Healthy Home = Healthy Human

There is A Link Between Housing & Health

Overview Of A Healthy Home Discussion Describe housing problems and associated Describe housing problems and associated health risks. Identify populations that may be at higher risk for housing-related disease and injury. Identify populations that may be at higher risk for housing-related disease and injury. Identify housing systems that contribute to a comfortable living space. Identify housing systems that contribute to a comfortable living space. Identify codes used to enforce remediation of housing- based health threats. Identify codes used to enforce remediation of housing- based health threats.

What Is A Healthy Home? A healthy home is: A healthy home is: designed designed constructed constructed maintained maintained or rehabilitated or rehabilitated in a manner that supports the health of residents

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT HEALTHY HOMES? Young children spend nearly 80%-90% of their time inside. Young children spend nearly 80%-90% of their time inside. Housing affects health both directly and indirectly: Housing affects health both directly and indirectly: Physical, chemical,biological exposures Physical, chemical,biological exposures Psychological, security, well-being Psychological, security, well-being

Known or Suspected Harmful Health Effects Associated With Housing Conditions Respiratory infections Respiratory infections Asthma Asthma Injuries and burns Injuries and burns Reactions to extreme cold and extreme heat Reactions to extreme cold and extreme heat Irritations, allergy, rashes Irritations, allergy, rashes Poisonings, asphyxiation Poisonings, asphyxiation Neurotoxic exposures Neurotoxic exposures Cancer Cancer Death Death

So, What Is An Unhealthy Home Often substandard construction Often substandard construction Inadequate renovations Inadequate renovations Not adequately maintained Not adequately maintained Place residents at risk of illness or injury Place residents at risk of illness or injury

Sources of Exposure Typical sources of indoor exposures include: Typical sources of indoor exposures include: dust, dust, insects, and pet allergens insects, and pet allergens chemicals in wall coatings and furnishings chemicals in wall coatings and furnishings penetrating outdoor toxics; pesticides penetrating outdoor toxics; pesticides environmental tobacco (smoke) environmental tobacco (smoke) Fungi (mold) Fungi (mold)

Following Statistics From The American Housing Survey US Census Bureau

Who Is Affected: Low Income Residents There are six million substandard housing units in There are six million substandard housing units in the United States. Asthma rates are 40-50% higher among minority children living in U.S. cities. Asthma rates are 40-50% higher among minority children living in U.S. cities. Children from low-income Children from low-income communities are eight times communities are eight times more likely to suffer from lead more likely to suffer from lead poisoning compared to poisoning compared to moderate and upper income moderate and upper income children. children.

Cost of Unhealthy Homes Annual costs for environmentally attributable childhood diseases in the U.S: $54.9 billion Annual costs for environmentally attributable childhood diseases in the U.S: $54.9 billion $43.9 Billion from Lead Poisoning $43.9 Billion from Lead Poisoning $ 9.2 Billion from Neurobehavioral Disorders $ 9.2 Billion from Neurobehavioral Disorders $ 2.0 Billion from Asthma $ 2.0 Billion from Asthma $ 0.3 Billion from Childhood Cancer $ 0.3 Billion from Childhood Cancer

Health & Safety: Categories for Residential Inspection Allergens/asthma Allergens/asthma Asbestos Asbestos Combustion products Combustion products Lead Lead Mold and Moisture Mold and Moisture Insects and Rodents Weatherization Pesticides Radon Fire

New Trend: Integrate Approach Integrated approach considers: Integrated approach considers: People living in the home People living in the home The structure The structure Potential health hazards Potential health hazards Result is more efficient and effective prevention system. Result is more efficient and effective prevention system.

Health Vs. Housing

Epidemiologic Triangle of Disease/Injury

Terms of The Epidemiological Triangle The HOST or PERSON is the who. The HOST or PERSON is the who. The AGENT is the SOURCE or what, that can bring about changes in a person’s health. The AGENT is the SOURCE or what, that can bring about changes in a person’s health. The ENVIRONMENT is where one lives. The ENVIRONMENT is where one lives. The TRANSPORT MECHANISM is any mechanism by which an agent is spread from the environment to the host. The TRANSPORT MECHANISM is any mechanism by which an agent is spread from the environment to the host.

Transport Mechanisms A transport mechanism ties the HOST, AGENT and ENVIRONMENT together. A transport mechanism ties the HOST, AGENT and ENVIRONMENT together. A TRANSPORT MECHANISM is either a VECTOR or a FOMITE. A TRANSPORT MECHANISM is either a VECTOR or a FOMITE. a. A VECTOR is an insect or any living carrier which transports a pathogenic microorganism from the sick to the well a. A VECTOR is an insect or any living carrier which transports a pathogenic microorganism from the sick to the well b. A FOMITE is an inanimate object that transports the agent to the host.

You Decide: Host Agent Vector Fomite

You Decide: A 56 year old woman presents with a severe sinus infection and bronchial congestion. She has been seen 4 times for the same symptoms over the course of a 5 month period. Medical specialists suspect exposure as the source of her recurring illness.

Upon returning home, she contacts her son to assist her in the investigation of potential exposures. She reports to her son that the first floor toilet holding tank has been leaking for sometime now, but she can’t image that would cause her any health issues. After all, it’s CLEAN water that is leaking from the holding tank! Upon returning home, she contacts her son to assist her in the investigation of potential exposures. She reports to her son that the first floor toilet holding tank has been leaking for sometime now, but she can’t image that would cause her any health issues. After all, it’s CLEAN water that is leaking from the holding tank! James, her son, enters the basement below which is sealed-off to save on heating. James, her son, enters the basement below which is sealed-off to save on heating. He finds the ceiling in the finished area in the following condition: He finds the ceiling in the finished area in the following condition:

List the Following: a. Environment b. Agent c. Host d. Transport Mechanism

Factors Effecting The Host It is know that personal factors impact health. Low socio-economic populations are disproportionately exposed to: Air pollution & related illness Lead (paint or pipes) Household pests & pesticides Injurious conditions

Host: Varied Exposures Residents of the same household will experience varied exposures due to individual behaviors: Time and activity patterns Smoking Diet/exercise Personal hygiene & sanitation practices

Host Susceptibility Some household members may experience greater susceptibility to health hazards: ie. Age (children & elderly) Pregnant or nursing women Pre-existing health conditions Poorly nourished individuals Medically under-served people

Agents: Exposure Inside the Home We will discuss three major exposures: 1. Biologic 2. Chemical 3. Physical

Biologic Agents: Infectious Disease Infections often spread due to: Overcrowding Inadequate water supplies Inadequate waste disposal Inadequate ventilation Examples: tuberculosis, rhinovirus, strep, E. coli, salmonella, influenza

Biologic Agents: Allergens Respiratory illness & asthma are often precipitated by exposure to: Dust mites Pet dander Mouse droppings Mold & plants

Biologic Agents: Mold Damp/wet houses provide an environment for mold growth

Chemical Agents Many materials used in homes contain chemicals that have known/suspected health effects. Sources of chemical exposure include building materials, consumer products, and combustion processes.

Chemical Agents Indoor combustion appliances release a wide range of compounds that affect health, including: nitrogen dioxide sulfur dioxide carbon monoxide fine particulate matter (PM). Appliances include: Water Heaters (Gas) Clothes Dryers (Gas) Ventless Heaters Gas stoves/ovens Furnaces/room heaters Fireplaces

Chemical Agents Second Hand Smoke (ETS=Env. Tobacco Smoke) Contains 4000 substances 40 of them cause cancer, ie: Acetone Ammonia Benzene Carbon Monoxide Formaldehyde Lead Nicotine Tar Cyanide

Chemical Agents Pesticides: Greater than 75% of households report use of pesticides. Many are know to affect human health: Respiratory systems Nervous system Immune & reproductive systems

VOC’s Volatile organic compounds Emitted as gasses from solids or liquids Have adverse health effects Emitted by: Paints, lacquers, paint strippers Cleaning supplies, pesticides Building materials, adhesives Generally, any organic solvent will emit VOC

VOCs Are A Group of Chemicals Benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene Indoors, VOCs are often emitted by: new carpeting & furniture Fresh paint jobs New plastics & electronic devices

Health Effects of VOCs Symptoms: Eye/nose irritation Headache Vomiting Dizziness Can lead to chronic problems: Cancer Asthma Liver damage Central nervous system damage

Chemical Agents: Lead Lead-based paint is the most significant source of lead exposure in the U.S. today Exposures: Air, drinking water, food, contaminated soil, deteriorating paint, and dust

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning High levels can cause convulsions, coma & death. Lower levels can cause adverse health effects: Central nervous system Kidneys Blood cells Blood lead levels as low as 10 micrograms per deciliter can impair mental and physical development in children.

Peeling lead-based paint on exterior

Chemical Agents: Radon What is Radon? Naturally occurring odorless cancer-causing, radio-active gas Derived from the breakdown of uranium (radio-active) in soil, rock and water Permeates air we breath Can be found in any type of building that bears on the earth.

Chemical Agents: Radon (2006 Statistics)

How Radon Gets In

Chemical Agents: Asbestos Asbestos is a mineral that was frequently used in homes built between 1920 and 1972 Many building products contained asbestos: furnace ducts steam pipes floor tiles Shingles Insulation textured ceilings and siding Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lodge in the lungs and cause disease including lung cancer and asbestosis.

Agents: Physical Electrical Shock Improperly installed wiring Improper childproofing. Burns: hazards include stoves, ranges, exposed steam pipes & portable heaters Slip/Fall Hazards Fire & Explosion

Electrical Shock Hazard