Does living in a basement affect your health?
Hazards commonly found in basements include toxic chemicals, pests, mold, indoor air quality issues (such as dangerous gases) and fire hazards that can affect all rooms of the home.
Can living in a basement give you headaches?
What you might not realize is that poor indoor air quality can turn your basement into a health hazard. Air quality is affected by the presence of mold, radon, and other toxins. Symptoms can include: Headache.
Can living in a basement cause depression?
“There is often less natural light in basement dwellings, which can lead to feeling depressed,” says Sinclair Kruth. “A lack of natural light can also lead to difficulty sleeping and disrupted sleep-wake cycles, which can lead to feeling fatigued but not able to rest properly.
Is it OK to sleep in basement?
While stuffy air below-grade won’t affect anyone living upstairs, it can trigger asthma attacks or other respiratory problems in those who spend time in a basement bedroom or rec room.
How do I purify my basement air?
There are several ways. Use an air purifier, dry the moisture out, keep windows closed, seal cracks and gaps, remove VOC’s, test for radon, and monitor carbon monoxide.
How do you check the air quality in your basement?
We did the research, and here are some ways to do just that.
- Purchase an indoor air quality monitor.
- Test for mold in the air.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms.
- Conduct a radon test.
Why do I feel sick in my basement?
Basement air naturally rises, and your home’s ductwork system helps facilitate that movement. As a result, you and your family may be susceptible to Sick Building Syndrome, a medical condition where people in a building suffer from symptoms of illness or feel unwell for no apparent reason.
Can basement apartments make you sick?
Health risks to tenants Airborne spores can cause mold to grow in damp and unventilated areas, such as basements. Presence of mold can lead to “respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma”, as well as personal belongings being contaminated by mold.
Is the air quality worse in a basement?
Basements are renowned for stale air. It’s not just a simple nuisance, but it may pose a health risk. Basement air quality may be the worst in your house. The musty smell is symptomatic of air pollution capable of causing adverse health effects.
Should I run a fan in my basement?
Using a fan in the basement in the summer is not advised since it may draw in the air from the rest of the house and outdoors and create more humidity (see Reference 1). A heater used in the summer would only make the basement hotter and cause more condensation once it is shut off.
Can mold give you headaches?
These compounds are produced through fungal metabolism and are released directly into the air, often giving off strong or unpleasant odors. Exposure to mVOCs from molds can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nasal irritation and nausea.
What are the signs that your headache is not normal?
7 Signs Your Headache Isn’t Normal 1 You have a ‘thunderclap’ headache. 2 Your headache changes its tune. 3 Your headache isn’t your only issue. 4 The ache is behind or around your eye. 5 The pain is concentrated in your temple. 6 You bumped your head—AND you’re on blood thinners. 7 Your headache is contagious.
Why do you get a headache after going to the movies?
“What we see a lot is a person goes to a movie, and when the lights go down and the pupil dilates, that change in pressure leads to the headache and the other symptoms,” he says. (Take a look at these 10 essential tips your eye doctor wishes you knew .)
What causes a dull headache that doesn’t throb?
A dull, “tightening” feeling that doesn’t throb, or when your head is tender to the touch, is probably a tension headache. These are very common. Many things can set one off, including: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, when your headache comes with a clicking sound or popping in your jaw
What does a cluster headache feel like?
Sharp, searing, one-sided pain that comes on quickly but doesn’t last long is probably a cluster headache, especially if it happens over and over, about the same time for several days. This type tends to run in families. These headaches can also give you a stuffy, runny nose and make you sweat and tear up. You probably won’t be able to sit still.