| There are a few silent killers in apartments and houses | | | | are relatively cheap kits you can buy, which after |
| that you may not be aware of. No, we aren't talking | | | | following the instructions, you mail into a lab to get |
| about the smell of dirty feet that come from the | | | | tested. There are more expensive devices that you |
| apartment next to yours - the silent killer is gas and | | | | can plug into the wall and give you a numeric readout |
| mold accumulations that occur in some apartments. | | | | of the radon level. If you are renting, ask to see the |
| There are two deadly gasses that you are at risk for | | | | test results from your landlord. A lot of states require |
| when renting an apartment: radon and carbon | | | | radon testing for newer buildings, so you may be able |
| monoxide. Carbon monoxide is often referred to as | | | | to find out the results. |
| the silent killer, because you can't smell it or see it, | | | | A final killer that may be lurking in your apartment is |
| which makes detecting it impossible to do without | | | | mold and mildew. Although this problem is probably not |
| special equipment. Carbon monoxide can often leak | | | | as serious as carbon monoxide or radon poisoning, it is |
| from heaters, stoves, the exhaust pipe in a car and | | | | more common and can be really a big problem. Mold |
| other appliances. If you are living in an airtight | | | | and mildew can build up when there is too must |
| apartment that has been sealed up pretty well, and | | | | moisture in the air, and is prevalent in climates that |
| has no outside ventilation, you are going to be at | | | | have humid air. You probably know that mold can be |
| greater risk of getting carbon monoxide poisoning. If | | | | beneficial to your health, but the mold and mildew that |
| you've just moved into a new apartment (or the heat | | | | occurs because of wet conditions is going to give you |
| has just been turned on for the season), and you | | | | breathing problems. Mold and mildew that has started |
| experience symptoms such as a headache, dizziness, | | | | to grow will continue to grow until it is removed, and will |
| nausea or convulsions, you need to get to fresh air as | | | | get on anything and everything, including furniture, walls, |
| soon as possible. There are carbon monoxide | | | | clothing and carpeting and flooring. Some of these |
| detectors that plug into an electrical socket, and will | | | | items can't be cleaned properly, and need to be |
| warn you if you are in danger. | | | | discarded, while other items can be cleaned with a |
| The second deadly gas that is common in newer | | | | bleach and water solution. Minor mold problems can be |
| apartments and houses is radon. This is a natural gas | | | | cleaned up by yourself, while major problems really |
| that comes from the earth naturally, and is scentless | | | | need a professional to clean up (or a wrecking ball to |
| and colorless. Unlike with carbon monoxide, radon | | | | knock down the whole building). |
| poisoning doesn't give you any symptoms that will tell | | | | When renting an apartment, it is important to |
| you that you are being exposed. Instead, many people | | | | remember that you are going to be living there, and |
| learn that they have been affected by radon when | | | | breathing in the apartment air every day. To keep |
| they develop lung cancer. There isn't any type of | | | | yourself healthy, you should definitely make sure to |
| simple device to warn you that you are at risk, so you | | | | consider the silent killers when renting your next |
| need to have your apartment or home tested. There | | | | apartment or house. |