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Indoor air quality is important for everyone, but it is especially important for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with lung diseases, including asthma. Asthma is on the rise nationally, and though no cause has been determined for this increase, we do know that many common indoor air pollutants can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Exposure to some of these pollutants in early childhood has been linked to an increased risk of developing asthma. Educating patients on potential asthma triggers and environmental control is an integral part of asthma management.

The "Healthy Breathing Begins at Home Indoor Air Quality Toolkit" includes a checklist for your use in a home walk-through to identify potential pollutant sources or risks. The Toolkit also includes our series of "Tips for Clean Indoor Air in Alaska"; Tips contain more in-depth information than the checklist on specific indoor pollutants or pollution sources. The Home Renovation Checklist is for homeowners considering remodeling projects. It addresses solutions to air quality problems in the home which can be remedied during renovation, and identifies recommended precautions to be taken during a renovation project to avoid potential health effects.

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HOME WALK-THROUGH CHECKLIST

When we think of air pollution we usually think of outdoor air, but the quality of the air we breathe indoors is also important. Many common pollutants are actually found at levels -5 times higher inside than out. Alaskans spend about 90% of their time indoors, and 60% of that in their homes, so it is essential to ensure adequate air exchange and the elimination of indoor contaminants. Today's building practices have made homes tighter and more energy efficient by containing the heated or cooled air inside our homes. Unfortunately, at the same time, we have also contained any pollutants that have come into or been generated in our homes...pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, cigarette smoke, dust, pet dander and molds and bacteria, which can cause or exacerbate respiratory conditions.

Your health and air quality are linked. Clean indoor air is important for everyone, but it is especially important for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with lung disease, including asthma. Asthma is on the rise nationally, and though no cause has been determined for this increase, we do know that many common indoor pollutants can exacerbate asthma symptoms, and early exposure may be linked to a higher risk of developing asthma. Learning about potential asthma triggers and environmental control is an integral part of asthma management.

There are many simple, effective steps you can take to improve indoor air quality. Your personal habits, the products and appliances that you use, your pets, and how you keep your home will all influence the interior environment. This checklist will help you identify the sources of pollutants typically found in household environments and suggest ways to manage them. It can be used in your current residence, or to alert you to possible indoor air issues on a walk-through of a home you are considering for purchase. It is not intended to rate the quality of your home's indoor air, only to aid your recognition of potential problem areas and what measures you might take to avoid them.

General considerations throughout the house

- Restrict smoking in house

- Install carbon monoxide detectors

- Air out the house often

- Always use adequate ventilation when using toxic products, cleaning supplies, painting, or during renovation

- Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering

- Check for leaks around foundation and from roof

- Drain water away from building using proper gradients and gutters and downspouts

- Fix plumbing leaks and leaks around appliances (dishwashers, washing machine, hot water heater)

- Eliminate standing water

- Keep humidity between 30-50%

- Install smoke detectors - Keep pet areas clean or restrict pets away from sensitive individuals

Kitchen - See tip sheets #8, #12

Stove, oven, ranges
o In good working order
o Properly vented
o Use exhaust fans or hood when cooking
o Flames on gas burners should appear blue

Sinks and faucets
o Check for leaks & make repairs
o Keep under sink dry

Cleaning products
o Avoid toxic products and aerosols
o Substitute mild agents, such as baking soda, vinegar
o Store all products safely

Cleanliness
o Keep surfaces clean
o Store food in sealed containers
o Eliminate pests with least toxic means (bait, traps)
o Check for molds

Bathrooms - See tip sheets #8, #11

Sinks, showers, tub surrounds
o Check for leaks under sinks, around faucets
o Look for mold on tub surround, grout or shower stalls
o Eliminate mold with detergent and 10% bleach solution

Floors, tiles
o Mop floors regularly
o Wash area rugs often
o Keep floors dry
o Keep tiles clean

Ventilation
o Use exhaust fan to remove moisture

Cleaning products
o Store cleaning products safely
o Select non-aerosols
o Substitute less noxious products

Living, dining, family rooms - See tip sheets #4, #5, #6, #14, #15

Window & floor coverings
o Select natural fabrics that can be washed or wiped
o Vacuum using hepa filter bags at least weekly
o Use washable slipcovers Cleanliness
o Dust with damp cloth if possible
o Use door mats or remove shoes to stop dirt at the door
o Minimize clutter and decorative items to keep dust down
o Don't burn candles or use room deodorizers
o Check for standing water in plant containers

Bedrooms - See tip sheets #5, #6, #9

Bedding
o Wash linens weekly in 130-140 f water
o Use protective mattress & pillow covers
o Select hypoallergenic materials
o Keep pets out of sleeping areas

Windows, floors & furnishings
o Wipe baseboards & window frames often
o Clean draperies & rugs frequently
o Vacuum using hepa filter bags frequently
o Dry wet carpet areas in 24 - 48 hrs.
o Wipe down shelving, furniture & toys
o Limit stuffed animals & throw pillows
o Clean closets & air out often
o Air out dry cleaning when first brought home

Heating, ventilation and filtration - See tip sheets #1, #3, #7

Furnaces, woodstoves, fireplaces
o All fuel-burning appliances should be properly vented
o Fuel burning appliances should be cleaned & inspected regularly
o Check for leaks, faulty seals
o Use high efficiency filters on furnaces
o Change or clean filters regularly
o Repair cracks or leaks immediately
o Check for blocked vents or ducts
o Use air cleaning or filtration device if necessary
o Install mechanical ventilation in tight homes

Garage - See tip sheets #3, #16

Auto exhaust
o Don't run vehicles in attached garage
o Install exhaust fan in attached garage

Appliances, fuel-powered tools (not recomended in attached garage)
o Properly vent fuel-fired appliances stored here (eg, furnace, area heater)
o Use fuel-powered tools only with adequate ventilation

Toxic fumes (not recomended in attached garage)
o Store products containing volatile organic compounds safely (solvents, paints, strippers, adhesives, fuel)
o Use products that may emit fumes only with adequate ventilation

Basement, utility room - See tip sheets #2, #13, #16

Appliances
o Make sure furnace, hot water heater & fuel-fired appliances are properly vented
o Have all combustion appliances routinely inspected
o Check for leaks or cracks and have these repaired immediately

Moisture control
o Look for outside water seeping in at foundation, damp corners
o Eliminate any standing water and fix its source
o Investigate moldy odors and remediate

Toxic fumes
o Maintain adequate ventilation when using household or hobby products (paints, glues, stains, strippers) that emit fumes
o Store toxic products properly

Radon
o Gas may seep in through cracks in foundation, unsealed pipes,drains, test if you suspect a problem

Clean indoor air doesn't just happen...

This checklist helps you to recognize the major household sources of contaminated air. For more in depth coverage of these problems, consult the tip sheets referred to in the checklist. Nearly all air quality issues in the home can be viewed in terms of moisture control, ventilation, cleanliness, and toxic fumes. Once you have identified problems, fix them promptly and plan a regular maintenance schedule. Think of addressing indoor pollution with these three actions: eliminate, separate, ventilate. Preventing indoor pollution is an ongoing process. By practicing safety and vigilance, you can monitor your environment and ensure that your home provides you with good, clean air.

These guidelines are for use in maintaining or renovating your home with the goal of improving the quality of the air you breathe indoors.  This project is funded by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.  American Lung Association of Alaska and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation are not to be held liable and do not make any guarantees regarding the outcome of consumer implementation of these guidelines.  "Healthy Breathing Begins at Home" guidelines are not intended to be construed as medical advice or replace the consultation of a physician or specialist in any way.  For answers to lung health questions, you can speak directly with a registered nurse or respiratory therapist at no charge by calling the American Lung Association Call Center at 1-800-LUNGUSA.

HOME RENOVATION CHECKLIST

Home remodeling is a chance to upgrade your appliances, replace deteriorated or poor performing systems, and possibly expand the size of your home. It is also an excellent opportunity to create a healthier indoor environment. Today's lifestyles and air tight homes mean we often spend up to 90% of our time indoors breathing stale air. Chemicals and small particles, biological contaminants and allergens can build up inside and trigger asthma, allergies and other illnesses especially in sensitive populations.

The sources of indoor air pollution can be difficult to recognize and may come from the household materials and products we use routinely as well as our daily activities and the way our homes are built.

You may want to begin with the "Home Walk-Through Checklist," to determine potential air pollutant sources. More information on specific indoor air quality issues can be found in the "Healthy Breathing Begins at Home" Tip Sheets.

During your renovation you will also want to minimize exposure to pollutants during the renovation by using safe work techniques that follow good indoor air quality practices.

Before You Begin

o Check for potential asbestos in ceilings (popcorn) and insulation (hard) prior to demolition. Call in an asbestos professional if you suspect it.

o Check and/or test for lead based paints and remediate if found.

o Check for visible moisture and molds throughout the house and on both sides of all demolished materials.

o Moisture and molds are linked. Address the source of any moisture concerns before rebuilding (eg: fix leaks, add mechanical ventilation to too tight and humid homes).

o Plan to have work done when the home is unoccupied whenever possible.

o Plan to have the work done in seasons when the house can be aired out during and after renovations, whenever possible.

o Research the options available to you to use building materials and techniques which will produce cleaner air results.

o Your house is a system. Consider how renovations made in one area of the house will affect the rest of the house. (eg: if installing a hot tub, have you made adjustments in the ventilation system for the extra humidity that may result?)

o Consider calling an energy rater for a consultation on energy efficiency and your house as a system.

During Remodel, Use Safe Work Practices

o Seal off the occupied space from the area under construction. o Keep children and sensitive individuals as far from the remodeling process as possible.

o Maintain good ventilation in the work area especially when using paints, solvents, and other compounds that emit fumes. Use exhaust ventilation (eg., fan blowing out) to move air out.

o Workers should wear masks appropriate for the task or material (eg: respirator, VOC safe mask) and wear proper protection.

o Temporarily cover and seal all supply and return registers in the work area so that dust, noxious fumes and other contaminants don't spread through the house.

o Minimize construction dust by using techniques such as misting surfaces with water before sanding or scraping.

o Keep materials and work area dry so moisture can't breed mold. Be prepared to clean up spills immediately.

o Make sure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working.

o Clean debris daily and make sure containers are carefully sealed after use. Dispose properly of paints, solvents and cleaning products, and other hazardous waste materials.

o When painting, installing carpets, or furniture and any products that might emit VO'Õs, maintain adequate ventilation during and at least 72 hours afterwards.

o Store all materials safely and away from occupants where possible; not in an attached garage.

Select Products, Appliances and Services Least Likely to Cause Harm

It is difficult to completely avoid the many household products and building components that contain volatile organic compounds (VOC). In general, select natural products made of solid wood, tile, metal, and natural untreated fabrics. This checklist provides further alternatives.

o Ask for low VOC emitting paints or choose water-based paints (latex) over oil-based ones, because they emit lower levels of vapors.

o Select solid wood components with low emitting finishes.

o If using pressed wood products, consider sealing surfaces with low VOC emitting sealant to reduce off-gassing.

o Use low VOC emitting sealants and finishes.

o Choose "exterior grade" pressed wood products made with phenol-formaldehyde rather than urea formaldehyde.

o Avoid carpeting where possible. Chemical treatments and synthetic compounds in carpets and pads can be irritants, and carpets harbor dust mites, molds, & bacteria.

o Pick less toxic flooring such as tile, vinyl, hardwood, and linoleum.

o If you use carpet, choose natural fibers (eg, wool) or for synthetic, 100% nylon. Look for felt padding, carpet with woven or jute backing, and fewer chemical treatments.

o Use low toxic (water-based) adhesives for flooring installation, wallpaper, and countertops.

o If replacing your heating system, consider a sealed combustion unit.

o When redecorating, select solid woods and fabrics made from natural fibers, and furniture that is easily cleaned.

These guidelines are for use in maintaining or renovating your home with the goal of improving the quality of the air you breathe indoors.  This project is funded by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.  American Lung Association of Alaska and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation are not to be held liable and do not make any guarantees regarding the outcome of consumer implementation of these guidelines.  "Healthy Breathing Begins at Home" guidelines are not intended to be construed as medical advice or replace the consultation of a physician or specialist in any way.  For answers to lung health questions, you can speak directly with a registered nurse or respiratory therapist at no charge by calling the American Lung Association Call Center at 1-800-LUNGUSA.

Environmental ProtectionAgency
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Energy Efficient Buildings Association
UAF Cooperative Extensions
National Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes
Florida Solar Energy Center
Alaska Building Science Network
California Department of Health Sciences: www.cal-iaq.org
Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/rd-dr/en/hh-lms/index.html
EPA's Indoor Environments division: 800-438-4318 / (www.epa.gov/iaq)
Northwest EcoBuilding Guild: 206-622-8350