Home is where the heart is - but it may also be where the harm is.

It's estimated that 15.3 million UK households suffer from Toxic Home Syndrome, where occupants' health deteriorates as a result of poor indoor air quality. And while the most common effects are coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, fatigue, dizziness and headaches, a recent pan-European study found that exposure to indoor pollutants can also be linked to reduced life expectancy, and diseases including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and asthma.

Peter Howarth, Professor of allergy and respiratory medicine at Southampton University, explains: ''Toxic Home Syndrome occurs when individuals and families are exposed to a potent mix of airborne pollutants within the home arising from poor ventilation, causing respiratory and skin diseases to occur more frequently.

"Many people associate indoor air quality with more innocuous conditions such as eczema or asthma. However, I have seen many patients with serious health conditions due to pollutants within the home, and the risk of cardiovascular disease should not be dismissed."

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

My Health My Home (www.myhealthmyhome.com), which is backed by the UK's electrotechnical industry body BEAMA, has been launched to draw attention to the problems caused by poor indoor air quality, and promote better home ventilation.

The initiative says 81% of people are at risk of suffering from a respiratory or dermatological condition because of poor air quality inside their home.

On average, Brits spend more than 90% of their time indoors, and indoor air can be up to 50 times more polluted than outdoor air, containing over 900 chemicals, particles and biological materials. And as well as the common effects of inhaling these chemicals, like sneezing and headaches, there can sometimes be more severe results, including eye irritation, rhinitis, fever or chills, rashes, hearing loss, muscle pain, nosebleeds and respiratory problems.

BETTER OUT THAN IN

Indoor pollutants can be naturally occurring, such as mould spores from damp spots on walls and window frames, or even from decaying food. Mould is likely to cause more problems in homes with little or no ventilation, and My Health My Home says 58% of people have experienced mould or condensation in their home.

"Perennial allergens, such as house dust mites and mould within the home, are a major contributor to diseases like asthma and eczema, and rhinitis," says Professor Howarth.

"Surveys have shown a high percentage of UK homes have some evidence of visible mould, in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, where there's the highest humidity, and the older the housing, the poorer the damp proof coursing, and the more likelihood for damp problems."

In addition, wet clothes dried indoors can increase moisture levels in the home, encouraging mould to grow.

Further indoor pollution may come from pollen brought in from outside either through open windows or on shoes and clothes, pet dander, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

CHEMICAL NATION

VOCs can be found in many everyday cleaning products including air fresheners, carpet cleaners, polish and oven cleaners, and can trigger asthma.

"There are varying reports as to whether VOC levels are raised within the home or not," says Professor Howarth, "but certainly higher levels can give rise to non-specific symptoms such as headache, stuffiness, itchy skin and not feeling quite right.

"It's often things that aren't particularly striking - until you remove them and realise you haven't been quite so well."

He says changing to products like roll-on deodorants instead of aerosols can help, and points out that there are considerable variations in the VOC measurements within individual homes.

Certain gases can also pollute indoor air. Radon, a natural radioactive gas emanating from soil and rock, can enter through cracks and gaps in walls and floors, and via the water supply. Carbon monoxide is another pollutant which can be found in homes with faulty heating or cooking appliances, and can build up from clogged chimneys and cigarette smoke.

The gas has no odour or colour and can kill.

BRICKING IT

Building materials can also adversely affect health - paint, for example, can contain lead and formaldehyde, which can lead to breathing difficulties, increased blood pressure and joint pain, among other things.

Asbestos, found in industrial or residential premises built before 2000, can become lodged in the lungs and cause serious problems.

"There's not much information available about the problem of indoor pollutants," says Professor Howarth, who stresses that good ventilation within the home is a vital part of tackling poor-quality indoor air.

"As new houses are built that are more insulated and airtight, there can be less air exchange within the rooms, so unless they're properly ventilated, humid rooms will build up condensation, which can be another source of mould within the home.

"As we move towards more energy-efficient homes and people are worried about their heating costs, the windows may be kept closed. But obviously, if you open the windows, you'll get good ventilation.

"I advise my patients to prioritise good household ventilation - assess the systems your home has in place and look to update them if they are faulty or out of date."

He says he'd like to see a 'Healthy Home Mark' on new homes, to confirm they have mechanical ventilation systems with effective heat exchange installed, and adds: "This will help reduce the health risks for future generations."

TOP TIPS FROM MY HEALTH MY HOME

:: Use eco-friendly cleaning products, which spew less toxins and pollutants into the air.

:: Make sure you have effective ventilation throughout your home.

:: Use roll-on deodorant or eco-friendly beauty products, rather than aerosol cans.

:: Consider wood flooring: carpets harbour dirt, dust mites, pet hair, fungus and other potentially harmful particles that can aggravate the lungs.

:: Switch off all technological devices by the wall when they're not being used.

:: Take your shoes off at the door so pollen, dirt, soil etc from outdoors isn't spread around your home.

:: If you notice your health deteriorating, make sure your home is radon-free by getting it tested.

:: Make sure paint has properly dried before using a newly-painted room.

:: Dry washing outside, or make sure windows are open if you have to dry it inside.

:: If you have a shower curtain, change it regularly. Avoid vinyl shower curtains, as the material harbours water and creates mould.

:: For more information, visit www.myhealthmyhome.com