Healthy Home

This presentation examines the effects of remodeling on the homes’ Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as well as the effects of home owner behavior (or lack thereof) on the health of the home environment

Operation and Maintenance

Session Overview

Community Sensitive Design

O & M Manual

Passive Solar

Envelope Air Barrier

Envelope Insulation

Envelope Rain Screen

Advanced Framing Blower Door Test

Rain Protection

Heating Equipment Right-Sized

Indoor Air Quality

Site Water

Deconstruction

Reuse

Session Overview

What’s the cost?

You make the call

10 years later

Cost difference

If proper maintenance occurred

$250 +/-

10 years later-no maintenance

$19,500

Tale of two roofs

Expected cost difference

Expect $150-$250/yr maintenance on average roof. Can inc:

Clean gutters De-moss Check flashing $1,500 - $2,500 over 10

year period

No maintenance during 10 year period

Average cost for replacing this roof (if only shingles are damaged)

$7000 - $10,000 Site conditions, exposure to elements

Toilet or Shower leak?

Exterior wall of bathroom. Original call based on bubbling in bathroom flooring

Cost comparison

Annual cost to trim bushes - $50,00/yr

Ten years - $500

Little or no maintenance during 10 year period

Cost - $6,500

Again one cause – lack of maintenance

Cost comparison

Cost to trim shrubs

$50/yr x10yr =$500

Cost to repair damage

$160, 000

What’s the cost?

The Health of the Occupants Costs are not always limited to repair costs Poor maintenance often leads to health issues,

such as: Increased incidences of Asthma and other

repertory illnesses Possible MCS – Multiple Chemical

Sensitivities Lead poisoning –especially with young

children (new EPA guidelines when remodeling)

Indoor Air Quality

According to the EPA, we spend over 90% of our time indoors and our indoor air can be five times as polluted as the outdoor air

Particles – the overlooked contaminant

What we don’t see can be harmful

For every piece of dust you see in the sunlight in your home, there are thousands more that you don’t see

Many of these are irritants, allergens, asthma triggers and a few are toxic

What would you expect to find in your

household dust and how does it get there

?

Particles – What is in dust?

Lead Cadmium Gypsum Fiberglass Carpet fibers Soot Dust mite feces Mold spores Rug dyes Flame retardants

Tire fragments Dander Charred wood Insect hair Paint spheres Pollen Paper fragments Pesticides Fly ash ????

Control of dust during the remodel

Personal belongings inside containment area

Poor sanding methods

Control of House Dust during Remodeling

Failed dust protection

Stack affect and Dust Bunnies

Dust containment during the Remodel construction Process

Seal Wall Penetrations

Seal doorways

Control of house dust during remodeling

Seal off cabinets

Seal off between floor and walls

Dust Control Equipment

Simple exhaust fan venting out window

HEPA Filter

Delta filtration system

Multiple ventilation system

House Dust

The pollutants in house dust come from vehicle traffic, paint, home heating, tobacco smoke, hobbies, household chemicals, industry, animals, dust mites and can by aggravated by the remodeling process.

The concentration of lead may be 10 times higher in house dust than in the soil in the middle of the yard

In carpeting, pesticides and other chemicals remain a long time because they are protected from the breakdown that takes place outdoors

Combustion Appliances Stoves, Space Heaters, Furnaces, and

Fireplaces The major pollutants:

Carbon monoxide

Is an asphyxiant; it disrupts oxygen transport; especially sensitive by the elderly, the fetus and persons with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Symptoms may mimic influenza and include fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and cognitive impairment

*REFERENCE THIS IN REMODELING

The major pollutants: Nitrogen dioxide and Sulphur

Dioxide

Acts as irritants, affecting the mucosa of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Acute sulphur dioxide related bronchial constriction may also occur in people with asthma or as a hypersensitivity reaction

Wood Smoke

Chemicals and tiny smoke particles are one of the biggest concerns as they are inhaled deep into the lungs where they can become lodged. They can cause structural damage and chemical changes to the lung tissue

Wood Stoves In Washington State nearly

half of all households have wood burning stoves, inserts or fireplaces.

Wood smoke is the main source of air pollution in many residential areas in the winter

Wood smoke pollution indoors can reach up to 70% of outdoor levels…even in homes that do not burn wood

Household and Construction Related Chemicals

Certain household products, candles, air fresheners, fragrances and their chemical constituents might trigger an allergic response

Some perfumes contain ingredients that may pose longer-term hazards, such as

Formaldehyde Benzene Perchloroethylene Volatile Organic

Chemicals (VOC’s)

Tobacco

Carbon monoxide Lead Arsenic Benzene 4,000 different

chemicals 60 known carcinogens There is no ‘safe’

cigarette or tobacco

Pet Dander A lot of people are allergic

to pets, especially cats Microscopic skin and saliva

particles stick to surfaces and are very difficult to remove

Cat dander has been found in the home 9 months after the cat has been removed

ALL warm-blooded, furry animals make dander

Dust Mites

Dust can also contain fecal matter from dust mites and cockroaches, both of which can trigger allergies and asthma

Control of Dust Mites

Dust mites thrive in warm moist environments

Wash bed sheets weekly in hot water (over 130°)

Wash comforters and blankets monthly in hot water (this is scalding –not recommended for families with young children or elders)

Keep the relative humidity of the home between 40% and 50%

Remove carpeting, draperies and stuffed toys from the bedroom

Install dust mite impermeable covers on all pillows and mattresses

Perfumes and Personal Care Products

Some health advocates point to growing evidence that perfumes, hair gels and other fragranced products may contain chemicals such as phthalates, which have been linked to birth defects. Other compounds can affect immunity, the nervous system and may in fact play a role in cancer and other health problems

95% of perfume ingredients are synthesized from petrochemicals and give off VOC’s which are the same vapors found in toxic products like solvents, wood preservatives, paint strippers and dry cleaning chemicals

Personal Care Products

Switch to products with natural based ingredients and less synthetic additives

“The Safe Shopper’s Bible: A consumer’s guide to nontoxic household products, cosmetics and food” by, Dr. Samuel Epstein

Try soaps and lotions made of pure materials, such as oatmeal and alcohol free hair sprays.

See the Environmental Working Group @ www.ewg.org for a list of safer products

www.householdproducts.hlm.nih.gov

Control of House Dust

It is easier to prevent track in of pollutants than to remove them A large high quality door

mat reduces lead by 5 to 6 times

Using a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush reduces lead by 3 times

Vacuums with a power head are two to six times as effective at picking up dust

Control of House Dust

Remove shoes at the door Damp dust weekly Vacuum weekly with a high quality vacuum and filter

weekly Use a dust mask while vacuuming if you are affected

by dust Consider removing all carpeting or when installing

carpeting, choose low pile or level loop Have the carpet hot water steam extracted twice

yearly

Related issues that can impact Indoor air quality

1. Mold issues 2. Asbestos 3. VOC’s

Mold Molds can grow on cloth,

carpet, leather, wood, sheet rock, insulation and on food

Molds can grow in moist or wet indoor environments and therefore it is possible for people to become exposed to molds and their products

Molds require sufficient moisture and a food source to grow

Mold - Where to Find Problems

Mold and Moisture Control

Check all downspouts and gutters for proper drainage

Repair all leaks Repair all basement and/or

crawlspace moisture penetration

Install dehumidifier if needed

Cover crawlspace dirt with 6 mil black plastic

Mold and Moisture Control Open windows at least

once daily if possible Install fans in bath and

kitchen and vent directly to the exterior

Maintain indoor temperature at 68° during the heating season

Install metal dryer ductwork and vent to exterior

Mold and Moisture Control

Test for mold? CLEAN IT DRY IT 10% BLEACH

SOLUTION FOR 15 MINUTES – ONLY IF NEEDED AS A LAST RESORT

KILZ OR WATER BASED SEALANT TO SEAL

Asbestos Once widely used it can

be found in heating systems and acoustic insulation, in floor and ceiling tiles, and in shingles in older houses

If it is in good condition, do not disturb

If it is in poor condition, consider having it professionally remediated

Asbestos options

Testing Containment Removal

VOC’s

These chemicals can have short term or long term effects (nose, throat discomfort, headache, nausea, allergic skin reaction, nausea, fatigue, dizziness). Concentrations of VOC’s are consistently higher indoor than outdoors.

A study by the EPA found indoor levels up to ten times higher than those outdoors – even in locations with significant outdoor pollution sources, such as petrochemical plants

Volatile Organic CompoundsVOC’s

At room temperature, VOC’s are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOC’s include: Formaldehyde Benzene Perchloroethylene

A wide array of VOCs are emitted by products used in the home, office, school and arts/crafts activities

Formaldehyde

It is a VOC widely used by industry in manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a byproduct of combustion and other natural processes

Has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the EPA

Sources of Formaldehyde

Building Materials Cigarettes Household Products Use of unvented, fuel-burning appliances Component of glues and adhesives Used as a preservative in some paints and used

in finishes Cosmetics

Particleboard Hardwood plywood

paneling MDF – Medium

Density Fiberboard used for drawer fronts, cabinets and furniture tops

Permanent press fabric

Draperies Mattress Ticking

Formaldehyde Symptoms range from

burning or tingling sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat to chest tightness, wheezing, headaches, nausea, vomiting and nosebleeds

Some people develop allergic reactions. Children can develop asthma and/or chronic bronchitis

Fortunately emissions will generally decrease as products age, but particleboard will off gas forever

Unfortunately if particleboard gets wet, the emissions increase

Sealing all particleboard with three coats of water based polyurethane or three coats will cut outgasing by about 90%

Ventilate, ventilate,

ventilate

Other Educational Resources

Healthy Homes Training for Building Professionals – Master Builders of King County

www.builtgreen.net

425.460.8238

EPA Asthma Regional

Council www.healthybuilding.

net www.healthyhomes.co

m WA Toxics Coalition

The Master Home Environmentalist (MHE) Program

If you are concerned about the indoor air quality of your home or if you have anyone in the home with asthma or allergies, the MHE

program has trained volunteers that will come into your home for FREE and assess your

indoor air

In Seattle call 206.441.5100

www.alaw.org

How to Create a Healthy Indoor Environment

Questions?

The American Lung Association of the Northwest is dedicated to protecting the lung health of all people

For more information please visit our website at www.alaw.org

Improving life, one breath at a time