(continued from page 14)

and benzo(a)pyrene, both of
which can cause cancer,
attach to small particles that
are inhaled and then carried
deep into the lung.

Reducing Exposure to
Combustion Products in
Homes

= Take special precautions
when operating fuel-burn-
ing unvented space heaters.
Consider potential effects of
indoor air pollution when
you decide to use an
unvented kerosene or gas
space heater. Follow the
manufacturer's directions,
especially instructions on the
proper fuel and keeping the
heater properly adjusted. A
persistent yellow-tipped
flame is generally an indica-
tor of maladjustment and
increased pollutant emis-
sions. While a space heater is
in use, open a door from the
room where the heater is
located to the rest of the
house and open a window
slightly.

"Install and use exhaust
fans over gas cooking stoves
and ranges and keep the
burners properly adjusted.

Using a stove hood with a
fan vented to the outdoors
can greatly reduce exposure
to pollutants during cooking.
Improper adjustment, often
indicated by a persistent
yellow-tipped flame, can
result in increased pollutant
emissions. Ask your gas
company to adjust the
burner so that the flame tip
is blue. If you purchase a
new gas stove or range, con-
sider buying one with pilot-
less ignition because they do
not have a pilot light that
burns continuously. Never
use a gas stove to heat your
home and always make cer-
tain the flue in your gas
fireplace is open when the
fireplace is in use.

= Keep woodstove emissions
to a minimum. Choose pro-
perly-sized new stoves that
are certified as meeting EPA
emission standards. Make
certain that doors in old
woodstoves are tight-fitting.
Use aged or cured (dried)
wood only, and follow the
manufacturer's directions for
starting, stoking, and put-
ting out the fire in wood-
stoves. Chemicals are used to
pressure-treat wood; such
wood should never be

‘e@

burned indoors. (Because
some old gaskets in
woodstove doors contain
asbestos, when replacing
gaskets refer to the instruc-
tions in the EPA and CPSC
booklet, Asbestos in Homes, to
avoid creating an asbestos
problem. New gaskets are
made of fiberglass.)

= Have central air handling
systems — including fur-
naces, flues, and chimneys —
inspected annually and
promptly repair cracks or
damaged parts. Blocked,
leaking, or damaged
chimneys or flues can release
harmful combustion gases
and particles and even fatal
concentrations of carbon
monoxide. Strictly follow all
service and maintenance
procedures recommended by
the manufacturer, including
those that tell you how fre-
quently to change the filters.
If manufacturer's instruc-
tions are not readily
available, change filters once
every month or two during
periods of use. Proper main-
tenance is important even for
new furnaces, because they
can also corrode and leak
combustion gases, including
carbon monoxide.

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

rganic chemicals are

widely used as ingre-

dients in household

products because of
their many useful charac-
teristics, such as the ability to
dissolve substances and
evaporate quickly. Paints,
varnishes, and wax all con-
tain organic solvents, as do
many cleaning, disinfecting,
cosmetic, degreasing, and
hobby products. Fuels are
made up of organic chemi-
cals, All of these products
can release organic com-
pounds while you are using
them, and, to some degree,
when they are stored.

In research conducted by
EPA, called the Total Ex-
posure Assessment Meth-
odology (TEAM) studies,
levels of about a dozen com-
mon organic pollutants were
found to be 2 to 5 times
higher inside homes than
outside, regardless of
whether the homes were lo-
cated in rural or highly
industrial areas. Additional
TEAM studies indicate that
while people are using pro-
ducts containing organic
chemicals, they can expose
themselves and others to
very high pollutant levels
and elevated concentrations
can persist in the air long af-
ter the activity is completed.
Three out of four specific
organic compounds men-
tioned later in this booklet —
benzene, perchloroethylene,
and paradichlorobenzene —
are among the most pre-
valent organic compounds
identified by the TEAM
studies. The fourth organic
compound, methylene
chloride, is used widely in
consumer goods.

Health Effects

The ability of organic
chemicals to cause health
effects varies greatly — from

19


disease, including lung
cancer, in both smokers and
healthy non-smokers.
Studies indicate that ex-
posure to tobacco smoke
may increase the risk of lung
cancer by an average of 30
percent in the non-smoking
spouses of smokers. Very
young children exposed to
smoking at home are more
likely to be hospitalized for
bronchitis and pneumonia.
Recent studies suggest that
environmental tobacco
smoke may also contribute
to heart disease.

Reducing Exposure to
Environmental Tobacco
Smoke in Homes

= Give up smoking and
discourage smoking in your
home or ask smokers to
smoke outdoors. 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 — nonsmokers’
exposure to environmental
tobacco smoke.

Ventilation, a common
method of reducing ex-
posure to indoor air
pollutants, also will reduce
but not eliminate exposure to
environmental tobacco
smoke. Because smoking
produces such large amounts
of pollutants, natural or
mechanical ventilation
techniques do not remove
them from the air in your
home as quickly as they
build up. In addition, the
large increases in ventilation
it takes to significantly
reduce exposure to environ-
mental tobacco smoke can
also increase energy costs
substantially.

Consequently, the most
effective way to reduce ex-
posure to environmental
tobacco smoke in the home is
to eliminate smoking there.

BIOLOGICAL
CONTAMINANTS ost

iological contaminants
(“biologicals”) include
bacteria, mold and
mildew, viruses, ani-
mal dander and cat saliva,
mites, cockroaches, and
pollen. There are many
sources for these pollutants.
For example, pollens origi-
nate from plants; viruses are
transmitted by people and
animals; bacteria are carried
by people, animals, and soil
and plant debris; and
household pets are sources
of saliva and animal dander.
The protein in urine from
rats and mice is a potent
allergen; when it dries, it can
become airborne. Contami-
nated central air handling
systems can become breed-
ing grounds for mold,
mildew, and other biological
contaminants and can then
distribute these contami-
nants through the home.

By controlling the relative
humidity level in a home,
the growth of biologicals can
be minimized. A relative
humidity of 30-50 percent is
recommended for homes.

_# Standing water, water-

damaged materials, or wet
surfaces can serve as a
breeding ground for molds,
mildews, bacteria, and
insects. House dust mites,
‘one of the most powerful
biologicals in triggering
allergic reactions, can grow
in any damp, warm
environment.

Health Effects From
Biological Contaminants

Some biological contami-
nants trigger allergic reac-
tions, including hypersensi-
tivity pneumonitis, allergic
rhinitis, and some types of
asthma. Some transmit
infectious illnesses, such as
influenza, measles, and
chicken pox. And some
biologicals, such as certain
molds and mildews, release
disease-causing toxins.
Symptoms of health prob-
lems caused by biological
pollutants include sneezing,
watery eyes, coughing,
shortness of breath, dizzi-
ness, lethargy, fever, and
digestive problems.

Many allergic reactions
caused by biological aller-

gens occur immediately after
exposure; other allergic reac-
tions are the result of previ-
ous exposures that a person
may not have been aware of.
As a result, people who have
noticed only mild allergic
reactions, or no reactions at
all, may suddenly find them-
selves very sensitive to par-
ticular allergens. Some
diseases, like humidifier
fever, have generally been
associated with exposure to
toxins from microorganisms
that can grow in large build-
ing ventilation systems.
However, these diseases can
also be traced to microorga-
nisms that grow in home
heating and cooling systems
and humidification devices.
Children, elderly people, and
people with breathing prob-
lems, allergies, and lung
diseases are particularly
susceptible to disease-caus-
ing biological agents in the
indoor air.

Reducing Exposure to
Biological Contaminants
in Homes

= Install and use exhaust
fans that are vented to the
outdoors in kitchens and
bathrooms and vent clothes
dryers outdoors. These
actions can eliminate much
of the moisture that builds
up from everyday activities.
There are exhaust fans on
the market that produce little
noise, an important con-
sideration for some people.
(Another benefit to using
kitchen and bathroom
exhaust fans is that they can
reduce levels of organic
pollutants that vaporize from
hot water used in showers
and dishwashers.)

= Ventilate the attic and
crawl spaces to prevent
moisture build-up. Keeping
humidity levels in these
areas between 30-50 percent
can prevent water condensa-
tion on building materials.

13



be organic compounds;
therefore, both can add to
the levels of airborne
organics inside homes. Both
types of ingredients can
cause the effects discussed
in this booklet under
“Household Products.’
However, there is little un-
derstanding at present about
what concentrations are
necessary to produce these
effects.

Exposure to high levels of
cyclodienes, commonly
associated with misapplica-
tion, has produced various
symptoms, including
headaches, dizziness, muscle
twitching, weakness,
tingling sensations, and
nausea. In addition, EPA is
concerned that cyclodienes
might cause long-term
damage to the liver and the
central nervous system, as
well as increased risk of
cancer.

Reducing Exposure to
Pesticides in Homes

= Read the label and follow
the directions. It is illegal to
use any pesticide in any
manner inconsistent with the
directions on its label. Unless
you have had special train-
ing and are certified, never
use a pesticide that is
restricted to use by state-cer-
tified pest control operators.
Such pesticides are simply
too dangerous for application
by a non-certified person.
Use only the pesticides ap-
proved for use by the general
public and then only in
recommended amounts; in-
creasing the amount does
not offer more protection
against pests and can be
harmful to you and your
plants or pets.

= Use in well-ventilated
areas. Open windows when
applying pesticides. Mix or
dilute pesticides outdoors or
in a well-ventilated area and
only in the amounts that will

be immediately needed. If
possible, take plants or pets
outside when applying
pesticides to them.

= Use alternative non-chemi-
cal methods of pest control.
Since pesticides can be
found far from the site of
their original application, it is
prudent to reduce the use of
chemical pesticides outdoors
as well as indoors. Depend-
ing on the site and pest to be
controlled, one or more of
the following steps can be
effective: use of biological
pesticides, such as Bacillus
thuringiensis for the control of
gypsy moths; selection of
disease-resistant plants; and
frequent washing of indoor
plants or pets. Termite
damage can be reduced or
prevented by making certain
that wooden building
materials do not come into
direct contact with the soil
and by storing firewood
away from the home. By ap-
propriately fertilizing,
watering, and aerating
lawns, the need for chemical
pesticide treatments of lawns
can be dramatically reduced.

= If you decide to use a pest
control company, choose one
carefully. Ask for an inspec-
tion of your home and get a
written control program for
evaluation before you sign a
contract. The control pro-
gram should list specific
names of pests to be con-
trolled and chemicals to be
used; it should also reflect
any of your safety concerns.
Insist on a proven record of
competence and customer
satisfaction.

= Dispose of unwanted
pesticides safely. If you have
unused or partially used
pesticide containers you
want to get rid of, dispose of
them according to the direc-
tions on the label or on
special household hazardous
waste collection days. If

There are simple steps people can take to prevent, reduce, or control pest
infestations Such techniques can become part of an overall pest manage-
ment program (sometimes called ‘integrated “ pest management) that
relies on many techniques, not just chemicals

23


INTRODUCTION

SHOULD YOU BE
CONCERNED ABOUT
INDOOR AIR QUALITY?

|

' ll of us face a variety |

of risks to our health |

as we go about our

day-to-day lives.
Driving in a car, flying in
planes, engaging in recrea- |
tional activities, and being
exposed to environmental
pollutants all pose varying
degrees of risk.

Some risks are simply
unavoidable. Some we
choose to accept because to
do otherwise would restrict
our ability to lead our lives
the way we want. And some
are risks we might decide to
avoid if we had the oppor-
tunity to make informed
choices.

In the last several years, a
growing body of scientific
evidence has indicated that
the air within homes and
other buildings can be more
seriously polluted than the
outdoor air in even the
largest and most industrial-
ized cities. Other research
indicates that people spend
approximately 90 percent of
their time indoors. Thus, for
most people, the risks to
health may be greater due to
exposure to air pollution in-
doors than outdoors.

In addition, people who
may be exposed to indoor air
pollutants for the longest
periods of time are often
those most susceptible to the
adverse effects of indoor air
pollution. Such groups in-
clude the young, the elderly,
and the chronically ill,
especially those suffering
from respiratory or cardio-
vascular disease.



those that are highly toxic, to
those with no known health
effect. Eye and respiratory
tract irritation, headaches,
dizziness, visual disorders,
and memory impairment are
among the immediate symp-
toms that some people have
experienced soon after
exposure to some organics.
At present, not much is
known about what health
effects occur from the levels
of organics found in homes.
Many organic compounds
are known to cause cancer in
animals; some are suspected
of causing, or are known to
cause, cancer in humans.

Organize Safe Collection
Days for Household
Hazardous Wastes

The League of Women
Voters of Massachusetts
makes available a video and
kit of materials giving tips on
how to set up household
hazardous waste collection
days. (Write to the League of
Women Voters of Massa-
chusetts, 8 Winter Street,
Boston, MA 02108, for a flyer
and order form.) Another
source of information is
EPAs publication entitled
Household Hazardous Waste: A
Bibliography of Useful References
and List of State Experts. To
order copies, call EPAs
RCRA/Superfund hotline at
1-800-424-9346,

Reducing Exposure to
Household Chemicals

® Follow label instructions
carefully, Products often
have warnings aimed at
reducing exposure to the
user. For example, if a label
says to use the product in a
“well-ventilated” area, go
outdoors or in areas
equipped with an exhaust
fan to use the product, if
possible. Otherwise, open
windows to provide the
maximum amount of out-
door air possible.

= Throw away partially full
containers of old or
unneeded chemicals safely
Because gases can leak even
from closed containers, this
single step could do much to
lower concentrations of
organic chemicals in your
home. (Be sure that materials
you decide to keep are stored
not only in a well-ventilated
area but are also safely out of
teach of children.) Do not
simply toss these unwanted
products in the garbage can.
Find out if your local govern-
ment or any organization in
your community sponsors
special days for the collection
of toxic household wastes. If
such days are available, use
them to dispose of the
unwanted containers safely.
Tf no such collection days are
available, think about
organizing one.

= Buy limited quantities. In
the future, if you use pro-

ducts only occasionally or
seasonally, such as paints,
paint strippers, and kerosene
for space heaters or gasoline
for lawn mowers, buy only
as much as you will use right
away.

= Keep exposure to emis-
sions from products contain-
ing methylene chloride to a
minimum, Consumer pro-
ducts that contain methylene
chloride include paint strip-
pers, adhesive removers,
aerosol spray paints, and
pesticide “bombs.” Methy-
lene chloride is known to
cause cancer in animals.
Also, methylene chloride is
converted to carbon monox-
ide in the body and can
cause symptoms associated
with exposure to carbon
monoxide. Carefully read the
labels containing health
hazard information and cau-
tions on the proper use of
these products. Use methy-
lene chloride-containing pro-
ducts outdoors when
possible; use indoors with as
much ventilation as possible.

= Keep exposure to benzene
to a minimum. Benzene is a
known human carcinogen.
The main indoor sources of
this chemical are environ-
mental tobacco smoke,
stored fuels and paint sup-
plies, and automobile emis-
sions in attached garages.
Actions which will reduce
benzene exposure include
eliminating smoking within
the home, providing for

maximum ventilation during
painting, and discarding
paint supplies and special
fuels that will not be used
immediately.

= Keep exposure to
perchloroethylene emissions
from newly dry cleaned
materials to a minimum.
Perchloroethylene is the
chemical most widely used
in dry cleaning. In laboratory
studies, it has been shown to
cause cancer in animals.
Recent studies indicate that
people breathe low levels of
this chemical both in homes
where dry cleaned goods are
stored and as they wear dry
cleaned clothing. Dry
cleaners recapture the
perchloroethylene during the
dry cleaning process so they
can save money by reusing it
and they remove more of the
chemical during the pressing
and finishing processes.
Some dry cleaners, however,
do not remove as much per-
chloroethylene as possible

all of the time.

Taking steps to minimize
your exposure to this chemi-
cal is prudent. If dry cleaned
goods have a strong chemi-
cal odor when you pick them
up, do not accept them until
they have been properly
dried. If goods with a chemi-
cal odor are returned to you
on subsequent visits, try a
different dry cleaner.

Aitached garages or workplace areas where petroleum products and old painting and cleaning supplies are stored can
be major sources of organic air pollutants

20



sanding, burning, or chemi-
cal stripping. Workers should
be protected and thorough
clean-up should follow
removal.

® People who may have been
exposed to lead dust recently
should have the lead levels
in their blood tested by their
doctor or local health de-
partment. If exposure
occurred some time pre-
viously, a blood test may

not be a reliable indicator

of exposure and it may

be advisable for exposed
children or adults to have
neurological tests done. If
either test shows lead expos-
ure has occurred, follow the
advice of your doctor or
health department.

= Keep surface areas clean.
Frequent cleaning of smooth
surfaces, especially food pre-
paration areas, with a wet
cloth or mop can reduce the
amount of lead dust that
drifts or is tracked in from
outdoors. However, lead dust
will remain in carpeting and
on furnishings.

= Choose well-ventilated
areas to engage in activities
that involve the use of lead.
As with other activities,
increasing ventilation can re-
duce potential health effects
by reducing the concentra-
tions of indoor air pollutants.
Consider using “no-lead”
solder.

= Have the drinking water in
your home tested for lead.
Homes most likely to have
high lead levels in their wa-
ter are those with lead-
soldered plumbing that is
less than 5 years old or those
that have water service con-
nections or interior plumbing
made of lead. Send for the
EPA pamphlet, Lead and Your
Drinking Water, for more infor-
mation about what you can
do if you have lead in your
drinking water.

juilding a new home
provides the oppor-
tunity for preventing
indoor air problems.
However, it can also bring
exposure to higher levels of
indoor air contaminants if
careful attention is not given
to potential pollution sources
and the air exchange rate.

Express your concerns
about indoor air quality to
your architect or builder and
enlist his or her cooperation
in taking measures to pro-
vide good indoor air quality.
Talk both about purchasing
building materials and fur-
nishings that are low-
emitting and about pro-
viding an adequate amount
of ventilation.

The American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating, and
Air Conditioning Engineers
recommends a ventilation
tate of 0.35 ach (air changes
per hour) for new homes,
and some new homes are
built to even tighter specifi-
cations. Particular care
should be given in such
homes to preventing the
build-up of indoor air pollu-
tants to high levels.

Here are a few important
actions that can make a
difference:

= Use radon resistant con-
struction techniques. Obtain
a copy of the EPA booklet,

TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU ARE BUILDING A NEW HOME

Radon Reduction in New Con-
struction: An Interim Guide,
from your state radon or
health agency, your state
homebuilders’ association,
your EPA regional office, or
the EPA Public Information
Center.

= Choose building materials
and furnishings that will
keep indoor air pollution to
a minimum. There are many
actions a homeowner can
take to select products that
will prevent indoor air
problems from occurring —
a couple of them are men-
tioned here. First, use
exterior-grade pressed wood
products made with phenol-
formaldehyde in floors,
cabinetry, and wall surfaces.
Or, as an alternative, con-
sider using solid wood
products. Secondly, do not
permanently adhere carpets
directly to cement floors
because cement floors tend
to be cold and moisture con-
denses on the carpet,

ed

providing a place for mold.
and dust mites to grow. Also,
carpets laid in this manner
do not dry thoroughly if they
get wet.

"Provide proper drainage
and seal foundations in new
construction. Air that enters
the home through the foun-
dation can contain more
moisture than is generated
from all occupant activities.

= Become familiar with how
heat recovery ventilators
(air-to-air heat exchangers)
work and consider installing
one. A whole-house heat
recovery ventilation system
permits occupants to enjoy
the air quality benefits of
drawing more outdoor air
into the home while reduc-
ing the costs of heating or
cooling this air.

"Install exterior-vented air
ducts into woodstove
fireboxes and near fireplaces.
The supplementary air sup-
ply from these ducts will
provide adequate oxygen for
complete combustion, mini-
mize infiltration of cold
outside air into the rest of
the house, and prevent
backdrafts from bringing
combustion products back
down the chimney. Do not
close the duct until all em-
bers are extinguished.

26


made with urea-formaldehyde

Reducing Exposure to
Formaldehyde in Homes

® Ask about the formalde-
hyde content of pressed
wood products, including
building materials, cabine-
try, and furniture before you
purchase them. If you ex-
perience adverse reactions to
formaldehyde, you may want
to avoid the use of pressed
wood products and other for-
maldehyde-emitting goods.
Even if you do not ex-
perience such reactions, you
may wish to reduce your ex-
posure as much as possible
by purchasing exterior-grade
products, which emit less
formaldehyde. For further in-
formation on formaldehyde
and consumer products, call
the EPA Toxic Substance
Control Act (TSCA) assis-
tance line (202-554-1404).
Some studies suggest that
coating pressed wood prod-
ucts with polyurethane may
reduce formaldehyde emis-
sions for some period of
time. To be effective, any
such coating must cover all
surfaces and edges and re-
main intact. Increase the
ventilation and carefully

:

Pressed wood products made with whe vol-formaldehyde are sometimes
stamped to indicate they are suitable Av exteror use In general. phenol-
formaldehyde wood products ent fess formaldehyde than wood products

follow the manufacturer's in-
structions while applying
these coatings. (If you are
sensitive to formaldehyde,
check the label contents
before purchasing coating
products to avoid buying for-
maldehyde-containing prod-
ucts, as they will emit the
chemical for a short time af-
ter application.)

= Maintain moderate tem-
perature and humidity
levels and provide adequate
ventilation. The rate at
which formaldehyde is
released is accelerated by
heat and may also depend
somewhat on the humidity
level. Therefore, the use of
dehumidifiers and air condi-
tioning to control humidity
and to maintain a moderate
temperature can help reduce
formaldehyde emissions.
(Drain and clean dehumidi-
fier collection trays fre-
quently so that they do not
become a breeding ground
for microorganisms.) Increas-
ing the rate of ventilation in
your home will also help in
reducing formaldehyde
levels.

PESTICIDES

ccording to an EPA

survey, 9 out of 10

US. households use

pesticides. One study
by EPA suggests that 80-90
percent of most people's ex-
posure to pesticides in the
air occurs indoors and that
measurable levels of up toa
dozen pesticides have been
found in the air inside
homes. The amount of
pesticides found in homes
appears to be greater than
can be explained by recent
pesticide use in those
households; other possible
sources include contami-
nated soil or dust that floats
or is tracked in from outside,
stored pesticide containers,
and household surfaces that
collect and then release the
pesticides.

EPA registers pesticides for
use and requires manufac-
turers to put information on
the label about when and.
how to use the pesticide. It is
important to remember that
the “-cide” in pesticides
means “to kill” These pro-
ducts are dangerous if not used

In addition to the active
ingredient, pesticides are
also made up of ingredients
which are used to carry the
active agent. These carrier
agents are called “inerts” in
pesticides because they are
Not toxic to the targeted pest;
nevertheless, some “inerts”
are capable of causing health
problems. For example,
methylene chloride,

22

discussed under “Household
Products,’ is used as an “inert”

Pesticides used in and
around the home include
products to control insects
(insecticides), termites (ter-
miticides), rodents
(rodenticides), and fungi
(fungicides). They are sold as
sprays, liquids, sticks,
powders, crystals, balls, and
foggers or “bombs”

Chlordane, and three
other related termiticides
(the “cyclodienes”) —
heptachlor, aldrin, and
dieldrin — deserve special at-
tention because of their
ability to remain active for
long periods of time. In re-
cent studies, air samples
taken in homes soon after
well applied termiticide
treatments contained
residues of these chemicals.
As a result of these studies,
EPA has taken a series of ac-
tions that led to the removal
of these chemicals from the
marketplace. All use of
aldrin and dieldrin has been
banned, while chlordane
and heptachlor cannot be
used until an application
method that will not result
in any measurable exposure
to household occupants is
successfully developed.
Alternative termiticides are
currently available, and EPA
anticipates that manufac-
turers will soon apply to
register others.

Health Effects
From Pesticides

Both the active and “inert”
ingredients in pesticides can



R AIR POLLUTANTS IN THE HOME

RESPIRABLE
PARTICLES

Sources: Fireplaces, wood
stoves, and kerosene heaters.
Environmental tobacco
smoke.

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and
throat irritation; respiratory
infections and bronchitis;
lung cancer. (Effects attribut-
able to environmental to-
bacco smoke are listed
elsewhere.)

Levels in Homes: Particle lev-
els in homes without smok-

ing or other strong particle

sources are the same as, or
lower than, outdoor levels.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

= Vent all furnaces to out-
doors; keep doors to rest of
house open when using un-
vented space heaters.

TM Choose properly sized
wood stoves, certified to
meet EPA emission stand-
ards; make certain that doors
on all wood stoves fit tightly.
= Have a trained professional
inspect, clean, and tune-up
central heating system (fur-
nace, flues, and chimneys)
annually. Repair any leaks
promptly.

= Change filters on central
heating and cooling systems
and air cleaners according to
manufacturer’ directions,

ORGANIC GASES

Sources: Household prod-
ucts including: paints, paint
strippers, and other solvents;
wood preservatives; aerosol
sprays; cleansers and disin-
fectants; moth repellents and
air fresheners; stored fuels
and automotive products;
hobby supplies; dry cleaned
clothing.

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and
throat irritation; headaches,
loss of coordination, nausea;
damage to liver, kidney, and
central nervous system.
Some organics can cause
cancer in animals; some are
suspected or known to cause
cancer in humans.

Levels in Homes: Levels of
several organics average 2

to 5 times higher indoors
than outdoors. During and
for several hours imme-
diately after certain activities,
such as paint stripping, levels
may be 1000 times back-
ground outdoor levels.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

" Use household products ac-
cording to manufacturer's
directions.

= Use outdoors or in well-
ventilated places.

= Throw away unused or lit-
tle-used containers safely;
buy in quantities that you
will use soon.

FORMALDEHYDE

Sources: Pressed wood prod-
ucts (hardwood plywood
wall paneling, particleboard,
fiberboard) and furniture
made with these pressed
wood products. Urea-for-
maldehyde foam insulation
(UFFI). Combustion sources
and environmental tobacco
smoke. Durable press drapes,
other textiles, and glues.

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and
throat irritation; wheezing
and coughing; fatigue; skin
rash; severe allergic reac-
tions. May cause cancer. May
also cause other effects listed
under “organic gases.”

Levels in Homes: Average
concentrations in older
homes without UFFI are
generally well below 0.1
(ppm). In homes with signifi-
cant amounts of new pressed
wood products, levels can be
greater than 0.3 ppm.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

" Use “exterior grade”
pressed wood products
(lower-emitting because they
contain phenol resins, not
urea resins).

® Use air conditioning and
dehumidifiers to maintain
moderate temperature and
reduce humidity levels.

"= Increase ventilation, partic-
ularly after bringing new
sources of formaldehyde into
the home.



symptoms that may be
related to your home
environment, you should
discuss with your doctor or
your local health department
whether such symptoms
could be caused by indoor
air pollution. You may also
want to consult a board-cer-
tified allergist or an occupa-
tional medicine specialist for
answers to your questions.

It is prudent to try to
improve the indoor air
quality in your home even if
symptoms are not noticeable.
The earliest symptoms of
long-term health problems,
such as some respiratory
illnesses and cancer, do not
appear until years after the
initial exposure.

Another way to judge
whether your home has or
could develop indoor air
problems is to identify
potential sources of indoor
air pollution. Although the
presence of such sources (see
illustration at the beginning
of this booklet) does not
necessarily mean that you
have an indoor air quality
problem, being aware of the
type and number of poten-
tial sources is an important
step toward assessing the
quality of air in your home.

A third way to decide
whether your home may
have poor indoor air quality
is to look at your lifestyle
and activities. As discussed
earlier, human activities can
be significant sources of
indoor air pollution.

Finally, look for signs of
problems with the air flow
through your home. Things
that can indicate your home
may have an indoor air
quality problem include
smelly or stuffy air, dirty
central heating and air cool-
ing equipment, damaged
flues and chimneys, moisture
condensation on windows or
walls, signs of water leakage,
and areas where books,
shoes, or other items become
moldy.

SHOULD YOU MEASURE
POLLUTANT LEVELS IN
YOUR HOME?

he federal govern-

ment recommends

that you measure the

level of radon in your
home. Without measure-
ments there is no way to tell
whether radon is present.
Inexpensive devices are
available for measuring
radon. EPA provides guid-
ance as to risks associated
with different levels of
exposure and when the
public should consider cor-
rective action. There are
specific mitigation techni-
ques that have proven effec-
tive in reducing levels of
radon in the home. (See
“Radon” section on p. 11 of
this booklet for additional
information about testing
and controlling radon in
homes.)

For pollutants other than
radon, measurements are
most appropriate when there
are either health symptoms
or signs of poor air flow and
specific sources or pollutants
have been identified as pos-
sible causes of indoor air
quality problems. Testing for
many pollutants can be
expensive. Before monitoring
your home for pollutants
besides radon, consult with
your state or local health
department or with profes-
sionals who have experience
in solving indoor air quality
problems in non-industrial
buildings.

SHOULD YOU WEATHERIZE
YOUR HOME?

he federal govern-

ment recommends

that homes be

weatherized in order
to reduce the amount of
energy needed for heating
and cooling. While weather-
ization is underway,

however, steps should be
taken to minimize pollution
from sources inside the
home. (See “What Can You
Do To Improve the Air
Quality in Your Home?” for
recommended actions.) In
addition, residents should be
alert to the emergence of
signs of inadequate air flow,
such as stuffy air, moisture
condensation on cold sur-
faces, or mold and mildew
growth. Additional weather-
ization measures should not
be undertaken until these
problems have been
corrected.

Weatherization generally
does not cause indoor air
problems by adding new
pollutants to the air. (There

are a few exceptions, such as
caulking, that can sometimes
emit pollutants.) However,
measures such as installing
storm windows, weather
stripping, caulking, and
blown-in wall insulation can
reduce the amount of out-
door air infiltrating into a
home. Consequently, after
weatherization, concentra-
tions of indoor air pollutants
from sources inside the
home can increase.

Some measures that
reduce energy costs can ac-
tually reduce indoor pollutant
levels. For example, sealing
foundation cracks can save
on energy bills while helping
prevent the entry of radon
gas into homes.

Percent Reduction in Air-Exchange Rate By House-

Tightening Measures

9.

10%

3%

Weather
Stripping

Insulation Ducts

Sealed

Depending on which of these measures are used, a home's natural
infiltration rate can be reduced by up to about 30 percent

Source Bonneville Power Adminstration



Acid aerosol. Acidic liquid or
solid particles that are small
enough to become airborne.
High concentrations of acid
aerosols can be irritating to
the lungs and have been
associated with some
respiratory diseases, such as
asthma.

Allergen. A substance capable
of causing an allergic reac-
tion because of an individ-
ual’s sensitivity to that
substance.

Allergic rhinitis. Inflammation
of the mucous membranes in
the nose.

Animal dander Tiny scales of
animal skin.

Breathing zone. The area of a
room in which occupants
breathe as they stand, sit, or
lie down.

Building-related iliness. Term
that refers to a discrete, iden-
tifiable disease or illness.
Can be traced to a specific
pollutant or source within a
building. (Contrast with
“Sick building syndrome”)

Chemical Sensitivity. Evidence
suggests that some people

GLOSSARY

can develop health problems
characterized by effects such
as dizziness, eye and throat
irritation, chest tightness,
and nasal congestion that
appear whenever they are
exposed to certain chemicals.
People may react to even
trace amounts of chemicals
to which they have become
“sensitized”

Fungi. Any of a group of
parasitic lower plants that
lack chlorophyll, including
molds and mildews.

Humidifier fever. A respiratory
illness that may be caused by
exposure to toxins from
microorganisms found in
wet or moist areas in
humidifiers and air condi-
tioners. Also called air condi-
tioner or ventilation fever.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
A group of respiratory
diseases, including humi-
difier fever, that involve
inflammation of the lungs.
Most forms of hypersen-
sitivity pneumonitis are
thought to be caused by an
allergic reaction triggered by
repeated exposures to

biological contaminants.
Humidifier fever may be an
exception, distinguished
from other forms of
pneumonitis by the fact that
it does not appear to involve
an allergic reaction.

Organic compounds. Chemi-
cals that contain carbon.
Volatile organic compounds
vaporize at room tempera-
ture and pressure. They are
found in many indoor
sources, including many
common household products
and building materials.

Picocurie. A unit for measur-
ing radioactivity, often
expressed as picocuries per
liter of air.

Polycylic aromatic hydrocar-
bons. A group of organic
compounds. Some are
known to be potent human
carcinogens.

Pressed wood products. A
group of materials used in
building and furniture con-
struction that are made from
wood veneers, particles, or
fibers bonded together with
an adhesive under heat and
pressure,

Radon and radon decay pro-
ducts Radon is a radioactive
gas formed in the decay of
uranium. The radon decay
products (also called radon
daughters or progeny) are
particles that can be
breathed into the lung where
they continue to release
radiation as they further
decay.

Sick building syndrome. Term
that refers to a set of symp-
toms that affect a number of
building occupants during
the time they spend in the
building and diminish or go
away during periods when
they leave the building. Can-
not be traced to specific
pollutants or sources within
the building. (Contrast with
“Building-related illness’)

Ventilation rate. The rate at
which outside air enters and
leaves a building. Expressed
in one of two ways: the
number of changes of out-
side air per unit of time (air
changes per hour, or “ach”)
or the rate at which a volume
of outside air enters per unit
of time (cubic feet per
minute, or “cfm’”).

Information provided in this booklet is based upon current scientific and
technical understanding of the issues presented and 1s reflective of the
jurisdictional boundaries established by the statutes governing the
co-authoring agencies Following the advice given will not necessarily
provide complete protection in all situations or against all health hazards
that may be caused by indoor air pollution.

This document is in the public domain. It may be reproduced in part
or in whole by an individual or organization without permission. If it
is reproduced, however, EPA would appreciate knowing how it is used.
Write the Indoor Air Division, Office of Air and Radiation, US. Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460.

Design: Berns & Kay, Ltd. Paper Sculptures: David Doggett, Kathleen Carson

32



FEDERAL AGENCIES

ederal agencies with
indoor air respon-
sibilities are listed
below. Write to the
addresses listed for the
free materials mentioned
earlier in this booklet.

WHERE TO GO FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

US. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
Public Information Center
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460

US. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC)
Washington, DC 20207

EPA Public Inquiry
Phone Numbers

Public Information Center
202-382-2080

Operates Monday to Friday
from 8 to 5:30 Eastern Stan-
dard Time (EST).

National Pesticides
Telecommunications
Network

National toll-free number:
1-800-858-PEST

In Texas:

806-743-3091

Operates 24 hours a day,
every day of the year. Pro-
vides information about
pesticides to the general
public and the medical,
veterinary, and professional
communities.

TSCA Assistance
Information Service
202-554-1404

Operates Monday through
Friday from 8:30 to 5 EST.
Provides information on
regulations under the Toxic
Substances Control Act and
on EPAs asbestos programs.

Safe Drinking Water
Hotline

202-382-5533

Operates Monday through
Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 EST.
Provides information on
regulations under the Safe
Drinking Water Act, radon in
drinking water, and a list of
state drinking water offices.

RCRA/Superfund Hotline
National toll-free number:
1-800-424-9346

In Washington, DC:
202-382-3000

Operates Monday through
Friday from 8:30 to 7:30 EST.
Provides information on
regulations under both the
Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (including solid
and hazardous waste issues)
and the Superfund law.

CPSC Public Inquiry
Phone Numbers

CPSC Toll-free Hotline
Product Safety
1-800-638-CPSC
Teletypewriter for

the hearing impaired
(outside Maryland)
1-800-638-8270
Teletypewriter for

the hearing impaired
(Maryland only)
1-800-492-8104

Recorded information is
available 24 hours a day
when calling from a touch-
tone phone. Operators are on
duty Monday to Friday from
10:30 to 4:00 EST to take
complaints about unsafe
consumer products.

29


INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME

WHAT CAUSES INDOOR AIR
QUALITY PROBLEMS?

ndoor pollution sources

release gases or particles

into the air and are the

primary cause of indoor
air quality problems in
homes. Inadequate ventila-
tion can increase indoor
pollutant levels by not bring-
ing in sufficient outside air to
dilute emissions from indoor
sources and by not carrying
indoor air pollutants out of
the home. High temperature
and humidity levels can also
increase concentrations of
some pollutants.

= Pollutant sources: There
are many potential sources
of indoor air pollution in any
home. These sources fall into
several general categories:

oil, gas, kerosene, coal, or
wood combustion sources;
building materials and fur-
nishings as diverse as
deteriorated asbestos-con-
taining insulation, wet or
damp carpeting, and cabine-
try or furniture made of
certain pressed wood pro-
ducts; products for
household cleaning and
maintenance, personal care,
or hobbies; central heating
and cooling systems and
humidification devices; and
outside sources such as
radon, pesticides, and out-
door air pollution.

The relative importance of
any single source depends on
how much of a given pollu-
tant it emits and how haz-
ardous those emissions are.
In some cases, factors such
as how old the source is and
whether it is properly main-

tained are significant. For
example, an improperly ad-
justed gas stove can emit
significantly more carbon
monoxide than one that is
properly adjusted.

Some sources, such as
building materials, furnish-
ings, and household products
such as air fresheners, re-
lease pollutants more or less
continuously. Other sources,
related to activities carried
out in the home, release
pollutants intermittently.
Such activities include smok-
ing, the use of unvented or
malfunctioning stoves, fur-
naces, or space heaters, the
use of solvents in cleaning
and hobby activities, the use
of paint strippers in
redecorating activities, and
the use of cleaning products
and pesticides in housekeep-
ing. High pollutant

| concentrations can remain in
the air for long periods after
some of these activities.

= Amount of ventilation: If
too little outdoor air enters
a home, pollutants can ac-
cumulate to levels that can
pose health and discomfort
problems. Unless they are
built with special mechani-
cal means of ventilation,
homes that are designed and
constructed to minimize the
amount of outside air that
can “leak” into and out of
the home may have higher
pollutant levels than other
homes. However, because
some weather conditions
can drastically reduce the
amount of outside air that
enters a home, pollutants can
build up even in homes that
are normally considered
“leaky”



WHY A BOOKLET ON
INDOOR AIR?

he levels of pollu-

tants from individual

sources may not pose

a significant risk to
health by themselves. But
most homes have more than
one source that contributes
to indoor air pollution. There
can be a serious risk from
the cumulative effects of
these sources. Fortunately,
however, there are steps that
most households can take
both to reduce the risk from
existing sources and to pre-
vent new problems from
occurring.

This booklet was prepared
by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and
the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC)
to help you decide whether
to take actions in your home
that can reduce the level of
indoor air pollution.

Because so many Ameri-
cans spend a substantial
amount of time in offices
with mechanical heating,
cooling, and ventilation
systems, there is also a short
section on the causes of poor
air quality in offices and
what you can do if you
suspect that your office may
have a problem.

A glossary and a list of
public and private organiza-
tions where you can get
additional information are
listed at the back of this
booklet.



PESTICIDES

Sources: Products used to
kill household pests (insec-
ticides and termiticides).
Also, products used on lawns
and gardens that drift or are
tracked inside the house.

Health Effects: Irritation to
eye, nose, and throat; dam-
age to central nervous system
and kidney; cancer.

Levels in Homes: Preliminary
research shows widespread
presence of pesticide resi-
dues in homes.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

" Use strictly according to
manufacturer's directions.

® Mix or dilute outdoors.

TM Apply only in recom-
mended quantities.

"Take plants or pets outside,
where possible. Increase ven-
tilation when using indoors.
® Use non-chemical methods
of pest control where
possible.

"If you use a pest control
company, select it carefully.
"Do not store unneeded
pesticides inside home; dis-
pose of unwanted containers
safely.

® Store clothes with moth
repellents in separately ven-
tilated areas, if possible.

" Keep indoor spaces clean
and well-ventilated in order
to eliminate or minimize use
of air fresheners.

ASBESTOS

Sources. Deteriorating or
damaged insulation, fire-
proofing, or acoustical
materials.

Health Effects: No immediate
symptoms. Chest and ab-
dominal cancers and lung
diseases. Smokers are at
higher risk of developing as-
bestos-induced lung cancer.

Levels in Homes: Elevated
levels can occur in homes
where asbestos-containing
materials are damaged or
disturbed.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

TM Seek professional advice to
identify potential asbestos
problems. (Do not disturb
materials suspected of con-
taining asbestos.)

" Use trained and qualified
contractors for control meas-
ures that may disturb as-
bestos and for cleanup.

® Follow proper procedures
in replacing woodstove door
gaskets that may contain
asbestos.

REFERENCE GUIDE TO MAJOR INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS IN THE HOME

LEAD

Sources: Automobile ex-
haust. Sanding or open-
flame burning of lead-based
paint. Activities involving
lead solder.

Health Effects: impaired
mental and physical develop-
ment in both fetuses and
young children. Decreased
coordination and mental
abilities; damage to kidneys
and nervous system, and red
blood cells. May increase
high blood pressure.

Levels in Homes: Lead dust
levels 10 to 100 times greater
in homes where sanding or
open-flame burning of lead-
based paints has occurred.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:
"If you suspect that paint
you are removing may con-
tain lead, have it tested.

TM Leave lead-based paint un-
disturbed. Do not sand or
burn off.

TM Cover lead-based paint
with wallpaper or other
building material. Replace
moldings and other wood-
work or have them removed
and chemically treated off-
site.

= Use well-ventilated areas
for hobby and house mainte-
nance activities involving
lead. Consider using “no-
lead” solder.

= If lead exposure is sus-
pected, consult your health
department about appropri-
ate removal and clean-up
procedures and have your
blood lead levels tested.

= Have your drinking water
tested for lead.



HOW DOES INDOOR AIR
POLLUTION AFFECT YOUR
HEALTH?

jealth effects from in-

door air pollutants

fall into two catego-

ties: those that are
experienced immediately af-
ter exposure and those that
do not show up until years
later.

Immediate effects, which
may show up after a single
exposure or repeated ex-
posures, include irritation of
the eyes, nose, and throat,
headaches, dizziness, and
fatigue. These immediate
effects are usually short-
term and treatable by some
means. Sometimes the treat-
ment is simply eliminating
the person's exposure to the
source of the pollution, if it
can be identified. Symptoms
of some diseases, including
asthma, hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, and humidifier
fever, can also show up soon
after exposure to some in-
door air pollutants.

The likelihood of an in-
dividual developing immedi-
ate reactions to indoor air
pollutants depends on
several factors. Age and pre-
existing medical conditions

are two important influences.

In other cases, whether a
person reacts to a pollutant
can be determined by in-
dividual sensitivity, which
varies tremendously from
person to person. Some

people can become sen-
sitized to biological pollu-
tants after repeated
exposures, and it appears
that some people can
become sensitized to chemi-
cal pollutants as well.

Certain immediate effects
are similar to those from
colds or other viral diseases,
so it is often difficult to deter-
mine if the symptoms are a
result of exposure to indoor
air pollution. For this reason,
it is important to pay atten-
tion to the time and place
the symptoms occur. If the
symptoms fade or go away
when a person is away from
the home and return when
the person returns home, an
effort should be made to
identify indoor air sources
that may be possible causes.
Some effects may be made
worse by an inadequate sup-
ply of outside air or from the
heating, cooling, or humidity
conditions prevalent in the
home.

Other health effects may
show up either years after
exposure has occurred or
only after long or repeated
periods of exposure. These
effects, which include
emphysema and other
respiratory diseases, heart
disease, and cancer, can be
severely debilitating or fatal.
More information on poten-
tial health effects from par-
ticular indoor air pollutants
is provided in the section,
“What Can You Do To
Improve the Air Quality in

Your Home?”

While pollutants com-
monly found in indoor air
can be responsible for many
harmful effects, there is con-
siderable uncertainty about
what concentrations or
periods of exposure are
necessary to produce specific
health effects. People also
react very differently to
exposure to indoor air pollu-
tants. Further research is
needed to better understand
which health effects can
occur after exposure to the
average pollutant concentra-
tions found in homes and
which can occur from the
higher concentrations that
occur for short periods of
time.

The health effects associ-
ated with some indoor air

pollutants are summarized
in the chart in the middle of
this booklet entitled
“Reference Guide to Major
Indoor Air Pollutants in the
Home’ (This chart can be
removed and used as a
hand-out.)

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF
YOU HAVE AN AIR QUALITY
PROBLEM IN YOUR HOME?

ome health effects

can be useful indica-

tors of an indoor air

quality problem,
especially if they appear
after a person moves to a
new residence, remodels or
refurnishes a home, or treats
a home with pesticides. If
you think that you have



there are no such collection
days in your community,
work with others to organize
them. (See suggestion under
“Household Products.)

= Keep exposure to moth
repellents to a minimum.
One pesticide often found in
the home is paradichloro-
benzene, a commonly used
active ingredient in moth
repellents. This chemical is
known to cause cancer in
animals, but substantial
scientific uncertainty exists
over what may be-the effects,
if any, of long-term human
exposure to paradichloro-
benzene. EPA requires that
products containing
paradichlorobenzene bear
warnings such as “avoid
breathing vapors” to warn
users of potential short-term
toxic effects. 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.

Paradichlorobenzene is
also the key active ingredient
in many air fresheners (in
fact, some labels for moth
repellents recommend that
these same products be used
as air fresheners or deodor-
ants). Proper ventilation and
basic household cleanliness
will go a long way toward
preventing unpleasant odors
— thereby reducing or elimi-
nating the need for air
fresheners.

TM Call the National Pesticide
Telecommunications Net-
work (NPTN). EPA sponsors
the NPTN (1-800-858-PEST)
to answer your questions
about pesticides and to pro-
vide EPA publications on
pesticides. Two such EPA
publications are A Citizens
Guide to Pesticides and Ter-
miticides Consumer Information.

ASBESTOS

sbestos is a mineral
fiber that has been
used commonly in a
variety of building
construction materials for
insulation and as a fire-
retardant. EPA and CPSC
have banned several
asbestos products. Manufac-
turers have also voluntarily
limited uses of asbestos. To-
day asbestos is most
commonly found in older
homes in pipe and furnace
insulation materials, asbestos
shingles, millboard, textured
paints and other coating
materials, and floor tiles.
Elevated concentrations of
airborne asbestos can occur
after asbestos-containing
materials are disturbed by
cutting, sanding, or other
remodeling activities. Im-
proper attempts to remove
these materials can release
asbestos fibers into the air in
homes — increasing asbestos
levels and endangering
people living in those homes.

Health Effects of Asbestos

The most dangerous
asbestos fibers are too small
to be visible. After they are
inhaled, they can remain
and accumulate in the lungs.
Asbestos can cause lung,
cancer, mesothelioma (a
cancer of the chest and ab-
dominal linings) and
asbestosis (irreversible lung
scarring that can be fatal).
Symptoms of these diseases
do not show up until many
years after exposure began.
Most people with asbestos-
related diseases were
exposed to elevated concen-
trations on the job; some
developed disease from
exposure to clothing and
equipment brought home
from job sites.

Reducing Exposure to
Asbestos in Homes

= Learn how asbestos
problems are created in
homes. Read the booklet,
Asbestos in the Home, issued
by CPSC and EPA. To order
a copy of this publication
send a postcard to Asbestos in
the Home, Washington, DC
20207.

elf you think your home
may have an asbestos
problem, ask a trained
professional to help deter-
mine whether your home
has asbestos-containing
materials and whether those
materials are damaged or
deteriorating. Look to
trained contractors, the
manufacturer or installer of
particular products or

Asbestos in the Home

materials in your home, your
state asbestos program (if
there is one), and your state
health department for infor-
mation on how to identify
and remedy asbestos
problems in your home.

®Do not cut, rip, or sand
asbestos-containing,
materials. Leave undamaged
materials alone and, to the
extent possible, prevent them
from being disturbed, dam-
aged, or touched. Inspect
periodically for damage or
deterioration.

= When you need to remove
or clean up asbestos, use a
professional, trained con-
tractor. Select a contractor
only after careful discussion
of the problems in your
home and the steps the con-
tractor will take to clean up
or remove them. Consider
the option of sealing off the
materials instead of remov-
ing them. Call the EPA
TSCA assistance line
(202-554-1404) to find out
whether your state has a
training and certification
program for asbestos
removal contractors and for
information on EPAS
asbestos programs.

24


United States United States

Environmental Protection Consumer Product
Agency Safety Commission September 1988
Washington, DC 20460 Washington, DC 20207 EPA/400/1-88/004

Office of Air and Radiation

The Inside Story
A Guide to Indoor Air Quality

oe ‘ ‘
2. mo, Dearborn Street, Room 1670
Chicago, IL 60604


A LOOK AT SOURCE-SPECIFIC CONTROLS

tabletop models, are much
less efficient. Air cleaners are
generally not designed to
remove gaseous pollutants.
How well an air cleaner
works depends on how well
it collects pollutants from
indoor air (expressed as a
percentage efficiency rate)
and how much air it draws
through the cleaning or
filtering element (expressed
in cubic feet per minute). A
very efficient collector with a
low air circulation rate will
not be effective, nor will a
cleaner with a high air cir-
culation rate but a less effi-
cient collector. The long-term
performance of any air
cleaner depends on main-
taining it according to the
manufacturer's directions.
Another important factor
in determining the effective-
ness of an air cleaner is the
strength of the pollutant
source. Tabletop air cleaners,
in particular, may not re-
move satisfactory amounts of
pollutants from strong
nearby sources. People with
a sensitivity to particular
sources may find that air
cleaners are helpful only in
conjunction with concerted
efforts to remove the source.
Both EPA and CPSC plan
to undertake more studies to
evaluate the effectiveness of
air cleaners that are on the
market today and to identify
improvements in the way air
cleaners can be designed,
operated, and maintained.
At present, EPA does not
recommend using air
cleaners to reduce levels of
radon and its decay products.
The effectiveness of these
devices is uncertain because
they only partially remove
the radon decay products
and do not diminish the
amount of radon entering the
home. EPA plans to do addi-
tional research on whether
air cleaners are, or could
become, a reliable means of
reducing the health risk from
radon.

or most indoor air

quality problems in

the home, source

control is the most
effective solution. This sec-
tion takes a source-by-source
look at the most common
indoor air pollutants, their
potential health effects, and
ways to reduce levels in the
home. (For a summary of the
points made in this section,
see the chart in the middle of
this booklet entitled
“Reference Guide to Major
Indoor Air Pollutants in the
Home’)

RADON

adon is a colorless,

odorless gas that

occurs naturally and

is found everywhere
at very low levels. It is when
radon becomes trapped in
buildings and concentrations
build up in indoor air that
exposure to radon becomes
of concern.

The most common source
of indoor radon is uranium
in the soil or rock on which
homes are built. As uranium
naturally breaks down, it
releases radon gas, and radon

gas breaks down into radon
decay products (also called
radon daughters or progeny).
Radon gas enters homes
through dirt floors, cracks in
concrete walls and floors,
floor drains, and sumps.

A second entry route for
radon in some areas of the
country is through well
water. In some unusual
situations, houses are made
of radon-containing con-
struction materials; in such
cases, those materials can
release radon into the indoor
air.

Studies by EPA indicate
that as many as 10 percent of
all American homes, or
about 8 million homes, may
have elevated levels of radon,
and the percentage may be
higher in geographic areas
with certain soils and
bedrock formations. Radon
can be detected only by the
use of measurement instru-
ments called radon detectors.

Health Effects of Radon

The only known health
effect associated with
exposure to elevated levels of
radon is lung cancer. EPA
estimates that about 5,000 to

20,000 lung cancer deaths a
year in the United States
may be attributed to radon.
(The American Cancer
Society estimates there will
be a total of about 139,000
lung cancer deaths in 1988
from all causes.)

Reducing Exposure to
Radon in Homes

= Measure levels of radon in
your home. Two types of
radon detectors are most
commonly used in homes:
charcoal canisters that are
exposed for 2 to 7 days; and
alpha track detectors that are
exposed for one month or
longer. (Some states recom-
mend that residents use only
the alpha track monitors.)
Your state radiation protec-
tion office can provide you
with information on the
availability of detection
devices or services. Ask for
materials specifically
developed for your state and
for EPAs A Citizen$ Guide to
Radon. States may also pro-
vide you with EPA's Radon
Measurement Proficiency Report
for your state. This publica-
tion lists firms and laborato-
ries that have demonstrated



WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME?

THREE BASIC STRATEGIES

ource Control:

Usually the most

effective way to

improve indoor air
quality is to eliminate
individual sources of pollu-
tion or to reduce their emis-
sions. Some sources, like
those that contain asbestos,
can be sealed or enclosed;
others, like gas stoves, can be
adjusted to decrease the
amount of emissions. In
some cases, source control is
also a more cost-efficient
approach to protecting
indoor air quality than
increasing ventilation
because increasing ventila-
tion can increase energy
costs. Specific steps that you
can take to control specific
sources of indoor air pollu-
tion in your home are listed
later in this section.

entilation Improve-
ments: Another ap-
proach to lowering
the concentrations of
indoor air pollutants in your
home is to increase the
amount of outside air com-
ing indoors. Opening win-
dows and doors, when the
weather permits, increases
the natural ventilation rate.
Turning on local bathroom
or kitchen exhaust fans, if
they are vented to the out-
doors, can lower pollution
levels by removing contami-
nants from the room where
the fan is located. Where
radon may be a problem, a
window should be opened
while bathroom or kitchen
exhaust fans are in use. This
keeps the amount of radon
entering the house from
increasing.
It is particularly important
to take as many of these
steps as possible while you

are involved in short-term
activities that can generate
high levels of pollutants —
for example, painting, paint
stripping, heating with
kerosene heaters, cooking
with gas stoves that are not
vented to the outdoors, or
engaging in maintenance
and hobby activities such as
welding, soldering, or sand-
ing. You might also choose to
do some of these activities
outside, if you can and if
weather permits.

Another way to increase
the mechanical ventilation
rate is to install heat recovery
ventilators (also known as
air-to-air heat exchangers) in
homes. These devices, which
can be installed in windows
or as part of a central air
system, increase ventilation
by drawing outside air into
the home and conserve
energy by recovering the
heat from air that is
exhausted to the outdoors.
Heat recovery ventilators are
most easily installed in
central air systems in new
homes or during extensive
remodeling; window units
can be installed in existing
homes.

Before you buy a
mechanical ventilation
device for your home, you
should read books and arti-
cles on these devices and
consult a mechanical
engineer. Write Renewable
Energy Information, P.O. Box
8900, Silver Spring, MD
20907 for the U.S. Depart-
ment of Energy fact sheet,
Air-to-Air Heat Exchangers. You
can look in the yellow pages
of a telephone directory
under “Engineers” or write
the American Society Of
Heating, Refrigerating, and
Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) for the name of
the president of the local
ASHRAE organization in
your community. (For
ASHRAES address, see p. 31)

ir Cleaners: There
are many types and
sizes of air cleaners
on the market, rang-
ing from relatively inexpens-
ive tabletop models to
sophisticated and expensive
whole-house systems. Some
air cleaners are highly effec-
tive at particle removal,
while others, including most

Heat Recovery Ventilator

A heat recovery ventilator draws stale, warm air from the house and
transfers the heat in that air to the cold air being pulled into the house
This additional outdoor air can help dilute air pollutant concentrations
indoors If appropriately designed and installed, these devices can reduce
the energy costs associated with the increased ventilation

Source US Department of Energy

10



OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES

Bonneville Power Administration
Portland, OR 97208

General Services Administration
18th and F Streets NW
Washington, DC 20450

Office of Conservation and Renewable Energy
US. Department of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20585

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch (R-9)
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies
US. Department of Health and Human Services

4676 Columbia Parkway

Cincinnati, Ohio 45226

Office on Smoking and Health
US. Department of Health and Human Services
Rockville, MD 20857

Office on Energy and the Environment
US. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
US. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20210

Tennessee Valley Authority
Industrial Hygiene Branch
328 Multipurpose Building
Muscle Shoals, AL 35660

STATE AND LOCAL
AGENCIES

our questions or

concerns about

indoor air problems

can frequently be
answered most readily by
the government agencies in
your state or local govern-
ment. Responsibilities for
indoor air quality issues are
usually divided among many
different agencies. You will
often find that calling or
writing the agencies respon-
sible for health or air quality
control is the best way to
start getting information
from your state or local
government. The EPA
publication, Directory of State
Indoor Air Contacts, lists state
agency contacts and is avail-
able at the EPA address listed
on page 29.

PRIVATE SECTOR
CONTACTS

ome of the private
sector organizations
that have information
for the public on
indoor air quality issues are:

American Institute

of Architects

1350 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20006

American Gas Association
1515 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209

Your local lung association or
American Lung Association
1740 Broadway

New York, NY 10019

American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating, and Air
Conditioning Engineers

1791 Tullie Circle NE

Atlanta, GA 30329

Building Owners and
Managers Association

1250 Eye Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005

Consumer Federation of
America

1424 16th Street NW, Suite 604
Washington, DC 20036

Edison Electric Institute
1111 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

Safe Buildings Alliance
Metropolitan Square
655 15th Street, NW
Suite 12

Washington, DC 20005

National Association
of Home Builders
Technology and Codes
Department

15th and M Streets NW
Washington, DC 20005

World Health Organization
Publications Center

49 Sheridan Avenue
Albany, NY 12210

3


CPSC Regional Offices

Eastern Regional Center
6 World Trade Center
Vesey Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10048
(212) 264-1125

Central Regional Center
230 South Dearborn Street,
Rm. 2944

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-8260

Western Regional Center
555 Battery Street, Rm. 401
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 556-1816

EPA Regional Offices

Address inquiries to the
Indoor Air Contacts in the
EPA regional offices at the
following addresses:

Region States in Region
Region 1 Connecticut, Maine,
EPA Massachusetts, New
John E Kennedy Hampshire, Rhode
Federal Bldg. Island, Vermont

Boston, MA 02203

617-565-3232, ee __

Region 2 New Jersey, New York,
| EPA Puerto Rico, Virgin

26 Federal Plaza Islands

New York, NY 10278
212-264-2517 _

Region 3 Delaware, District of
EPA Columbia, Maryland,
841 Chestnut Building Pennsylvania, Virginia,
Philadelphia, PA 19107 West Virginia
215-597-9090
215-597-4084 (radon)

Alabama, Florida,

Region 4

EPA Georgia, Kentucky,
345 Courtland Street NE Mississippi, North
Atlanta, GA 30365 Carolina, South
404-347-2864 Carolina, Tennessee
Region 5 Illinois, Indiana,

EPA Michigan, Minnesota,
230 S. Dearborn Street Ohio, Wisconsin
Chicago, IL 60604
312-886-6054

Arkansas, Louisiana,

Region 6

EPA. Oklahoma, New Mexico,
Allied Bank Tower Texas

1445 Ross Avenue

Dallas, TX 75202

214-655-7214

Region 7 Towa, Kansas, Missouri,

EPA Nebraska
726 Minnesota Avenue

Kansas City, KS 66101

913-236-2893 oe

Region 8 Colorado, Montana,
EPA North Dakota, South
999 18th Street, Suite 500 Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
Denver, CO 80202

303-293-1750 _

Arizona, California,

Region 9

EPA Hawaii, Nevada,

215 Fremont Street American Samoa,

San Francisco, CA 94105 Guam, Trust Territories
415-974-8381 ___ of the Pacific _
Region 10 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon,
EPA Washington

1200 Sixth Avenue

Seattle, WA 98101

206-442-4226



HOW DOES OUTSIDE
AIR ENTER A HOUSE?

utside air enters and

leaves a house in

three ways. In a

process known as in-
filtration, air flows through
construction joints and
cracks around windows and
doors, in the foundation, or
from crawl spaces under-
neath homes. In another
process known as natural ven-
tilation, air enters through
opened windows and doors.
Finally, there are a number of
mechanical ventilation devices,
from outdoor-vented fans
that remove air from a single
room to air handling systems
that have fans that mix out-
door and indoor air or that
remove polluted air from the
whole house. The rate at
which outside air replaces
indoor air is described as the
air exchange rate. When there
is little infiltration, natural
ventilation, or mechanical
ventilation, the air exchange
rate is low and pollutant
levels can increase.

The average air exchange
rate of homes in the United
States today is 0.7 to 1.0 air
changes per hour; in rel-
atively tight homes, it can
be as low as 0.2 to 0.3 air
changes per hour; and in
“leaky” homes, it may be as
much as 2.0 air changes per
hour. It is important to un-
derstand that an air ex-
change rate of 1.0 air change
per hour does not mean that
all pollutants will be
removed in one hour. Ven-
tilation is a process of dilu-
tion and removal that grad-
ually gets rid of pollutants.
In addition, pollutant
removal is further slowed.
down by the fact that some
pollutants are “trapped” by
carpets, drapes, and other
surfaces, only to be re-
released into the air later.

WHAT IF YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT?

partments can have
many of the same
indoor air problems
as single-family
homes because many of the
pollution sources, such as
the interior building
materials, furnishings, and
household products, are
similar. Indoor air problems
similar to those caused in
offices by such sources as
contaminated ventilation

systems, improperly placed.
outdoor air intakes, or main-
tenance activities also can
occur in apartments.
Solutions to air quality
problems in apartments, as in
homes and offices, involve
one or more of the following
actions: eliminating or con-
trolling the sources of
pollution, increasing ventila-
tion, or installing air
cleaning devices. Often a

resident can take the ap-
propriate action to improve
the indoor air quality by
removing a source, altering
an activity, unblocking an air
supply vent, or opening a
window to temporarily in-
crease the ventilation; in
other cases, however, only
the building owner or
manager is in a position to
remedy the problem.



FORMALDEHYDE

lormaldehyde is an
important chemical
used widely by indus-
try to manufacture
building materials and
numerous household prod-
ucts. It is also a by-product of
combustion and certain
other natural processes. Thus
it may be present in substan-
tial concentrations both
indoors and outdoors.

Sources of formaldehyde
in the home include smok-
ing, household products, and
the use of unvented, fuel-
burning appliances, like gas
stoves or kerosene space
heaters. Formaldehyde, by
itself or in combination with
other chemicals, serves a
number of purposes in
manufactured products. For
example, it is used to add
permanent press qualities to
clothing and draperies, as a
component of glues and ad-
hesives, and as a preserv-
ative in some paints and
coating products.

In homes, the most signifi-
cant sources of formaldehyde
are likely to be pressed wood
products made using adhe-
sives that contain urea-for-
maldehyde (UF) resins.
Pressed wood products made
for indoor use include: par-
ticleboard (used as subflooring
and shelving and in cabine-
try and furniture); hardwood
plywood paneling (used for
decorative wall covering and
used in cabinets and furni-
ture); and medium density
fiberboard (used for drawer
fronts, cabinet doors, and
furniture tops). Medium
density fiberboard contains a
higher resin-to-wood ratio
than any other UF pressed
wood product, and is gen-
erally recognized as being
the highest formaldehyde-
emitting pressed wood
product.

Other pressed wood prod-
ucts, like softwood plywood

and flake or oriented strand-
board, are produced for
exterior construction use and
contain the dark, or reddish-
black colored phenol-for-
maldehyde (PF) resin.
Although formaldehyde is
present in both types of
resins, pressed woods that
contain PF resin generally
emit formaldehyde at con-
siderably lower rates than
those containing UF resin.
Since 1985, HUD has per-
mitted only the use of
plywood and particleboard
that conform to specified for-
maldehyde emission limits in
the construction of prefabri-
cated and mobile homes. In
the past, some of these
homes had elevated levels of
formaldehyde because of the
large amount of high-emit-
ting pressed wood products
used in their construction
and because of their rela-
tively small interior space.
The rate at which products

like pressed wood or textiles
release formaldehyde emis-
sions can change. Formalde-
hyde emissions will generally
decrease as products age.
When the products are new,
high indoor temperatures or
humidity can cause
increased release of formal-
dehyde from these products.
During the 1970s, many
homeowners had urea-for-
maldehyde foam insulation
(UFFI) installed in the wall
cavities of their homes as an
energy conservation meas-
ure. However, many of these
homes were found to have
relatively high indoor con-
centrations of formaldehyde
soon after the UFFI installa-
tion. Few, if any, homes are
now being insulated with
this product. Studies show
that formaldehyde emissions
from UFFI decline with time;
therefore, homes in which
UFFI was installed many
years ago are unlikely to

have high levels of for-
maldehyde now unless the
insulation is damp and there
are cracks or openings in in-
terior walls that expose the
foam.

Health Effects of
Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde, a colorless,
pungent-smelling gas, can
cause watery eyes, burning
sensations in the eyes and
throat, nausea, and difficulty
in breathing in some
humans exposed at elevated
levels (above 0.1 parts per
million). High concentrations
may trigger asthma attacks
in people with asthma.
There is some evidence that
some people can develop
chemical sensitivity after
exposure to formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde has also been
shown to cause cancer in
animals and may cause
cancer in humans.

at


DOES YOUR OFFICE SUFFER FROM “SICK BUILDING SYNDROME ?”

ndoor air quality prob-

lems are not limited to

homes. In fact, many

office buildings have sig-
nificant air pollution sources.
In addition, these buildings
may be inadequately venti-
lated. For example, mechan-
ical ventilation systems may
not be designed or operated
to provide adequate amounts
of outside air. Finally, people
generally have less control
over the indoor environment
in their offices than they do
in their homes.

Some indoor air pollutants
in office environments pose
long-term risks (for example,
the cancer risk from asbes-
tos). In recent years, however,
there has been an increase in
the incidence of immediate
health problems related to
indoor air pollutants in office
environments.

HEALTH EFFECTS

number of well-iden-

tified illnesses, such

as Legionnaire’s dis-

ease, asthma, hyper-
sensitivity pneumonitis, and
humidifier fever, have been
directly traced to specific
building problems. These are
called building-related illnesses.
Most of these diseases can
be treated; nevertheless some
can pose serious risks to
some individuals.

Frequently, however, a sig-
nificant number of building
occupants experience symp-
toms that do not fit the
pattern of any particular ill-
ness and are difficult to trace
to any specific source. This
phenomenon has been
labeled sick building syndrome.
People may complain of one
or more of the following
symptoms: dry or burning
mucous membranes in the
nose, eyes, and throat, sneez-
ing, stuffy or runny nose,
fatigue or lethargy, head-
ache, dizziness, nausea,

irritability, and forgetfulness.
Poor lighting, noise, vibra-
tion, thermal discomfort,
and psychological stress may
also cause, or contribute to,
these symptoms.

There is no single manner
in which these health
problems appear. In some
cases, problems begin as
workers enter their offices
and diminish as workers
leave; other times, symptoms
continue until the illness is
treated. Sometimes there are
outbreaks of illness among
many workers in a single
building; in other cases,
health symptoms show up
only in individual workers.

There are usually some
occupant complaints about
health and comfort in new
buildings. In fact, the ven-
tilation guidelines for indoor
air quality set forth by the
American Society of Heat-
ing, Refrigerating and Air
Conditioning Engineers are
intended to satisfy 80 per-
cent of a building’s occupants.

In the opinion of some
World Health Organization
experts, up to 30 percent of
new or remodelled commer-
cial buildings may have
unusually high rates of
health and comfort com-
plaints from occupants that
may potentially be related to
indoor air quality.

WHAT CAUSES INDOOR
AIR PROBLEMS IN
OFFICES?

hree major reasons
for poor indoor air
quality in office
buildings are the pre-
sence of indoor air pollution
sources, poorly designed,
maintained, or operated ven-
tilation systems, and uses of
the building that were unan-
ticipated or poorly planned
for when the building was
designed or renovated.

Sources of Office
Air Pollution

As with homes, the most
important factor influencing
indoor air quality is the pre-
sence of pollutant sources.
Commonly found office
pollutants and their sources
include environmental
tobacco smoke; asbestos
from insulating and fire-
retardant building supplies;
formaldehyde from pressed
wood products; other
organics from building
materials, carpeting, and
other office furnishings,
cleaning materials and
activities, restroom air
fresheners, paints, adhesives,
copying machines, and
photography and print
shops; biological contami-
nants from dirty ventilation
systems or water-damaged
walls, ceilings, and carpets;

and pesticides from pest
management practices.

Ventilation Systems

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. When
they are poorly designed,
operated, or maintained,
however, ventilation systems
can contribute to indoor air
problems in several ways.

For example, problems
arise when, in an effort to
save energy, ventilation
systems are not used to bring
in adequate amounts of out-
door air. Inadequate ventila-
tion also occurs if the air
supply and return vents
within each room are
blocked or placed in such a

a7




alf using cool mist or
ultrasonic humidifiers, clean
water trays and fill with
fresh, distilled water daily.
Because these humidifiers
can become breeding
grounds for biological con-
taminants, they have the
potential for causing diseases
such as hypersensitivity
pneumonitis. Evaporation
trays in air conditioners,
dehumidifers, and refrigera-
tors should also be cleaned
frequently.

= Thoroughly dry and clean
water-damaged carpets and
building materials (within
24 hours if possible). Water-
damaged carpets and build-
ing materials can harbor
mold and bacteria. If health
problems persist after you
have tried to dry these ma-
terials, consider replacing
them. It can be very difficult
to completely rid such
materials of biological
contaminants.

= Keep the house clean.
House dust mites, pollens,
animal dander, and other
allergy-causing agents can be
reduced, although not elimi-
nated, through regular
cleaning. People who are
allergic to these pollutants
should not vacuum (and
may even need to leave the
house while vacuuming is
occurring), because vacuum-
ing can actually increase
levels of airborne mite

allergens and other biological
contaminants. Using central
vacuum systems that are
vented to the outdoors may

reduce allergic reactions to
biologicals.

= Take steps to minimize
biological pollutants in
basements. Clean and disin-
fect the basement floor drain
regularly. Do not finish a
subsurface basement unless
all water leaks are patched
and outdoor ventilation and
adequate heat to prevent
condensation are provided.
Operate a dehumidifier in
the basement if needed to
keep relative humidity levels
between 30-50 percent.

STOVES, HEATERS,
FIREPLACES, AND
CHIMNEYS

n addition to environ-

mental tobacco smoke,

other sources of combus-

tion products are
unvented kerosene and gas
space heaters, woodstoves,
fireplaces, and gas stoves.
The major pollutants
released from these sources
are carbon monoxide,
nitrogen dioxide, and parti-
cles. In addition, woodstoves,
fireplaces, and unvented
kerosene space heaters emit
polycyclic aromatic hydrocar-
bons. Unvented kerosene
heaters may also generate
acid aerosols.

Other sources of combus-
tion gases and particulates
are chimneys and flues that
are improperly installed or
maintained and cracked fur-
nace heat exchangers. Pollu-
tants from fireplaces and
woodstoves with no outside
air supply vent can be
“down-drafted” from the
chimney back into the living
space, particularly in
“weather-tight” homes.

Dust mites, microscopic animals found in household dust, produce a
common allergen Exposure to house dust mites, animal-related allergens
(animal dander and cat saliva), and mold have been estimated to cause
200.000 or more emergency room visits a year by asthma patients
Humid or damp conditions usually lead to greater numbers of dust mites

Health Effects of
Combustion Products

Carbon monoxide is a color-
less, odorless gas that inter-
feres with the delivery of
oxygen throughout the body.
At low concentrations, it can
cause fatigue in healthy
people and episodes of
increased chest pain in
people with chronic heart
disease. At higher concentra-
tions, carbon monoxide can
cause headaches, dizziness,
weakness, nausea, confu-
sion, and disorientation. The
symptoms of carbon monox-
ide poisoning are sometimes
confused with the flu or food
poisoning. At very high con-
centrations carbon monoxide
can cause unconsciousness
and death. Fetuses, infants,
pregnant women, elderly
people, and people with
anemia or with a history of
heart or respiratory disease
can be especially sensitive to
carbon monoxide exposures.

Nitrogen dioxide can irritate
the mucous membranes in
the eye, nose, and throat and
cause shortness of breath
after exposure to high con-
centrations. There is evidence
that high concentrations or
continued exposure to low
levels of nitrogen dioxide can
increase the risk of respira-
tory 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. People
at particular risk from
exposure to nitrogen dioxide
include children and
individuals with asthma and
other respiratory diseases.

Respirable particles, released
when fuels are incompletely
burned, can lodge in the
lungs and irritate or damage
lung tissue. A number of
pollutants, including radon
(continued on page 19)



BIOLOGICALS

Sources: Wet or moist walls,
ceilings, carpets, and fur-
niture; poorly-maintained
humidifiers, dehumidifiers,
and air conditioners; bed-
ding; household pets.

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and
throat irritation; shortness of
breath; dizziness; lethargy;
fever; digestive problems.
Asthma; humidifier fever; in-
fluenza and other infectious
diseases.

Levels in Homes: Indoor lev-
els of pollen and fungi are
lower than outdoor levels
(except where indoor sources
of fungi are present). Indoor
levels of mites are higher
than outdoor levels.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:
= Install and use fans vented
to outdoors in kitchens and
bathrooms.

® Vent clothes dryers to
outdoors.

= Clean cool mist and ultra-
sonic humidifiers daily and
use only distilled water in
them.

= Empty water trays in air
conditioners, dehumidifiers,
and refrigerators frequently.
= Clean and dry, or remove,
water-damaged carpets.

= Use basements as living
areas only if they are leak-
proof and have adequate
ventilation. Use dehumidi-
fiers, if necessary to maintain
humidity at 30-50 percent.

CARBON
MONOXIDE

Sources: Unvented kerosene
and gas heaters; leaking
chimneys and furnaces;
down-drafting from wood
stoves and fireplaces; gas
stoves. Automobile exhaust
from attached garages. En-
vironmental tobacco smoke.

Health Effects: At low con-
centrations, fatigue in
healthy people and chest
pain in people with heart
disease. At higher con-
centrations, impaired vision
and coordination; head-
aches; dizziness; confusion;
nausea. Can cause flu-like
symptoms that clear up after
leaving home. Fatal at very
high concentrations.

Levels in Homes: Average
levels in homes without gas
stoves vary from 0.5 to 5
parts per million (ppm). Lev-
els near properly adjusted
gas stoves are often 5 to 15
ppm and near poorly ad-
justed stoves may be 30 ppm
or higher.

REFERENCE GUIDE TO MAJOR |

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

= Keep gas appliances prop-
erly adjusted.

= Consider purchasing ven-
ted gas space heaters and
furnaces.

= Use proper fuel in kerosene
space heaters.

® Install and use exhaust fan
vented to outdoors over gas
stoves,

= Open flues when gas fire-
places are in use.

TM Choose properly sized
wood stoves that are certified
to meet EPA emission stand-
ards. Make certain that doors
on all wood stoves fit tightly.
= Have a trained professional
inspect, clean, and tune-up
central heating system (fur-
naces, flues, and chimneys)
annually. Repair any leaks
properly.

= Do not idle car inside
garage.

DIOXIDE

Sources: Kerosene heaters,
unvented gas stoves and
heaters. Environmental to-
bacco smoke.

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and
throat irritation; may cause
impaired lung function and
increased respiratory infec-
tions in young children.

Levels in Homes: Average
level in homes without com-
bustion appliances is about
half that of outdoors. In
homes with gas stoves, ker-
osene heaters, or unvented.
gas space heaters indoor lev-
els often exceed outdoor
levels.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:
= See steps under carbon
monoxide.



AIR POLLUTION SOURCES IN THE HOME

1. Moisture
2. Pressed Wood Furniture
3. Humidifier
4, Moth Repellents
5. Dry Cleaned Goods
6. House Dust Mites
7, Personal Care Products
8. Air Freshener
9. Stored Fuels
10. Car Exhaust
11. Paint Supplies
12. Paneling
13. Wood Stove
14, Tobacco Smoke
15. Carpets
16. Pressed Wood Subflooring
17. Drapes
18. Fireplace
19. Household Chemicals
20. Asbestos Floor Tiles
21. Pressed Wood Cabinets
22. Unvented Gas Stove
23. Asbestos Pipe Wrap
24. Radon
25. Unvented Clothes Dryer
26. Pesticides
27. Stored Hobby Products



LEAD

ead has long been
recognized as a harm-
ful environmental
pollutant. There are
many ways in which hu-
mans are exposed to lead,
including air, drinking water,
food, and contaminated soil
and dust. Airborne lead en-
ters the body when an
individual breathes lead par-
ticles or swallows lead dust
once it has settled. Until re-
cently, the most important
airborne source of lead was
automobile exhaust.
Lead-based paint has long
been recognized as a hazard
to children who eat lead-
containing paint chips. A
1988 National Institute of
Building Sciences (NIBS)
Task Force report found that
harmful exposures to lead
can be created when lead-
based paint is removed from
surfaces by sanding or open-
flame burning. The NIBS
Task Force called for devel-
opment of better and safer
techniques to remove lead-

based paints and effective
clean-up methods.

High concentrations of air-
borne lead particles in homes
can also result from the lead
dust from outdoor sources,
contaminated soil tracked
inside, use of lead in
activities such as soldering,
electronics repair, and
stained glass art work.

Health Effects of
Exposure to Lead

Lead is toxic to many
organs within the body at
both low and high con-
centrations. Lead is capable
of causing serious damage to
the brain, kidneys, peripheral
nervous system (the sense
organs and nerves control-
ling the body), and red blood
cells. Even low levels of lead
may increase high blood
pressure in adults.

Fetuses, infants, and
children are more vulnerable
to lead exposure than adults
since lead is more easily
absorbed into growing
bodies, and the tissues of
small children are more sen-

rc

Since 1975, there has been a 95 percent reduction in the use of lead in
gasoline due to the EPA lead-in-gasoline phasedown program and the
replacement of older cars with newer cars that require the use of unleaded

gasoline

Do not remove lead-based paint by scraping, sanding. or burning it off
Such removal techniques can result in lead Jevels in the air that are 10 to

100 times higher than normal

sitive to the damaging effects
of lead. In addition, an equal
concentration of lead is more
damaging because of a
child’s smaller body weight.
Children may also have
higher exposures since they
are more likely to get lead
dust on their hands and then
put their fingers or other
lead-contaminated objects
into their mouths. The
effects of lead exposure on
fetuses and young children
include delays in physical
and mental development,
lower IQ levels, shortened
attention spans, and in-
creased behavioral problems.

Ways to Reduce
Exposure to Lead

= If you suspect that paint in
your home contains lead,
have it tested. It has been
estimated that lead paint
was used in about two-thirds
of the houses built before
1940; one-third of the houses
built from 1940 to 1960; and
some housing built since
1960. Consult your state
health or housing depart-
ment for suggestions on
which private laboratories or
public agencies may be able
to help test your home for
lead in paint.

TM Leave lead-based paint
undisturbed if it is in good
condition and there is little
likelihood that it will be
eaten by children — do not
sand or burn off paint that
may contain lead. Ordinary
household cleaning methods
are ineffective at removing
lead dust produced by sand-
ing and burning; vacuuming
does not sufficiently reduce
lead dust levels because the
particles pass through the
filtering system in ordinary
vacuums. Repainting areas
covered with lead-based
paint is not recommended
because steps to prepare the
surface area, such as sanding
or removing cracked paint,
produce lead dust.

If paint is cracked or peel-
ing, cover with wallpaper or
some other building material
or replace the painted sur-
face. Also, consider having
painted woodwork such as
doors and molding taken out
of the house and sent off-site
for chemical removal.

If on-site removal of lead-
based paint cannot be
avoided, then everyone not
involved in doing the
removal should leave the
building during the period
that removal takes place —
no matter whether it involves

a5


Air Pollution Sources in
the Home

Introduction

6
Indoor Air Quality in Your
Home

7
What If You Live in an
Apartment?

10

What Can You Do To
Improve the Air Quality in
Your Home?

"1
A Look At Source-Specific
Controls

11 Radon

42 Environmental Tobacco
Smoke

13 Biological
Contaminants

14 Stoves, Heaters,
Fireplaces, and
Chimneys

19 Household Products
21 Formaldehyde

22 Pesticides

24 Asbestos

25 Lead

15

Reference Guide to Major
Indoor Air Pollutants in the
Home

26
To Keep in Mind If You Are
Building a New Home

aa

a7
Does Your Office Suffer From
“Sick Building Syndrome?”

29
Where To Go for Additional
Information

32
Glossary



way that outside air does not
actually reach the breathing
zone of building occupants.
Improperly located outside
air intake air vents can also
bring in air contaminated
with automobile and truck
exhaust, boiler emissions,
fumes from dumpsters, or air
vented from restrooms.
Finally, ventilation systems
can be a source of indoor
pollution themselves by
spreading biological con-
taminants that have multi-
plied in cooling towers,
humidifiers, dehumidifiers,
air conditioners, or the inside
surfaces of ventilation
ductwork.

Use of the Building

Indoor air pollutants can
be circulated from portions
of the building used for
specialized purposes, such as
restaurants, print shops, and
drycleaning stores, into
offices in the same building.
Carbon monoxide and other
components of automobile
exhaust can be drawn from
underground parking
garages through stairwells
and elevator shafts into office
spaces.

In addition, buildings
originally designed for one
purpose may end up being
converted to use as office

space. If not properly
modified during building
renovations, the room parti-
tions and ventilation system
can contribute to indoor air
quality problems by restrict-
ing air recirculation or by
providing an inadequate
supply of outside air.

Role of a Building
Inspection in
Correcting Problems

Frequently indoor air
quality problems in large
commercial buildings cannot
be effectively identified or
remedied without a com-
prehensive building investi-
gation. These investigations
may start with written ques-
tionnaires and telephone
consultations in which
building investigators assess
the history of occupant
symptoms and building
operation procedures. In
some cases, these inquiries
may quickly uncover the
problem and on-site visits
are unnecessary.

More often, however,
investigators will need to
come to the building to con-
duct personal interviews
with occupants, to look for
possible sources of the
problems, and to inspect the
design and operation of the
ventilation system and other
building features. Because
taking measurements of
pollutants at the very low
levels often found in office
buildings is expensive and
may not yield information
useful in identifying problem
sources, investigators may
not take many measure-
ments. The process of solv-
ing indoor air quality
problems that result in
health and comfort com-
plaints can be a slow one,
involving several trial solu-
tions before successful
remedial actions are iden-
tified.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU
SUSPECT A PROBLEM

f you or others at your

office are experiencing

health or comfort prob-

lems that you suspect
may be caused by indoor air
pollution, you can do the
following:

= Talk with your own physi-
cian and report your prob-
lems to the company
physician, nurse, or health or
biosafety officer so that they
can be added to the record of
health complaints;

= Talk with your supervisor,
other workers, and union
representatives to see if the
problems are being
experienced by others and
urge that a record of reported
health complaints be kept by
management, if one has not
already been established;

= Ask the building manager
to consider hiring a commer-
cial company that conducts
building investigations to
diagnose the problem or
problems and to suggest
solutions. Carefully select
such companies on the basis
of their experience in iden-
tifying and solving indoor
air quality problems in non-
industrial buildings;

= Call the National Institute
for Occupational Health and
Safety (NIOSH) for informa-
tion on obtaining a health
hazard evaluation of your
office (1-800-35NIOSH);

= Call your state or local
health department or air
pollution control agency to
talk over the symptoms and
possible causes; and

= Work with others to
establish a smoking policy
that minimizes non-smoker
exposure to environmental
tobacco smoke.

28



Citizen’
To Radon
Whet itis
‘And What To Do
About It

their ability to accurately
measure radon in homes.

You can also get the book-
lets listed in this section from
the EPA Public Information
Center or the EPA regional
office nearest you. (See p. 30
for a list of EPA headquarters
and regional office
addresses.)

"Refer to the EPA guidelines
in deciding whether and
how quickly to take action
based on your test results.
The guidelines are given in
the booklet, A Citizen$ Guide
to Radon. The higher the
radon level in your home, the
faster you should take action
to reduce your exposure.

EPA believes that radon
levels in homes can be
reduced to about 4 picocuries
per liter of air and sometimes
less.

® Learn about control
measures. An effective radon
mitigation plan may include
one or more of the following
actions: sealing cracks and
other openings in basement
floors, ventilating crawl
spaces, installing sub-slab or
basement ventilation, or
installing air-to-air heat
exchangers. The EPA book-
let, Radon Reduction Methods:
A Homeowner$ Guide,
describes some possible
reduction measures.

= Take precautions not to
draw larger amounts of
radon into the house.
Increasing ventilation can be

an effective means of reduc-
ing exposure to many indoor
air pollutants; in homes with
elevated concentrations of
radon, however, increasing
ventilation may increase
infiltration through the foun-
dation and result in drawing
even larger amounts of radon
into the home. You can get
the benefits of increased
ventilation without increas-
ing radon exposure by open-
ing windows evenly on all
sides of the home. Opening
windows is particularly
important when you are
using outdoor-vented
exhaust fans.

= Select a qualified contrac-
tor to draw up and imple-
ment a radon mitigation
plan. EPA suggests that all
but the most experienced
“do-it-yourselfer” get profes-
sional help in selecting and
installing radon reduction
measures. The EPA booklet,
Radon Reduction Methods: A
Homeowner’ Guide, offers
advice about how to select a
contractor and how to evalu-

ate proposals for radon
mitigation. EPA does not cer-
tify contractor competency
for planning or executing
radon mitigation measures.

= Stop smoking and
discourage smoking in your
home. Scientific evidence in-
dicates that smoking may
increase the risk of cancer
associated with exposure to
radon.

= Treat radon-contaminated
well water by aerating or
filtering through granu-
lated-activated charcoal.
Contact your state's radiation
protection office or drinking
water office for more infor-
mation concerning radon in
drinking water in your
community.

ENVIRONMENTAL
TOBACCO SMOKE

nvironmental to-

bacco smoke is

composed of

sidestream smoke
(the smoke that comes from
the burning end of a cigar-
ette) and smoke that is
exhaled by the smoker. It is a
complex mixture of over
4,700 compounds, including
both gases and particles.
Non-smokers’ exposure to
environmental tobacco
smoke is called “passive
smoking,’ “second-hand
smoking,’ or “involuntary
smoking”

Health Effects of
Environmental Tobacco
Smoke

According to reports
issued in 1986 by the
Surgeon General and the
National Academy of
Sciences, environmental
tobacco smoke is a cause of

12



REFERENCE GUIDE TO MAJOR INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS IN THE HOME

The pollutants listed in this guide have been shown to cause the health effects mentioned. However, it is not necessarily true that

the effects noted occur at the pollutant concentration levels typically found in the home. In many cases, our understanding of the
pollutants and their health effects is too limited to determine the levels at which the listed effects could occur.

RADON

Sources: Earth and rock
beneath home; well water;
building materials.

Health Effects: No immediate
symptoms. Estimated to
cause about 10% of lung
cancer deaths. Smokers are
at higher risk of developing
radon-induced lung cancer.

Levels in Homes: Estimated
national average is 11/2
picocuries per liter. Levels in
homes have been found as
high as 200 picocuries per li-
ter. The higher the average
concentration, the faster the
corrective action should be
taken. EPA believes that
levels in most homes can be

reduced to 4 picocuries per
liter of air and sometimes
less.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

= Test your home for radon.
= Get professional advice
before planning and carry-
ing out radon reduction
measures,

TM Seal cracks and other
openings in basement floor.
= Ventilate crawl space.

= Install sub-slab ventilation
ora heat recovery ventilator
(air-to-air heat exchanger.)

= Treat radon-contaminated
well water by aerating or fil-
tering through granulated-
activated charcoal.

ENVIRONMENTAL
TOBACCO SMOKE

Sources: Cigarette, pipe, and
cigar smoking.

Health Effects: Bye, nose, and
throat irritation; headaches;
bronchitis; pneumonia. In-
creased risk of respiratory
and ear infections in chil-
dren. Can cause lung cancer
and may contribute to heart
disease.

Levels in Homes: Particle
levels in homes without
smokers or other strong
particle sources are the same
as, or lower than, those out-
doors, Homes with one or
more smokers may have

particle levels several times
higher than outdoor levels.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:
"Stop smoking and
discourage others from
smoking.

"If you do smoke, smoke
outdoors,