Safety Indoors – Middlesex-London Health Unit

Foodborne Illness

Foodborne illness (food poisoning) describes the sickness that can happen to someone who eats food contaminated with germs (bacteria, viruses, parasites) or chemicals.

It is most dangerous for infants, older adults, people who are pregnant and people with weakened immune systems.

Common signs and symptoms include:

nausea and vomiting
abdominal cramps and diarrhea
fever
dehydration

Common causes of foodborne illnesses:

Learn more about food poisoning from Health Canada.

To stop foodborne illnesses/poisoning originating from your home, it is important to follow Safe Food Handling practices in your own home. Health Canada has great guidance on how to keep your kitchen safe.

Smoke Free Housing

Many tenants in multi-unit housing are still exposed to smoke drifting from neighbouring units. Even well-built buildings cannot completely prevent smoke from moving between units.

Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017) it is illegal to smoke tobacco or cannabis and vaping any substance in the common areas (such as lobbies, elevators, stairwells, covered parking garages and hallways) of condominiums, apartments or post-secondary residence buildings.
The SFOA, 2017 does not apply to a private, self-contained unit such as an apartment or condominium. However, landlords and property owners have the legal right to implement no-smoking policies that could include individual units, balconies or even the entire property.

What you can do if exposed:

keep a log of when smoke enters your unit and actions you’ve taken
use templates from Smoke-Free Housing Ontario: complaint letters, physician letters, and petitions
ask your landlord or property manager to implement smoke-free policies

Looking for smoke-free housing:

check the Smoke-Free Housing Directory for listings in Middlesex-London
ask about smoking policies before signing a lease
advocate for smoke-free rules in your building

If you’re a landlord, learn more about smoke-free housing resources available to you.

Mould

Mould is a type of fungus that can grow on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces in your home, especially in damp areas. When mould grows, tiny particles can get into the air and be inhaled. This can cause coughing, wheezing, or irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Some people, like children, older adults, and those with health conditions such as asthma, may feel the effects more strongly.

There are no official safety limits for mould in indoor air, so testing isn’t useful for knowing if it’s a health risk. The best way to protect yourself is to prevent mould by fixing leaks or moisture problems quickly and keeping humidity in your home under control.

Pests

Infectious diseases such as West Nile Virus, Lyme disease and Hantavirus are carried and spread by pests such as mosquitoes, ticks and rodents. Indoor household pests such as cockroaches can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Although bed bugs can be a source of stress and can negatively impact mental health and wellbeing, they are not known to spread disease to humans, and therefore, they are not considered a health hazard.

Learn more about:

how to deal with common household pests like bedbugs, cockroaches and mice.

using pesticides safely, including insect repellents or pesticides on your lawn or inside your home

Lead

How lead enters the body

Lead gets into the body when it is swallowed, breathed in, or (less commonly) through the skin. The most common way people are exposed is by swallowing lead in dust, paint chips, food, or water. In some workplaces, breathing in lead fumes is also a concern. Children are at higher risk because they often put their hands, toys, or other objects in their mouths. This makes it easier for them to swallow lead from paint, dust, or soil.

Once lead is in the body, it travels in the blood and builds up in organs like the liver, kidneys, and lungs. Most of the lead, however, gets stored in the bones, where it can stay for many years, long after exposure has stopped.

Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning

Lead is especially harmful for young children, who are more sensitive to its effects. Even small amounts can affect brain and nervous system development. In adults, long-term exposure may increase the risk of high blood pressure and kidney problems. In pregnant women, high exposure increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or low birth weight.

Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning may include:

stomach pain, vomiting, or weight loss
tiredness, headaches, weakness, or irritability
trouble paying attention or learning difficulties in children

Even small amounts of lead can affect children’s growth and development, sometimes without obvious symptoms.

Lead in Paint

How do I know if my home has lead-based paint?

homes built before 1960 were very likely painted with lead-based paint
homes built between 1960–1980 may also have some lead paint, more often on the exterior
since the early 1990s, indoor consumer paints made in Canada and the U.S. have been virtually lead-free

What you can do:

if your home was built before 1980, be cautious when sanding, stripping, or renovating painted surfaces
keep dust levels low by cleaning regularly
run tap water until it’s cold before using it for drinking or cooking if you suspect old plumbing
fix peeling paint and avoid letting children chew on painted surfaces

Lead in drinking water

London

Lead water services
Call 519-661-2489 ext. 5541 or email leadtesting@london.ca for more information.

Middlesex County

Visit your municipality’s website for information about lead in your area.

What you can do at home:

The best solution is to replace lead service lines and plumbing materials that contain lead. A licensed plumber can help.
If you have a private well, have your water tested for lead by a licensed laboratory.
Use a certified water filter that reduces lead and that follows the manufacturer’s instructions.
If replacement will take time, use cold, flushed water for drinking and cooking. Run the tap for a minute or two before using it.
Do not drink hot tap water, as it usually has higher lead levels.
Boiling water does not remove lead - it makes the concentration worse.

Radon

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a man-made chemical once commonly used as a metal cleaner and in products like paint removers, adhesives, and spot cleaners. It is a colourless liquid with a sweet smell that evaporates quickly into the air.

How TCE gets into the environment

TCE usually enters the environment where it is made, used, or disposed of. It can evaporate into the air, or, if spilled or stored improperly, it can contaminate soil and groundwater where it may remain for years.

How are people exposed?

Most people are exposed to TCE through air or water:

Air: TCE can move from contaminated soil or groundwater into buildings through cracks or gaps in foundations (“vapour intrusion”).
Water: TCE can sometimes be found in well water. The City of London’s municipal drinking water is tested regularly and is safe to drink.

Health risks

Health effects depend on how much and how long someone is exposed:

Short-term: At high levels, TCE can cause dizziness, headaches, or skin irritation.
Long-term: Ongoing exposure to high concentrations may damage the liver, kidneys, or immune system, and has been linked to some cancers. There is also some evidence of risks to fetal development during pregnancy.

How to reduce exposure?

increase ventilation indoors to lower TCE levels in air
seal cracks in foundations and ensure sump pumps are working
if TCE levels are high, specialized systems (e.g., sub-slab depressurization) may be needed - consult an indoor air quality professional
if you use well water, have it tested. Water treatment options like activated carbon filters may help, but must be maintained properly