id  Climate  Readiness
Climate change, which is caused by natural factors and human activities, refers to any
significant change in measures of climate, such as temperature, precipitation, or wind, lasting
for an extended period. These changes impact the air quality indoors and poor indoor air
quality  can lead to an increased risk of asthma and other respiratory problems,  cancer, and
other health problems.
Impacts of Climate Change
Increased or decreased precipitation, extremely high or low temperatures,
and changes in the severity of storms, leads to problems indoors including:

                         •  Increased risk of flooding and dampness
                           indoors, and exposure to mold.
                         •  Droughts and wildfires which create
                           particulate  air pollution that seeps inside.
                         •  Temperature changes and flooding that
                           can drive pests indoors and expose people
                           to biological contaminants and pesticides
                           used to combat pests.
                        Extreme temperatures and storms may tempt
                        people to stay indoors to protect themselves
                        from the elements and increase the use of
                        Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition
                        (HVAC) units. Improperly ventilated indoor
                        environments, however, will worsen air
                        quality by increasing:

                        •  Mold and bacteria due to moisture from
                           everyday activities and high humidity
                           levels.

                        •  Radon, carbon monoxide, secondhand
                           smoke, volatile organic compounds
                           (VOCs), and nitrogen dioxide due to lack
                           of air circulation.

                        •  Toxins from chemicals used to combat
                           pests and mold.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants

• Radon is a radioactive gas that forms in the soil
  and enters homes through cracks and openings
  in floors and walls. It is the leading cause
  of lung cancer among nonsmokers, and the
  second leading cause of lung cancer overall.

• Secondhand smoke comes from burning
  tobacco products. It can cause cancer and
  serious respiratory  illnesses.

• Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are
  gases or particles that come from burning
  materials. Carbon monoxide is a colorless,
  odorless gas that interferes with the delivery
  of oxygen throughout the body. It causes
  headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and
  even death. Nitrogen dioxide is a colorless,
  odorless gas that causes eye, nose and throat
  irritation, shortness of breath, and an increased
  risk of respiratory infection.

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are
  chemicals found in regular household items
  such as paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides,
  air fresheners, and dry-cleaned clothing.
  VOCs irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and
  cause  headaches, nausea, and damage to the
  liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and
  sometimes causes cancer.

• Mold produce spores that float in the air,
  land on damp surfaces, and grow. Inhaling
  or touching molds can cause sneezing,  runny
  nose, red eyes,  and skin rashes, and trigger
  asthma attacks.
                                                                          Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

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               Indoor Air Quality Tips
               There are several steps you can take to help
               maintain a healthy indoor air environment:
               •  Make sure to properly ventilate your
                 home. Consider working with a contractor
                 to determine the best ways to maintain a
                 comfortable indoor environment and improve
                 ventilation in your home.
               •  Minimize moisture and limit mold growth
                 by controlling indoor humidity through the
                 proper ventilation of appliances that produce
                 moisture and quick clean up of water leaks
                 and spills.
Reduce your risk of radon exposure by
testing your home and working with a radon
mitigation specialist if your home has high
radon levels.
If you are buying a new home, consider
selecting an ENERGY STAR qualified home
that has also earned the Indoor airPLUS
label. These homes are significantly more
energy efficient than standard homes
and have 30 additional home design and
construction features that can help maintain
good indoor air quality.
                  Weatherizing—including installing storm windows, weather stripping, caulking and insulating—
                  your home without maintaining proper ventilation can reduce indoor air quality.
                  • Proper sealing and insulating can offset outdoor temperatures and save energy, however, it is
                    important to maintain adequate ventilation to expel indoor pollutants.
                  You can weatherize to save energy and have good indoor air quality.  Get tips on sealing and
                  insulating from the ENERGY STAR Home Improvement Web site and  information on maintaining
                  adequate ventilation from The Inside Story: Guide to Indoor Air Quality. Review EPA's Ventilation
                  for Homes Web site.
Find out more  about  indoor air quality  by visiting www.epa.gov/iaq.
                                                                    Indoor Air Quality  (IAQ)

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