Housing and Design Newsletter
Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr.
Fall, 2007
Desktop Training Offered By Healthy Colorado Homes
Desktop training will be offered by Healthy Colorado Homes on January 16 from 1:30 to 3:30. The topic is on how to present a workshop using House Records Organizer. A PowerPoint presentation will be available on the Healthy Colorado Homes Web site healthycoloradohomes.colostate.edu on January 14. Please have this PowerPoint presentation open for the training as well as a copy of House Records Organizer. If you do not have a copy let me know right away and I will get one to you through Friday mail. The call in number for the training will be provided using the Extension listserv.
Health and Your Home's Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality can be worse than outdoor air. That is because many homes are being built and remodeled more tightly without regard to the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air. Many homes contain furnishings, combustion appliances, and household products that result in questionable indoor air quality.
Almost all homes contain some common pollutants. Frequent headaches, itchy eyes, congestion, nausea, asthma attacks, and fatigue are some of the health problems caused by poor indoor air quality. Use the following guidelines as you walk through your house, room by room, and identify and write down potential indoor air pollution sources. Address each potential pollutant with the suggestions listed.
Biological pollutants include mold, mildew, dust mites, and pet dander that can be made worse by high humidity, inadequate ventilation, and poorly maintained humidifiers and air conditioners. Maintaining a temperature of 80°F maximum and a humidity level of about 45% is often recommended. Carpets can house biological pollutants if they have been water-damaged. Promptly clean as well as dry or remove water-damaged carpet. During installation of new carpet open doors and
windows, and use window fans or room air conditioners. Vacuum regularly. Air conditioners are another common source of biological pollutants. Change the filter according to manufacturer recommendations.
Combustion by-products include carbon monoxide from unvented fossil fuel space heaters, unvented gas stoves and ovens, and back drafting from furnaces and water heaters. Have professionals inspect your flue and chimney, gas-burning appliances, and gas burning furnaces and water heaters every year. Install a smoke detector in the hallway adjacent to or located in each bedroom. If you have gas or other fossil-fuel burning appliances in the house, install carbon monoxide detectors in these locations as well. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are available. Remember to check the batteries frequently, such as on your birthday each year. Installation and use of exhaust fans is a good way to reduce indoor air quality problems from combustion by-products as well as from other pollutants.
Formaldehyde is used as a preservative and adhesive in building products and furnishings. Common sources include draperies, upholstery, paneling, and particleboard products used for cabinets and furniture framing. To reduce your exposure ask about content levels before buying furniture or cabinets. Open your windows after installation and air out draperies before hanging.
Radon is a radioactive gas prevalent in Colorado that has been linked to lung cancer. This gas can seep into basements, crawl spaces, and other areas from soil and rock beneath and around the home's foundation or from groundwater wells. Test your home for radon by using an inexpensive radon test kit that can be purchased from a hardware or building supply store. If there is a problem, contact a professional.
Household products that may contribute to indoor air problems include paints, solvents, air fresheners, hobby supplies, dry-cleaned clothing, aerosol sprays, adhesives, moth repellents, pesticides, and paint strippers. Select no or low odor-producing products. Select non-aerosol varieties. Open windows or use an exhaust fan. Follow manufacturer directions for use and container disposal.
Asbestos is only a dangerous pollutant when particles become airborne. It is no longer used in new homes but it may be found in homes more than 20 years old. Sources include deteriorating, damaged or disturbed pipe insulation, fire retardant, acoustical material, and floor tiles. If you are remodeling an older home do not cut, rip, chip, or remove materials you suspect contain asbestos. Contact a professional to repair or remove the materials.
Lead from lead-based paint dust created when removing paint by sanding, scraping, or burning can be a problem in many homes built before the mid-1970s. Leave lead-based paint undisturbed if in good condition. Prior to removing paint, test for lead. Do-it-yourself lead test kits are often available from hardware or building supply stores. If you are remodeling, hire a professional to correct lead-based paint problems.
Indoor air quality is a complex issue, and one that can dramatically affect the health of all Coloradans. Fact sheets are available from Colorado State University Extension on radon, lead-based paint, carbon monoxide, and healthy indoor air. Healthy Colorado Homes' efforts on indoor air quality are funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,
USDA/CSREES, and CSU Extension.
Radon Action Month
January is Radon Action Month. This is an opportunity to present information to the public about the health risks of radon, testing, and mitigation. Check out the two PowerPoint presentations on the Healthy Colorado Homes Web site at healthycoloradohomes.colostate.edu and the CSU Extension radon fact sheet at www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09953.pdf
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Web site for radon at www.epa.gov/radon is also a useful site. It contains general radon information for consumers, health risks, an EPA map of radon zones, risk assessment, radon and real estate, and radon resistant new construction. A variety of publications can be downloaded or ordered for free. These include A Citizen's Guide to Radon, Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon, Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction, Building Radon Out, A Radon Guide for Tenants, and Buying a New Home: How to Protect Your Family from Radon.
Many of these publications are available in English and Spanish, and can be selected based on the type of audience planned for a workshop (consumers, builders, health professionals, or real estate professionals). A Citizen's Guide to Radon is the best publication to use in a workshop directed at consumers.
For ideas on radon workshops and other educational activities review the site for radon action month. There is an event planning kit that provides press releases, public service announcements, and communication tips (www.epa.gov/radon/nram/event_kit.html)
ESFI Warns of Holiday Decorating Hazards
During the holidays, many people put themselves at increased risk to fire and electrocution. Each year holiday decorations and Christmas trees account for almost 2,000 fires and cause more than $41 million dollars in property damage. The simple truth is that many of these fires could be prevented. Almost a quarter of all Christmas tree fires are started because the tree was placed too close to a heat source. According to a recent study, more than 20% of Americans do not take the simple step of turning off lighted decorations before going to bed. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) (www.esfi.org) urges you to follow these important safety tips when decorating for the season.
- Before you begin, read and follow the manufacturer's instructions concerning installation and
maintenance of all electrical decorations.
- Inspect each decoration before plugging into an outlet. Cracked, frayed, or bare wires and loose
connections may cause a serious electric shock.
- Prevent shock by plugging outdoor decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit
interrupters (GFCIs).
- Avoid plugging in too many holiday lights and other decorations in a single outlet. Overloaded outlets can overheat and cause a fire.
- Be careful not to mount or hang light strands in any way that might damage the cord's insulation.
- Use only lights and electrical decorations that have been certified by a recognized independent
testing laboratory such as UL, CSA, or ETL.
- Before using electrical products outdoors, make sure the product is approved and marked "for outdoor use."
- Send warranty and product registration forms to manufacturers. That way, they can notify you
promptly in case of a recall or safety concerns.
- Turn lights and other decorations off when you leave or go to bed.
ESFI reminds everyone that electricity is a powerful tool. It can also be a lethal hazard. Better safety standards have reduced electrical hazards that cause deaths, injuries, and property damage. But good safety habits are still the best prevention against electrical hazards.
Dangers of Mercury
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mercury poisoning is a real threat to children in the home and at school. Clancy the Mercury Detecting Dog, EPA, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency teamed up to create the Keep Your Paws off Mercury campaign to teach students across the country about mercury and its dangers. The cornerstone of the campaign is an educational video that shows students where mercury can be found in schools and what to do if they see it. The video can be downloaded from www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/videos.htm#paws On the site there is also a poster that will print out on 8 1/2" x 11" size paper. Follow these steps when responding to a mercury spill:
- Stay calm.
- Do not touch the mercury.
- Tell children to avoid the spill and leave the room.
- Open the windows.
- Leave the room.
- Close the door.
- Notify school administration of the spill or a parent.
- Call the emergency contact (check www.epa.gov/mercury/consumerinfo.htm).
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has launched a mercury prevention and reduction campaign to inform citizens, businesses, and the medical industry about the serious health threat associated with exposure to mercury and to develop strategies to keep mercury out of our environment.
This cross-media initiative involves participation from both the environmental programs (air, water, waste, and consumer protection) and health programs within the Department. One of the driving forces for this initiative is to prevent unacceptable mercury levels in state rivers and lakes. For more information go to www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/mercury/index.htm.
A Clean Sweep for the Holidays
As the holidays festivities begin, cleaning migrates farther and farther down on that "to do" list. But with guests coming and going, it is not something you want to let slide. Some suggestions from the Soap and Detergent Association (www.cleaning101.com):
Wood floors: The vacuum cleaner and dust mop are generally the fastest and safest ways to clean wood floors. Wet mopping is generally not recommended.
Carpets: For carpets and large rugs, especially those with a deep pile, use an upright vacuum. Its rotating brushes are designed to agitate the dirt for optimum pickup. Because it is easier to transport, use a canister style for stairs, bare floors, and hard-to-get-at areas.
Countertops: Clutter is the number one deterrent to clean countertops. So get it under control by developing a system. Open the mail over the trash basket or recycling bin so junk mail can get tossed immediately. Make a nightly sweep: Put newspapers in the recycling bin, current magazines in a magazine rack, dirty dishes in the dishwasher, and food in the cupboards. An accordion file folder is a good way to organize bills and other mail that requires attention.
Ceramic tile: While the ceramic tile itself is easy to clean with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner, the grout may require some special attention, particularly in the bathroom, where mold and mildew can appear. Use a mildew stain remover or a solution of ¾ cup chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Gently scrub the grout with a soft bristle brush and then rinse thoroughly.
Porcelain surfaces (including sinks, toilets, and bathtubs): Use a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Glass (including mirrors, shower doors, and glass table tops): Use a glass cleaner, a glass and multi-surface cleaner, or a solution of ½ cup of ammonia to one gallon of water. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth and dry with a clean cloth, paper towels, or a squeegee.
Upholstery: Vacuum thoroughly. Use a crevice tool to get in the creases and under the cushions where dust, crumbs, and other debris tend to collect.
Help Yourself to a Healthy Home
A PowerPoint presentation has just been created that follows the booklet Help Yourself to a Healthy Home. The 56-page booklet covers a variety of tips geared toward children's safety. The PowerPoint presentation consists of 91 slides. It can be used as part of a two-hour workshop or can be divided based on its major topics. A CD containing the PowerPoint presentation as well as a copy of Help Yourself to a Healthy Home will be mailed to each county after the holidays. If you need additional copies of the booklet for use in a workshop let me know. Copies are paid for by the Colorado Healthy Homes grant from USDA/CSREES.
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Any comments, needs, ideas or suggestions can be sent to:
Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr.
Housing Specialist and Professor
Department of Design and Merchandising
155 Aylesworth
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(970) 491-5575
Fax: (970) 491-4855
tremblay@cahs.colostate.edu
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