Indoor Air Quality. 2. Test and identify sources that contribute to poor indoor air quality.

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1 Why is indoor air quality a concern? Safe air quality, both indoors and outdoors, is very important for health. In addition to poor outdoor air quality, indoor air quality is also a concern. Some examples of poor indoor air quality include poor ventilation, inadequate control of allergens (such as mold), and improper pest management. i The National Center for Education Statistics reported in 1999 that 1 out of every 5 schools within the United States had unsatisfactory indoor air quality. i The following are examples of air pollutants: Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas. o It is released into the air by automobiles, the burning of fuel, and through appliances (grills, gas ovens, stoves, and dryers) that run on gas. o CO poisoning is due to the inability of the blood to transport oxygen to cells and tissues. ii It can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and can be fatal. Why be worried about air quality? Air quality affects many parts of the body, including the eyes, ears, nose and internal organs such as the lungs. Some indoor air pollutants may have effects on health. Additionally, some outdoor air pollutants can be brought into homes through ventilation systems. Why are children more vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality? Children breathe up to twice as much air as adults, putting them at a greater risk for health problems associated with air pollutants. Asthma has been shown to be both caused and triggered by environmental causes. These causes include dust mites, mold, secondhand smoke, furry pets (such as cats and dogs), cockroaches and other pests, and nitrogen dioxide. iii Sick Building Syndrome (resulting from poor indoor air quality) is associated with symptoms such as fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, coughing, nasal 1 congestion and skin irritations. The EPA has determined that this syndrome may be linked to poor student performance, both academically and socially. iv Recommendations Improving air quality can help: v o improve children and staff concentration, productivity and performance o reduce absenteeism, environmental triggers of asthma and respiratory illness. Ways to improve indoor air quality: Indoor Air Quality 1. Teach providers, teachers, and parents about air pollution. 2. Test and identify sources that contribute to poor indoor air quality. Radon: the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers - Get a kit to test for radon (refer to Radon fact sheet) 1

2 Mold: have odors and can cause headaches, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and aggravation of asthma symptoms - Be alert of hidden sources of water - Check the humidity of building (refer to Mold fact sheet) - If you use window air conditioning units, check the filter regularly and replace as needed. Secondhand Smoke: can cause asthma in children who have not previously exhibited symptoms. Infants and children younger than 6 who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis and increased risk for middle ear infections. vi - Do not permit smoking indoors. Carbon Monoxide (CO): can cause poisoning and death - Get appliances that burn fuel (gas water heaters, kerosene space heaters, fireplaces) inspected by a professional at the beginning of each heating season. vii - Don t idle cars in garage. - Buy and install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. Dust and other allergens: triggers of asthma - Use HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters on vacuum cleaners and use only when children are not present. - Maintain HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). - Use only non-toxic chemicals for cleaning. (refer to Cleaning fact sheet) - Use only non-toxic arts and crafts materials. (refer to Art Supplies fact sheet) Asbestos: lung problems and lung cancer - Contact professionals to test for asbestos (Refer to Asbestos fact sheet) Nitrogen Dioxide: can lead to chronic bronchitis viii - Similarly to CO, get gas-burning appliances inspected by a professional at the beginning of each heating season. - Don t idle cars in garage. - Open the flue on your fireplace before starting a fire. This ensures that the smoke exits through the chimney. - If you own a wood-burning stove, ensure that doors fit tightly. Follow manufacturer s instructions for how to start, stoke and put out the fire. - Do NOT use kerosene or gas space heaters. If you must use these types of heater, make sure that they are properly vented and follow manufacturer s instructions. Keep the heater adjusted properly. Slightly open a window or use an exhaust fan in the room while the heater is running. - Make sure to install and use an exhaust fan that vents outdoors on a gas stove. Household Cleaners: can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, or trigger allergies - Use natural cleaners and disinfectants like vinegar, baking soda, borax, and citrus oils, or purchase products made with natural ingredients. - Properly vent areas while using cleaners and after to avoid the build up of aerosols.

3 Volatile Organic Compounds - Found in paints and new building materials. - Purchase low VOC paints. (check the label) If painting, allow 24 hours of ventilation before re-entering the area. - For areas under renovation, keep the area properly ventilated during renovation at all times to avoid the build-up of VOCs that can be off-gassed from pressure treated wood and other building materials. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment in California Guidelines for Reducing Exposure 1. Maintain a working heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC). When the system runs properly it removes outdoor pollutants from indoor settings. Remember to change HVAC system filters as necessary. Use high efficiency particular arresting (HEPA) filters whenever possible. 2. Close windows during hours of increased traffic flow. 3. Maintain building by fixing any leaks that allow for outdoor air to flow inside. 4. Locate outside air intakes as far away from areas where cars/buses idle or drive as possible. This will help ensure that exhaust is not directly imported into the indoor air handling system. 5. Decrease exposure to air pollutants while outside (Refer to Ambient Air Quality fact sheet) Resources Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Air Quality Division P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX Phone: / Dallas Office of Environmental Quality- City of Dallas Air Pollution Control 320 E. Jefferson Blvd. Room LL13, Dallas, Texas Phone (214) Dallasair: Texas State Department of Health Services- HEALTH SERVICE REGION 2/3 - Arlington James A. Zoretic, M.D., M.P.H., Regional Medical Director Earlene Quinn, Deputy Regional Director Regional Headquarters: 1301 South Bowen Road,Suite 200, Arlington, Texas Phone: (817) TDD: (817) Indoor Air Quality Program for School : Phone: Extension Quade R. Stahl or Kay E. Soper Features; Free Radon Testing Kits American Lung Association of Texas -Dallas/Fort Worth Region Brookriver Dr., S-102, LB-151, Dallas, Texas Phone: (214) Texas Department of State Health Services Division for Regulatory Services- Indoor Air Quality Program, MC 1987

4 P. O. Box Austin, TX Environmental and Injury Epidemiology and Toxicology Branch 1100 West 49th Street - Austin, Texas Phone: or Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Region 6: 1445 Ross Avenue Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas Phone: (214) Air North Texas Council of Governments 616 Six Flags Drive, P.O Box 5888, Arlington, TX Healthy Environments for Child Care and Preschools Program 2009 National Library of Medicine Household Products Database: searchable database of ingredients used in common household products: Toxtown: an interactive website to help you learn about environmental health concerns: Toxmystery: an interactive website for kids to learn about environmental hazards: 3 Asthma Coalition of Texas - Kim Davis, Executive Director Phone: (830) [email protected] Dallas City Department of Environmental Health Services 300 N. Ewing, Dallas, TX Phone: Air North Texas North Central Texas Council of Governments 616 Six Flags Drive P.O. Box 5888 Arlington, Texas [email protected] Dallas Asthma Consortium Children s Medical Center Asthma Management Program Robin Brown, Program Manager Phone: (214) [email protected] 3

5 i Georgia Department of Human Resources. What can we do about Indoor Air Quality at School? Division of Public Health Environmental Health and Injury Prevention Branch. ii EPA. An Introduction to IAQ- CO. Available at Accessed on 28 August iii EPA. Indoor Asthma Triggers. Available at Accessed 16 August iv EPA. Sick Building Syndrome. Available at Accessed on 28 August American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health. Air Pollution. In: Etzel RA, ed. Pediatric Environmental Health, 2 nd Ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, v EPA. Benefits of good IAQ. Available at Accessed on 28 August vi EPA. Secondhand smoke. Available at Accessed on 28 August vii EPA. Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Available at Accessed on 28 August viii EPA. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). Available at Accessed 16 April 2009