Your Child's Bedroom: Clearing the Air

Children are more susceptible to toxins in the air than adults are - they take in more air, water, and food per pound of body weight than adults. They also have more permeable skin, they're closer to pollutants on the floor when learning to crawl, and they tend to put more potentially dangerous things in their mouths.

When preparing your newborn child's bedroom, picking out colors and registering for gifts, keep in mind these precautions that ensure a safe, comforting environment.

VOC's

There are several things to keep in mind where painting a bedroom, or applying wallpaper or flooring are concerned. Chief among these are Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOC's, which is what you smell in a freshly painted room. VOC's are toxic chemicals emitted from paints, varnishes, pesticides, or adhesives. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOC's have been linked to health effects like mild headaches; nausea; irritation in the eyes, nose, or throat; dizziness; damage to the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system; or even certain cancers.

When painting your baby's bedroom, or applying wallpaper, only use low- or no-VOC paints or adhesives. Vinyl wallpaper may off-gas for some time after it's applied, so you should either apply your baby's wallpaper well in advance of the due date and combine it with excellent ventilation, or seek wall coverings made of natural materials.

Lead Paint

When painting your child's bedroom, remember that homes or furniture built before 1978 probably contain lead paint. Lead paint is extremely dangerous, and may lead to behavioral problems, seizures, or even death. The EPA cautions that children under 6 are even more at risk because of the rate at which their bodies are developing. If your home or any furniture in it contains lead paint, have a professional remove it; pregnant women and children should be nowhere near it.

Look for natural or organic materials, vegetable-based dyes, and plenty of fresh air flowing through a child's bedroom. Your whole family will sleep more soundly as a result.

Sources:
GreenHomeGuide - Nursery
Indoor Air Quality - VOC - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Lead - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency