Healthy Home

1. Healthy Home This presentation examines the effects of remodeling on the homes’ Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as well as the effects of home owner behavior (or lack thereof) on the health of the home environment

2. Operation and Maintenance Session Overview

3. What’s the cost? You make the call

4. 10 years later

5. Cost difference • If proper maintenance occurred $250 +/- • 10 years later-no maintenance $19,500

6. Tale of two roofs

7. Expected cost difference • Expect $150-$250/yr maintenance on average roof. Can inc: • Clean gutters • De-moss • Check flashing • $1,500 - $2,500 over 10 year period • No maintenance during 10 year period • Average cost for replacing this roof (if only shingles are damaged) • $7000 - $10,000 • Site conditions, • exposure to elements

8. Toilet or Shower leak? • Exterior wall of bathroom. Original call based on bubbling in bathroom flooring

9. Cost comparison • Annual cost to trim bushes - $50,00/yr • Ten years - $500 • Little or no maintenance during 10 year period • Cost - $6,500

10. Again one cause – lack of maintenance

11. Cost comparison • Cost to trim shrubs • $50/yr x10yr =$500 • Cost to repair damage • $160, 000

12. What’s the cost?

14. The Health of the Occupants • Costs are not always limited to repair costs • Poor maintenance often leads to health issues, such as: • Increased incidences of Asthma and other repertory illnesses • Possible MCS – Multiple Chemical Sensitivities • Lead poisoning –especially with young children (new EPA guidelines when remodeling)

15. Indoor Air Quality • According to the EPA, we spend over 90% of our time indoors and our indoor air can be five times as polluted as the outdoor air

16. Particles – the overlooked contaminant • What we don’t see can be harmful • For every piece of dust you see in the sunlight in your home, there are thousands more that you don’t see • Many of these are irritants, allergens, asthma triggers and a few are toxic

17. What would you expect to find in your household dust and how does it get there?

18. Lead Cadmium Gypsum Fiberglass Carpet fibers Soot Dust mite feces Mold spores Rug dyes Flame retardants Tire fragments Dander Charred wood Insect hair Paint spheres Pollen Paper fragments Pesticides Fly ash ???? Particles – What is in dust?

19. Control of dust during the remodel • Personal belongings inside containment area Poor sanding methods

20. Control of House Dust during Remodeling • Failed dust protection • Stack affect and Dust • Bunnies

21. Dust containment during the Remodel construction Process • Seal Wall Penetrations • Seal doorways

22. Control of house dust during remodeling • Seal off cabinets • Seal off between floor and walls

23. Dust Control Equipment • Simple exhaust fan venting out window HEPA Filter

24. Delta filtration system • Multiple ventilation system

25. House Dust • The pollutants in house dust come from vehicle traffic, paint, home heating, tobacco smoke, hobbies, household chemicals, industry, animals, dust mites and can by aggravated by the remodeling process. • The concentration of lead may be 10 times higher in house dust than in the soil in the middle of the yard • In carpeting, pesticides and other chemicals remain a long time because they are protected from the breakdown that takes place outdoors

26. The major pollutants: Carbon monoxide Is an asphyxiant; it disrupts oxygen transport; especially sensitive by the elderly, the fetus and persons with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Symptoms may mimic influenza and include fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and cognitive impairment *REFERENCE THIS IN REMODELING The major pollutants: Nitrogen dioxide and Sulphur Dioxide Acts as irritants, affecting the mucosa of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Acute sulphur dioxide related bronchial constriction may also occur in people with asthma or as a hypersensitivity reaction Combustion AppliancesStoves, Space Heaters, Furnaces, and Fireplaces

27. Wood Smoke • Chemicals and tiny smoke particles are one of the biggest concerns as they are inhaled deep into the lungs where they can become lodged. They can cause structural damage and chemical changes to the lung tissue

28. Wood Stoves • In Washington State nearly half of all households have wood burning stoves, inserts or fireplaces. • Wood smoke is the main source of air pollution in many residential areas in the winter • Wood smoke pollution indoors can reach up to 70% of outdoor levels…even in homes that do not burn wood

29. Household and Construction Related Chemicals • Certain household products, candles, air fresheners, fragrances and their chemical constituents might trigger an allergic response • Some perfumes contain ingredients that may pose longer-term hazards, such as • Formaldehyde • Benzene • Perchloroethylene • Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC’s)

30. Tobacco • Carbon monoxide • Lead • Arsenic • Benzene • 4,000 different chemicals • 60 known carcinogens • There is no ‘safe’ cigarette or tobacco

31. Pet Dander • A lot of people are allergic to pets, especially cats • Microscopic skin and saliva particles stick to surfaces and are very difficult to remove • Cat dander has been found in the home 9 months after the cat has been removed • ALL warm-blooded, furry animals make dander

32. Dust Mites • Dust can also contain fecal matter from dust mites and cockroaches, both of which can trigger allergies and asthma

33. Dust mites thrive in warm moist environments Wash bed sheets weekly in hot water (over 130°) Wash comforters and blankets monthly in hot water (this is scalding –not recommended for families with young children or elders) Keep the relative humidity of the home between 40% and 50% Remove carpeting, draperies and stuffed toys from the bedroom Install dust mite impermeable covers on all pillows and mattresses Control of Dust Mites

34. Some health advocates point to growing evidence that perfumes, hair gels and other fragranced products may contain chemicals such as phthalates, which have been linked to birth defects. Other compounds can affect immunity, the nervous system and may in fact play a role in cancer and other health problems 95% of perfume ingredients are synthesized from petrochemicals and give off VOC’s which are the same vapors found in toxic products like solvents, wood preservatives, paint strippers and dry cleaning chemicals Perfumes and Personal Care Products

35. Personal Care Products • Switch to products with natural based ingredients and less synthetic additives • “The Safe Shopper’s Bible: A consumer’s guide to nontoxic household products, cosmetics and food” by, Dr. Samuel Epstein • Try soaps and lotions made of pure materials, such as oatmeal and alcohol free hair sprays. • See the Environmental Working Group @ www.ewg.org for a list of safer products • www.householdproducts.hlm.nih.gov

36. Control of House Dust • It is easier to prevent track in of pollutants than to remove them • A large high quality door mat reduces lead by 5 to 6 times • Using a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush reduces lead by 3 times • Vacuums with a power head are two to six times as effective at picking up dust

37. Control of House Dust • Remove shoes at the door • Damp dust weekly • Vacuum weekly with a high quality vacuum and filter weekly • Use a dust mask while vacuuming if you are affected by dust • Consider removing all carpeting or when installing carpeting, choose low pile or level loop • Have the carpet hot water steam extracted twice yearly

38. Related issues that can impact Indoor air quality • 1. Mold issues • 2. Asbestos • 3. VOC’s

39. Mold • Molds can grow on cloth, carpet, leather, wood, sheet rock, insulation and on food • Molds can grow in moist or wet indoor environments and therefore it is possible for people to become exposed to molds and their products • Molds require sufficient moisture and a food source to grow

40. Mold - Where to Find Problems

41. Mold and Moisture Control • Check all downspouts and gutters for proper drainage • Repair all leaks • Repair all basement and/or crawlspace moisture penetration • Install dehumidifier if needed • Cover crawlspace dirt with 6 mil black plastic

42. Mold and Moisture Control • Open windows at least once daily if possible • Install fans in bath and kitchen and vent directly to the exterior • Maintain indoor temperature at 68° during the heating season • Install metal dryer ductwork and vent to exterior

43. Mold and Moisture Control • Test for mold? • CLEAN IT • DRY IT • 10% BLEACH SOLUTION FOR 15 MINUTES – ONLY IF NEEDED AS A LAST RESORT • KILZ OR WATER BASED SEALANT TO SEAL

44. Asbestos • Once widely used it can be found in heating systems and acoustic insulation, in floor and ceiling tiles, and in shingles in older houses • If it is in good condition, do not disturb • If it is in poor condition, consider having it professionally remediated

45. Asbestos options • Testing • Containment • Removal

46. VOC’s • These chemicals can have short term or long term effects (nose, throat discomfort, headache, nausea, allergic skin reaction, nausea, fatigue, dizziness). Concentrations of VOC’s are consistently higher indoor than outdoors. • A study by the EPA found indoor levels up to ten times higher than those outdoors – even in locations with significant outdoor pollution sources, such as petrochemical plants

47. Volatile Organic CompoundsVOC’s • At room temperature, VOC’s are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOC’s include: • Formaldehyde • Benzene • Perchloroethylene A wide array of VOCs are emitted by products used in the home, office, school and arts/crafts activities

48. Formaldehyde • It is a VOC widely used by industry in manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a byproduct of combustion and other natural processes • Has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the EPA

49. Building Materials Cigarettes Household Products Use of unvented, fuel-burning appliances Component of glues and adhesives Used as a preservative in some paints and used in finishes Cosmetics Particleboard Hardwood plywood paneling MDF – Medium Density Fiberboard used for drawer fronts, cabinets and furniture tops Permanent press fabric Draperies Mattress Ticking Sources of Formaldehyde

50. Symptoms range from burning or tingling sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat to chest tightness, wheezing, headaches, nausea, vomiting and nosebleeds Some people develop allergic reactions. Children can develop asthma and/or chronic bronchitis Fortunately emissions will generally decrease as products age, but particleboard will off gas forever Unfortunately if particleboard gets wet, the emissions increase Sealing all particleboard with three coats of water based polyurethane or three coats will cut outgasing by about 90% Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate Formaldehyde