Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/650064
40 priority Health concerns Recommended Occupant Health Messages Lead – Housing-related lead sources include flaking or peeling lead-based paint, leaded dust, lead in soil and lead in drinking water. Exposure can cause learning difficulties, behavior problems, hearing damage and in extreme cases seizures or death. Children under six years of age and pregnant women are at greatest risk. • Pregnant women and children under six years are at greatest risk. • In homes built before 1978: 1) If repainting, remodeling or disturbing paint, use lead safe-work practices; 2) Repair peeling paint using lead safe work practices in homes where young children or pregnant women live. • Consider testing blood lead levels in children younger than six years of age, if living in a pre-1978 home. • For pre-1978 homes with chipping exterior paint: Test soil for lead content and remove or cover lead-contaminated soil. Mold and Moisture – Mold can grow almost anywhere there is moisture in a house. Asthma symptoms, allergic reactions, and other respiratory symptoms can be triggered by damp indoor environments and mold. Inhaling mold spores can trigger asthma attacks in people sensitive to molds. • If you see mold on hard surfaces, clean it up with soap and water. Let the area dry completely. • Repair moisture problems to avoid dampness or mold. • Dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours after a leak or spill to prevent mold growth. • Avoid installing carpet in areas prone to wetting or moisture problems. • Run bathroom and kitchen fans when showering, cooking, etc., and run whole- house ventilation system according to manufacturer's instructions to help minimize moisture and contaminant buildup. Pests – Rodents, cockroaches, termites, birds, bats and other pests can be found in homes. Exposure to some pest droppings and body parts (e.g., from mice and cockroaches) can trigger asthma attacks. Rodents can also carry diseases such as hantavirus, which can result in a deadly condition called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Misusing pesticides to address pest problems can sometimes result in harmful exposures to carcinogens or chemicals that result in respiratory problems or allergic reactions. • Follow integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to reduce pest infestations and to avoid the overuse of pesticides: 1) Reduce pest access to water and food by properly storing food and trash and by using effective housekeeping techniques; 2) Limit pest entry by sealing holes and cracks; 3) Use targeted and least toxic pesticides. • Clean up pest droppings and body parts to reduce allergens. • Safely store pesticides out of reach of children. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) – PCBs were manufactured domestically from 1929 until their manufacture was banned in 1979. PCBs have been shown to cause a variety of adverse health effects, including effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system and endocrine system in animals. PCBs have also been shown to cause cancer in animals. Studies in humans provide supportive evidence for potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of PCBs. • Although no longer commercially produced in the U.S., PCBs may be present in products and materials produced before the 1979 PCB ban (e.g., transformers and capacitors, cable insulation, oil-based paint, caulk, plastics, floor finish). •yMaterials suspected of PCB contamination should be sampled, tested and safely abated by a professional. Radon – Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. It is the 2 nd leading cause of lung cancer overall (after smoking), accounting for 21,000 deaths annually. A radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium in soil and water, radon can enter homes through openings in walls and floors where they come into contact with the ground. An estimated one in every 15 U.S. homes has radon levels at or above EPA's action level of 4 pCi/L. • The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test for it. • EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. • Mitigate radon in homes if levels are greater than or equal to 4 pCi/L. Strongly consider mitigating homes with levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L. o Radon levels below 4 pCi/L still pose a health risk and in many cases may be reduced. See EPA's A Citizen's Guide to Radon. • Make sure any existing radon mitigation system is functioning properly. If a vent fan is installed, check its condition first.