but to remove existing mold from your home, you’ll need to call a reputable mold remediation company.
Cleaning Supplies
Your bathroom is a relatively small space. Using harsh chemicals in a confined area can cause breathing problems. Even worse than that, if you accidentally mix two or more incompatible cleaners, deadly toxic gases may form. Ammonia and chlorine bleach is one of these combinations, and another is hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. To prevent these serious health hazards, make sure to have a fan running or a window open in your bathroom whenever you’re cleaning it.
Asbestos
A common health risk hiding in the bathrooms of older homes is asbestos. If your home was built before 1962 and has vinyl flooring in the bathroom, beware—the tile could be teeming with asbestos. Asbestos is harmless when left undisturbed, but if one of the tiles breaks, the fibers can enter the air, remain suspended there, and make you sick. If your home is older, you may want to have it professionally tested for asbestos. If the test comes back positive, you’ll need to have the asbestos removed and then choose a brand-new, shiny flooring option for your bathroom.
