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
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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
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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
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in*
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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).
\\
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% 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
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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
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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
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situations or against all health
hazards that may be caused by
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