Spring has sprung in New Hampshire. More sun and higher temps mean blooming trees, fragrant flowers, and more people out and about. Spring also rings in the annual arrival of some irritating and potentially dangerous environmental hazards – pollen, ticks and lead exposure. Fortunately, there are ways of avoiding the effects of all three.
Pollen from trees, plants, flowers and grasses cause symptoms ranging from itchy eyes to full blown asthma attacks. To minimize adverse effects first, know the pollen count in your area and limit your outdoor activity on high pollen days. Also, keep your windows closed to keep pollen outside. Most pollen is produced between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. Plan your outdoor time accordingly. The masks we have been wearing have the added purpose of shielding us from pollen. After outdoor time, change your clothes and take a shower to rid your body of as much pollen as possible. Finally, treat your symptoms with either prescription or over the counter medicines, preferably before you go outside.
The next nemesis is ticks. An estimated 75% of all Lyme disease cases come from ticks picked up during activities around the home. The best way to protect yourself and your family from ticks is to: prevent them from being on your body, inspect yourself, your children, and pets for ticks after being outside, and remove any tick you find.
Wearing tick repellent clothing, tucking long pants into socks, having long sleeves, using insect repellent, and staying to the center of paths, is the best way for people to prevent tick bites when they venture outdoors. Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check. Don’t forget to check pets while you’re at it. Pets can be a major source of allowing ticks in the home, as well as carrying pollen inside. Bathe pets more frequently during warmer weather. If you find a tick, remove it immediately. If the insect is embedded use tweezers to remove it. Consult tickfreenh.org to learn more about tick prevention and removal.
Lead poisoning is a silent enemy, particularly when warmer temperatures lead to opening and shutting windows more frequently. The friction during the act of opening the windows and doors can result in stirring up lead dust, particularly in homes built prior to 1978. Vinyl mini-blinds are also a source for lead dust. Lead dust exposure is most harmful and dangerous for children 6-years-old and under. Younger children spend much time on the floor, where the dust settles and they are prone to putting items in their mouths. A lead dust particle smaller than a single grain of sugar can cause devastating health results for children. Lead poisoning can limit a child’s intellectual and physical development. Research shows a correlation between lead exposure and behavioral challenges that have been linked to higher incarceration rates later in life. Steps you can take to limit lead exposure are to check the lead levels in your home, particularly if built before 1978; repaint surfaces with lead-free paint; wash toys and pacifiers frequently; encourage routine hand washing; and provide a healthy diet for the child. For more information, visit the New Hampshire Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/bchs/clpp/index.htm.