Housing conditions are considered the primary factors behind health problems in several regions of North America. There is a complicated relationship between the state of a house and the wellness of its residents. Every year people sustain both physical and mental damage because their homes are not suitably structured or they lack basic facilities. Other factors that are related to the environment, hazard safety and social exchange in and around the house increase the risk of suffering from severe medical conditions.
How the cold weather affects your home
A house that lacks efficiency in saving energy is difficult to heat, especially in the cold season. A large number of old buildings are not updated to sustain healthy housing conditions, and their residents are prone to serious illnesses.
A cold house can lead to bone disease, rheumatoid ailments, and even skin damage. Another risk that many people undertake when they live in a poorly heated home is heart disease. During winter the number of deaths that result from extended exposure to cold rises significantly. Recent studies have even revealed a direct connection between mental disorders and heat deprived houses.
An overcrowded house is a health risk
The current state of the world economy has forced many people to live in crowded apartments. Even families from first world countries face the problem of congested homes. Experts believe that the risk of transmitting contagious illnesses is high in overpopulated houses and can even lead to large-scale epidemics in densely congregated communities. Furthermore, a building that exceeds the adequate number of residents is more prone to accidents, fires, and mold-related conditions.
Damp conditions can destroy your health
The medical field considers damp and molds as essential triggers of severe illnesses that include respiratory problems, tuberculosis, and nausea. If the house can quickly develop humidity in its dwelling, the appearance of mold is inevitable.
Mold comes from the fungal spores that develop in damp conditions. Besides being responsible for several respiratory conditions, mold attracts several species of house-damaging insects like house mites. For this reason, experts recommend that you thoroughly inspect a new residence before purchasing it.
The danger of carbon monoxide
It is estimated that a large number of household deaths are the result of carbon monoxide asphyxiation. This terrible fatality occurs in poorly ventilated houses and in apartments where the heating system is an improvised structure with a low level of reliability.
Carbon monoxide is toxic even in tiny doses as it affects your health in the long term. A recent medical study has revealed the damaging effects of this gas on the brain of fetuses and newly born babies. Several mental disorders have been connected to prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide.
Other important factors for house safety
Many other housing conditions can have a severe impact on your health, such as:
- Asbestos – a toxic isolation material used in older buildings.
- Lead – a chemical found in cheap paints.
- Electrical hazards – a poorly electric configuration may result in devastating accidents
- Improper food storage – pantries covered in mold affect the quality of the food stored there and implicitly the health of the consumer.
