Program
April 2014
Good Health Starts at Home
Lesson Guide
Indoor Air Quality
Segment Time
1-1.5 hours
For a shorter lesson (20 to 30 minutes)—omit showing the DVD segments on
Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment, from slides 11 through
end slide select only a couple of demonstration activities (e.g., show samples
of ways to control biological contaminants). Do quick overview of the various
IAQ issues and focus on action steps.
Purpose
Audience
Learning
Objectives
Instructor
Lesson
Materials
To provide general knowledge of the causes of poor indoor air quality and
provide identification of actions to detect and correct indoor air pollutants.
General consumer audience
Participants will accomplish the following:
Knowledge: Recognize that most people in the U.S. spend over 90% of their
time indoors. Indoor pollutants can be 2 to 5 times greater than outdoor
pollutants and young children are at greater risk to pollutants
Comprehension: Identify sources of indoor air pollutants in the home.
Application:
 List actions that can be taken to improve indoor air quality in the
home: e.g., installing carbon monoxide detectors, testing for radon,
preventing and cleaning up mold, improving home ventilation,
controlling asthma and allergy triggers.
 Identify resources for assistance with these topics.
 Indoor Air Quality Lesson Guide
 PowerPoint with speaker notes
 Help Yourself to a Healthy Home booklet
 Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment (strongly
recommended)
 Publications/Handouts of choice (optional—see below for suggestions)
 Selected materials and supplies for demonstrations and activities (see
below for suggestions)
 Name tags/tent cards for each student
 Pre/Post Tests and Evaluation form for each student
 Sign-in sheet, pens/pencils for participant
 Research References (see listed at end)
1
Participant
Materials

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


Indoor Air Quality PrePosttest/Evaluation
Pens/pencils/paper
Help Yourself to a Healthy Home book
Copy of PowerPoint slides (optional)
Other selected student publications/resource materials (optional)



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
Laptop
LCD Projector
Speakers for computer (if showing videos)
Extension cord and power strip (plus tape to tape down cords)
Microphone (if you are inviting a guest speaker or have a large group)
White board or flip chart and markers
Internet connection to show videos

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Healthy
Homes and Lead Hazard control: www.healthyhomes.hud.gov
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
o IAQ: www.epa.gov/iaq
o Asthma www.epa.gov/asthma
o Mold: www.epa.gov/mold
o Pests: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/controlling/index.htm
o Carbon Monoxide: www.epa.gov/iaq/co
o Radon: www.epa.gov/radon
o Secondhand Smoke: www.epa.gov/smokefree
o Lead: www.epa.gov/lead
o Asbestos: www.epa.gov/asbestos
American Lung Association: How To Quit Smoking: Freedom From
Smoking® Online Program http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/how-toquit/freedom-from-smoking/about.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
o Asbestos: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/asbestos/
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/
Equipment
Helpful
websites



2
Publications/
Resource
Materials
(select most
appropriate
materials for
your audience)


Help Yourself to a Healthy Home http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE0883/HE-0883.pdf focus on chapter on Indoor Air Quality (required)
Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment (with DVD)
mms://wms.aces.edu/media/satellite/booth/eng_hh.wmv (strongly
recommended) 24 minute video
scenes designated under Materials/Notes below for specific topics
(Optional)
HUD Publications: www.healthyhomes.hud.gov
 Seven Tips for Keeping a Healthy Home
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=DOC_11882.pdf
EPA Publications: http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/ordering.html
To order hard copy publications from EPA: National Service Center for
Environmental Publications (NSCEP).
General Indoor Air Quality
 Care for Your Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality (EPA Indoor Air Quality)
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/careforyourair.pdf
Mold
 Mold, Moisture and Your Home (also in Spanish)
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html
Pests
 Preventing Pests at Home (also in Spanish)
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/Publications/preventpest.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/Publications/prevpest-spanish.pdf
 Pesticide Poison Prevention Checklist—Preventing Pests at Home (also in
Spanish)
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/Publications/roombyroom-checklist.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/Publications/roombyroom-spanish.pdf
Carbon Monoxide
 Protect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/co_factsheet_en.pdf
Radon
 A Citizen’s Guide to Radon
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html
3
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



EPA Radon map of the United States:
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pdfs/zonemapcolor.pdf
State/District/Territory maps:
http://www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html
Geological map for your state (to compare radon zones with geological
formations)—U.S. Geological Survey
http://mrdata.usgs.gov/geology/state/
HUD Radon Factsheet (download—2 pages)
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=OHHLHCflyerRA
DON.pdf
List of state radon mitigators
www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html
Secondhand Smoke
 Tobacco Smoke and the Health of Your Family (bilingual English/Spanish)
http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/pdfs/trifold_brochure.pdf
 North American Quitlines: http://www.naquitline.org/ 1-800-QUIT-NOW
www.smokefree.gov Calling this toll-free number will connect you
directly to your state quitline. All states have quitlines in place with
trained coaches who provide information and help with quitting. Specific
services and hours of operation vary from state to state. Contact your
state Quitline services for flyers to hand out.
Lead
 Home Danger Zone Finder: Roll over the spots in the house to find leadbased paint hazards (for homes built before 1978):
http://www2.epa.gov/lead/home-danger-zone-finder
 Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home
http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/pyf_brochure_l
andscape_b_w_1-16-13.pdf
Asbestos
 State Asbestos Contacts: http://www2.epa.gov/asbestos/state-asbestoscontacts
 Asbestos Frequently Asked Questions
http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/asbestosfaqs_0.
pdf
4
Formaldehyde
 An Update on Formaldehyde: Consumer Product Safety Commission
http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/121919/AN%20UPDATE%20ON%20FOR
MALDEHYDE%20final%200113.pdf
What You Should Know about Formaldehyde
 http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/drywall/docs/whatyoushouldknowaboutform
aldehyde.pdf
Volatile Organic Compounds
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
For children
Is Your Home A Healthy Home? Coloring and Activity Book
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0937/HE-0937.pdf
Selected videos
Order DVDs in advance or provide internet connection for link.
 Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment video: (23:45)
mms://wms.aces.edu/media/satellite/booth/eng_hh.wmv
Produced by Cornell Cooperative Extension, shows health and safety
inside actual homes with tips to control these hazards. (See selected
scenes for different topics).
(this is a recording of the DVD that accompanies the booklet:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0923/HE-0923.pdf
 Health Begins at Home (CDC/National Center for Environmental Health)
(3:18 minutes)
http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/HealthHome/index.html
 Take a Tour of the IAQ House: www.epa.gov/iaq/house.html Shows key
pollutants in each room of the house. (interactive graphic)
 Carbon Monoxide (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
http://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/Multimedia/?vid=61664
 Lead-Safe Certified Remodeling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-3U1pcSIyg
 Radon: Consumer Education: What is Radon? (EPA) (WMV, 0:4:35, 46.4 M).
Extended
Activity
Radon Action Month (January)
 Event Planning Guide
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pdfs/nram/event_planning_kit.pdf
Children’s Health Month (October)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/chm-home.htm
5
Suggested
Materials and
Supplies for
Demonstrations
and Activities
(select most
appropriate
materials for
your audience)
Biological Contaminants:
 Dust mites: zippered allergy-proof (sometimes bedbug proof)
mattress/pillow covers, HEPA vacuum/filter, microfiber cloths
 Mold: 2 drinking glasses/water/ice, moisture meter, N-95 particulate
respirator mask, dishwashing detergent, spray bottle, rubber gloves,
goggles (without side vent holes), hygrometer/moisture meter
 Pests: Integrated Pest Management tools: sticky traps, baits, types of
caulks (polyurethane, silicone, latex—see notes on slide 18), plastic
containers with lids (to control clutter, store food), boric acid
Combustion byproducts:
 Carbon monoxide detector
 Ventilation: 2 HVAC filters: one fiberglass and one pleated (at least MERV
8), salt, small square toilet paper—to test exhaust fans
Radon:
 samples of radon test kits (may have sample of short term and long
term)
Lead:
 samples of lead test kits
 N-100 face mask, 6mil dropcloths, contractor trash bags, spray bottles
with water (to demonstrate lead safe work practices)
Volatile Organic Compounds:
 samples of these (can bring from home if available: pesticides, air
fresheners, varnishes, paints, etc.)
 To make less toxic cleaning products: empty spray bottles, measuring
spoons, measuring cups, vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, etc.
6
Preparing for the this Session
Indoor Air Quality
Preparing for
this Session
This lesson assumes that an Extension educator will be the speaker for the
session. If an alternate facilitator or co-facilitator is used, be certain they
have reviewed the material and are clear that Extension is tasked with
presenting non-biased material.
Before the Training:
1. Several weeks in advance:
a. Determine appropriate training location and time.
b. Contact an Extension educator or other guest speaker(s) at least a
month in advance (optional)—if using, use Guest Speaker
Confirmation form. For this subject area, consider asking a radon
mitigator or fire department representative (to discuss CO
poisoning), for example.
c. Send out notices for the training.
d. Order handouts/reference materials/videos (especially those
from EPA) if not making copies.
2. At least one week before training:
a. Read the lesson guide and PowerPoint materials carefully and
thoroughly. Review speaker notes and add notes if necessary.
b. Review the Help Yourself to a Healthy Home book and Healthy
Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment booklet. Watch the
DVD for the Assessing booklet and select the scenes applicable to
subject areas if you choose to show the DVD.
c. Review handouts/reference materials and supplemental material
carefully. Select handouts that may be useful for your audience.
d. Make copies of handouts for this session.
e. Review the optional activities and choose show and tell
activity/demonstration tools. Visit a retail store and purchase
demonstration supplies as needed or bring examples from home.
See Suggested Materials and Supplies for Demonstrations and
Activities.
7
f. Download any videos on your computer if you don’t have the
DVD.
g. Download suggested YouTube videos.
3. Day before Training:
a. Assemble snacks/beverages: water, sodas, crackers, fruit, plates,
napkins, etc.
b. Load course materials on computer/thumb drive.
4. Day of Training
a. Arrive at least 45 minutes in advance
b. Set up computer/LCD projector/check speakers. Tape down
cords.
c. Set out references/publications, course materials. Either place on
participants’ tables or place near registration table for students to
pick up. Set out registration sign-in list.
d. Set up demonstration tools on table or have in container for easy
access.
e. Set up whiteboard/large flipchart.
8
Presenting the Program
Indoor Air Quality
Important
Instructor
Notes
1. Remember to use activities, demonstration of materials, and videos for a
variety of teaching tools and to not be too dependent on the PowerPoint
slides.
2. Encourage participation and questions by the participants throughout
the presentation. Be interactive with your learners.
3. Provide personal stories when possible. People sometimes remember
better when personal stories are shared either by you or by the
participants.
4. Good visuals will provide guided practice for the learning objectives of
the lesson. Activities and demonstration materials can reinforce learning.
5. The adult learner brings a background of learning and experience that
contributes to learning. Many will have experienced some of these home
hazards in their own homes.
6. The purpose of this information is to empower people with knowledge so
they will adopt healthy behaviors and to offer practical, low-cost action
steps to solve problems.
7. Emphasize the vulnerability of children for environmental health
concerns. These are important concepts to remember:
a. Children are not just little adults. Their organs (especially the
brain) and immune systems are still developing, especially until
about age 6. Their metabolic rates are faster. Pound-per-pound
children drink, eat and breathe more than adults.
b. Children’s behaviors keep them closer to the floor—where
pollutants may collect.
9
Training Agenda
Indoor Air Quality
Segment
Sign-in and
Introductions
Time
10
minutes
Activity


Introduction
and Objectives
Materials/Notes
Sign-in sheet
Make sure everyone has signed
the sign-in sheet.
Introductions (including
yourself) or get-acquainted
activity of your choice
5
PowerPoint slides: 1-2
Review Learning Objectives
 Knowledge
 Comprehension
 Application
Discuss: vulnerability of children
and other populations to
environmental pollutants
Publication:
Help Yourself to a Healthy
Home book
Introduce Help Yourself to a
Healthy Home book
Why do we
care?
5
Indoor Air
Quality and
Health Hazards
10
PowerPoint slide: 3
This frames the need for this
information.
Discuss
 90% of time spent indoors in
U.S.
 Definition of a healthy home
(Surgeon General)
 Housing conditions can be
linked to health problems
 Quote by Florence Nightingale
(public health nurse)
Ask/Discussion:
 Has anyone ever thought about
if the air inside your home is
healthy?
10
PowerPoint slide: 4
Supplies/demonstration
tools:
White board or flip chart
and markers
Demonstration Activity: Draw
lines vertically on the whiteboard
or flip chart dividing into 4
sections: indoor air hazards, health
impacts, action steps, resources
Ask and list responses under indoor
air hazards and health impacts:
 Name some indoor air
pollutants and health problems
caused by these pollutants
Indoor Air
Pollutants
2-5
Later in the session refer back to
the list and list action steps for
each pollutant.
Discuss: Briefly introduce some of
the major indoor air pollutants:
biological contaminants, carbon
monoxide, poor ventilation
hazards, radon, secondhand
smoke, lead paint dust, asbestos,
formaldehyde, VOCs.

On whiteboard/flip
chart list some indoor
air hazards and health
impacts on the 1st 2
columns ( at end of
session go back and fill
in columns 3 and 4)
PowerPoint slides 5-6
Discuss risks of each from irritation
to serious harm/deadly
consequences
Learning
Objective:
Knowledge
Healthy Home
Publications
1
Discuss the fact that some
pollutants (radon, CO) cannot be
seen or smelled
Review learning
objective/Knowledge:
Most people spend 90% of their
time indoors and indoor air quality
is important to our health
Review: Publications
Help Yourself to a Healthy Home
 Each chapter of the book
contains information, action
steps and resource links
 This lesson focuses on Indoor
Air Quality
11
PowerPoint slide 7
PowerPoint slides 8-9
Publications:
 HYHH book
 Tips for Keeping a
Healthy Home
http://www.hud.gov/office
s/lead/library/hhi/HealthyH
omes7Steps.pdf
HUD Healthy Home publication
Tips for a Healthy Home
Discuss importance to look at the
house as a system. Eight principles
to keeping a healthy home
interact, Keep It:
1. Dry
2. Clean
3. Pest-free
4. Ventilated
5. Safe
6. Contaminant-free
7. Maintained
8. Thermally-Controlled

Care for Your Air: A
Guide to Indoor Air
Quality (EPA Indoor Air
Quality)
http://www.epa.gov/iaq
/pdfs/careforyourair.pdf
(optional)
website resources:
www.healthyhomes.hud.gov
www.epa.gov/iaq
Learning
Objectives:
Comprehension
and Application
1
Review learning objectives:
Comprehension: identify indoor air
pollutants
Application: list actions to improve
indoor air quality
PowerPoint slide 10
Biological
Contaminants
20
Discuss various biological
pollutants that may be present
indoors—focus on dust mites,
mold, pets and pests.
PowerPoint slides 11-18
Suggested publications:
DVD/Publication:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
 Show: Scenes 1-3 for an
actual home assessment
by a county Extension
agent
Dust:
 Sample HEPA vacuum
filter
 allergy and/or bed bug
proof pillow/mattress
cover
Show various supplies that can be
used around the home to lessen
IAQ hazards.
Show selected scenes from Healthy
Homes: Assessing Your Indoor
Environment to demonstrate
actual housing conditions
(optional)
12
Dust—Explain how dust mites can
be an allergy/asthma trigger.
Demonstrate various tools to lower
dust mites in the home
Demonstrate the effectiveness of
different types of HVAC filters in
trapping indoor air quality
pollutants. HVAC filters: 1 pleated,
1 fiberglass + salt—test to show
effectiveness by sprinkling salt on
them. Salt should pour through the
fiberglass filter easily—showing
that this type doesn’t filter much.
Note: there is no standard for how
much dust is harmful—but stress
that some people are more
sensitive to dust.
Mold—explain that the key to
mold control is moisture control:
Keep It Dry
Demonstrate moisture meters
Activity: Pour tap water in a glass
and ice water in another glass.
Discuss result and reason for it
(warm air holds more water vapor
than cold air). Explain that this is
what happens when warm, humid
air condenses on cold beverage
bottles or cans.
Demonstrate with a small square
of toilet paper held up to vent in
the room. It should be sucked up
to vent if vent fan is working
properly.
Demonstrate mold clean-up
methods. Explain that it is not
necessary to use chlorine bleach; if
bleach is used it should be diluted
1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
Note: there is are no federal
standards for how much mold is
harmful and no national standards
13


microfiber cloths
2 HVAC filters: 1
pleated, 1 fiberglass +
salt.
DVD/Publication:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
For dust:
scenes 11, 18
Mold
 Moisture meter
 Glass of water plus ice
 Small square of toilet
paper—hold up to vent
 For cleaning up mold: N95 face mask, goggles
without side vent holes,
gloves
DVD/Publications:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
For mold:
scenes 4, 10, 17
Mold, Moisture and Your
Home (also in Spanish)
http://www.epa.gov/m
old/moldguide.html
Pet dander
 Microfiber cloths
DVD/Publications:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
For pet dander (and
smoking):
scenes 6, 19
for mold inspection. However,
some people are more sensitive to
mold.
Pets—explain that for those
allergic to pets, keep off beds and
bedrooms. Have easily washable
bed coverings.
Pests—key is to use Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) to
control/prevent pests instead of
only using toxic pesticides.
Carbon
Monoxide
5
Explain that CO is a by-product of
all fuel-burning appliances.
Explain that proper ventilation is
important inside homes to prevent
build-up of toxic gases—especially
those we can’t detect otherwise.
Note: The current Occupational
Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) permissible exposure limit
(PEL) for carbon monoxide is 50
parts per million (ppm) parts of air,
however The National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) has established a
recommended exposure limit (REL)
for carbon monoxide of 35 ppm.
Most carbon monoxide detector
alarms will sound if over 30 ppm.
Normal limits in a home are 0-5
ppm.
14
Pests
DVD/Publication:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
For pests and pesticides:
scenes 12, 17
 Sticky traps
 Baits
 Types of caulks
 Plastic containers with
lids (to cover food
especially)
 Boric acid
Preventing Pests at Home
http://www.epa.gov/op
pfead1/Publications/pre
ventpest.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/op
pfead1/Publications/pre
vpest-spanish.pdf
PowerPoint slides 19-21
DVD/Publications:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
For carbon monoxide:
scenes 7, 14
Protect Your Family and
Yourself from Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning, US
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pd
fs/co_factsheet_en.pdf
Supplies/demonstration
tools:
 Carbon Monoxide
detector--ones with
battery back-up best
 Toilet paper test for
ventilation (see above
under mold)
Radon
Secondhand
Smoke
5-10
5
Discuss properties of radon.
 It is a radioactive gas—which is
why it is a dangerous indoor air
pollutant.
 It is a breakdown product of
uranium in rocks—found in
some soils.
 It is a gas so it comes in
through cracks in the house.
Discuss health effects of radon:
 It causes lung cancer.
 It is the second leading cause
of lung cancer after smoking.
Emphasize:
 We can’t see or smell radon.
 The only way to know if radon
is present is to test for it.
Note: EPA recommends fixing your
home (mitigation system for
radon) if the levels are 4 pCi/liter
of air.
Demonstrate:
 Map of radon zones in the U.S.
This only shows the potential
for radon—it can be found
anywhere.
 Proper way to use a radon test
kit
Discuss dangers of breathing in
secondhand smoke—especially for
young children
PowerPoint slides 22-26
DVD/Publications:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
For radon:
scenes 7, 13, 21
A Citizen’s Guide to Radon
http://www.epa.gov/radon
/pubs/citguide.html
Supplies/demonstration
tools:
 EPA map of radon zones
(and state maps):
www.epa.gov/radon/zone
map.html
 Sample radon test kits
PowerPoint slides 27-29
DVD/Publications:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
Emphasize that smoking should not For pet dander (and
be allowed indoors or in cars
smoking):
scenes 6, 19
Tobacco Smoke and the
Health of Your Family
(bilingual English/Spanish)
http://www.epa.gov/smoke
free/pdfs/trifold_brochure.
pdf
15
Lead
Asbestos
5
2
Discuss:
 Lead dust is the major cause of
lead poisoning.
 Lead is a neurotoxin.
 It is most dangerous to children
under the age of 6.
 Lead was banned in house
paint in 1978.
 Lead paint was found
commonly on high friction
surfaces and outdoors:
doorways, windows, porches,
outdoor house paint
 Use lead safe work practices if
working around lead paint.
 Lead can also be found in water
pipes from lead solder and
imported vinyl miniblinds.
Note: A blood lead level that is
higher than 5 ugm/dL is considered
too high—some studies have
shown neurobehavioral effects at 5
ugm/dL. However, no level of lead
can be considered safe. A doctor or
local health center can perform a
simple blood test to determine a
blood-lead level.
Ask why is asbestos a hazard?
Explain that friable asbestos is a
hazard, mostly banned in 1970s
 Do not disturb asbestos
Note: To test for asbestos you
should use a qualified laboratory.
There is no safe level of asbestos in
the air in homes.
16
Demonstration tools:
State Quitline information:
www.smokefree.gov
1-800-QUIT-NOW
PowerPoint slides 30-33
DVD/Publications:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
For lead:
scenes 9, 15
Protect Your Family From
Lead in Your Home
http://www2.epa.gov/sites/
production/files/documents
/pyf_brochure_landscape_b
_w_1-16-13.pdf
Interactive graphic:
http://www2.epa.gov/lead
/home-danger-zone-finder
Demonstration tools:
 Lead test kit
Lead Safe Work Practices
supplies:
 N-100 face mask
 6 mil dropcloths
 Contractor trash
bags
 Spray bottles with
water
PowerPoint slides 34-35
DVD/Publication:
Healthy Homes: Assessing
Your Indoor Environment
For asbestos:
scenes 7,15
Asbestos Frequently Asked
Questions
http://www2.epa.gov/si
tes/production/files/do
cuments/asbestosfaqs_
0.pdf
Formaldehyde
2
Volatile Organic
Compounds
5
Discuss:
 Formaldehyde is colorless
but it has a strong smell
(unlike carbon monoxide,
radon)
 Found often in pressed
wood
 Keep it Ventilated: air out
new furniture, carpet, etc.
Note: the risk of health problems
are considered low if readings of
10 ppb (parts per billion) or lower
of formaldehyde are found. Levels
of 100 ppb are considered
intermediate risk, but steps should
be taken to lower the risk,
especially if elderly, young children
or those with asthma are exposed.
Levels of 1000 ppb are too high.
Discuss:
 Various products used around
the house may contain
hazardous chemicals called
Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs)
 VOCs are hazardous because
they are volatile (gases)
Demonstrate samples of VOCs
Activity: Make your own Green
Cleaning Products
 See speaker notes on slide 41
to mix several examples of less
toxic cleaning products
Discuss third-party certified labels:
Green Seal, Design for the
Environment, EcoLogo
PowerPoint slides 36-38
Publication:
An Update on
Formaldehyde: Consumer
Product Safety Commission
http://www.cpsc.gov//Page
Files/121919/AN%20UPDAT
E%20ON%20FORMALDEHY
DE%20final%200113.pdf
What You Should Know
about Formaldehyde
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/
drywall/docs/whatyoushoul
dknowaboutformaldehyde.
pdf
PowerPoint slides 39-41
Resource:
Volatile Organic
Compounds
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/vo
c.html
Demonstration:
Samples of products
containing VOCs around the
house:
 Paints
 Cleaning products
 Solvents
 Varnishes
 Air fresheners
 Moth balls
 Pesticides
Less toxic products:
Empty spray bottles,
vinegar, oil, warm water,
baking soda, etc.,
measuring cups and spoons
17
Review:
Learning
Objective:
Application
5-10
Learning Objective: Application
Review action steps to resolve
indoor air quality issues
Demonstrate:
Show the EPA Take a Tour of the
IAQ House to demonstrate IAQ
issues and actions
Learn more
5
Discuss resources for help with
home indoor air quality issues
Cite additional sources of
information—both federal and
state/local resources
Evaluation
5
Administer
Pre/Posttest/Evaluation
Questions/comments
PowerPoint slide: 42
Interactive graphic:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia
qhouse.html
Demonstration tool:
Whiteboard/flip chart used
in slide 4
PowerPoint slide 43
Demonstration tool:
Whiteboard/flip chart used
in slide 4
 List resources in column
4
Federal resources: various
EPA sites: www.epa.gov
State Health Dept.
resources
State/community resources
Pre/Posttest Evaluation
form
Note: other lessons are
available for Lead,
Combustion Gases and
Home Energy IAQ issues
Prepared by Laura Booth, Healthy Homes Partnership Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative
Extension System, Auburn University. April 2014
18
Sample news releases or radio spots
Indoor Air Quality
Most people spend over 90% of their time indoors. However, did you know that indoor air
pollution can be 2-5 times greater than outdoor air pollution? Very young children and older
adults may be even more sensitive to indoor environmental pollutants. Indoor air pollution can
be lots of things—from radon to cigarette smoke to mold. Is the air in your home healthy?
There are steps and resources that can help us have good indoor air quality. (agency name)
is sponsoring a program at (time)
on
(date)
at (location) . This program covers
indoor air quality. The program will address hazards such as asthma triggers, mold, carbon
monoxide, radon, asbestos and home ventilation. Additional helpful resources will be given. For
more information or to register for the program call or email (agency name) at (phone
number) or (email address).
January is Radon Action Month
Download the Event Planning Kit: http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram/
Exposure to radon gas causes more than 20,000 deaths annually and it is the number one
cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The challenge is that we can’t see, smell, or taste it,
so it’s easy to forget that radon may be a problem in any home, school, or building in the
country. The potential exists to double the lives saved from radon exposure over five years. To
protect the lives of all Americans, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
designated January as National Radon Action Month. This is a great opportunity to increase
awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radonresistant new construction practices.
October is Children’s Health Month
Download Event Planning Tools: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/chmhome.htm
EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment requires us to continue to pay
special attention to the vulnerabilities of children, and especially to children living in
disadvantaged communities. Children are more affected by pollution than adults for many
reasons. They are smaller, their organ systems are still developing, their play and learning
behaviors expose them to additional environmental threats.
In October and throughout the year, we will work with parents, teachers, and health providers
to promote healthy environments where children live, learn and play.
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Guest Speaker Confirmation Form:
Indoor Air Quality
Speaker:
Today’s Date:
Presentation Date & Time:
Location:
Location Directions:
# Of Expected Participants:
General Audience:
Background:
The indoor air quality workshop you are speaking at provides
consumers with information on how to improve indoor air
quality. Your experiences may help people to understand one or
more of the following: better ventilation, how to control radon,
how to use integrated pest management, how to prevent and
clean up mold, etc. Please share information that will help those
with indoor air quality concerns to take action steps so they can
have a healthy indoor environment.
Thank you language:
Other info:
Please let the workshop coordinator know of any audiovisual
equipment or other needs you might have at least 2 business days
prior to the presentation.
Indoor air quality
workshop coordinator
contact info:
Thank you for agreeing to share your expertise on indoor air quality.
20
Indoor Air Quality
References:
American Lung Association, Epidemiology & Statistics Unit, Research and Program Services.
(September, 2012). Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality. Retrieved from
http://www.lungusa.org/finding-cures/our-research/trend-reports/asthma-trendreport.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Department of Housing and Urban
Development. (2006). Healthy Housing Reference Manual. Atlanta: US Department of
Health and Human Services.
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/housing.htm
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2004/Damp-Indoor-Spaces-and-Health.aspx
Institute of Medicine (2004). Damp indoor spaces and health, Institute of Medicine.
Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
There is evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and mold and
health: upper respiratory symptoms, cough, wheezing, asthma in sensitized people.
Institute of Medicine. (2000). Clearing The Air: Asthma And Indoor Air Exposures, Institute of
Medicine. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2000/Clearing-the-Air-Asthma-and-Indoor-AirExposures.aspx
There is an association between biological and chemical exposures in the home (dust mites,
cat dander, cockroaches, secondhand smoke) for causing asthma to develop and the
exacerbation of asthma. This is key to the effort in education about the effect of housing on
health.
Surgeon General: The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Healthy Homes:
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/healthyhomes/index.html
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy
for Action. (2013).
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/advhh
Goal Four: Educate the Public about Healthy Homes. The Strategy promotes adoption of a
public communications campaign to help people connect the dots between their health and
their home.
21