1. Simple Ways to Make Your Home Healthy
Indoor Air Quality
Dianne Anderson
Susan Hiestand

2. San Mateo County

3. Bay Area

4. Variety of Air Pollution Sources

5. Outdoor Air Quality Indoor Air Quality
Regulations say how much pollution is acceptable
Indoor Air Quality
Not regulated
Facts

6. 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

7. The average American spends between 80-90% of their time indoors…
65% of the time is spent at home.

8. What can I do to make my dwelling healthy?

9. Personal Care/Cosmetics
TVs & Computers
Furniture
An Ordinary House
A Chemical House
Automobile
Carpeting
Cleaning Products
& Pesticides
Furniture
Flooring

10. A Chemical House = Building Related/Sick Building Syndrome
Eye irritation
Headache
Upper respiratory
Irritation
Nausea, dizziness
Fatigue, lethargy
Sore/dry throat
Odor
Memory impairment

11. Things We’ll Take A Closer Look At…
Household cleaning products
Pesticides
Vinyl
Formaldehyde
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Mercury
Mold

12. Current Use of Chemical-based Cleaning Products
Household Cleaning Products
Current Use of Chemical-based Cleaning Products
The average American household uses 40 lbs of chemicals each year
The average household stores more than 60 hazardous products

13. Household Cleaning Products Health 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

14. 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

16. 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 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. Pesticides Are used inside and outside the home
Can be tracked into the home from outside
Lead into iaq then into water then to owow

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Resource

24. Have you looked inside your closet lately?
How do you wash your clothes?

25. Dry Cleaning Alternative Choice:
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

26. 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.

27. Where is PVC used? Window treatments Pipes and conduit Furniture
Wire
Cable sheating
Electrical connectors
Toys
Pipes and conduit
Siding
Roof membranes
Door and window frames
Resilient flooring
Carpet backing
Signage
Water proofing

28. PVC Health Concerns Releases phthalates Contain organotins
= Cancer, endocrine disruption, birth defects, neurological, reproductive & immune system damage

29. Steps to Reduce PVC Exposure
Buy PVC-free products
Provide adequate ventilation

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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. Volatile Organic Compounds (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.

36. VOC Sources Architectural Coatings Solvents Wood preservatives
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

37. Why VOC’s are bad… Difficult to clean brushes Flammable
Another waste is created i.e. solvent
Flammable
Effect Air Quality

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. Steps to Reduce VOC Exposure
Use household products according to manufacturer’s 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

41. Mercury in the Environment
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.

42. Mercury Sources Lighting Other Fluorescent HID Mercury Vapor
Thermostat
    

43. Health Concerns
Mercury is released only when source is broken

44. Reduce Exposure to Mercury
Handle source carefully to prevent breakage
Dispose Properly

45. 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.

46. Health Effects
Allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints

47. 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

48. Additional Strategies
Change AC or furnace filter regularly
Allow ventilation
Clean frequently
Reduce dust
Prevent mold growth

49. 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.

50. Benefits of a ‘Green’ Home
Less toxicity exposure
Safe for everyone
Environmentally friendly
Improved health

51. How do you make your home Healthy?
Educate Yourself
Investigate and research
Make lifestyle change
Don’t 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

52. Resources: Indoor Air Quality
San Mateo County:
EPA:
American Lung Association:
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program:

55. Rest easier knowing your home is safer for your inhabitants…

56. And you are protecting the Environment from further air and water contamination!

57. Dianne Anderson Green Building Coordinator deanderson@co. sanmateo. ca
Dianne Anderson Green Building Coordinator Susan Hiestand Hazardous Materials Specialist