There is evidence that high concentrations or continued exposure to low levels of nitrogen dioxide increases the risk of respiratory infection; there is also evidence from animal studies that repeated exposures to elevated nitrogen dioxide levels may lead, or contribute, to the development of lung disease such as emphysema.
No one wants to have to deal with toxic chemicals, carbon monoxide, radon or mold in their homes. Frequently, indoor air quality problems in large commercial buildings cannot be effectively identified or remedied without a comprehensive building investigation. While pollutant levels from individual sources may not pose a significant health risk by themselves, most homes have more than one source that contributes to indoor air pollution. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities. Lead has long been recognized as a harmful environmental pollutant. May cause cancer. The long-term performance of any air cleaner depends on maintaining it according to the manufacturer's directions. Do not cut, rip, or sand asbestos-containing materials. Do not simply toss these unwanted products in the garbage can.
When you need to remove or clean up asbestos, use a professionally trained contractor. Improper attempts to remove these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, increasing asbestos levels and endangering people living in those homes. Information recording operates 24 hours a day.
(fax) 703-356-5386 or e-mail: iaqinfo@aol.com However, it is not necessarily true that the effects noted occur at the pollutant concentration levels typically found in the home. There is evidence that some people can develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnace, flues, and chimneys) annually. Do not allow baby-sitters or others who work in your home to smoke indoors. Provides information on regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act and on EPA's asbestos program. Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Open doors and windows. Another way to judge whether your home has or could develop indoor air problems is to identify potential sources of indoor air pollution.
(215) 596-1888; fax: 215-596-5024 Exposure to secondhand smoke causes eye, nose, and throat irritation. Operate a dehumidifier in the basement if needed to keep relative humidity levels between 30-50 percent. Webiste: www.aapcc.org, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) Store clothes with moth repellents in separately ventilated areas, if possible. 308 3535 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 If you work in construction, demolition, painting, with batteries, in a radiator repair shop or lead factory, or your hobby involves lead, you may unknowingly bring lead into your home on your hands or clothes. Proper maintenance is important even for new furnaces because they can also corrode and leak combustion gases, including carbon monoxide. For contact information, see the section, "Where to Go For Additional Information.". Individuals have been poisoned by scraping or sanding lead paint because these activities generate large amounts of lead dust. There is no single manner in which these health problems appear. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced. Hire a person with special training for correcting lead paint problems to remove lead-based paint. For more information about air-to-air heat exchangers, contact the Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service (CAREIRS), PO Box 3048, Merrifield, VA 22116; (800) 523-2929.
The 1986 Surgeon General's report concluded that physical separation 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 environmental tobacco smoke.
If you prefer, or if you are buying or selling a home, you can hire a trained contractor to do the testing for you. Washington, DC 20210 Take plants or pets outdoors when applying pesticides to them. Discourage others from smoking around children. Fix your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Ask for low-emitting adhesives if adhesives are needed. Foods rich in iron include eggs, red meats, and beans. Call the IAQ Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318 for the names of a variety of organizations that have more information on specific and general indoor air quality issues. Most well and city water does not usually contain lead. Another approach to lowering the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. If you want more information on radon, contact your state radon office, or call 800-SOS-RADON. No one wants to have to deal with toxic chemicals, carbon monoxide, radon or mold in their homes. ET, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Enterprise, Regulations, Mandatory Standards and Bans, The Inside Story A Guide To Indoor Air Quality, Ozone Generators That Are Sold As Air Cleaners, "Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? Sources: Pressed wood products (hardwood plywood wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard) and furniture made with these pressed wood products. And some are risks we might decide to avoid if we had the opportunity to make informed choices. EPA-402-K-97-002, October 1997. The purpose of this document (which is only available via this web site) is to provide accurate information regarding the use of ozone-generating devices in indoor occupied spaces. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk.
Some dry cleaners, however, do not remove as much perchloroethylene as possible all of the time. In fact, many office buildings have significant air pollution sources. The IAQPRO sets a new standard for Professional Indoor Air Quality Meters.HVAC Technicians can now quickly Measure and Record the quality of indoor air, identify problems, causes and recommend solutions.. PROFESSIONAL RESULTS MADE EASY. Asthmatic children are especially at risk. Therefore, the use of dehumidifiers and air conditioning to control humidity and to maintain a moderate temperature can help reduce formaldehyde emissions. Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; shortness of breath; dizziness; lethargy; fever; digestive problems. Improperly located outdoor air intake vents can also bring in air contaminated with automobile and truck exhaust, boiler emissions, fumes from dumpsters, or air vented from restrooms. Inadequate ventilation also occurs if the air supply 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.
To speak to an information specialist, call (800) 424-5323. Throw away unused or little-used containers safely; buy in quantities that you will use soon.
hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(2371299, '906a36ac-cf80-4af9-8c87-d61ee5548321', {}); Electric or Gas Emergency?Call 210-353-HELP (4357), Billing or Service Questions?Call 210-353-2222. Environmental tobacco smoke. Sources: Kerosene heaters, unvented gas stoves and heaters. Take special precautions when operating fuel-burning unvented space heaters. Although formaldehyde is present in both types of resins, pressed woods that contain PF resin generally emit formaldehyde at considerably lower rates than those containing UF resin.
Because these humidifiers can become breeding grounds for biological contaminants, they have the potential for causing diseases such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and humidifier fever.
Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Levels in Homes: Average level in homes without combustion appliances is about half that of outdoors. Health Effects: No immediate symptoms, but long-term risk of chest and abdominal cancers and lung diseases. These investigations may start with written questionnaires and telephone consultations in which building investigators assess the history of occupant symptoms and building operation procedures.
Evaporation trays in air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators should also be cleaned frequently.
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. Since 1985, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has permitted only the use of plywood and particleboard that conform to specified formaldehyde emission limits in the construction of prefabricated and mobile homes.
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.
To learn more about biological pollutants, read Biological Pollutants in Your Home issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Lung Association. Radon problems in water can be readily fixed.
Indoor air problems similar to those in offices are caused by such sources as contaminated ventilation systems, improperly placed outdoor air intakes, or maintenance activities. Consider potential effects of indoor air pollution if you use an unvented kerosene or gas space heater. Provides indoor air quality consultative services to federal agency managers. In homes with gas stoves, kerosene heaters, or unvented gas space heaters, indoor levels often exceed outdoor levels. Lower levels of lead can cause adverse health effects on the central nervous system, kidney, and blood cells. As uranium naturally breaks down, it releases radon gas which is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. Follow proper procedures in replacing woodstove door gaskets that may contain asbestos. Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; lung cancer; may contribute to heart disease. Occupants, especially children and pregnant women, should leave the building until all work is finished and clean-up is done. to 4:30p.m. Reducing Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke. Publications Center (See "Radon" for additional information about testing and controlling radon in homes.). 20 North Wacker Drive Call the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for information on obtaining a health hazard evaluation of your office (800-35NIOSH), or contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (202) 219-8151. Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur after asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by cutting, sanding or other remodeling activities.