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Whether you own or rent a home, chances are that you feel like it's your comfort zone -- and that leads to an overall feeling of happiness. In fact, one survey found that 73% of people who are happy with their home are also happy in life. But did you know that home is not just where the heart is, it's where hidden risks to the health of your heart, lungs, and brain can lurk?

According to the National Institutes of Health, hormone disruptors and toxins like flame retardants in electronics and furniture, plastic additives, pesticides, dyes in fabrics, and PFAS can be slowly released into your home's air and settle into dust that you breathe in. That ups your risk for low-birth-weight children, gender dysphoria (at least in frogs, but suspected in humans), higher LDL cholesterol levels, a lower response to some vaccines, a higher risk of kidney, breast and testicular cancer, and fatigue.

But you can clean up your environment. One NIH study looked at the impact of regularly using a robotic vacuum for 10 weeks and saw a significant drop in exposure to air- and dust-borne pollutants.

Ensuring good water quality is another way to upgrade your indoor environment. Using a double carbon or a reverse osmosis filter can remove microplastics, chlorine, and PFAS as well as bacteria, lead and other crud from old pipes.

For more info on how to make your home a launching pad for a longer, healthier, happier life, sign up for my free newsletter at michaelfroizenmd.substack.com.

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.

(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.