Indoor Air Hazards If you're like most Americans, you spend much of your time indoors. Have you ever stopped to think about whether the air you're breathing at hiome is healthy? When you're at home do you frequently have headaches or feel nauseous or tired? Do you feel better when you leave the house? If you have these symptoms, or others listed in this booklet, your home's air quality may be the problem. Recent research has found that in homes across America, the quality of indoor air can be worse than outdoor air. That's because many homes are being built and remodeled tighter - some with improved ventilation system to provide fresh air exchange. We are using more products and furnishings containing compounds sensitive to some occupants. You don't have to be a building scientist to deal with the quality of air in your home. However, you should understand a few basics. to get you started. The "Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes" project was developed to provide basic but comprehensive information to consumers to get a handle on indoor air quality. A major hazard is MISINFORMATION. Be informed. Request more information by contacting the resources listed on the back of this booklet.
Indoor air hazards you should know about: |  | Moisture and biologicals (like molds, mildew and dust mites).
Sources include excessive humidity levels, poorly-maintained humidifiers and air-conditioners, inadequate ventilation and animal dander. |  | Combustion products including carbon monoxide.
Sources include unvented fossil-fuel space heaters, unvented gas stoves and ovens, and "backdrafting" from furnaces and water heaters. |  | Formaldehyde.
Sources include durable press drapes and other textiles, particle-board products such as cabinets and furniture framing, and adhesives. |  | Radon. This is a radioactive gas from soil and rock beneath and around the foundation, ground water wells and some building materials. |  | Household products and furnishings. These include volatile organic compounds from paints, solvents, air fresheners, hobby supplies, dry cleaned clothing, aerosol sprays, adhesives and fabric additives used in carpeting and furniture. |  | Asbestos. Most homes more than 20 years old are likely to have asbestos. Sources include deteriorating, damaged or disturbed pipe insulation, fireproofing or acoustical material and floor tiles. |  | Lead. Sources include lead-based paint dust from removing paint by sanding, scraping and burning. | | Particulates. Sources include particles from fireplaces, woodstoves, kerosene heaters, unvented gas space heaters, tobacco smoke, dust and pollen. |  | Environmental tobacco smoke. A mixture of smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar, and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers. |  | Remodeling byproducts. Remodeling can provide the disturbance that releases such materials as asbestos, lead, formaldehyde and other hazardous materials. |
Breathe Easy: Table of Contents -- A guide to lung and respiratory disease for patients and their families, written by Lawrence Martin,... New York State Department of Health -- Includes information for consumers, doctors, researchers, and health care providers. Also features... Consumer Information Center: Indoor Air Hazards -- Information on identifying problems and their sources including mold, radon, lead, and unhealthy remodeli... Rail safety -- Information on rail health and safety issues. Cat info - Alphabetical Index -- Information resource for cat health care and behavioral issues. Toxic Mold, Black Mold, Toxic Mold Inspector, Mold Testing, Mold ... -- Informative articles about the adverse health effects of household mold spores, how to detect household... -- Category: Shopping > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Allergies -- Informative articles about the adverse health effects of household mold spores, how to detect household... The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees ... -- Largest public employee and health care workers union in the United States. Division of Air and Waste Management -- Mission to optimize the air resources and waste management practices, to protect public health, welfare... Databases: Chemical - chemicals, chemical profiles, MSDS, material ... -- MSDS, toxicology profiles, chemical health hazards, chemical labeling requirements, TLVs, government... European Public Health Alliance -- Network of not-for-profit organisations in the field of health. ABC Safety training - Your online superstore is committed to ... -- Occupational health and safety training programs including forklifts, cranes, lockout, laboratory,... Home - American Lung Association site -- Oldest voluntary health organization in the United States, with a National Office and constituent... Mental Health Sanctuary -- Online resource for patients, families and professionals in mental health. Articles, resources, chats,... Website - Main Page -- Opposing viewpoint site that describes alleged behind the scenes safety and health violations documented... Lithium (Li) - Chemical properties, Health and Environmental ... -- Physical data, chemical properties, health and environmental effects. Committee on Health and Children - Rep-Evidence page10 -- Presentation made to the Joint Committee on health and CHildren of the Houses of the Oireachtas, Parliame... Welcome to Steven L Thomas Agency Inc. Insurance & Bonds Home Page -- Provides auto, home, life, health, and business insurance. Chemicals -- Provides descriptions, chemical properties, health effects, economics, and regulations on various... Environmental Health and Safety: University of Minnesota -- Provides health and safety resources and programs that prevent accidents and minimize human exposures... Drinking Water Information and Web Resources - Water Contaminants ... -- Provides information on the safety and quality of drinking water. Details on contaminants and health... | 
