United States Environmental Protection Agency United States Consumer Product Safety Commission EPA 402-K-93-007 April 1995 Office of Air and Radiation (6607J) The Inside Story A Guide to Indoor Air Quality ------- ------- CONTENTS Air Pollution Sources in the Home Improving the Air Quality in Your Home Introduction Indoor Air Quality in Your Home 7 What If You Live in an Apartment? 11 A Look at Source-Specific Controls 11 Radon 12 Environmental . Tobacco Smoke 13 Biological Contaminants 15 Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces, and Chimneys 16 Household Products 18 Formaldehyde 23 Pesticides 25 Asbestos 26 Lead 19 Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Pollutants in the Home 29 Do You Suspect Your Office Has an Indoor Air Problem? 31 Where to Go for Additional Information When Building a New Home 35 Glossary ------- AIR POLLUTION SOURCES IN THE HOME 1. Moisture 2. Pressed Wood Furniture 3. Humidifier 4. Moth Repellents 5. Dry-Cleaned Goods 6. House Dust Mites 7. Personal Care Products 8. Air Freshener 9. Stored Fuels 10. Car Exhaust 11. Paint Supplies 12. Paneling 13. Woodstove 14. Tobacco Smoke 15. Carpets 16. PressedWoodSubflooring 17. Drapes 18. Fireplace 19. Household Chemicals 20. Asbestos Floor Hies 21. Pressed Wood Cabinets 22. Unvented Gas Stove 23. Asbestos Pipe Wrap 24. Radon 25. Unvented Clothes Dryer 26. Pesticides 27. Stored Hobby Products 28. Lead-Based Paint IS ------- in* ------- INTRODUCTION INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONCERNS All of us face a var- iety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, fly- ing in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to environ- mental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some risks are simply un- avoidable. Some we choose to accept because to do otherwise would re- strict our ability to lead our lives the way we want. And some are risks we might decide to avoid if we had the opportunity to make informed choices. Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do some- thing about. In the last several years, a groxving body of scien- tific evidence has indi- cated that the air within homes and other build- ings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend ap- proximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pol- lution indoors than out- doors. In addition, people who may be exposed to indoor air pollutants for the long- est periods of time are of- ten those most susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. Such groups in- clude the young, the eld- erly, and the chronically ill, especially those suffer- ing from respiratory or cardiovascular disease. ------- WHY A BOOKLET ON INDOOR AIR? ile pollutant levels from in- dividual sour- ces may not pose a signifi- cant health risk by them- selves, most homes have more than one source that contributes to indoor air pollution. There can be a serious risk from the cumulative effects of these sources. Fortunately, there are steps that most people can take both to reduce the risk from existing sources and to prevent new problems from occur- ring. This booklet was prepared by the U.S. Envi- ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to help you decide whether to take actions that can reduce the level of indoor air pollution in your own home. Because so many Ameri- cans spend a lot of time in offices with mechanical heating, cooling, and ven- tilation systems, there is also a short section on the causes of poor air quality in offices and what you can do if you suspect that your office may have a problem. A glossary and a list of organizations where you can get additional in- formation are listed at the back of this booklet. ------- INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME WHAT CAUSES INDOOR AIR PROBLEMS? Indoor pollution sour- ces that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality prob- lems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emis- sions from indoor sources and by not carrying in- door air pollutants out of the home. High tempera- ture and humidity levels can also increase concen- trations of some pollutants. Pollutant Sources There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include com- bustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco prod- ucts; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos- containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, per- sonal care, or hobbies; cen- tral heating and cooling systems and humidifica- tion devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution. The relative importance of any single source de- pends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For example, an improp- erly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted. Some sources, such as building materials, furn- ishings, and household products like air fresh- eners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These in- clude smoking, the use of unvented or malfunction- ing stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecor- ating activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in house- keeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities. Amount of Ventilation If too little outdoor air en- ters a home, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort problems. Unless they are built with special mechanical means of ven- tilation, homes that are de- signed and constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air that can "leak" into and out of the home may have higher pollutant levels than other homes. However, because some weather conditions can drastically reduce the amount of outdoor air that enters a home, pollutants can build up even in homes that are normally considered "leaky." ------- HOW DOES OUTDOOR AIR ENTER A HOUSE? Outdoor air enters and leaves a house by: infil- tration, natural ventila- tion, and mechanical ven- tilation. In a process known as infiltration, out- door air flows into the house through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and around windows and doors. In natural ventila- tion, air moves through opened windows and doors. Air movement as- sociated with infiltration and natural ventilation is caused by air temperature differences between in- doors and outdoors and by wind. Finally, there are a number of mechanical ventilation devices, from outdoor-vented fans that intermittently remove air from a single room, such as bathrooms and kitchen, to air handling systems that use fans and duct work to continuously re- move indoor air and dis- tribute filtered and condi- tioned outdoor air to stra- tegic points throughout the house. The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is described as the air exchange rate. When there is little infil- tration, natural ventila- tion, or mechanical venti- lation, the air exchange rate is low and pollutant levels can increase. WHAT IF YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT? partments can have the same in- door air problems ", as single-family homes be- cauie many of the pollu- Jtion sources," such as the /interior building materi- als, furnishings, and household products, are "similar. Indoor air prob- ^lenis^similar to those in ' offices are caused by such ^ources as contaminated liVentilation systems, im- '^pfoperly placed outdoor %-air intakes, ox mainte- XCaftce activities.. , „ Solutions to air quality - problems in apartments, as in homes and offices, involve such actions as: eliminating or controlling the sources of pollution, increasing ventilation, and installing air cleaning de- vices. Often a resident can take the appropriate ac- tion to improve the indoor air quality by removing a source, altering an activity, unblocking an air supply vent, or opening a win- dow to temporarily in" crease the ventilation; in other cases, however, only the building owner or manager is in a position to remedy the problem. (See the section "What to Do If You Suspect a Problem" on page 30.) You can en- courage building manage- ment to follow guidance inEPAandNIOSH's Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers. It is available for $24 from the Superintendent of Docu- ments, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954; ! stock # 055-000-00390-4, or call (202) 783-3238. ------- INDOOR AIR AND YOUR HEALTH ealth effects from indoor air pollut- ants may be expe- rienced soon after expo- sure or, possibly, years later. Immediate effects may show up after a single ex- posure or repeated expo- sures. These include irrita- tion of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizzi- ness, and fatigue. Such im- mediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person's exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symp- toms of some diseases, in- cluding asthma, hypersen- sitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after expo- sure to some indoor air pollutants. The likelihood of imme- diate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors. Age and preexisting medical condi- tions are two important influences. In other cases, whether a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which varies tremendous- ly from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological pollutants after repeated exposures, and it appears that some people can be- come sensitized to chemi- cal pollutants as well. Certain immediate ef- fects are similar to those from colds or other viral diseases, so it is often dif- ficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pol- lution. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the time and place the symptoms occur. If the symptoms fade or go away when a person is away from the home and return when the person returns, an effort should be made to identify indoor air sources that may be possible causes. Some ef- fects may be made worse by an inadequate supply of outdoor air or from the heating, cooling, or hu- midity conditions preva- lent in the home. Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitat- ing or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the in- door air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable. More information on potential health effects from par- ticular indoor air pollut- ants is provided in the sec- tion, "A Look at Source- Specific Controls." While pollutants com- monly found in indoor air are responsible for many harmful effects, there is considerable uncertainty about what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to produce spe- cific health problems. People also react very dif- ferently to exposure to in- door air pollutants. Fur- ther research is needed to better understand which health effects occur after exposure to the average pollutant concentrations found in homes and which occur from the higher concentrations that occur for short periods of time. The health effects asso- ciated with some indoor air pollutants are summa- rized in the chart in the middle of this booklet titled "Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Pollut- ants in the Home." IDENTIFYING AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS Some health effects can be useful indi- cators of an indoor air quality problem, espe- cially if they appear after a person moves to a new residence, remodels or re- furnishes a home, or treats a home with pesticides. If you think that you have symptoms that may be re- lated to your home envi- ronment, discuss them with your doctor or your local health department to see if they could be caused by indoor air pollution. You may also want to con- sult a board-certified aller- gist or an occupational medicine specialist for an- swers to your questions. Another way to judge whether your home has or could develop indoor air problems is to identify po- tential sources of indoor air pollution. Although the presence of such sour- ces (see illustration at the beginning of this booklet) does not necessarily mean that you have an indoor air quality problem, being aware of the type and number of potential sources is an important step toward assessing the air quality in your home. ------- A third way to decide whether your home may have poor indoor air qual- ity is to look at your lifestyle and activities. Human activities can be significant sources of in- door air pollution. Finally, look for signs of problems with the ventilation in your home. Signs that can indicate your home may not have enough ventila- tion include moisture con- densation on windows or walls, smelly or stuffy air, dirty central heating and air cooling equipment, and areas where books, shoes, or other items be- come moldy. To detect odors in your home, step outside for a few minutes, and then upon reentering your home, note whether odors are noticeable. MEASURING POLLUTANT LEVELS The federal govern- ment recommends that you measure the level of radon in your home. Without measure- ments there is no way to tell whether radon is present because it is a col- orless, odorless, radioac- tive gas. Inexpensive de- vices are available for measuring radon. EPA provides guidance as to risks associated with dif- ferent levels of exposure and when the public should consider corrective action. There are specific mitigation techniques that have proven effective in reducing levels of radon in the home. (See "Radon" section on p. 11 of this booklet for additional in- formation about testing and controlling radon in homes.) For pollutants other than radon, measurements are most appropriate when there are either health symptoms or signs of poor ventilation and specific sources or pollut- ants have been identified as possible causes of in- door air quality problems. Testing for many pollut- ants can be expensive. Be- fore monitoring your home for pollutants be- sides radon, consult your state or local health de- partment or professionals who have experience in solving indoor air quality problems in nonindustrial buildings. Percent Reduction in Air-Exchange Rate By House-Tightening Measures 30 25 20 15 10 Storm Windows Caulking Insulation Ducts Sealed Weather Stripping Depending on which of these measures are used, a home's natural infiltration role can be reduced by up to about 30 percent. Source: Bonneville Power Administration WEATHERIZING YOUR HOME The federal govern- ment recommends that homes be weatherized in order to reduce the amount of en- ergy needed for heating and cooling. While weath- erization is underway, however, steps should also be taken to minimize pol- lution from sources inside the home. (See "Improv- ing the Air Quality in Your Home" for recommended actions.) In addition, resi- dents should be alert to the emergence of signs of inadequate ventilation, such as stuffy air, moisture condensation on cold surfaces, or mold and mildew growth. Additional weather- ization measures should not be under- taken until these problems have been corrected. Weatherization gener- ally does not cause indoor air problems by adding new pollutants to the air. (There are a few excep- tions, such as caulking, that can sometimes emit pollutants.) However, measures such as install- ing storm windows, weather stripping, caulk- ing, and blown-in wall in- sulation can reduce the amount of outdoor air in- filtrating into a home. Consequently, after weath- erization, concentrations of indoor air pollutants from sources inside the home can increase. ------- IMPROVING THE AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME n THREE BASIC STRATEGIES Source Control Usually the most effective way to im- prove indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; oth- ers, like gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions. In many cases, source control is also a more cost-effi- cient approach to protect- ing indoor air quality than increasing ventilation be- cause increasing ventila- tion can increase energy costs. Specific sources of indoor air pollution in your home are listed later in this section. Ventilation Improvements Another approach to low- ering the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Most home heating and cooling systems, including forced air heating systems, do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house. Opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, when the weather permits, or run- ning a window air condi- tioner with the vent con- trol open increases the outdoor ventilation rate. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors remove contaminants di- rectly from the room where the fan is located and also increase tihe out- door air ventilation rate. It is particularly impor- tant to take as many of these steps as possible while you are involved in short-term activities that can generate high levels of pollutants—for example, painting, paint stripping, heating with kerosene heaters, cooking, or en- gaging in maintenance and hobby activities such as welding, soldering, or sanding. You might also choose to do some of these activities outdoors, if you can and if weather per- mits. Advanced designs of new homes are starting to feature mechanical sys- tems that bring outdoor air into the home. Some of these designs include en- ergy-efficient heat recov- ery ventilators (also known as air-to-air heat exchangers). For more in- formation about air-to-air heat exchangers, contact the Conservation and Re- newable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service (CAREIRS), PO Box 3048, Merrifield, VA 22116; (800) 523-2929. Air Cleaners There are many types and sizes of air cleaners on the market, ranging from rela- tively inexpensive table- top models to sophisti- cated and expensive whole-house systems. Some air cleaners are highly effective at particle removal, while others, in- cluding most table-top models, are much less so. Air cleaners are generally not designed to remove gaseous pollutants. The effectiveness of an air cleaner depends on how well it collects pollut- ants from indoor air (ex- pressed as a percentage efficiency rate) and how much air it draws through the cleaning or filtering element (expressed in cu- bic feet per minute). A very efficient collector with a low air-circulation rate will not be effective, nor will a cleaner with a high air-circulation rate but a less efficient collec- tor. The long-term perfor- mance of any air cleaner depends on maintaining it according to the manu- facturer's directions. Another important fac- tor in determining the ef- fectiveness of an air clean- er is the strength of the pollutant source. Table-top air cleaners, in particular, may not remove satisfac- tory amounts of pollutants from strong nearby sour- ces. People with a sensitiv- ity to particular sources may find that air cleaners are helpful only in con- junction with concerted efforts to remove the source. Over the past few years, there has been some pub- licity suggesting that houseplants have been shown to reduce levels of some chemicals in labora- tory experiments. There is currently no evidence, however, that a reasonable number of houseplants remove significant quanti- ties of pollutants in homes and offices. Indoor house- plants should not be over- watered because overly damp soil may promote the growth of microorgan- isms which can affect al- lergic individuals. At present, EPA does not recommend using air cleaners to reduce levels of radon and its decay prod- ucts. The effectiveness of 1O ------- A LOOK AT SOURCE-SPECIFIC CONTROLS these devices is uncertain because they only par- tially remove the radon decay products and do not diminish the amount of radon entering the home. EPA plans to do additional research on whether air cleaners are, or could be- come, a reliable means of reducing the health risk from radon. EPA's book- let, Residential Air-Cleaning Devices, provides further information on air-clean- ing devices to reduce in- door air pollutants. For most indoor air quality problems in the home, source control is the most effec- tive solution. This section takes a source-by-source look at the most common indoor air pollutants, their potential health effects, and ways to reduce levels in the home. (For a sum- mary of the points made in this section, see the chart in the middle of this booklet titled "Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Pollutants in the Home.") RADON The most common source of indoor radon is uranium in the soil or rock on which homes are built. As uran- ium naturally breaks down, it releases radon gas which is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. Radon gas enters homes through dirt floors, cracks in concrete walls and floors, floor drains, and sumps. When radon be- comes trapped in build- ings and concentrations build up indoors, expo- sure to radon becomes a concern. I : Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without base- ments. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off ra- don, too. However, build- ing materials rarely cause radon problems by them- selves. Health Effects of Radon The predominant health effect associated with ex- posure to elevated levels of radon is lung cancer. Research suggests that swallowing water with ' high radon levels may pose risks, too, although these are believed to be much lower than those from breathing air con- taining radon. Major health organizations (like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung Asso- ciation (ALA), and the American Medical Asso- ciation) agree with esti- mates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths each year. EPA estimates that radon causes about 14,000 deaths per year in the United States—however, this number could range from 7,000 to 30,000 deaths per year. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is espe- cially high. Reducing Exposure to Radon in Homes •Measure levels of radon in your home. You can't see radon, but it's not hard to find out if you have a radon problem in your home. Testing is easy and should only take a little of your time. There are many kinds of inexpensive, do-it-yourself radon test kits you can get through the mail and in hardware stores and other retail outlets. Make sure you buy a test kit that has passed EPA's testing pro- gram or is state-certified. These kits will usually dis- play the phrase "Meets EPA Requirements." If you prefer, or if you are buying or selling a home, you can hire a trained con- tractor to do the testing for you. The EPA Radon Measurement Proficiency (RMP) Program evaluates testing contractors. A con- tractor who has met EPA's requirements will carry a special RMP identification card. EPA provides a list of companies and indivi- dual contractors to state radon offices. You can call your state radon office to obtain a list of qualified contractors in your area (call 800-SQS RADON for a list of state radon offices). \\ ------- % Coruumcf's Gu!i» To " •Refer to the EPA guide- lines on how to test and interpret your test results. You can learn more about radon through EPA's pub- lications, A Citizen's Guide to Radon: Tlie Guide to Pro- tecting Yourself and Your Family From Radon and Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon, which are available from state radon offices. •Learn about radon re- duction methods. Ways to reduce radon in your home are discussed in EPA's Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction. You can get a copy from your state radon office. There are simple solutions to ra- don problems in homes. Thousands of homeown- ers have already fixed ra- don problems. Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special skills. You should use a contractor who is trained to fix radon prob- lems. The EPA Radon Con- tractor Proficiency (RCP) Program tests these con- tractors. EPA provides a list of RCP contractors to state radon offices. A con- tractor who is listed by EPA will carry a special RCP identification card. A trained RCP contractor ACiUzen'squlde • ** The Guide To Protecting -SBC.. Yourself And Your Family From Radon can study the problem in your home and help you pick the correct treatment method. Check with your state radon office for names of qualified or state-certified radon-re- duction contractors in your area. •Stop smoking and dis- courage smoking in your home. Scientific evidence indi- cates that smoking com- bined with radon is an es- pecially serious health risk. Stop smoking and lower your radon level to reduce lung cancer risk. •Treat radon-contami- nated well water. While radon in water is not a problem in homes served by most public wa- ter supplies, it has been found in well water. If you've tested the air in your home and found a radon problem, and you have a well, contact a lab certified to measure radia- tion in water to have your water tested. Radon prob- lems in water can be readily fixed. Call your state radon office or the EPA Drinking Water Hot- line (800-426-4791) for more information. ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE E: nvironmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is the mixture of smoke that comes from the burning end of a ciga- rette, pipe, or cigar, and smoke exhaled by the smoker. It is a complex mixture of over 4,000 com- pounds, more than 40 of which are known to cause cancer in humans or ani- mals and many of which are strong irritants. ETS is often referred to as "sec- ondhand smoke" and ex- posure to ETS is often called "passive smoking." Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke In 1992, EPA completed a major assessment of the respiratory health risks of ETS (Respiratory Health Ef- fects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer and Other Dis- orders EPA/600/6-90/ 006F). The report con- cludes that exposure to ETS is responsible for ap- proximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year in nonsmoking adults and impairs the respiratory health of hundreds of thousands of children. Infants and young chil- dren whose parents smoke in their presence are at in- creased risk of lower res- piratory tract infections ^ (pneumonia and bron- chitis) and are more likely to have symp- toms of respiratory irri- tation like cough, excess phlegm, and wheeze. EPA estimates that passive smoking annually causes between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under 18 months of age, resulting in between 7,500 and 15,000 hospitalizations each year. These children may also have a build-up of fluid in the middle ear, which can lead to ear infections. Older children who have been exposed to second- hand smoke may have slightly reduced lung function. Asthmatic children are especially at risk. EPA es- timates that exposure to secondhand smoke in- creases the number of epi- sodes and severity of symptoms in hundreds of thousands of asthmatic children, and may cause thousands of nonasth- matic children to develop the disease each year. EPA estimates that between 200,000 and 1,000,000 asth- matic children have their condition made worse by exposure to secondhand smoke each year. Exposure to secondhand smoke causes eye, nose, and throat irritation. It may affect the cardiovas- cular system and some studies have linked expo- sure to secondhand smoke with the onset of chest pain. For publications about ETS, contact EPA's Indoor Air Quality Infor- mation Clearinghouse (IAQ INFO), 800-438-4318 or (202) 484-1307. 12 ------- Reducing Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke •Don't smoke at home or permit others to do so. Ask smokers to smoke outdoors. The 1986 Surgeon General's report con- cluded that physical sepa- ration of smokers and nonsmokers in a common air space, such as different rooms within the same house, may reduce—but will not eliminate—non- smokers' exposure to en- vironmental tobacco smoke. •If smoking indoors can- not be avoided, increase ventilation in the area where smoking takes place. Open windows or use ex- haust fans. Ventilation, a common method of reduc- ing exposure to indoor air pollutants, also will re- duce but not eliminate ex- posure to environmental tobacco smoke. Because smoking produces such large amounts of pollut- ants, natural or mechani- cal ventilation techniques do not remove them from the air in your home as quickly as they build up. In addition, the large in- creases in ventilation it takes to significantly re- duce exposure to environ- mental tobacco smoke can also increase energy costs substantially. Conse- quently, the most effective way to reduce exposure to environmental to- bacco smoke in the home is to eliminate smoking there. •Do not smoke if chil- dren are present, particu- larly infants and toddlers. Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of passive smoking. Do not allow baby-sitters or oth- ers who work in your home to smoke indoors. Discourage others from smoking around children. Find out about the smok- ing policies of the day care center providers, schools, and other care givers for your children. The policy should protect children from exposure to ETS. BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS iological contami- nants include bac- teria, molds, mil- dew, viruses, animal dan- der and cat saliva, house dust mites, cockroaches, and pollen. There are many sources of these pol- lutants. Pollens originate from plants; viruses are transmitted by people and animals; bacteria are car- ried by people, animals, and soil and plant debris; and household pets are sources of saliva and ani- mal dander. The protein in urine from rats and mice is a potent allergen. When it dries, it can become air- borne. Contaminated cen- tral air handling systems can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and other sources of bio- logical contaminants and can then distribute these contaminants through the home. By controlling the rela- tive humidity level in a home, the growth of some sources of biologicals can be minimized. A relative humidity of 30-50 percent is generally recommended for homes. Standing wa- ter, water-damaged mate- rials, or wet surfaces also serve as a breeding ground for molds, mil- dews, bacteria, and in- sects. House dust mites, the source of one of the most powerful biological allergens, grow in damp, warm environments. Health Effects From Biological Contaminants Some biological contami- nants trigger allergic reac- tions, including hypersen- sitivity pneumonitis, aller- gic rhinitis, and some types of asthma. Infectious illnesses, such as influ- enza, measles, and chicken pox are transmitted through the air. Molds and mildews release disease- causing toxins. Symptoms of health problems caused by biological pollutants include sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, leth- argy, fever, and digestive problems. Allergic reactions occur only after repeated expo- sure to a specific biologi- cal allergen. However, that reaction may occur immediately upon re- exposure or after multiple 13 ------- exposures over time. As a result, people who have noticed only mild allergic reactions, or no reactions at all, may suddenly find themselves very sensitive to particular allergens. Some diseases, like hu- midifier fever, are associ- ated with exposure to tox- ins from microorganisms that can grow in large building ventilation sys- tems. However, these dis- eases can also be traced to microorganisms that grow in home heating and cool- ing systems and humidifi- ers. Children, elderly people, and people with breathing problems, aller- gies, and lung diseases are particularly susceptible to disease-causing biological agents in the indoor air. Reducing Exposure to Biological Contaminants •Install and use exhaust fans that are vented to the outdoors in kitchens and bathrooms and vent clothes dryers outdoors. These actions can elimi- nate much of the moisture that builds up from every- day activities. There are exhaust fans on the mar- ket that produce little noise, an important con- sideration for some people. Another benefit to using kitchen and bath- room exhaust fans is that they can reduce levels of organic pollutants that va- porize from hot water used in showers and dish- washers. •Ventilate the attic and crawl spaces to prevent moisture build-up. Keeping humidity levels in these areas below 50 percent can prevent water condensation on building materials. •If using cool mist or ultrasonic humidifiers, clean appliances accord- ing to manufacturer's in- structions and refill with fresh water daily. Because these humidifiers can become breeding grounds for biological contaminants, they have the potential for causing diseases such as hypersensitivity pneu- monitis and humidifier fever. Evaporation trays in air conditioners, dehu- midifiers, and refrigera- tors should also be cleaned frequently. •Thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged car- pets and building materi- als (within 24 hours if possible) or consider re- moval and replacement. Water-damaged carpets and building materials can harbor mold and bacteria. It is very difficult to com- pletely rid such materials of biological contami- nants. •Keep the house clean. House dust mites, pol- lens, animal dander, and other allergy-causing agents can be reduced, although not eliminated, through regular cleaning. People who are allergic to these pollutants should use allergen-proof mat- tress encasements, wash bedding in hot (130°F) water, and avoid room furnishings that accumu- late dust, especially if they cannot be washed in hot water. Allergic individuals should also leave the house while it is being vacuumed because vacu- uming can actually in- crease airborne levels of mite allergens and other biological contaminants. Using central vacuum sys- tems that are vented to the outdoors or vacuums with high efficiency filters may also be of help. Dust mites, microscopic animals found in household dust, produce a common allergen. Exposure to house dust mites, animal-related allergens (animal dander and cat saliva), and mold have been estimated to cause 200,000 or more emergency room visits a year by asthma patients. Humid or damp conditions usually lead to greater numbers of dust mites. 14 ------- •Take steps to minimize biological pollutants in basements. Clean and disinfect the basement floor drain regu- larly. Do not finish a base- ment below ground level unless all water leaks are patched and outdoor ven- tilation and adequate heat to prevent condensation are provided. Operate a dehumidifier in the base- ment if needed to keep relative humidity levels between 30-50 percent. To learn more about bio- logical pollutants, read Biological Pollutants in Your Home issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Lung Assoc- iation. For contact infor- mation, see the section, "Where to Go For Addi- tional Information." STOVES, HEATERS, FIREPLACES, AND CHIMNEYS In addition to environ- mental tobacco smoke, other sources of com- bustion products are unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces, and gas stoves. The major pollutants released are carbon monoxide, nitro- gen dioxide, and particles. Unvented kerosene heat- ers may also generate acid aerosols. Combustion gases and particles also come from chimneys and flues that are improperly installed or maintained and cracked furnace heat exchangers. Pollutants from fireplaces and woodstoves with no dedicated outdoor air sup- ply can be "back-drafted" from the chimney into the living space, particularly in weatherized homes. Health Effects of Combustion Products Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. At high concentrations it can cause unconsciousness and death. Lower concen- trations can cause a range of symptoms from head- aches, dizziness, weak- ness, nausea, confusion, and disorientation, to fa- tigue in healthy people and episodes of increased chest pain in people with chronic heart disease. The symptoms of carbon mon- oxide poisoning are some- times confused with the flu or food poisoning. Fe- tuses, infants, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory dis- ease can be especially sen- sitive to carbon monoxide exposures. Nitrogen dioxide is a col- orless, odorless gas that irritates the mucous mem- branes in the eye, nose, and throat and causes shortness of breath after exposure to high concen- trations. There is evidence that high concentrations or continued exposure to low levels of nitrogen di- oxide increases the risk of respiratory infection; there is also evidence from ani- mal studies that repeated exposures to elevated ni- trogen dioxide levels may lead, or contribute, to the development of lung dis- ease such as emphysema. People at particular risk from exposure to nitrogen dioxide include children and individuals with asthma and other respira- tory diseases. JT ft Particles, released when fuels are incompletely burned, can lodge in the lungs and irritate or dam- age lung tissue. A number of pollutants, including radon and benzo(a)py- rene, both of which can cause cancer, attach to small particles that are in- haled and then carried deep into the lung. Reducing Exposure to Combustion Products in Homes •Take special precautions when operating fuel- burning unvented space heaters. Consider potential effects of indoor air pollution if you use an unvented kero- sene or gas space heater. Follow the manufacturer's directions, especially in- structions on the proper fuel and keeping the ------- Attached garages or workplace areas where petroleum products and old painting and cleaning supplies are stored can be major sources of organic air pollutants. heater properly adjusted. A persistent yellow-tipped flame is generally an indi- cator of maladjustment and increased pollutant emissions. While a space heater is in use, open a door from the room where the heater is located to the rest of the house and open a window slightly. •Install and use exhaust fans over gas cooking stoves and ranges and keep the burners prop- erly adjusted. Using a stove hood with a fan vented to the out- doors greatly reduces ex- posure to pollutants dur- ing cooking. Improper ad- justment, often indicated by a persistent yellow- tipped flame, causes in- creased pollutant emis- sions. Ask your gas com- pany to adjust the burner so that the flame tip is blue. If you purchase a new gas stove or range, consider buying one with pilotless ignition because it does not have a pilot light that burns continu- ously. Never use a gas stove to heat your home. Always make certain the flue in your gas fireplace is open when the fireplace is in use. •Keep wobdstove emis- sions to a minimum. Choose properly sized new stoves that are certi- fied as meeting EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors in old woodstoves are tight- fitting. Use aged or cured (dried) wood only and fol- low the manufacturer's directions for starting, stoking, and putting out the fire in woodstoves. Chemicals are used to pressure-treat wood; such wood should never be burned indoors. (Because some old gaskets in wood- stove doors contain asbes- tos, when replacing gas- kets refer to the instruc- tions in the CPSC, ALA, and EPA booklet, Asbestos in Your Home, to avoid cre- ating an asbestos problem. New gaskets are made of fiberglass.) •Have central air han- dling systems, including furnaces, flues, and chim- neys, inspected annually and promptly repair cracks or damaged parts. Blocked, leaking, or dam- aged chimneys or flues release harmful combus- tion gases and particles and even fatal concentra- tions of carbon monoxide. Strictly follow all service and maintenance proce- dures recommended by the manufacturer, includ- ing those that tell you how frequently to change the filter. If manufacturer's instructions are not readily available, change filters once every month or two during periods of use. Proper maintenance is important even for new furnaces because they can also corrode and leak combustion gases, includ- ing carbon monoxide. Read the booklet What You Should Know About Com- bustion Appliances and In- door Air Pollution to learn more about combustion pollutants. The booklet is available by contacting CPSC, EPA's IAQ INFO Clearinghouse, or your local ALA. (See "Where to Go for Additional Infor- mation" for contact infor- mation.) HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic sol- vents, as do many clean- ing, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic com- pounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored. EPA's Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies found lev- els of about a dozen com- mon organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher in- side homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in ru- ral or highly industrial areas. Additional TEAM studies indicate that while people are using products containing organic chemi- cals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentra- tions can persist in the air long after the activity is completed. Health Effects of Household Chemicals The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly — from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and 16 ------- WHAT ABOUT CARPET? In recent years, a number of consumers have associated a variety of symptoms with the installation of new carpet. Scientists have not been able to determine whether the chemicals emitted by new carpets are responsible. If you are installing new carpet, you may wish to take the following steps: * Talk to your carpet retailer. Ask for information on emissions from carpet. • Ask the retailer to unroll and air out the carpet in'a well-ventilated area before installation, • Ask for low-emitting adhesives if adhesives are needed. • Consider leaving the premises during and immedi- ately after carpet installation. You may wish to sched- ule the installation when most family members or of- fice Workers are out, • Be sure the retailer requires the installer to f ollo;w the Carpet and Rug Institute's installation guidelines. • Open doors and windows. Increasing the amount of . fresh air in the home will reduce exposure to most chemicals released from carpet. During and after in- - stallation, use window fans, room air conditioners, or other mechanical ventilation equipment you may have installed in your house, to exhaust fumes to the out- " doors. Keep them running for 48 to 72 hours after the new carpet is installed. • Contact your carpet retailer if objectionable odors ,-, persist. . • Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper ' carpet maintenance. length of time exposed. Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, diz- ziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes. Many organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals; some are sus- pected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans. Reducing Exposure to Household Chemicals •Follow label instruc- tions carefully. Potentially hazardous products often have warn- ings aimed at reducing ex- posure of the user. For ex- ample, if a label says to use the product in a well- ventilated area, go out- doors or in areas equipped with an exhaust fan to use it. Otherwise, open up windows to provide the maximum amount of out- door air possible. •Throw away partially full containers of old or unneeded chemicals safely. Because gases can leak even from closed contain- ers, this single step could help lower concentrations of organic chemicals in your home. (Be sure that materials you decide to keep are stored not only in a well-ventilated area but are also safely out of reach of children.) Do not sim- ply toss these unwanted , products in the garbage can. Find out if your local government or any orga- nization in your commu- nity sponsors special days for the collection of toxic household wastes. If such days are available, use them to dispose of the un- wanted containers safely. If no such collection days are available, think about organizing one. •Buy limited quantities. If you use products only occasionally or seasonally, such as paints, paint strip- pers, and kerosene for space heaters or gasoline for lawn mowers, buy only as much as you will , use right away. •Keep exposure to emis- sions from products con- taining methylene chlo- ride to a minimum. Consumer products that contain methylene chlo- ride include paint strip- pers, adhesive removers, and aerosol spray paints. Methylene chloride is known to cause cancer in animals. Also, methylene chloride is converted to carbon monoxide in the body and can cause symp- toms associated with ex- posure to carbon monox- ide. Carefully read the labels containing health hazard information and cautions on the proper use of these products. Use products that contain me- thylene chloride outdoors when possible; use in- doors Only if the area is well ventilated. •Keep exposure to ben- zene to a minimum. Benzene is a known hu- man carcinogen. The main indoor sources of this chemical are environmen- tal tobacco smoke, stored fuels and paint supplies, and automobile emissions in attached garages. Ac- tions that will reduce ben- zene exposure include eliminating smoking within the home, provid- ing for maximum ventila- tion during painting, and discarding paint supplies and special fuels that will not be used immediately. •Keep exposure to per- chloroethylene emissions from newly dry-cleaned materials to a minimum. Perchloroethylene is the chemical most widely used in dry cleaning. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to cause can- cer in animals. Recent studies indicate that people breathe low levels of this chemical both in homes where dry-cleaned goods are stored and as they wear dry-cleaned clothing. Dry cleaners re- capture the perchloroeth- ylene during the dry-' cleaning process so they can save money by re- using it, and they remove more of the chemical dur- ing the pres'sing and fin- ishing processes. Some dry cleaners, however, do not remove as much per- chloroethylene as possible ir ------- all of the time. Taking steps to minimize your exposure to this chemical is prudent. If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick them up, do not ac- cept them until they have been properly dried. If goods with a chemical odor are returned to you on subsequent visits, try a different dry cleaner. FORMALDEHYDE Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by in- dustry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a by- product of combustion and certain other natural processes. Thus, it may be present in substantial con- centrations both indoors and outdoors. Sources of formalde- hyde in the home include building materials, smok- ing, household products, and the use of unvented, fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters. Formalde- hyde, by itself or in combi- nation with other chemi- cals, serves a number of purposes in manufactured products. For example, it is used to add permanent- press qualities to clothing and draperies, as a com- ponent of glues and adhe- sives, and as a preserva- tive in some paints and coating products. In homes, the most sig- nificant sources of formal- dehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formalde- hyde (UF) resins. Pressed wood products made for indoor use include: par- ticleboard (used as subflooring and shelving and in cabinetry and fur- niture); hardwood ply- wood paneling (used for decorative wall covering and used in cabinets and furniture); and medium density fiberboard (used for drawer fronts, cabi- nets, and furniture tops). Medium density fiber- board contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product and is gen- erally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde- emitting pressed wood product. Other pressed wood products, such as soft- wood plywood and flake or oriented strandboard, are produced for exterior construction use and con- tain the dark, or red/ black-colored phenol- formaldehyde (PF) resin. Although formaldehyde is present in both types of resins, pressed woods that contain PF resin generally emit formaldehyde at con- siderably lower rates than those containing UF resin. Since 1985, the Depart- ment of Housing and Ur- ban Development (HUD) has permitted only the use of plywood and particle- board that conform to specified formaldehyde emission limits in the con- struction of prefabricated and mobile homes. In the past, some of these homes had elevated levels of formaldehyde because of the large amount of high- emitting pressed wood products used in their construction and because of their relatively small interior space. The rate at which prod- ucts like pressed wood or textiles release formalde- hyde can change. Formal- dehyde emissions will generally decrease as products age. When the products are new, high in- door temperatures or hu- midity can cause increased release of formaldehyde from these products. During the 1970s, many homeowners had urea- formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) installed in the wall cavities of their homes as an energy con- servation measure. How- ever, many of these homes were found to have rela- tively high indoor concen- trations of formaldehyde soon after the UFFI instal- lation. Few homes are now being insulated with this product. Studies (continued on page 23) 18 ------- REFERENCE GUIDE TO MAJOR INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS IN THE HOME The pollutants listed in this guide have been shown to cause the health effects mentioned. However, it is not necessarily true that the ef- fects noted occur at the pollutant concentration levels typically found in the home. In many cases, our understanding of the pollutants and their health effects is too limited to determine the levels at which the listed effects could occur. RADON Sources: Earth and rock beneath home; well water; building materials. Health Effects: No imme- diate symptoms. Esti- mated to contribute to be- tween 7,000 and 30,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Smokers are at higher risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer. Levels in Homes: Based on a national residential radon survey completed in 1991, the average in- door radon level is 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/ L). The average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L. Steps to Reduce Exposure: • Test your home for ra- don—if s easy and inex- pensive. • Fix your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. • Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced. • If you want more infor- mation on radon, con- tact your state radon of- fice, or call 800-S.OS RA- DON. ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE Source: Cigarette, pipe, and cigar smoking. Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; head- aches; lung cancer; may contribute to heart dis- ease. Specifically for chil- dren, increased risk of lower respiratory tract in- fections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and ear infections; build-up of fluid in the middle ear; increased severity and fre- quency of asthma epi- sodes; decreased lung function. Levels in Homes: Particle levels in homes without smokers or other strong particle sources are the same as, or lower than, those outdoors. Homes with one or more smokers rnay have particle levels several times higher than outdoor levels. Steps to Reduce Exposure: • Do not smoke in your home or permit others to do so. * Do not smoke if children are present, particularly infants and toddlers. * If smoking indoors can- not be avoided, increase ventilation in the area where smoking takes place. Open windows or use exhaust fans. 19 ------- BIOLOGICALS ,, . . Sources; Wet or, moist walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture; poorly maintained humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners; bedding; household pets. Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; shortness of breath; dizzi- ness; lethargy; fever; di- gestive problems. Can cause asthma; humidifier fever; influenza and other Infectious diseases. '"Bevels in Homes: Indoor 1" levels of pollen and fungi are lower than outdoor levels (except where in- door sources of fungi are present). Indoor levels of dust mites aye higher than outdoor levels. Steps to Reduce Exposure: • Install and use fans vented to outdoors in kitchens and bathrooms. f Vent clothes dryers to outdoors. * Clean cool mist and ul- trasonic humidifiers in accordance with manufacturer's instruct tipns and refill with clean water daily. .* Empty water trays in air conditioners, dehumidi- fiers, and refrigerators frequently. » Clean and dry or re- move water-damaged carpets. * Use basements as living areas only if they are leakproof and have adequate ventilation. Use delnjrnidif iers, if necessary, to maintain humidity between 30-50 percent. CARBON MONOXIDE Sources: Unvented kero- sene and gas space heat- ers; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, woodstoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves. Au- tomobile exhaust from at- tached garages. Environ- mental tobacco smoke. Health Effects: At low con- centrations, fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concen- trations, impaired vision and coordination; head- aches; dizziness; confu- sion; nausea. Can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Fatal at very high concentrations. Levels in Homes: Average levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly ad- justed gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher. REFERENCE GUIDE TO MAJOR IN Steps to Reduce Exposure: • Keep gas appliances properly adjusted. • Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one. • Use proper fuel in kero- sene space heaters. • Install and use an ex- haust fan vented to out- doors over gas stoves. • Open flues when fire- places are in use. • Choose properly sized woodstoves that are cer- tified to meet EPA emis- sion standards. Make certain that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly. • Have a trained profes- sional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly. • Do not idle the car in- side garage. NITROGEN DIOXIDE Sources: Kerosene heaters, unvented gas stoves and heaters. Environmental tobacco smoke. Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation. May cause impaired lung func- tion and increased respira- tofy infections in young children. Levels in Homes: Average level in homes without combustion appliances is about half that of out- doors. In homes with gas stoves, kerosene heaters, or unvented gas space heaters, indoor levels of- ten exceed outdoor levels. Steps to Reduce Exposure: See steps under carbon monoxide. 2O ------- AIR POLLUTANTS IN THE HOME ORGANIC GASES Sources: Household prod- ucts including: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preserva- tives; aerosol sprays; cleansers and disinfec- tants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry- cleaned clothing. Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; head- aches, loss of coordina- tion, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some or- ganics can cause cancer in animals; some are sus- pected or known to cause cancer in humans. Levels in Homes: Studies have found that levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. During and for several hours immedi- ately after certain activi- ties, such as paint strip- ping, levels may be 1,000 times background outdoor levels. Steps to Reduce Exposure: • Use household products according to manufac- turer's directions. • Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using these products. • Throw away unused or little-used containers safely; buy in quantities that you will use soon. • Keep out of reach of children and pets. • Never mix household care products unless di- rected on the label. RESPIRABLE PARTICLES Sources: Fire- places, woodstoves, and kerosene heaters. Environmental tobacco smoke. Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; respi- ratory infections and bron- chitis; lung cancer. (Effects attributable to environ- mental tobacco smoke are listed elsewhere.) Levels in Homes: Particle levels in homes without smoking or other strong particle sources are the same as, or lower than, outdoor levels. Steps to Reduce Exposure: • Vent all furnaces to out- doors; keep doors to rest of house open when us- ing unvented space heaters. • Choose properly sized woodstoves, certified to meet EPA emission stan- dards; make certain that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly. * Have a trained profes- sional inspect, clean, and. tune-up central heating system (furnace, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly. • Change filters on central heating and cooling sys- tems and air cleaners according to manufac- turer's directions. FORMALDEHYDE Sources: Pressed wood products (hardwood ply- wood wall paneling, par- ticleboard, fiberboard) and furniture made with these pressed wood products. Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). Com- bustion sources and envi- .St.- ronmental tobacco smoke. Durable press drapes, other textiles, and glues. Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. May cause cancer. May also cause other effects listed under "organic gases." Levels in Homes: Average concentrations in older homes without UEFI are generally well below 0.1 (ppm). In homes with sig- nificant amounts of new pressed wood products, levels can be greater than 0.3 ppm. Steps to Reduce Exposure: • Use "exterior-grade" pressed wood products (lower-emitting because they contain phenol res- ins, not urea resins). • Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to main- tain moderate tempera- ture and reduce humid- ity levels. • Increase ventilation, par- ticularly after bringing new sources of formal- dehyde into the home. 21 ------- PESTICIDES (in- 4, termiticides, IMd disinfectants). Also, products used on lawns i jppd gardens that drift or are tracked inside the Health Effects: Irritation to eye, nose, and throat; damage to central nervous system and kidney; in- creased risk of cancer. Levels in Homes: Prelimi- nary research shows wide- spread presence of pesti- cide residues.in hqmes. Steps to Reduce Exposure: • Use strictly according to manufacturer's direc- ...... *,' Islix'pr dilute outdoors.' * Apply only in recom- mended quantities. * Increase ventilation when using indoors. Take plants or pets out- doors when applying pesticides to them. * Use nonchemical meth- ods of pest control where possible. • If you use a pest control company, select it care- fully. • Do not store unneeded pesticides inside home; dispose of unwanted containers safely. • Store clothes with moth repellents in separately ventilated areas, if pos- sible. • Keep indoor spaces clean, dry, and well ven- tilated to avoid pest and odor problems. ASBESTOS Sources: Deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed in- sulation, fireproofing, acoustical materials, and floor tiles. Health Effects: No imme- diate symptoms, but long- term risk of chest and ab- dominal cancers and lung diseases. Smokers are at higher risk of developing asbestos-induced lung cancer. Levels in Homes: Elevated levels can occur in homes where asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed. Steps to Reduce Exposure: • It is best to leave un- damaged asbestos mate- rial alone if it is not likely to be disturbed. • Use trained and quali- fied contractors for con- trol measures that may disturb asbestos and for cleanup. • Follow proper proce- dures in replacing wood- stove door gaskets that may contain asbestos. LEAD Sources: Lead-based p'aint, contaminated soil, dust, and drinking water. Health Effects: Lead af- fects practically all sys- tems within the body. Lead at high levels (lead levels at or above 80 mi- crograms per deciliter (80 ug/dl) of blood) can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lower levels of lead can cause adverse health effects on the cen- tral nervous system, kid- ney, and blood cells. Blood lead levels as low as 10 !^g/dl can impair men- tal and physical develop- ment. Steps to Reduce Exposure: • Keep areas where chil- dren play as dust-free and clean as possible. • Leave lead-based paint undisturbed if it is in good condition; do not sand or burn off paint that may contain lead, * Do not remove lead paint yourself. * Do not bring lead dust into the home. * If your work or hobby involves lead, change clothes and use door- mats before entering your home. • Eat a balanced diet, rich in calcium and iron. 22 ------- Pressed wood products made with phenol-formaldehyde are sometimes stamped to indicate they are suitable for exterior use. In general, phenol-formaldehyde wood products emit less formal- dehyde than wood products made with urea-formaldehyde. show that formaldehyde emissions from UFFI de- cline with time; therefore, homes in which UFFI was installed many years ago are unlikely to have high levels of formaldehyde now. Health Effects of Formaldehyde Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burn- ing sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trig- ger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can de- velop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause can- cer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Reducing Exposure to Formaldehyde in Homes •Ask about the formalde- hyde content of pressed wood products, including building materials, cabinetry, and furniture before you purchase them. If you experience adverse reactions to formaldehyde, you may want to avoid the use of pressed wood products and other form- aldehyde-emitting goods. Even if you do not experi- ence such reactions, you may wish to reduce your exposure as much as pos- sible by purchasing exte- rior-grade products, which emit less formalde- hyde. For further informa- tion on formaldehyde and consumer products, call the EPA Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) assis- tance line (202-554-1404). Some studies suggest that coating pressed wood products with polyure- thane may reduce form- aldehyde emissions for some period of time. To be effective, any such coating must cover all sur- faces and edges and remain in- tact. In- crease the ventilation and carefully fol- " low the manufacturer's instruc- tions while applying these coatings. (If you are sensi- tive to formaldehyde, check the label contents before purchasing coating products to avoid buying products that contain formaldehyde, as they will emit the chemical for a short time after applica- tion.) •Maintain moderate tem- perature and humidity levels and provide ad- equate ventilation. The rate at which formal- dehyde is released is ac- celerated by heat and may also depend somewhat on the humidity level. There- fore, the use of dehumidi- fiers and air conditioning to control humidity and to maintain a moderate tem- perature can help reduce formaldehyde emissions. (Drain and clean dehu- midifier collection trays frequently so that they do not become a breeding ground for microorgan- isms.) Increasing the rate of ventilation in your home will also help in re- ducing formaldehyde levels. PESTICIDES According to a re- cent survey, 75 percent of U.S. households used at least one pesticide product in- doors during the past year. Products used most often are insecticides and disinfectants. Another study suggests that 80-90 percent of most people's exposure to pesticides occurs indoors and that measurable levels of up to a dozen pesticides have been found in the air in- side homes. The amount of pesticides found in homes appears to be greater than can be ex- plained by recent pesticide use in those households; other possible sources in- clude contaminated soil or dust that floats or is tracked in from outside, stored pesticide contain- ers, and household sur- faces that collect and then release the pesticides. Pesticides used in and around the home include products to control insects (insecticides), termites (termiticides), rodents (rodenticides), fungi (fun- gicides), and microbes (disinfectants). They are sold as sprays, liquids, sticks, powders, crystals, balls, and foggers. In 1990, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that some 79,000 children were involved in common household pesticide poi- sonings or exposures. In households -with children under five years old, al- most one-half stored at least one pesticide product within reach of children. 23 ------- EPA registers pesticides for use and requires manufacturers to put in- formation on the label about when and how to use the pesticide. It is im- portant to remember that the "-cide" in pesticides means "to kill." Tltese prod- ucts can fe dangerous if not ttscdproperly. In addition to the active ingredient, pesticides are also made up of ingredi- ents that are used to carry the active agent. These carrier agents are called "inerts" in pesticides be- cause they are not toxic to the targeted pest; never- theless/ some inerts are capable of causing health problems. Health Effects From Pesticides Both the active and inert ingredients in pesticides can be organic com- pounds; therefore, both could add to the levels of airborne organics inside homes. Both types of in- gredients can cause the effects discussed in this booklet under "Household Products." However, as with other household products, there is insuffi- cient understanding at present about what pesti- cide concentrations are necessary to produce these effects. Exposure to high levels of cyclodiene pesticides, commonly associated with misapplication, has pro- duced various symptoms, including headaches, diz- ziness, muscle twitching, weakness, tingling sensa- tions, and nausea. In addi- tion, EPA is concerned that cyclodienes might cause long-term damage to the liver and the central nervous system, as well as an increased risk of cancer. There is no further sale or commercial use permit- ted for the following cy- clodiene or related pesti- cides: chlordane, aldrin, dieldrin, and heptachlor. The only exception is the use of heptachlor by util- ity companies to control fire ants in underground cable boxes. Reducing Exposure to Pesticides in Homes •Read the label and fol- low the directions. It is illegal to use any pesti- cide in any manner in- consistent with the direc- tions on its label. Unless you have had spe- cial training and are certi- fied, never use a pesticide that is restricted to use by state-certified pest control operators. Such pesticides are simply too dangerous for application by a noncertified person. Use only the pesticides ap- proved for use by the gen- eral public and then only in recommended amounts; increasing the amount does not offer more pro- tection against pests and can be harmful to you and your plants and pets. •Ventilate the area well after pesticide use. Mix or dilute pesticides outdoors or in a well-ven- tilated area and only in the amounts that will be im- mediately needed. If pos- sible, take plants and pets outside when applying pesticides to them. •Use nonchemical methods of pest control when possible. Since pesticides can be found far from the site of their original application, it is prudent to reduce the use of chemical pesticides outdoors as well as in- doors. Depending on the site and pest to be con- trolled, one or more of the following steps can be ef- fective: use of biological pesticides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis, for the con- trol of gypsy moths; selec- tion of disease-resistant plants; and frequent wash- ing of indoor plants and pets. Termite damage can be reduced or prevented by making certain that wooden building materi- als do not come into direct contact with the soil and by storing firewood away from the home. By appro- priately fertilizing, water- ing, and aerating lawns, the need for chemical pes- ticide treatments of lawns can be dramatically re- duced. •If you decide to use a pest control company, choose one carefully. Ask for an inspection of your home and get a writ- ten control program for evaluation before you sign a contract. The control program should list spe- cific names of pests to be controlled and chemicals to be used; it should also reflect any of your safety concerns. Insist on a proven record of compe- tence and customer satis- faction. •Dispose of unwanted pesticides safely. If you have unused or par- tially used pesticide con- tainers you want to get rid of, dispose of them ac- cording to the directions on the label or on special household hazardous waste collection days. If there are no such collec- tion days in your commu- nity, work with others to organize them. •Keep exposure to moth repellents to a minimum. One pesticide often found in the home is paradichlo- robenzene, a commonly used active ingredient in moth repellents. This chemical is known to ------- cause cancer in animals, but substantial scientific uncertainty exists over the effects, if any, of long-term human exposure to paradichlorobenzene. EPA requires that products containing paradichlo- robenzene bear warnings such as "avoid breathing vapors" to warn users of potential short-term toxic effects. Where possible, — paradichlorobenzene, and items to be protected against moths, should be placed in trunks or other containers that can be stored in areas that are separately ventilated from the home, such as attics and detached garages. Paradichlorobenzene is also the key active ingredi- ent in many air fresheners (in fact, some labels for moth repellents recom- mend that these same products be used as air fresheners or deodorants). Proper ventilation and ba- sic household cleanliness will go a long way toward preventing unpleasant odors. • Call the National Pesti- cide Telecommunications Network (NPTN). EPA sponsors the NPTN (800-858-PEST) to answer your questions about pes- ticides and to provide se- lected EPA publications on pesticides. There are simple steps people can take to prevent, reduce, or control pest infestations. Such techniques can become part of an overall pest management program (sometimes called "integrated" pest management) that relies on many techniques, not just chemicals. ASBESTOS Asbestos is a min- eral fiber that has been used com- monly in a variety of building construction ma- terials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. EPA and CPSC have banned several asbestos products. Manufacturers have also voluntarily limited uses of asbestos. Today, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes, in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, tex- tured paints and other coating materials, and floor tiles. Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur after asbestos-con- taining materials are dis- turbed by cutting, sanding or other remodeling activi- ties. Improper attempts to remove these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, in- creasing asbestos levels and endangering people living in those homes. Health Effects of Asbestos The most dangerous as- bestos fibers are too small to be visible. After they are inhaled, they can re- main and accumulate in the lungs. Asbestos can cause lung cancer, meso- thelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal lin- ings), and asbestosis (irre- versible lung scarring that can be fatal). Symptoms of these diseases do not show up until many years after exposure began. Most people with asbes- tos-related diseases were exposed to elevated con- centrations on the job; 25 ------- some developed disease from exposure to clothing and equipment brought home from job sites. Reducing Exposure to Asbestos in Homes •Learn how asbestos problems are created in homes. Read the booklet, Asbestos in Your Home, issued by CPSC, the ALA, and EPA. To contact these organiza- tions, see the section, "Where to Go For More Information." •If you think your home may have asbestos, don't panic! Usually it is best to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone. Generally, material in good condition will not release asbestos fiber. There is no danger unless fibers are released and in- haled into the lungs. •Do not cut, rip, or sand asbestos-containing mate- rials. Leave undamaged materi- als alone and, to the extent possible, prevent them from being damaged, dis- turbed, or touched. Peri- odically inspect for dam- age or deterioration. Dis- card damaged or worn asbestos gloves, stove-top pads, or ironing board covers. Check with local health, environmental, or other appropriate officials to find out about proper handling and disposal procedures. If asbestos material is more than slightly dam- aged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Before you have your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos materi- als are present. •When you need to re- move or clean up asbes- tos, use a professionally trained contractor. Select a contractor only after careful discussion of the problems in your home and the steps the contractor will take to clean up or remove them. Consider the option of sealing off the materials instead of removing them. Call EPA'sTSCA assis- tance line (202-554-1404) to find out whether your state has a training and certification program for asbestos removal contrac- tors and for information on EPA's asbestos pro- grams. LEAD Lead has long been recognized as a harmful environ- mental pollutant. In late 1991, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services called lead the "number one en- vironmental threat to the health of children in the United States." There are many ways in which hu- mans are exposed to lead: through air, drinking wa- ter, food, contaminated soil, deteriorating paint, and dust. Airborne lead enters the body when an individual breathes or swallows lead particles or dust once it has settled. Before it was known how harmful lead could be, it was used in paint, gaso- line, water pipes, and many other products. Old lead-based paint is the most significant source of lead exposure in the U.S. today. Harmful expo- sures to lead can be cre- ated when lead-based paint is improperly re- moved from surfaces by dry scraping, sanding, or open-flame burning. High concentrations of airborne lead particles in homes can also result from lead dust from outdoor sources, including con- taminated soil tracked in- side, and use of lead in certain indoor activities such as soldering and stained-glass making. Health Effects of Exposure to Lead Lead affects practically all systems within the body. At high levels it can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lower levels of lead can adversely af- ------- feet the brain, central ner- vous system, blood cells, and kidneys. The effects of lead expo- sure on fetuses and young children can be severe. They include delays in physical and mental de- velopment, lower IQ lev- els, shortened attention spans, and increased behavioral problems. Fetuses, infants, and chil- dren are more vulnerable to lead exposure than adults since lead is more easily absorbed into grow- ing bodies, and the tissues of small children are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Children may have higher expo- sures since they are more likely to get lead dust on their hands and then put their fingers or other lead- contaminated objects into their mouths. Get your child tested for lead exposure. To find out where to do this, call your doctor or local health clinic. For more informa- tion on health effects, get a copy of the Centers for Disease Control's, Prevent- ing Lead Poisoning in Young Children (October 1991). Ways to Reduce Exposure to Lead •Keep areas where chil- dren play as dust-free and clean as possible. Mop floors and wipe win- dow ledges and chewable surfaces such as cribs with a solution of powdered automatic dishwasher de- tergent in warm water. (Dishwasher detergents are recommended because of their high content of phosphate.) Most multi- purpose cleaners will not remove lead in ordinary dust. Wash toys and stuffed animals regularly. Make sure that children wash their hands before meals, nap time, and bed- time. •Reduce the risk from lead-based paint. Most homes built before 1960 contain heavily leaded paint. Some homes built as recently as 1978 may also contain lead paint. This paint could be on window frames, walls, the outside of homes, or other surfaces. Do not burn painted wood since it may contain lead. •Leave lead-based paint undisturbed if it is in good condition—do not sand or burn off paint that may contain lead. Lead paint in good condi- tion is usually not a prob- lem except in places where painted surfaces rub against each other and create dust (for example, opening a window). •Do not remove lead paint yourself. Individuals have been poisoned by scraping or sanding lead paint be- cause these activities gen- erate large amounts of lead dust. Consult your state health or housing de- partment for suggestions on which private laborato- ries or public agencies may be able to help test your home for lead in paint. Home test kits can- not detect small amounts of lead under some condi- tions. Hire a person with special training for cor- recting lead paint prob- lems to remove lead-based paint. Occupants, espe- cially children and preg- Do not remove lead-based paint by scraping, sanding, or burning it off. Such removal techniques can result in lead levels in the air that are 10 to 100 times higher than normal. nant women, should leave the building until all work is finished and clean-up is done. For additional informa- tion dealing with lead- based paint abatement contact the Department of Housing and Urban De- velopment for the follow- ing two documents: Com- prehensive and Workable Plan for the Abatement of Lead-Based Paint in Pri- vately Owned Housing: Re- port to Congress (December 7,1990) and Lead-Based Paint: Interim Guidelines for Hazard Identification and Abatement in Public and In- dian Housing (September 1990). •Do not bring lead dust into the home. If you work in construc- tion, demolition, painting, with batteries, in a radia- tor repair shop or lead fac- tory, or your hobby in- volves lead, you may un- knowingly bring lead into your home on your hands or clothes. You may also be tracking in lead from soil around your home. Soil very close to homes may be contaminated from lead paint on the outside of the building. Soil by roads and high- ways may be contami- nated from years of ex- haust fumes from cars and trucks that used leaded gas. Use door mats to wipe your feet before en- tering the home. If you work with lead in your job or a hobby, change your clothes before you go home and wash these clothes separately. En- courage your children to play in sand and grassy areas instead of dirt which sticks to fingers and toys. Try to keep your children from eating dirt, and make sure they wash their hands when they come inside. • Find out about lead in drinking water. Most well and city water does not usually contain lead. Water usually picks up lead inside the home from household plumbing that is made with lead ma- terials. The only way to know if there is lead in drinking water is to have it tested. Contact the local health department or the ------- water supplier to find out how to get the water tested. Send for the EPA pamphlet, Lead and Your Drinking Water, for more information about what you can do if you have lead in your drinking wa- ter. Call EPA's Safe Drink- ing Water Hotline (800- 426-4791) for more infor- mation. •Eat right. A child who gets enough iron and calcium will ab- sorb less lead. Foods rich in iron include eggs, red meats, and beans. Dairy products are high in cal- cium. Do not store food or liquid in lead crystal glass- ware or imported or old pottery. If you reuse old plastic bags to store or carry food, keep the print- ing on the outside of the bag. You can get a brochure, Lead Poisoning and Your Children, and more infor- mation by calling the Na- tional Lead Information Center, 800-LEAD-FYL WHEN BUILDING A NEW HOME Ill , if lli'Jj ' !'jli"iHI|, ,; 'tllli B uilding a new home provides the opportunity for , preventing indoor air ;!jpfdblems. However, it can j result in exposure to high- i er levels of indoor air contaminants if careful atr • tention is not given to po- [ tential pollution sources and the air exchange rate. Express your concerns aboutindoor air quality to ^dur architect or builder and enlist his or her coop- eration in taking measures to provide good indoor air quality. Talk both about purchasing building mat- erials and.furnishings that are iow-emitting and ab- out providing an adequate amount of ventilation. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning En- gineers recommends a ventilation rate of 0.35 ach (air changes per hour) for new homes, and some new homes are built to even tighter specifications. Particular care should be given in such homes to preventing the build-up of indoor air pollutants to high levels. Here are a few impor- tant actions that can make a difference: •Use radon-resistant con- struction techniques. Obtain a copy of the EPA booklet, Radon-Resistant Construction Techniques for Residential Construction, from your state radon office,or health.agency, your state homebuilders' association, or your EPA regional office. • Choose building materi- als and furnishings that will keep indoor air pol- lution to a minimum. There are many actions a homeowner can take to select products that will prevent indoor air prob- lems from occurring—a couple of them are men- tioned here. First, use exterior-grade pressed wood products made with phenol-formaldehyde resin in floors, cabinetry, and wall surfaces. Or, as an alternative, consider using solid wood prod- ucts. Secondly, if you plan to install wall-to-wall car- pet on concrete in contact with the ground, espe- cially concrete in base- ments, make sure that an effective moisture barrier is installed prior to install- ing the carpet. Do not per- manently adhere carpet to concrete with adhesives so that the carpet can be re- moved if it becomes wet. •Provide proper drainage and seal foundations in new construction. Air that enters the home through the foundation can contain more moisture than is generated from all occupant activities. •Become familiar with mechanical ventilation systems and consider in- stalling one. Advanced designs of new homes are starting to fea- ture mechanical systems that bring outdoor air into the home. Some of these designs include energy- efficient heat recovery ventilators (also known as air-to-air heat exchangers). •Ensure that combustion appliances, including fur- naces, fireplaces, woodstoves, and heaters, are properly vented and receive enough supply air. Combustion gases, includ- ing carbon monoxide, and particles can be back- drafted from the chimney or flue into the living space if the combustion appliance is not properly vented or does not receive enough supply air. Back- drafting can be a particu- lar problem in weather- ized or tightly constructed homes, installing a dedi- cated outdoor air supply for the combustion appli- aji.ce can help prevent backdrafting. 2B ------- DO YOU SUSPECT YOUR OFFICE HAS AN INDOOR AIR PROBLEM? Indoor air quality problems are not limited to homes. In fact, many office buildings have significant air pollu- tion sources. Some of these buildings may be inadequately ventilated. For example, mechanical ventilation systems may not be designed or oper- ated to provide adequate amounts of outdoor air. Finally, people generally have less control over the indoor environment in their offices than they do in their homes. As a re- sult, there has been an in- crease in the incidence of reported health problems. HEALTH EFFECTS A number of well-identi- fied illnesses, such as Legionnaire's disease, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidi- fier fever, have been di- rectly traced to specific building problems. These are called building-related illnesses. Most of these diseases can be treated— nevertheless, some pose serious risks. Sometimes, however, building occupants experi- ence symptoms that do not fit the pattern of any particular illness and are difficult to trace to any specific source. This phe- nomenon has been labeled sick building syndrome. People may complain of one or more of the follow- ing symptoms: dry or burning mucous mem- branes in the nose, eyes, and throat; sneezing; stuffy or runny nose; fa- tigue or lethargy; head- ache; dizziness; nausea; irritability and forgetful- ness. Poor lighting, noise, vibration, thermal discom- fort, and psychological stress may also cause, or contribute to, these symp- toms. There is no single man- ner in which these health problems appear. In some cases, problems begin as workers enter their offices and diminish as workers leave; other times, symp- toms continue until the illness is treated. Some- times there are outbreaks of illness among many workers in a single build- ing; in other cases, health symptoms show up only in individual workers. In the opinion of some World Health Organiza- tion experts, up to 30 per- cent of new or remodeled commercial buildings may have unusually high rates of health and comfort complaints from occu- pants that may potentially be related to indoor air quality. WHAT CAUSES PROBLEMS? Three major reasons for poor indoor air quality in office buildings are the presence of indoor air pol- lution sources; poorly de- signed, maintained, or op- erated ventilation systems; and uses of the building that were unanticipated or poorly planned for when the building was designed or renovated. Sources of Office Air Pollution As with homes, the most important factor influenc- ing indoor air quality is the presence of pollutant sources. Commonly found office pollutants and their sources include environ- mental tobacco smoke; as- bestos from insulating and fire-retardant building supplies; formaldehyde from pressed wood prod- ucts; other organics from building materials, carpet, and other office furnish- ings, cleaning materials and activities, restroom air fresheners, paints, adhe- sives, copying machines, and photography and print shops; biological contaminants from dirty ventilation systems or wa- ter-damaged walls, ceil- ings, and carpets; and pes- ticides from pest manage- ment practices. Ventilation Systems Mechanical ventilation systems in large buildings are designed and operated not only to heat and cool the air, but also to draw in and circulate outdoor air. If they are poorly de- signed, operated, or main- tained, however, ventila- tion systems can contrib- ute to indoor air problems in several ways. For example, problems arise when, in an effort to save energy, ventilation systems are not used to bring in adequate amounts of outdoor air. Inadequate ventilation also occurs if the air sup- ply and return vents within each room are blocked or placed in such a way that outdoor air does,not actually reach the breathing zone of building occupants. Improperly lo- cated outdoor air intake vents can also bring in air contaminated with auto- mobile and truck exhaust, boiler emissions, fumes from dumpsters, or air vented from rest- « rooms. Finally, venti- I lation systems can * be a source of in- 29 ------- door pollution themselves by spreading biological contaminants that have multiplied in cooling tow- ers, humidifiers, dehu- midifiers, air conditioners, or the inside surfaces of ventilation duct work. Use of the Building Indoor air pollutants can be circulated from por- tions of the building used for specialized purposes, such as restaurants, print shops, and dry-cleaning stores, into offices in the same building. Carbon monoxide and other com- ponents of automobile ex- haust can be drawn from underground parking ga- rages through stairwells and elevator shafts into office spaces. In addition, buildings originally designed for one purpose may end up being converted to use as office space. If not properly modified during building renova- tions, the room partitions and ventilation system can contribute to indoor air quality problems by re- stricting air recirculation or by providing an inad- equate supply of outdoor air. WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A PROBLEM If you or others at your office are experiencing health or comfort prob- lems that you suspect may be caused by indoor air pollution, you can do the following: •Talk with other workers, your supervisor, and union representatives to see if the problems are be- ing experienced by others and urge that a record of reported health com- plaints be kept by man- agement, if one has not already been established. • Talk with your own physician \ and report your problems to the company physician, nurse, or health and safety officer. •Call your state or local health department or air pollution control agency to talk over the symptoms and possible causes. •Encourage building management to obtain a copy of Building Air Qual- ity: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Manag- ers. Building Air Quality (BAQ) is simply written, yet provides comprehen- sive information for iden- tifying, correcting, and preventing indoor air quality problems. BAQ also provides supporting information such as when and how to select outside technical assistance, how to communicate with oth- ers regarding indoor air issues, and where to find additional sources of in- formation. BAQ is avail- able for $24 from U.S. GPO, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954; stock #055- 000-00390-4 or call (202) 783-3238. •Frequently, indoor air quality problems in large commercial buildings can- not be effectively identi- fied or remedied without a comprehensive building investigation. These inves- tigations may start with written questionnaires and telephone consulta- tions in which building investigators assess the history of occupant symp- toms and building opera- tion procedures. In some cases, these inquiries may quickly uncover the prob- lem and on-site visits are unnecessary. •More often, however/in- vestigators will need to come to the building to conduct personal inter- views with occupants, to look for possible sources of the problems, and to inspect the design and op- eration of the ventilation system and other building features. Because taking measurements of pollut- ants at the very low levels often found in office buildings is expensive and may not yield information readily useful in identify- ing problem sources, in- vestigators may not take many measurements. The process of solving indoor air quality problems that result in health and com- fort complaints can be a slow one, involving sev- eral trial solutions before successful remedial ac- tions are identified. •If a professional com- pany is hired to conduct a building investigation, select a company on the basis of its experience in identifying and solving indoor air quality prob- lems in nonindustrial buildings. •Work with others to es- tablish a smoking policy that eliminates involun- tary nonsmoker exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. • Call the National Insti- tute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for information on obtaining a health haz- ard evaluation of your of- fice (800-35NIOSH), or ; contact the Occupational Safety and Health Admin- istration, (202) 219-8151. 3O ------- WHERE TO GO FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEDERAL INFORMATION SERVICES Federal agencies with indoor air quality infor- mation may be contacted as follows: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Public Information Center 401 M St., SW Washington, DC 20460 (202) 260-7751 Indoor Air Quality Infor- mation Clearinghouse (IAQ INFO) P.O. Box 37133 Washington, DC 20013-7133 (800)438-4318; (202)484-1307 Operates Monday to Fri- day from 9 to 5 Eastern Standard Time (EST). Dis- tributes EPA publications, answers questions on the phone, and makes refer- rals to other nonprofit and governmental organiza- tions. National Radon Hotline (800) SOS-RADON Information recording op- erates 24 hours a day. National Lead Information Center (800) LEAD-FYI Operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers may order an information package. To speak to an information specialist, call (800)424-5323. Operates Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 5 EST. National Pesticides Tele- communications Network National toll-free number: (800) 858-PEST In Texas: (806) 743-3091 Operates Monday to Fri- day from 8 to 6 Central Standard Time. Provides information about pesti- cides to the general public and the medical, veteri- nary, and professional communities. RCRA/Superfund Hotline National toll-free number: (800) 424-9346 In Washington, DC area: (703) 412-9810 Operates Monday to Fri- day from 8:30 to 7:30 EST. Provides information on regulations under both the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (includ- ing solid and hazardous waste issues) and the Superfund law. Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791 Operates Monday to Fri- day from 8:30 to 5 EST. Provides information on regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act, lead and radon in drinking water, filter information, and a list of state drinking water offices. TSCA Assistance Information Service (202) 554-1404, Operates Monday to Fri- day from 8:30 to 5 EST. Provides information on regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act and on EPA's asbestos program.. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Washington, DC 20207-0001 Product Safety Hotline: (800) 638-CPSC Teletypewriter for the hearing impaired (outside Maryland): (800) 638-8270; Maryland only: (800) 492-8104. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day when calling from a touch-tone phone. Opera- tors are on duty Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 4 EST to take complaints about unsafe consumer products. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Energy and the Environment Washington, DC 20410 HUD USER National toll-free number: (800) 245-2691 In Washington, DC area: (301) 251-5154. U.S. Department of Energy Office of Conservation and Renewable Energy 1000 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20585 31 ------- Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service (CAREIRS) PO Box 3048, Merrifield, VA 22116; (800) 523-2929. Operates Monday to Friday from 9 to 5 EST. Provides consumer information on conservation and renewable energy in residences. U.S. Public Health Service Division of Federal Occupational Health Office of Environmental Hygiene, Region IE, Room 1310 3535 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 596-1888; fax: 215-596-5024 Provides indoor air quality consultative services to fed- eral agency managers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch 4770 Buford Highway, NE (F-42), Atlanta, GA 30341-3724 (800) 488-7330 Office on Smoking and Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 4770 Buford Highway, NE (K-50), Atlanta, GA 30341-3724 (404) 488-5701 Occupational Safety and Health Administration Office of Information and Consumer Affairs RoomN-3647 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210 (202) 219-8151 Bonneville Power Administration Portland, OR 97208 General Services Administration 18th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20405 Tennesee Valley Authority Industrial Hygiene Branch Multipurpose Building (1-B), Muscle Shoals, AL 35660 STATE AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS YDur questions or concerns about indoor air prob- lems can frequently be answered by the govern- ment agencies in your state or local government. Responsibilities for indoor air quality issues are usually divided among many different agencies. Calling or writ- ing the agencies responsible for health or air quality control is the best way to start getting information from your state or local government. To obtain state agency contacts, write or call EPA's IAQ Information Clearing- house, (800) 438-4318, (202) 484-1307 in the Washington, D.C. area. 32 ------- EPA REGIONAL OFFICES Address inquiries to the Indoor Air Coordinators in the EPA regional offices at the following addresses: Region States in Region Region 1 EPA (ATR-2311) John E Kennedy Federal Building Boston, MA 02203-2211 617-565-4502 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont Region 2 EPA (2AWM-RAD) 290 Broadway New York, NY 10007-1866 212-637-4013 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands Region 3 EPA (3AT-32) 841 Chestnut Building Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-597-8322 215-597-4084 (radon) Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia Region 4 EPA 345 Courtland Street NE Atlanta, GA 30365 404-347-3555 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee Region 5 EPAAT-18J 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604 312-353-2205 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin Region 6 EPA (6T-ET) First Interstate Bank Tower 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75202 214-665-7223 Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas Region 7 EPAARTX / ARBR-RAID 726 Minnesota Avenue Kansas City, KS 66101 913-551-7020 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska Region 8 EPA (8ART-RP) 999 18th Street, Suite 500 Denver, CO 80202-2466 303-293-1709 Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming Region 9 EPA (A-l-1) 75 Hawthorne Street San Fransisco, CA 94105 415-744-1132 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam, Trust Territories of the Pacific Region 10 EPA (AT-082) 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 206-553-1200 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington 33 ------- CPSC REGIONAL OFFICES Region States in Region Eastern Regional Center 6 World Trade Center , Vesey Street, 3rd Floor Room 350 New York, NY 10048-0950 (212) 466-1612 Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia Central Regional Center 230 South Dearborn Street Room 2944 Chicago, IL 60604-1601 (312) 353-8260 Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin Western Regional Center 600 Harrison Street Room 245 San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 744-2966 Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming The following organizations have information discussed in this booklet. EPA's IAQ Information Clearinghouse, (800)438-4318, can provide the names of a variety of organizations that have information on all of the issues discussed in this publication. American Association of Poison Control Centers 3800 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, DC 20007 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE) 1791 Tullie Circle NE Atlanta, GA 30329 World Health Organization Publications Center 49 Sheridan Avenue Albany, NY 12210 Your local American Lung Association (ALA) 1740 Broadway New York, NY 10019 (800) LUNG-USA ------- Acid aerosol Acidic liquid or solid par- ticles that are small enough to become air- borne. High concentra- tions of acid aerosols can be irritating to the lungs and have been associated with some respiratory dis- eases, such as asthma. Animal dander Tiny scales of animal skin. Allergen A substance capable of causing an allergic reac- tion because of an individual's sensitivity to that substance. Allergic rhinitis Inflammation of the mu- cous membranes in the nose that is caused by an allergic reaction. Building-related illness A discrete, identifiable disease or illness that can be traced to a specific pol- lutant or source within a building. (Contrast with "Sick building syn- drome"). Chemical sensitization Evidence suggests that some people may develop health problems character- ized by effects such as diz- ziness, eye and throat irri- tation, chest tightness, and nasal congestion that ap- pear whenever they are exposed to certain chemi- cals. People may react to even trace amounts of chemicals to which they have become "sensitized." Environmental tobacco smoke Mixture of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar and smoke exhaled by the smoker (also secondhand smoke or passive smoking). Fungi Any of a group of para- sitic lower plants that lack chlorophyll, including molds and mildews. Humidifier fever A respiratory illness caused by exposure to tox- ins from microorganisms found in wet or moist ar- eas in humidifiers and air conditioners. Also called air conditioner or ventila- tion fever. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis A group of respiratory diseases that cause inflam- mation of the lung (spe- cifically granulomatous cells). Most forms of hy- persensitivity pneumon- itis are caused by the inha- lation of organic dusts, in- cluding molds. Organic compounds Chemicals that contain carbon. Volatile organic compounds vaporize at room temperature and pressure. They are found in many indoor sources, including many common household products and building materials. Picocurie A unit for measuring ra- dioactivity, often ex- pressed as picocuries per liter of air. Pressed wood products A group of materials used in building and furniture construction that are made from wood veneers, par- ticles, or fibers bonded to- gether with an adhesive under heat and pressure. Radon and radon decay products Radon is a radioactive gas formed in the decay of uranium. The radon de- cay products (also called radon daughters or prog- eny) can be breathed into the lung where they con- tinue to release radiation as they further decay. Sick building syndrome Term that refers to a set of symptoms that affect some number of building occu- pants during the time they spend in the building and diminish or go away dur- ing periods when they leave the building. Can- not be traced to specific pollutants or sources within the building. (Con- trast with "Building re- lated illness"). Ventilation rate The rate at which indoor air enters and leaves a building. Expressed in one of two ways: the num- ber of changes of outdoor air per unit of time (air changes per hour, or "ach") or the rate at which a volume of outdoor air enters per unit of time (cu- bic feet per minute, or "cfm"). 35 ------- This document is in the public domain. It may be reproduced in part or in whole by an indi- vidual or organization without permission. Single copies of this booklet are available from EPA's IAQ Information Clear- inghouse, (800) 438-4318; (202) 484-1307. PO Box 37133, Wash- ington, DC, 20013-7133. Mul- tiple copies may be purchased from the Government Printing Office. Call (202) 783-3238 or send check or money order for $44 (package of 25) to: Super- intendent of Documents, PO Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA, 15250-7954. Include stock number 055-000-00441-2. Information provided in this booklet is based upon current scientific and technical under- standing of the issues pre- sented and is reflective of the jurisdictional boundaries es- tablished by the statutes gov- erning the co-authoring agen- cies. 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