Health
e3 more environmentally-friendly, too!
Did you know that most people
spend over 90% of their time indoors?
This brochure offers ways to make your
home a healthy place for you and your
family. It provides you with information
on mold, radon, carbon monoxide,
asthma and allergies, second-hand
smoke, volatile organic compounds,
drinking water contaminants, lead,
mercury, and pesticides.
There are also many things you can do in
and around your home to help protect and
conserve the environment. In this brochure
there are tips to help you save energy, save
money and make your home more
environmentally-friendly.
Learn how you can make
your home a healthy place to live.
United States ^^H
Environmental Protection
Agency
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• Do you have mold in your home ?
• Is there moisture in your home
that could cause mold to grow?
• How do you clean up mold?
Molds are living organisms that grow on wet or
damp surfaces like in basements, showers and
around plumbing fixtures. Molds reproduce
by releasing tiny spores that you can't see into
your indoor and outdoor air. When you
breathe in mold spores, they get into your
lungs. Prolonged exposure to high levels of
mold can result in reduced lung function in
an otherwise healthy adult. Some people with
asthma are particularly sensitive to mold.
How you can clean up
and prevent mold:
Scrub mold with water and detergent.
Run bathroom and kitchen vents while
bathing and cooking.
Vent bathrooms and clothes dryers to
the outside.
When first turning on home or car air
conditioners, leave the room or drive
with the windows open for several min-
utes to allow mold spores to disperse.
Cover window wells if they leak
to prevent moisture from building
up indoors.
For more information on mold and ways
to clean up a mold problem safely in your
home, go to www.epa.gov/mold
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• What is radon?
• How might you be affected
by radon?
• How do you know if you have
radon in your home?
Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that forms
when naturally occurring uranium in the soil breaks down and
gets into the air you breathe. It can not be felt when breathing
it into your lungs. Radon may enter homes through cracks
and holes in the basement or foundation and can become
trapped and build up to dangerously high levels. It may be a
problem in old and new homes. Prolonged exposure to radon
can cause lung cancer in non-smokers and smokers alike.
Higher radiation doses may result in children due to their
smaller bodies and faster breathing rates compared to adults.
The EPA estimates that radon is responsible for 20,000 lung
cancer deaths every year, making radon the second
leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., after smoking.
How you can eliminate the risk of
radon in your home:
Test your home for radon gas using a
cheap and easy-to-use radon test kit
purchased from your local hardware
store.
More information about radon can
be found on EPA's website
at www.epa.gov/radon
If indoor radon levels are 4pCi/L or
higher, the EPA recommends using a
certified radon specialist.
You can also purchase radon test kits by contacting
the National Radon Helpline at (800) 557-2366,
or their website at www.sosradon.org
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What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
• What are signs of CO
poisoning?
• How can you protect yourself
and your family from CO
poisoning?
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless,
odorless gas that can cause sudden
illness and death. It can be found
in carbon-based fuels used in gas
appliances, cars and trucks, and is a
by-product of burning wood, charcoal,
gasoroil. Common symptoms of CO
poisoning are flu-like symptoms such
as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and
nausea. High levels of CO can result in
loss of consciousness and death.
How you can
prevent CO poisoning in your home:
Never idle your car or lawnmower in Install carbon monoxide alarms near
the garage, even if the garage door
is open.
Never use charcoal grills, portable
generators or kerosene heaters
indoors, on balconies, near doors or
next to vents or windows.
Never heat your home with a gas
oven.
sleeping areas.
Have all indoor gas appliances
regularly inspected, vented and
maintained.
For more information on carbon
monoxide, visit EPA's website at
www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html
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thmaa
Allergies
• What are some things that can trigger
asthma and allergies?
• How can asthma risks be minimized?
• Does anyone smoke inside your home?
Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs and makes it hard for
people to breathe. Allergies can also make it hard for people to
breathe by causing an asthma attack.The most common symptoms
of asthma are chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and
nighttime or early morning coughing. Common signs of allergies
are a stuffy or runny nose, itching, or a rash. Things that can
set off, or trigger, an asthma attack in one person may not
be a problem for another. Some common triggers include:
mold; first and second-hand smoke; dust mites; cock-
roaches; rodents; and pet fur or saliva. Asthma can
be controlled with medications and by avoiding
common triggers that can cause asthma attacks.
How you can minimize risks
presented by asthma and allergy triggers:
Dust surfaces with a damp cloth, and
vacuum carpets and floors often.
Wash sheets and blankets weekly in
hot water.
After playing with your pet, wash
your hands and clean your clothes to
remove pet allergens.
Smokers should always go outdoors
to smoke.
Add mats on both sides of the door
to trap dirt, allergens, bacteria and
lawn chemicals.
For more information on asthma and
asthma triggers, visit EPA's website at
www.epa.gov/astitma/triggers.html
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Can breathing problems be
triggered by second-hand
tobacco smoke?
• What are the effects of
second-hand smoke ?
How can you eliminate the
risks to your family of
second-hand smoke?
Environmental tobacco smoke, also
known as second-hand smoke, is smoke
from tobacco products used by other
people.The Surgeon General has found
that second-hand smoke is responsible
for heart disease, lung cancer, and death
in children and adults. Second-hand
smoke is also an asthma trigger and can
contribute to breathing problems such
as bronchitis, respiratory tract infections
and reduced lung function.
Smoke-free rules in homes and vehicles
can reduce second-hand smoke expo-
sure among children and
adults. Some studies
indicate that these rules
can also help smokers
quit and can reduce the risk of
adolescents becoming smokers.
Exposure to a natural mineral fiber
called asbestos also increases your
risk of developing lung disease, and is
made worse by smoking. Asbestos was
added to building materials because
of its good insulating, sound-proofing,
and corrosion-resistance properties.
Common products that might have
contained asbestos in the past include
insulation on steam pipes, boilers and
furnace ducts, floor tiles and adhesives
for floor tile, and decorative material
sprayed on walls and ceilings.
For more information on asbestos, go to
www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/help.html
For information on EPA's'Take the
Smoke Free Home Pledge" go to
www.epa.gov/smokefree/pledge
How you can reduce the risk of second-
hand tobacco smoke in your home:
Take the smoke-free home pledge.
Adopt a smoke-free home.
Smoke outdoors in areas where children
or adults are not present.
• If you are concerned about possible
asbestos exposure, consult a physician who
specializes in lung diseases
(pulmonobgist).
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Is indoor air pollution a concern
in your home?
• What things in your home can
cause indoor air pollution?
• How might you and your
family be affected by indoor
air pollution?
When you buy a new car that has that
"new car smell,"this is an organic vapor
or volatile organic compound (VOC)
thatyou smell. In the home, new
carpeting, wood paneling, fresh paint,
furniture, building materials and other
household items are made with the use
of chemicals that give off vapors. VOCs
can also come from some room freshen-
ers, scented candles, perfumes, deodor-
ants and other products that are used to
produce or mask an odor.
VOCs are a health concern because
they can trigger asthma
attacks, cause eye, nose, and throat
irritation, cause headaches and loss of
coordination, and damage the liver,
kidneys and nervous system. Persons
who are sensitive to chemicals are par-
ticularly at risk. In fact, the EPA has said
that formaldehyde, used in construction
glues and other building materials, may
also cause cancer.
How you can minimize the
exposure of organic vapors or VOCs
in your home:
Make sure you provide plenty of fresh
air when using products with strong
vapors.
Dispose of any unused products as
directed and in a safe manner ac-
cording to label directions.
Choose products with low vapors or
VOCs.
When buying a new home, or when
having work done on your existing
home, ask that low VOC construction
materials be used - low VOC paints,
carpets, and other materials are
available if requested.
For more information on VOCs visit EPA's website at
www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
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irMfrn
Water
Contaminants
Is your drinking water safe?
• Where does your water
come from?
• Has your water been
tested lately?
Clean drinking wateris necessary for
good health. Harmful chemicals and
germs can get into your drinking water
and pose a threat to your health.
If you have a well or other private water
supply, test your water frequently
(minimum of once a year) to ensure
that the water is safe to drink. Public
water systems are regulated by the
EPA, some states and tribes, and are
required to test for contaminants and
report results.
If your water comes from a public
water system, read your water
quality report carefully.
• Do not flush unused prescription
drugs or dispose of hazardous items
down the toilet or drain.
If present, elevated levels of lead in
your water can cause serious health
problems, especially for pregnant
women and young children. Lead
in drinking water is primarily from
materials and components associated
with service lines and home plumb-
ing. You can minimize the potential
for lead exposure by flushing your tap
from 30 seconds to 2 minutes before
using water for drinking or cooking.
If you are concerned about lead in
your water, you may wish to have your
water tested.
How you can
be sure that you have
clean water in your home:
Do not wash antifreeze or car oil into
storm drains.
• If you have a private well, have it
tested - your county should be able
to assist with testing.
Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to
minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791)
or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead
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• How can you find out if you have lead
on your walls or in your home?
• What are the effects of lead
poisoning in children?
• How do you keep lead out of
your home?
Lead is a highly toxic metal a nd ca n
affect anyone. The most common way
lead gets into the body is from dust.
Lead dust comes from deteriorating
lead-based paint and lead-contami-
nated soil that gets tracked into your
home. Children ages 6 and younger
are at particular riskof lead poisoning
because their brains are developing
rapidly and they frequently place their
hands, toys, and other objects that
could have dust from lead-based paint
in their mouths. Some older and newer
toys may contain lead or lead paint, and
toys can pick up lead from contami-
nated soil or house dust.
How you can minimize the
risk of lead in your home:
Keep your home clean and dust-free.
Wipe up any paint chips or visible
dust with a wet sponge
or rag.
Exposure to lead can result in lower
IQ scores in children and has been
associated with behavioral and atten-
tion problems. Lead can cause kidney,
liver, brain and nerve damage. At very
high levels, it can cause seizures, coma
and even death.
If your home was built before 1978,
there is a good chance it has lead-
based paint; you may wish to have
it tested. Paint chips and dust from
cracking paint or activities that cause
friction, such as opening and closing
windows, doors, or drawers, can
contain dangerous levels of lead.
Wash children's hands, bottles,
pacifiers and toys often.
Wipe and remove your shoes at the
door and wash your hands often.
During home renovations, repairs
or maintenance jobs, hire only
contractors that are trained
in lead-safe work practices
as required by law.
For more information on lead, visit EPA's
website at www.epa.gov/lead
For more information on how to live
lead-safe in your home, go to
www. leadfreekids. org
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• Do fish contain mercury?
• Is there mercury in your
home?
• Did you know that fluorescent
light bulbs contain mercury?
Mercury is highly toxic and can affect adults and children, particularly
children in the womb. Mercury may be found in some fish and shell-
fish caught in local lakes and streams or bought in a grocery store.
Children exposed to high levels of mercury in the womb can have
problems with memory, attention, language,and fine motor
and visual skills. Mercury from broken liquid thermometers or
fluorescent light bulbs can also cause health effects when inhaled.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning include: tremors; mood
swings; irritability; nervousness; insomnia; weakness; and
headaches. At higher exposures there may be kidney
effects, respiratory failure and death.
How you can minimize
the risk of mercury in your home:
To clean up broken fluorescent light
bulbs and mercury thermometers, first
open a window to air out the room.
Next, using rubber or latex gloves
carefully scoop or pick up broken
pieces by using stiff paper or card-
board, or a sticky tape, and place
them in a glass jar with metal lid
or in a plastic bag to minimize any
exposure to released mercury
vapor.
Pregnant women and children should
avoid eating high amounts offish
such as shark, swordfish, king mack-
erel, or tilefish, because they contain
high levels of mercury.
Recycle burned out fluorescent light
bulbs or old mercury thermometers
rather than disposing of them in regu-
lar household trash by contacting your
local waste collection agency or your
local building supply store.
For information on fish advisories go to www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish
For information on clean up go to www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.htmland
www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htmffthermometer
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• Are you bugged by bugs?
• Do you have ants in your home
or weeds in your garden ?
• Is there a safer way to
control pests?
Exposure to some household chemi-
cals, such as pesticides, may cause
harm to humans, pets or the environ-
ment, if not used properly. Effects may
range from mild distress like nausea
or dizziness, to injury to the lungs or
damage to the nervous, reproductive,
endocrine and immune systems.
Homes may have common pests such
as cockroaches, fleas, ants, and mice.
Weeds and harmful insects might be
found outdoors in lawns and gardens.
Pesticides are often used to kill and
prevent these common pests.
Examples of household pesticides
include: cockroach sprays and baits;
insect repellents for personal use; rat
and other rodent poisons; flea and
tick sprays; kitchen, laundry, and bath
disinfectants and sanitizers; and some
lawn and garden products such as
weed killers.
Always carefully read and follow all
instructions on product labels for use
and storage of pesticides, and keep
them out of the reach of children.
Properly dispose of unused pesticides
and empty pesticide containers
according to the product label.
How you can reduce pests and the use of
pesticides in your home:
Clean up crumbs, spills and pet food
to prevent pests.
Place tight-fitting lids on trash cans.
Install door sweeps and weatherstrip-
ping and seal cracks and crevices
around pipes and other areas to pre-
vent pests from entering your home.
Store food and pet food in tightly
sealed glass or plastic containers.
Properly dispose of unused pesticides
and empty containers according to the
product label.
For more information go to
www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/index.htm
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Make
.
Home
to dove energy, dove money, and
make your home more environmentally-friendly
Reuse items such as old computers,
clothing, and appliances by
repairing them, donating them to
charity, or set I ing them to reduce
landfill waste.
Recycle materials such as news-
papers, glass, metals, plastics,
computers, and cell phones.
Compost food and yard wastes to
be used in gardens and landscaping.
Use mulch around trees and plants.
Never pour paints, cleaners, oils,
batteries, pesticides or other
chemicals down the drain, on the
ground, into the storm sewer, or
throw them in the regular trash -
properly dispose of these products
at your local county
collection site.
Turn off unused lights and
unplug appliances when
not in use.
v^. Choose products that carry the
ENERGY STAR® label.
^ Use caulk or weather stripping to
seal your home's outer walls and
gaps around windows and doors to
conserve energy.
^ Save water and money by running
your clothes washer, dryer, and
dishwasher only with a full load.
m- Repair leaky faucets, showerheads,
and toilets.
m Take a 5-minute shower, which uses
10-25 gallons of water, rather than
a full bathtub, which uses up to 70
gallons!
^ Turning off the faucet while
you brush your teeth can
save 8 gallons of water a day!
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA-908-K-10-001
January 2012
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