Keep it contaminant-free

Keep itcontaminant-freeSteps to a Healthier Home

#Learning ObjectivesPage9.1#2Contaminant Buying DecisionsPage9.1#3Can you really keep a home contaminant-free? Perhaps not, but you can make significant progress by evaluating carefully your buying decisions. You may be intentionally bringing in contaminants because of the function that the contaminant provides.

Tobacco SmokePesticidesSprays, Baits & PowdersVolatile Organic Comp.Air Fresheners & Cleaning ProductsGlues, Sprays & CoatingsBuilding MaterialsMercuryThermostats & Fluorescent LampsAsbestosBuilding MaterialsMeth Labs

Or the contaminant made be along for the ride.

Bedbugs and MiceUsed Furniture, Mattresses, and boxesCockroachesCardboard Boxes & FurnitureFormaldehydePressed Wood ProductsLead Used Building Supplies

In this module, we will be focusing on those buying decisions. We have already talked about pests and pesticides in Keep It Pest-Free. We will talk about Asbestos, Lead and Mercury in the next section Keep It Maintained because we need to focus on maintenance for their biggest sources. That leaves us with Tobacco SmokeVolatile Organic CompoundsFormaldehyde To discuss in this module.

Secondhand SmokePage9.2#4Tobacco smoke is an important contaminant source in indoor air. From the Harvard 24 cities project, we know that children who have a smoking parent are three times more likely to have respiratory symptoms than children who live with non-smoking parents. [4]

123Time (hours)RSP (cpm)2505007501000Source: Indoor Air Quality, Infiltration and Ventilation in Residential Buildings NYSERDA 1985 [5]Tobacco Spikes in Particle LevelsPage9.2#5Every spike in this time series of air borne particles in a house, is one person smoking a cigarette. Tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of gases and solid and liquid particles.Why Avoid Secondhand Smoke:Childrens Health EffectsAdult Health Effects60% of US population has biological evidence of exposurePage9.2#6The 2006 Surgeon Generals Report on secondhand smoke concluded that:-Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and in adults who do not smoke.-Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in their children.-Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.Additionally, a study published in 2012 found a statistical association between the increasing prevalence of smoke-free home rules among homes with infants and decreasing cases of SIDS.

Adult Health EffectsCoronary Heart DiseaseLung CancerCardio Pulmonary Obstructive DisorderMiddle Ear InfectionsPneumonia, Bronchitis

Further, smoking materials such as cigarettes are the leading cause of home fire death.

These are some interesting statistics, from the American Lung Association that focus on problems related to second hand smoke. Second hand smoke causes an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths in non-smokers each year.

Smoking materials have historically been the leading cause of home fire deaths. During 2005-2009, smoking materials were the heat source in an annual average of 18,900 reported home structure fires, 660 civilian fire deaths, 1,270 civilian fire injuries, and $492 million in direct property damage. A proportional share of fires with heat sources from unclassified open flame or smoking materials are included in the candle and smoking material estimates.

Only 5% of reported home structure fires were started by smoking materials, but these fires caused 25% of the home fire deaths. These materials also caused 10% of all reported home fire injuries and 7% of the direct property damage. Smoke-Free Home Rules:State Performance 92-9398-992003% IncreaseTotal43.2%60.2%72.2%67.1%Max.69.6%81.1%88.8%107.9%Min.25.7%38.9%53.4%27.6%Page9.3#7It is interesting how the percentage of children exposed to second hand smoke varies greatly between states. [7]

On average, 22% of US children under the age of 18 are exposed to ETS at home. 11.7% of children in Utah 17.7% of children in Washington State20.1% of children in Maryland29.8% of children in Ohio34.2% of children in Kentucky

Smoke-Free Housing PoliciesSmoke Free Saves Property Owners Money

Page9.4#8In addition to resident health benefits, smoke-free housing saves property owners money.4 The following chart shows the differences in rehabilitation costs in non-smoking, light-smoking, and heavy-smoking units:

These data come from affordable housing in Maine in 2009. http://smoke-freehousingnewengland.health.officelive.com/default.aspx

Smoke-Free Housing PoliciesIncreases DemandDecrease Fires/Potential Insurance DiscountReduces Tenant Conflict

Other benefits

Page9.4#9Increase Demand: 81% of prospective tenants in Massachusetts were less interested in a development if they smelled smoke in the building.Decrease Fires/Potential Insurance Discount: Smoking is the leading cause of fatal household fires. Some insurers offer discounts for owners with smoke free policies.Reduce Tenant Conflict: 39% of landlords reported that a smoke-free policy lowered tenant conflict.

Data from: Market Demand for Smoke-Free Rules in Multi-Unit Residential Properties, April 2009, Massachusetts Smoke-Free Housing Project, Public Health Advocacy Institute, Northeastern University School of Law

Smoke-Free Housing PolicyPolicy ApproachesVoluntary / Grassroots Efforts Low Income Housing Tax CreditDisclosurePage9.4#10PolicyApproaches to eliminating secondhand smoke in multi-unit rental apartments range from voluntary measures adopted by apartment building owners, to governmental incentives, to ordinances and statutes at the state and local level regulating smoke-free policies, or other exposure deterrents.Voluntary/grassroots efforts local public health agencies and non-profit organizations have established smoke-free housing programs to encourage rental property owners to adopt some form of smoke-free or smoking-restricted policies for their buildings. This approach involves meeting with individual landlords, or with landlord associations, tenant organizations or associations representing property owners.

Low income tax creditProvides federal tax credits to states and local government units to stimulate the development of affordable housing. Local governments can develop criteria for the type of housing they want in their communities. Three states, California, Maine, and New Hampshire, and two cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, have included the adoption of smoke-free policies for proposed building projects as a criterion that is considered in the awarding of tax credits. Developers do not have to include a smoke-free policy in their development, but their chances in the competitive process are improved if they do.

DisclosureThe City of Oakland, California and the State of Oregon have passed laws that require the owners of rental apartment buildings to disclose the smoking policies for the buildings, whether the policy is smoking permitted, smoking restricted or smoke-free. The laws do not mandate that units be smoke-free; the laws just require notification to prospective tenants of the smoking policies and location of smoking and non-smoking units. The Oakland ordinance also requires that sellers of condominiums disclose the smoking policy for the unit and for the complex.

Smoking Cessation ProgramsSmoke-free policies work best if coupled with cessation resources

Page9.4#11Volatile Organic CompoundsAir FreshenersCleaning ProductsSprays & CoatingsFormaldehydeCarpetsVinyl FloorsDrywallHobbiesHome Maintenance

Page9.5#12Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) is a broad class of chemicals that we breath inside our homes. It is tough to make broad generalizations other than to say that less exposure is better.

If you want to understand whether the chemical is dangerous you need to understand the chemicals hazards much better and the exposures involved. The risk is the exposure times the hazard.

The list above is a start on the more significant VOCs. Ask the students to identify others.Volatile Organic CompoundsConcentration of VOCs can be 2-5 times greater in the home. During or immediately after paint stripping activities, VOC levels can be 1,000 times higher than outdoors.

Page9.5#13This is information from the EPAs Office of Indoor Air Quality about volatile organic compounds (VOCs). [10] Notice that levels of these contaminants are often found at much higher levels indoors than outdoors.

We treat VOCs s a group since there may be cumulative or synergistic effects from breathing a combination of them.

#14Paints, varnishes and glues may contain a variety of materials with potential health or nuisance effects. Use low VOC paints but with caution or use traditional paints with lots of ventilation. [9]

Select durable, easy to clean paints that meet these standards: Contrast ratio greater than 0.95 on ASTM D2805 (hiding power). Number of cycles greater than 1000 on ASTM D2486 (scrubbing durability). Greater than 50% stain removal on ASTM D3450 (washability).

Acquire and review information on potential contaminants including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), emission data and any other information available.

Avoid Terpenes Linseed oil. Paints containing ethylene glycol (paints with no glycol are preferable but paints containing propylene glycol are acceptable). Acid cured polyurethane finishes.

Follow this outdoor air ventilation guidance for paints, varnishes, adhesives and carpeting:Provide 2 5 ach (air changes/hour) fan powered ventilation during application and for two days afterwards.

Why Avoid VOCs?Page9.7#15There are several health effects associated with VOCs. These include headaches, nausea, certain types of cancers, and damage to different systems of the body. Again, it varies with each chemical.

The picture represents a neuron. Damage to neurons caused by VOCs can affect the functioning of the central nervous system.Page9.7

#16These are three different building materials that release gases but at different rates. Wet applied products often start with high emissions but emit very quickly, while solid products take longer.Reduce Potential SourcesDont use it if you dont have to.Substitute a better productPage9.7#17The same principles that were applied to the management of pests, dirt and moisture can be applied to other sources as well. First, keep it out - Dont use it at all. Second, substitute something less likely to cause problems. Consider the risks for contaminants released by the product itself, the use and maintenance of the product, and how badly can things go wrong in the event of an accident.

Substitute with a product that has:low VOC and particle emissionlow toxicity and irritancy characteristicslow risk of chemical reactivitylow risk of fungal contaminationlow maintenance requirements

Steps to Control VOCsControl the sourceVentilatePage9.8#18Control the sourceAvoid using products that contain VOCsUse lower VOC options (i.e. paints)

Store Materials ProperlyKeep containers sealedStore away from air intakeRemove unwanted products from home

Ventilate Open doors and windows

Third-Party CertificationsBuildingsProducts and Services

Page9.8#BuildingsGreen Communities www.greencommunitiesonline.org Energy Star with Indoor Air Package www.energystar.govLEED for Homes www.usgbc.org/LEED/homes/National Green Building Standard (ICC-700-2008) by ICC and NAHBProducts and ServicesGreen Seal www.greenseal.orgEcoLogo - www.ecologo.orgEPAs Design for the Environment www.epa.gov/dfe AreasGreenShield Certified (for pest control) www.greenshieldcertified.org

There are various third-party organizations that evaluate products for health, energy efficiency and sustainability.

For buildings, there are four, major, national programs mentioned in the Overview module. (See NCHHs comparison of the programs in the references provided for the Essentials course.)

For products and, to some extent, services, there are three main programs. Each have their merits; you should explore them all.

There are also some programs for specific area, such as GreenShield for pest management.

19Industry Stewardship ProgramsUnderstand the Motivations & Research the OptionsExamplesOther Programs

Page9.8#Many industries have adopted environmental stewardship programs for their members. There are various third-party organizations that evaluate products for their health, energy efficiency and sustainability.

There are valuable programs to bring about positive change in the industry but be cautious since there have been different motivations for their creation. Before recommending one, check them out.

ExamplesQualityPro for Pest Management https://www.npmaqualitypro.org/Green Label for Carpet and Rugs www.carpet-rug.orgEnvironmental Stewardship Program for Kitchen Cabinet www.greencabinetsource.org Ingredient Communications for Consumer Chemicals www.cspa.org/public/media/info/cpici.html

20Track Emerging IssuesHealthyhomes.net listserve:Healthyhomesnet-on@mail-list.comPhthalates from Vinyl ProductsSulfur from Chinese DrywallCadmium in Jewelry?Page9.9#21Healthyhomes.net is the best way to stay current on emerging issues. Follow the link to sign up.

Three examples of emerging issues are phthalates from vinyl products, Chinese drywall and cadmium in jewelry.

Phthalates are used in making vinyl products such as flooring and windows typically to make the plastic more flexible. The chemicals may be released from the product as it is initially used and when it eventually degrades. There are concerns about the impacts of these chemicals on the body especially reproductive effects.

Apparently drywall imported from China has been releasing a chemical most likely sulfur dioxide in the moisture of an air conditioning heat exchanger, the sulfur dioxide converts to sulfuric acid and quickly corrodes the copper. The smell can be offensive. Unsure of health effects. Florida Department of Health is lead on this issue.

There are a few reports of cadmium showing up in jewelry possibly from nickel cadmium recycling. Cadmium may be a low value metal replacing lead. Cadmium has serious health effects impacting the kidney.

And then we have meth labs . . . Page9.9#How can you recognize a meth lab and what to do if you come upon one?22Meth Labs

Health & Safety HazardsExplosiveFlammableToxicCausticPage9.9#ExplosiveLithium metal, sodium, etherFlammableAcetone, ethyl alcohol, solvents of all kindsToxicIodine, red phosphorus, phosphine gas, anhydrous ammonia, methamphetamine, CausticSodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, muriatic acid

Good resources EPAs Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine Laboratory Cleanup, August 2009

23Key MessagesIt is easier to prevent exposure to contaminants then it is to remove them and treat their effects.Should contamination occur: control, contain, and clean-up.Contaminants are not always detectable by our senses.Page9.10#24Learning ObjectivesPage9.10#25Chart13528213948492575116115601949440161136583160

VOC- AND SVOC-EMISSIONS FROM ADHESIVES, FLOOR COVERINGS AND COMPLETE FLOOR STRUCTURES [12]PVCcarpetadhesiveTime (days)Emission Rate (ug/m2hr)

Sheet1PVCcarpetadhesive1352821394849325751161156010194944016128136583160

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VOC- AND SVOC-EMISSIONS FROM ADHESIVES, FLOOR COVERINGS AND COMPLETE FLOOR STRUCTURESO Wilke*, O Jann and BrdnerFederal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, 12200 Berlin, GermanyIAQ 2002PVCcarpetadhesiveTime (days)Emission Rate (ug/m2hr)

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