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Benefits to Understanding and Addressing the House as a System

Maryann Suero, PhD US Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI). Benefits to Understanding and Addressing the House as a System. Information provided here does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the USEPA.

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Benefits to Understanding and Addressing the House as a System

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  1. Maryann Suero, PhD US Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) Benefits to Understanding and Addressing the House as a System

  2. Information provided here does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the USEPA. Mention of trade names or commercial products or the inclusion of web links to non-USEPA sites does not constitute USEPA endorsement or recommendation. Disclaimer

  3. Objectives: To learn about • Integrated, holistic strategies / approaches for making homes (and other indoor spaces) healthier, safer • Major environmental issues in homes • Available children’s environmental health resources

  4. “The connection between health and the dwelling of the population is one of the most important that exists.” Florence Nightingale

  5. Housing and Health – The Connection • Most spend ~90% time inside • Homes • Workplaces / schools / childcare facilities • Homes typically account for a major share of exposures to • Toxics • Irritants • Allergens • Particles • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) • All can potentially lead to health effects • Acute • Chronic

  6. Major Indoor Pollutants • Lead • Poor IAQ • Asthma triggers • Second-hand smoke • VOC’s • Cleaners • Fragrances • Off-gassing • Products of incomplete combustion • Mold • Pests and pesticides • Radon • Mercury and other Toxics • Outdoor air pollutants entering home

  7. Other ToxicsWhere do they come from ??? • Flame retardants • Plasticizers • Surfactants • Lubricants Many are persistent and bioaccumulative, as well as toxic.Found primarily in indoor dust (e.g. houses, schools)Found routinely in breast milk, in cord blood, and in the serum of women of child-bearing age and children

  8. A Healthy Homes approach: • Is holistic and comprehensive • Focuses broadly on multiple issues, just as we experience them in homes • Provides training & tools necessary to address the broad range hazards that impact IEQ and health of residents

  9. A House is a Complex, Dynamic System ALA Health House http://healthhouse.lungum.org/index.php

  10. Consequences of Unresolved Environmental Concerns

  11. Seven Steps to a Healthy Home (or Childcare Facility / School)Keep It… • Dry • Pest Free • Clean • Free of Toxic Chemicals • Well Ventilated • Comfortable • Free of Combustion By-Products

  12. Mold Mold Mold Structural Damage Structural Damage Moisture Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Courtesy of CDC

  13. Most hazards can be avoided - good maintenance based on common sense principles, e.g. • Ensure good ventilation • Control moisture, reduce water damage • Properly vent combustion appliances • Follow basic safeguards to avoid exposure to toxics • Include injury prevention / other hazards • Be thoughtful….don’t just focus on “next new thing” • “Ounce of prevention” rather than “pound of cure approaches”

  14. Leadwww.epa.gov/lead Pesticideswww.epa.gov/pesticides Radonwww.epa.gov/radon Indoor Air Qualityww.epa.gov/iaq Moldwww.epa.gov/mold Mercurywww.epa.gov/mercury EPA Issue Resources

  15. Integrated HH Resources • Surgeon General’s Healthy Home Checklist, http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/healthyhomes/checklist.pdf • Make Your House a Healthy Home -Brochure and Action Card, Eng/Spanhttp://www.epa.gov/region8/humanhealth/children/homes.html

  16. Holistic “Healthy Homes” Resources • CDC’s Healthy Homes http://www.cdc.gov/healthyhomes/ • USDA’s w/ Cooperative Extension - Help Yourself to a Healthy Home • On-line tool: http://www.uwex.edu/healthyhome/tool/ • Booklet: http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0883/HE-0883.pdf

  17. Children’s Health ProgramUS Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) Maryann Suero (312) 886-9077 suero.maryann@epa.gov Please feel free to contact me for more information, or to suggest ways we may be able to partner in activities that will have a positive impact on children’s health

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