Simple Ways to Make Your Home Healthy

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Simple Ways to Make Your Home Healthy

• Indoor Air Quality
• Dianne Anderson
• Susan Hiestand

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San Mateo County
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Bay Area
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Variety of Air Pollution Sources
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Outdoor Air Quality

• Regulations say how much pollution is acceptable
• Indoor Air Quality
• Not regulated

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Indoor Air Quality

• Pollution inside the typical American home is 2
  to 5 times worse than air outdoors
• Indoor air pollution is one of the top 5
  most-serious environmental risks to public health
• 50 of all illnesses can be traced back to the
  home

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The average American spends between 80-90 of
their time indoors

• 65 of the time is spent at home.

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• What can I do to make my dwelling healthy?

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Personal Care/Cosmetics
TVs Computers
Furniture
An Ordinary House A Chemical House
Automobile
Carpeting
Cleaning Products Pesticides
Furniture
Flooring
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A Chemical House Building Related/Sick Building
Syndrome

• Eye irritation
• Headache
• Upper respiratory
• Irritation
• Nausea, dizziness
• Fatigue, lethargy
• Sore/dry throat
• Odor
• Memory impairment

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Things Well Take A Closer Look At

• Household cleaning products
• Pesticides
• Vinyl
• Formaldehyde
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
• Mercury
• Mold

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Current Use of Chemical-based Cleaning Products
Household Cleaning Products

• The average American household uses 40 lbs of
  chemicals each year
• The average household stores more than 60
  hazardous products

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Household Cleaning ProductsHealth Concerns

• Consumer Product Safety Commission links 150
  commonly used household chemicals to allergies,
  birth defects, cancer, and psychological
  disorders
• EPA report toxic chemicals in household cleaners
  are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than air
  pollution
• Within 26 seconds after exposure, traces of these
  chemicals can be found in every organ in the body
• The greatest of poisonings are from cleaning
  substances and 64 of the victims are under the
  age of 6

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Health Effects from Cleaning Products

• Manufacturers are not required to disclose full
  review for cleaning products
• Manufacturers are exempt from full labeling of
  cleaning products

Chemicals/Ingredients determine the Health Risks
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Human research has shown

• Children born into households using toxic
  cleaning products are twice as likely to have
  wheezing (early stage of asthma)
• Over the last 20-30 years, the level of toxins
  stored in adipose tissue (fat cells) of our
  bodies have risen. Greater amounts are being
  stored at younger age, causing diseases to occur
  more frequently and at younger ages.

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Environmental studies have shown

• A 2003 study by the U.S. Geological Survey found
  low levels of household chemical compounds
  including antibiotics, synthetic hormones, insect
  repellent, and an array of household cleaners
  in 139 streams and rivers downstream from urban
  areas. Of the 95 chemicals found, 33 are known
  or suspected to be hormonally active 46 are
  pharmaceutically active.

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Steps to Reduce Exposure to Synthetic Cleaning
Products

• Use the least toxic product that will work for
  your project
• Make homemade alternative cleaning products using
  baking soda, vinegar, and soap
• Provide adequate ventilation
• Keep out of reach of children and pets

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Pesticides

• Are used inside and outside the home
• Can be tracked into the home from outside

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Health Concerns of Pesticides

• A child in a household using home and garden
  pesticides has a 6.5 higher risk of developing
  leukemia.

Health Effects of Pesticides

• Neurotoxins
• Irritants
• Carcinogens
• Mutagens
• Endocrine disruptors

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Reduce or Eliminate Your Use of Pesticides

• When you apply pesticides, you are treating the
  symptom, rather than the cause of pest problem
• Control pests without chemicals by using
  Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques
• Physical controls
• Cultural controls
• Biological controls
• Least toxic pest control

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Safe Use and Disposal of Pesticides

• The best products for the environment and your
  health are less toxic and less persistent
• Dispose of unwanted pesticides through the
  Household Hazardous Waste Program

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Resource
www.ourwaterourworld.org
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Have you looked inside your closet lately?
How do you wash your clothes?
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Dry Cleaning

• In 1993 the CA Air Resources Board designated
  perchloroethylene (PERC) as a toxic air
  contaminant. Studies have linked it to
  groundwater pollution, cancer, and various
  reproductive problems.

• Alternative Choice
• Hydrocarbon solvent
• Wet cleaning

• If you dry clean traditional way
• Air clothes prior to placing in closet or wearing

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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl)

• One of the most common synthetic materials
• Over 14 billion pounds of PVC are currently
  produced per year in North America.
• Approximately 75 of all PVC manufactured is used
  in construction materials.

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Where is PVC used?

• Window treatments
• Furniture
• Wire
• Cable sheating
• Electrical connectors
• Toys

• Pipes and conduit
• Siding
• Roof membranes
• Door and window frames
• Resilient flooring
• Carpet backing
• Signage
• Water proofing

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PVC Health Concerns

• Releases phthalates
• Contain organotins
• Cancer, endocrine disruption, birth defects,
  neurological, reproductive immune system damage

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Steps to Reduce PVC Exposure

• Buy PVC-free products
• Provide adequate ventilation

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Formaldehyde

• A pungent, colorless, toxic, water-soluble gas.
• Used as a disinfectant and preservative, and in
  the manufacture of synthetic resins, dyes and
  plastics.

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Sources of Formaldehyde inside the home

• Manufactured products
• Permanent press qualities to clothing and drapery
• Component of glues and adhesives
• Preservative in paints

• Building materials
• Pressed wood products
• Particleboard
• Hardwood plywood paneling
• Medium density fiberboard
• Smoking
• Household products
• Un-vented, fuel-burning appliances

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Formaldehyde Health Concerns

• Watery eyes
• Burning sensation in the eyes and throat
• Nausea
• Difficulty breathing
• Shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause
  cancer in humans

• Eyes, nose, and throat irritation
• Wheezing and coughing
• Fatigue
• Skin rash
• Allergic reactions

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Steps to Reduce Formaldehyde Exposure

• Use exterior-grade pressed wood products
• Provide adequate ventilation
• Maintain moderate temperature and humidity levels
  
• Use materials not containing formaldehyde

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Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)

• Used to slow fires in upholstered furniture and
  consumer electronics
• Health Effects
• Endocrine disruptors
• Long-term exposure can generate a several point
  drop in IQ in human children
• Reduce Exposure of PBDE
• Buy PBDE free products

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Volatile OrganicCompounds (VOC)

• VOCs are compounds that are volatile and
  evaporate readily to become an inhalation hazard
• Most VOCs are petroleum based compounds used and
  produced in manufacture of paints,
  pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants.

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VOC Sources

• Architectural Coatings
• Paint
• Paint strippers
• Stains
• Glue
• Wallpaper remover
• Solvents
• Wood preservatives
• Aerosol sprays

• Cleansers
• Disinfectants
• Moth repellents
• Air fresheners
• Stored fuels
• Automotive products
• Hobby supplies
• Dry-cleaned clothing

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Why VOCs are bad

• Difficult to clean brushes
• Another waste is created i.e. solvent
• Flammable
• Effect Air Quality

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VOC Health Effects

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Headaches
• Loss of coordination
• Nausea
• Damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous
  system
• Some organics can cause cancer in animals some
  are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

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VOC Levels in Homes

• Studies have found that levels of several
  organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than
  outdoors.
• During and for several hours immediately after
  certain activities levels may be 1,000 times
  background outdoor levels.

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Steps to Reduce VOC Exposure

• Use household products according to
  manufacturers directions
• Provide plenty of fresh air when using product
  containing VOC
• Dispose of unused or little-used containers
  safely
• Buy correct quantity
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• Never mix household care products unless directed
  on label

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Mercury What is it?

• Natural occurring metal that has several forms.
  Metallic mercury is shiny, silver-white, odorless
  liquid. If heated it becomes a colorless,
  odorless gas.

Mercury in the Environment

• Inorganic mercury enters the air from mining ore
  deposits, burning coal and waste, and from
  manufacturing plants.
• Entry into soil is from natural deposits,
  disposal of wastes and volcanic activity.

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Mercury Sources

• Lighting
• Fluorescent
• HID
• Mercury Vapor
• Other
• Thermostat

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Health Concerns

• Mercury is released only when source is broken

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Reduce Exposure to Mercury

• Handle source carefully to prevent breakage
• Dispose Properly

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Mold

• Molds can be found almost anywhere they can grow
  on virtually any substance, providing moisture is
  present.
• Currently, there are
• no EPA regulations or standards for airborne
• mold contaminants.

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Health Effects

• Allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory
  complaints

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Steps to Reduce Exposure to Mold

• There is no practical way to eliminate all mold
  and mold spores in the indoor environment
• If mold is a problem, you must clean up the mold
  and eliminate sources of moisture
• Fix the source of the problem
• Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60)
• Prevent condensation
• Do not install carpet in areas of perpetual
  moisture problems
• Improve ventilation

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Additional Strategies

• Change AC or furnace filter regularly
• Allow ventilation
• Clean frequently
• Reduce dust
• Prevent mold growth

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IAQ Objective

• Achieve Air Quality that contributes to a
  favorable, productive environment and enables
  building occupants to experience a sense of
  comfort and well-being.

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Benefits of a Green Home

• Less toxicity exposure
• Safe for everyone
• Environmentally friendly
• Improved health

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How do you make your home Healthy?

• Educate Yourself
• Investigate and research
• Make lifestyle change
• Dont buy products made of PVC
• Use natural forms of pest control
• Use less toxic cleaning products
• Buy curtains, carpets, furniture or electronics
  free of PBDEs
• Choose products free of suspect chemicals

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ResourcesIndoor Air Quality

• San Mateo County www.RecycleWorks.org
• EPA www.epa.gov/iaq
• American Lung Association www.lungusa.org/air/air
  _indoor
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program
  www.flowtobay.org

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Rest easier knowing your home is safer for your
inhabitants
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And you are protecting the Environment from
further air and water contamination!
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Dianne AndersonGreen Building Coordinatordeander
son_at_co.sanmateo.ca.us650-599-1485Susan
HiestandHazardous Materials Specialistshiestand_at_
co.sanmateo.ca.us650-599-1514