Healthy Homes

HEALTHY HOMES

Most people think that your genes determine your health.  However, we know that many other factors contribute to it, such as diet, exercise, and vaccinations.  Another critical factor that we can control is our environment.  Some of the most serious health problems may be attributed to your home environment. 

FACT: Most people spend 90% of their time indoors.

Indoor environmental hazards are more harmful to children because of their still growing and developing bodies.  Their organs and immune system are not fully mature; therefore are more likely to be damaged then adults.  Moreover, children eat more food, drink more water, and breathe more air than adults.  Young children also have a tendency to put things into their mouths.

These hazards can be broken down into 5 main categories:
•    Indoor Air Quality  (IAQ)   
        Asthma & Allergies 
        Mold & Moisture
        Carbon Monoxide
        Radon
•    Lead
•    Drinking Water
•    Hazardous Household Products/Pesticides
•    Home Safety

See the Healthy Home Maintenance Checklist

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Indoor air can be unhealthier and more polluted then outdoor air.  Pollutants can be cleaning chemicals, cigarette smoke or mold.  Other non visible dangers are carbon monoxide and radon.

Asthma & Allergies

The rates of children diagnosed with asthma have increase significantly in the last 10 years.  Asthma is the leading chronic illness in children, resulting in more school days missed then all other illnesses combined.  Asthma rates in the Northeast are among the highest in the country.

Asthma attacks are an allergic reaction to a trigger.  Some triggers are: mold, dust, pollen, pets (dander), cold air, tobacco smoke, dry heat, air pollution, cleaning chemicals, pesticides, cockroaches, anddust mites.  Most of these triggers can be found in the home.  There are 10 steps to help manage your or your child’s asthma.

Mold & Moisture

Mold needs moisture in order to grow.  Moisture can enter the home (leaks) or be generated by the people in the home (hot showers, cooking).  Mold can grow anywhere there is water and a suitable surface.  These surfaces are called porous, because when they get wet, they retain the water and stay damp (carpet, drywall, fabric, wood, and paper-based items).

There are hundreds of thousands of molds of various colors, black, brown, orange, green, etc.  There is no good mold.  Infants, children, elderly, and those persons who are immuno compromised due to an illness, are more at risk for upper respiratory problems.  Symptoms can include runny nose, itchy watery eyes, sore throat, anyone who has asthma or mold allergies will have reactions.  Not all people are affected the same.

Cleanup of mold may be done by the resident. There are six basic recommended steps for cleanup of visible mold growth.  This is similar to flood cleanup, but after water has receded and mold has developed.  There are currently no standards for mold; the amount that is acceptable or certifications necessary for cleanup. 

**The Cuyahoga County Board of Health currently has a grant to remediate asthma triggers in your home.  To qualify you must have a child under 16 years of age with a doctor diagnosed respiratory problem.  Contact our office to see if you qualify.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas.  Every year hundreds of people in the US die of CO poisoning.  CO is generated from combustion appliances (those that use fuel-gas, oil, kerosene, charcoal, or wood to produce heat).  Some of these appliances in the home are: gas furnaces, hot water tanks, ovens, dryers, wood burning fireplaces, grills (both gas & charcoal), tobacco smoke, vehicles, and gas powered yard equipment.

Signs of low level CO poisoning are flu-like (headache, nausea, tiredness, weakness, & dizziness).  After extended periods of time at this low level, brain damage and heart problems may occur.  High levels can cause loss of consciousness, coma, and death.

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas.  It originates from the earth and may enter your home from below the foundations through cracks in the floors, walls, floor drains, and sump pumps.  Radon levels are generally higher in the basement and ground floor rooms that are in direct contact with the soil. 

Radon gas can by inhaled and the radioactive particles may cause damage to the lung tissue and initiate lung cancer.  Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US.  Radon may be tested through a short term test kit (click to order), and mailed to a laboratory.  Radon levels found in a home can be reduced by a professional remediator. 

Links

•    Ohio American Lung Association
•    Environmental Health Watch 
•    A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home 
•    EPA
•    Building Science Corp.
•    Center for Disease Control & Prevention 
•    National Center for Healthy Housing
•    New York State Health Dept.

LEAD

Lead poisoning is a serious threat to the health of children.  Lead was banned from use in paint in 1978.  It is still the number one source of lead exposure in the US today.  Ohio ranks 5th out of 39 states ranked by the EPA in the number of homes with lead based paint, approximately 3.2 million. 

There is no safe level of lead in the human body.  To determine your child’s lead level a blood test needs to be done.  Lead accumulates in the brain, kidneys, blood and bones.  Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, language delays, hearing problems, and behavioral problems.  Children under 6 years of age are at the highest risk due to the still developing neurological system.  Those children age 1 and 2 are of primary concern because of hand to mouth activities and their activity on the floor.

Children may be exposed to lead through deteriorating paint conditions, soil, and water.  Your home may be tested for lead and corrected.

**The Cuyahoga County Board of Health currently has a grant to remediate lead hazards in your home.  To qualify you must have a child under 48 months of age or a confirmed elevated blood lead level.  Contact our office to see if you qualify.

Links

•    Environmental Health Watch
•    Cleveland Health Dept.
•    Ohio Dept. of Health
•    EPA 
•    CDC

WATER

Water is essential.  We depend on water for consumption, to clean, cook, and bathe.  Public drinking water in the US is safe.  There are times when you home water supply may not be safe. 

If you have a well it is your responsibility to keep is safe.  Bacteria and viruses may get into the water system which will lead to gastro-intestinal illnesses.  Nitrates may also enter the water supply from fertilizers and animal waste causing serious illnesses. 

Public water supplies are safe entering the home, but once they pass through your pipes, it may become contaminated.  If you have copper or lead pipes and the metal leaches into the water, illnesses may arise.  Copper may cause upper gastro-intestinal irriations.  Lead can lead to learning and behavioral problems.  In order to prevent these hazards the pipes need to be flushed when unused for a while (overnight).  Run water for several minutes before consumption.  Never use hot water from the tap for cooking, drinking, or making formula; hot water pulls the lead and copper out of the pipe.

HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS & PESTICIDES

Household chemicals and pesticides are not hazardous if used properly following the manufacturer’s directions, and stored properly as well.  Never leave the product or container where children can see it or reach it.  Hazards arise when some of the products are mixed, accidentally ingested, touched, or inhaled.  These can lead to vomiting, burns, dizziness, or asthma attacks.  In case of an accident call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

When utilizing bug repellant on children, read directions first.  Do not use over broken skin or cuts.  Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, and hands.  Use enough to cover the top of clothes and lightly on the skin.

•  Household Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet
•  Hazardous Products in the Home
•  Alternative Cleaners
•  Mercury Fact Sheet
•  Mercury Spill Sheet

HOME SAFETY

Your chances of getting hurt in your home are much higher then at work or school.  The main types of home accidents are: falls, drowning, fire, poisoning, suffocation, choking, and guns.  Young children and older adults are more likely to become injured or die.  All of these accidents are easily preventable once you become aware of the hazards.

Links

•    Fire Safety
•    National Center for Injury Prevention and Control    
•    Safe Kids  
•    EPA’s Children’s Health Protection        

Contact Information

For further information or questions about any of the Healthy Home activities please contact:

Stephanie McConoughey, RS

Program Manager

216-201-2001 x 1244

smcconoughey@ccbh.net