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This guide will help you understand:
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What
indoor biological pollution is;
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Whether
your home or lifestyle promotes its development; and,
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How to control its growth and buildup.
Outdoor air pollution in cities is a major health problem. Much effort
and money continues to be spent cleaning up pollution in the outdoor air.
But air pollution can be a problem where you least expect it, in the place
you may have thought was safest--your home. Many ordinary activities such
as cooking, heating, cooling, cleaning, and redecorating can cause the
release and spread of indoor pollutants at home. Studies have shown that
the air in our homes can be even more polluted than outdoor air.
Many Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, often at
home. Therefore, breathing clean indoor air can have an important impact
on health. People who are inside a great deal may be at greater risk of
developing health problems, or having problems made worse by indoor air
pollutants. These people include infants, young children, the elderly, and
those with chronic illnesses.
Contents
What are
Biological Pollutants
The Scope of the Problem
Health Effects of
Biological Pollutants
Talking to Your Doctor
Coping with the Problem
- Checking Your Home
- Self-Inspection:
A Walk Through Your Home
What You Can Do
About Biological Pollutants
- Moisture Control
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Maintain and Clean All Appliances That Come in Contact with Water
- Clean Surfaces
- Dust Control
Before You Move
Where
Biological Pollutants may be Found in the Home
Correcting Water Damage
Biological pollutants are or were living
organisms. They promote poor indoor air quality and may be a major cause
of days lost from work or school, and of doctor and hospital visits.
Some can even damage surfaces inside and outside your house. Biological
pollutants can travel through the air and are often invisible.
Some common indoor biological pollutants are:
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Animal Dander (minute scales from hair,
feathers, or skin)
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Dust Mite and Cockroach parts
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Fungi (Molds)
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Infectious agents (bacteria or viruses)
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Pollen
Some of these substances are in every home. It is
impossible to get rid of them all. Even a spotless home may permit the
growth of biological pollutants. Two conditions are essential to support
biological growth: nutrients and moisture. These conditions can be found
in many locations, such as bathrooms, damp or flooded basements, wet
appliances (such as humidifiers or air conditioners), and even some
carpets and furniture.
Modern materials and construction techniques may
reduce the amount of outside air brought into buildings which may result
in high moisture levels inside. Using humidifiers, unvented heaters, and
air conditioners in our homes has increased the chances of moisture
forming on interior surfaces. This encourages the growth of certain
biological pollutants.
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Most information about sources and health effects
of biological pollutants is based on studies of large office buildings
and two surveys of homes in northern U.S. and Canada. These surveys show
that 30% to 50% of all structures have damp conditions which may
encourage the growth and buildup of biological pollutants. This
percentage is likely to be higher in warm, moist climates.
Some diseases or illnesses have been linked with
biological pollutants in the indoor environment. However, many of them
also have causes unrelated to the indoor environment. Therefore, we do
not know how many health problems relate only to poor indoor air.
All of us are exposed to biological pollutants.
However, the effects on our health depend upon the type and amount of
biological pollution and the individual person. Some people do not
experience health reactions from certain biological pollutants, while
others may experience one or more of the following reactions:
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Allergic
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Infectious
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Toxic
Except for the spread of infections indoors,
ALLERGIC REACTIONS may be the most common health problem with indoor
air quality in homes. They are often connected with animal dander
(mostly from cats and dogs), with house dust mites (microscopic animals
living in household dust), and with pollen. Allergic reactions can range
from mildly uncomfortable to life-threatening, as in a severe asthma
attack. Some common signs and symptoms are:
Health experts are especially concerned about
people with asthma.
These people have very sensitive airways that can react to various
irritants, making breathing difficult. The number of people who have
asthma has greatly increased in recent years. The number of people with
asthma has gone up by 59 percent since 1970, to a total of 9.6 million
people. Asthma in children under 15 years of age has increased 41
percent in the same period, to a total of 2.6 million children. The
number of deaths from asthma is up by 68 percent since 1979, to a total
of almost 4,400 deaths per year.
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INFECTIOUS DISEASES caused by bacteria and
viruses, such as flu, measles, chicken pox, and tuberculosis, may be
spread indoors. Most infectious diseases pass from person to person
through physical contact. Crowded conditions with poor air circulation
can promote this spread. Some bacteria and viruses thrive in buildings
and circulate through indoor ventilation systems. For example, the
bacterium causing Legionnaire's disease, a serious and sometimes lethal
infection, and Pontiac Fever, a flu-like illness, have circulated in
some large buildings.
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Are you concerned about the effects on your health
that may be related to biological pollutants in your home? Before you
discuss your concerns with your doctor, you should know the answers to
the following questions. This information can help the doctor determine
whether your health problems may be related to biological pollution.
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Does anyone in the family have frequent
headaches, fevers, itchy watery eyes, a stuffy nose, dry throat, or a
cough? Does anyone complain of feeling tired or dizzy all the time? Is
anyone wheezing or having difficulties breathing on a regular basis?
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Did these symptoms appear after you moved to a
new or different home?
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Do the symptoms disappear when you go to school
or the office or go away on a trip, and return when you come back?
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Have you recently remodeled your home or done
any energy conservation work, such as installing insulation, storm
windows, or weather stripping? Did your symptoms occur during or after
these activities?
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Does your home feel humid? Can you see moisture
on the windows or on other surfaces, such as walls and ceilings?
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What is the usual temperature in your home? Is
it very hot or cold?
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Have you recently had water damage?
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Is your basement wet or damp?
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Is there any obvious mold or mildew
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?Does any part of your home have a musty or
moldy odor?
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Is the air stale?
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Do you have pets?
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Do your house plants show signs of mold?
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Do you have air conditioners or
humidifiers
that have not been properly cleaned?
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Does your home have cockroaches or rodents?
TOXIC REACTIONS are the least studied and
understood health problem caused by some biological air pollutants in
the home. Toxins can damage a variety of organs and tissues in the body,
including the liver, the central nervous system, the digestive tract,
and the immune system.
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There is no simple and cheap way to sample the
air in your home to determine the level of all biological pollutants.
Experts suggest that sampling for biological pollutants is not a
useful problem-solving tool. Even if you had your home tested, it is
almost impossible to know which biological pollutant(s) cause various
symptoms or health problems. The amount of most biological substances
required to cause disease is unknown and varies from one person to the
next.
Does this make the problem sound hopeless? On
the contrary, you can take several simple, practical actions to help
remove sources of biological pollutants, to help get rid of
pollutants, and to prevent their return.
Begin by touring your household. Follow your
nose, and use your eyes. Two major factors help create conditions for
biological pollutants to grow: nutrients and constant moisture with
poor air circulation.
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Dust and construction materials, such as
wood, wallboard, and insulation, contain nutrients that allow
biological pollutants to grow. Firewood also is a source of
moisture, fungi, and bugs.
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Appliances such as
humidifiers, kerosene and
gas heaters, and gas stoves add moisture to the air.
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A musty odor, moisture on hard surfaces, or
even water stains, may be caused by:
- Air-conditioning units
- Basements, attics, and crawlspaces
- Bathrooms
- Carpets
- Heating and air-conditioning ducts
- Humidifiers
and dehumidifiers
- Refrigerator drip pans
Before you give away the family pet or move, there
are less drastic steps that can be taken to reduce potential problems.
Properly cleaning and maintaining your home can help reduce the problem
and may avoid interrupting your normal routine. People who have health
problems such as asthma, or are allergic, may need to do this and more.
Discuss this with your doctor.
Water in your home can come from many sources.
Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement
floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your
home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends
on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is
able to hold less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture
condenses on cold surfaces (for example, drops of water form on the
inside of a window). This moisture can encourage biological pollutants
to grow.
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There are many ways to control moisture in your
home:
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Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the
house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to
extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The ground should slope away
from the house.) Water in the basement can result from the lack of
gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or
around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to
grow.
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Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to
prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces
are well-ventilated.
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Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to
remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes
dryer to the outside.
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Turn off certain appliances (such as
humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and
other surfaces.
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Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners,
especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but
be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of
biological pollutants.
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Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where
moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window
installed on the inside works better than one installed on the
outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which
may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation
carries heat to the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using
fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat
circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can
expel excessive moisture from the home.
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Pay special attention to carpet on concrete
floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological
pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be taken up and washed
often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be installed over a
concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic
sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring
(insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
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Moisture problems and their solutions differ
from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet; the
Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot and wet; and the Western
Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have
moisture problems. For example, evaporative coolers used in the
Southwest can encourage the growth of biological pollutants. In other
hot regions, the use of air conditioners which cool the air too
quickly may prevent the air conditioners from running long enough to
remove excess moisture from the air. The types of construction and
weatherization for the different climates can lead to different
problems and solutions.
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Have major appliances, such as furnaces, heat
pumps and central air conditioners, inspected and cleaned regularly by
a professional, especially before seasonal use. Change filters on
heating and cooling systems according to manufacturer's directions.
(In general, change filters monthly during use.) When first turning on
the heating or air conditioning at the start of the season, consider
leaving your home until it airs out.
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Have window or wall air-conditioning units
cleaned and serviced regularly by a professional, especially before
the cooling season. Air conditioners can help reduce the entry of
allergy-causing pollen. But they may also become a source of
biological pollutants if not properly maintained. Clean the coils and
incline the drain pans according to manufacturer's instructions, so
water cannot collect in pools.
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Have furnace-attached
humidifiers cleaned and
serviced regularly by a professional, especially before the heating
season.
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Follow manufacturer's instructions when using
any type of humidifier. Experts differ on the benefits of using
humidifiers. If you do use a portable humidifier (approximately 1 to 2
gallon tanks), be sure to empty its tank every day and refill with
distilled or demineralized water, or even fresh tap water if the other
types of water are unavailable. For larger portable
humidifiers,
change the water as recommended by the manufacturer. Unplug the
appliance before cleaning. Every third day, clean all surfaces coming
in contact with water with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, using a
brush to loosen deposits. Some manufacturers recommend using diluted
household bleach for cleaning and maintenance, generally in a solution
of one-half cup bleach to one gallon water. When using any household
chemical, rinse well to remove all traces of chemical before refilling
humidifier.
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Empty dehumidifiers daily and clean often. If
possible, have the appliance drip directly into a drain. Follow
manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintenance. Always
disconnect the appliance before cleaning.
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Clean refrigerator drip pans regularly
according to manufacturer's instructions. If refrigerator and freezer
doors don't seal properly, moisture may build up and mold can grow.
Remove any mold on door gaskets and replace faulty gaskets.
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Clean mold surfaces, such as showers and
kitchen counters.
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Remove mold from walls, ceilings, floors, and
paneling. Do not simply cover mold with paint, stain, varnish, or a
moisture-proof sealer, as it may resurface.
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Replace moldy shower curtains, or remove them
and scrub well with a household cleaner and rinse before re-hanging
them.
Controlling dust is very important for people who
are allergic to animal dander and mites. You cannot see mites, but you
can either remove their favorite breeding grounds or keep these areas
dry and clean. Dust mites can thrive in sofas, stuffed chairs, carpets,
and bedding. Open shelves, fabric wallpaper, knickknacks, and venetian
blinds are also sources of dust mites. Dust mites live deep in the
carpet and are not removed by vacuuming. Many doctors suggest that their
mite-allergic patients use washable area rugs rather than wall-to-wall
carpet.
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Always wash bedding in hot water (at least 130°
F "one hundred degrees Fahrenheit") to kill dust mites. Cold water
won't do the job. Launder bedding at least every 7 to 10 days.
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Use synthetic or foam rubber mattress pads and
pillows, and plastic mattress covers if you are allergic. Do not use
fuzzy wool blankets, feather or wool-stuffed comforters, and feather
pillows.
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Clean rooms and closets well; dust and vacuum
often to remove surface dust. Vacuuming and other cleaning may not
remove all animal dander, dust mite material, and other biological
pollutants. Some particles are so small they can pass through vacuum
bags and remain in the air. If you are allergic to dust, wear a mask
when vacuuming or dusting. People who are highly allergy-prone should
not perform these tasks. They may even need to leave the house when
someone else is cleaning.
Protect yourself by inspecting your potential new
home. If you identify problems, have the landlord or seller correct them
before you move in, or even consider moving elsewhere.
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Have professionals check the heating and
cooling system, including humidifiers and vents. Have duct lining and
insulation checked for growth.
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Check for exhaust fans in bathrooms and
kitchens. If there are no vents, do the kitchen and bathrooms have at
least one window apiece? Does the cook top have a hood vented outside?
Does the clothes dryer vent outside? Are all vents to the outside of
the building, not into attics or crawlspaces?
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Look for obvious mold growth throughout the
house, including attics, basements, and crawlspaces, and around the
foundation. See if there are many plants close to the house,
particularly if they are damp and rotting. They are a potential source
of biological pollutants. Downspouts from roof gutters should route
water away from the building.
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Look for stains on the walls, floor or carpet
(including any carpet over concrete floors) as evidence of previous
flooding or moisture problems. Is there moisture on windows and
surfaces? Are there signs of leaks or seepage in the basement?
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Look for rotted building materials which may
suggest moisture or water damage.
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If you or anyone else in the family has a pet
allergy, ask if any pets have lived in the home.
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Examine the design of the building. Remember
that in cold climates, overhanging areas, rooms over unheated garages,
and closets on outside walls may be prone to problems with biological
pollutants.
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Look for signs of cockroaches.
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Dirty air conditioners
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Dirty
humidifiers and/or dehumidifiers
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Bathroom without vents or windows
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Kitchen without vents or windows
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Dirty refrigerator drip pans
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Laundry room with unvented dryer
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Unventilated attic
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Carpet on damp basement floor
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Bedding
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Closet on outside wall
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Dirty heating/air conditioning system
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dogs or cats
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Water damage (around windows, the roof, or the
basement)
Warning! Carefully read instructions for use and
any cautionary labeling on cleaning products before beginning cleaning
procedures.
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Do not mix any chemical products. Especially,
never mix cleaners containing bleach with any product (such as ammonia)
which does not have instructions for such mixing. When chemicals are
combined, a dangerous gas can sometimes be formed.
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Household chemicals may cause burning or
irritation to skin and eyes.
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Household chemicals may be harmful if swallowed,
or inhaled.
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Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mucous membranes
and clothing.
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Avoid breathing vapor. Open all windows and doors
and use an exhaust fan that sends the air outside.
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Keep household chemicals out of reach of
children.
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Rinse treated surface areas well to remove all
traces of chemicals.
What if damage is already done? Follow these
guidelines for correcting water damage:
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Throw out mattresses, wicker furniture, straw
baskets and the like that have been water damaged or contain mold.
These cannot be recovered.
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Discard any water-damaged furnishings such as
carpets, drapes, stuffed toys, upholstered furniture and ceiling
tiles, unless they can be recovered by steam cleaning or hot water
washing and thorough drying.
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Remove and replace wet insulation to prevent
conditions where biological pollutants can grow.
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