| A healthy home is well ventilated;
free of pests, toxics, and dangerous gases; dry;
clean; comfortable; and
affordable. Good construction and maintenance practices can
achieve these conditions, even in an older home.
homes minimize moisture and molds.
Moisture and molds can
trigger asthma
attacks and other allergic reactions. Water and moisture also attract
cockroaches,
rodents, and help
dust mites to
thrive, all of which can also increase the risk of asthma attacks.
homes have minimal dust and
clutter. Researchers and medical experts have proven that dust sensitizes
individuals and can trigger asthma attacks. Dust generally comes from
two sources:
- outdoor particles that are tracked in on shoes
or drawn in through heating and ventilation systems or air leakage
- dust mites living inside our homes
Nearly two-thirds of the dust in our homes is tracked in from outdoors,
making a dust-free home a practical impossibility. However, we can reduce
the amount of dust we bring in from outside by designing entryway systems
to help remove dust from our shoes before we bring it inside. Filters
for heating, ventilation,
and air cooling (HVAC) systems are also effective in reducing dust particles
in the home. Reducing excessive moisture and relative humidity can also
make a home less inviting for dust mites. In all cases, it is helpful
to build homes with smooth and cleanable materials that make it easier
to remove dust and dust mites through cleaning. Clutter contributes to
increased levels of dust by creating surfaces for dust to gather. Keeping
floor and countertop areas clear, particularly near vents, will prevent
dust from building up. While insufficient housekeeping can be a factor
in dust build-up, an overcrowded setting also plays a role.
homes have systems
to remove contaminants and allergens that can cause respiratory problems
such as dust and byproducts from heating and cooking. These mechanisms
include fans that exhaust to the outside and changes in air pressure to
ensure the movement of air from the outside to the inside.
homes minimize
carbon monoxide,
which can cause death and more subtle health effects (fatigue, headaches,
nausea). Products that can create carbon monoxide include cars in an attached
garage (when the engine is warming up), gas stoves, gas water heaters,
gas furnaces with a cracked heat exchanger or a leaking chimney, non-electric
space heaters, and gas fireplaces.
homes reduce the presence
of pests such as cockroaches. Cockroaches shed feces and skins that can
trigger allergic reactions often associated with asthma and other respiratory
problems. Adverse health conditions can also arise when homeowners reacting
to a pest problem apply harmful pesticides
in their homes.
homes reduce and
eliminate toxins, such as asbestos,
lead, volatile organic
compounds, and pesticides.
Some types of flooring and the adhesives used to attach them can emit
volatile organic compounds (VOCs). “Offgassing” refers to
the release of gases during the aging and deterioration of a material.
The Carpet and Rug Institute had created standards for low-VOC carpets
and rugs (see resource below).
homes make it unlikely
that individuals will unknowingly take actions that can harm their health.
For example, excess cold may cause people to use stoves and ovens for
heating, leading to chronic and perhaps acute exposure to carbon monoxide.
Humidifiers may be installed to relieve an excessively dry environment,
creating extra moisture that can contribute to molds and foster the growth
of dust mites, both of which are asthma
triggers.
American Lung Association - Health House - www.healthhouse.org
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
Inc - www.ashrae.org
Affordable Comfort - www.affordablecomfort.org
Building Science Corporation - www.buildingscience.com
Carpet and Rug Institute - Green Label Program - www.carpet-rug.com/drill_down_2.cfm?page=8&sub=4&requesttimeout=350
US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Environmental Health) -
www.cdc.gov/nceh/
US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Healthy Homes
and Lead Hazard Control - www.hud.gov/offices/lead/index.cfm
US Environmental Protection Agency - Indoor Air Quality - www.epa.gov/iaq
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