COLORADO HEALTHY HOMES

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2 COLORADO HEALTHY HOMES

3 ASHLEY FEIERTAG Energy Outreach Colorado Director of State Programs 3

4 COLORADO HEALTHY HOMES Today 1. What is a Healthy Home? 2. Why is it important? 3. How do you recognize it? 4. What do you do, or can you do when you find it? 5. What resources are available to you? 4

5 INTRODUCTION Name Why did you come to the presentation? Do you enter homes? What s the most remarkable thing you ve seen in a home? What did you do about it? 5

6 WHAT IS A HEALTHY HOME? Housing 1. Well-constructed 2. Well-maintained 3. Affordable 6

7 WHAT IS A HEALTHY HOME? 8 Principles 1. Keep it Dry 2. Keep it Clean 3. Keep it Pest Free 4. Keep it Ventilated 5. Keep it Safe 6. Keep it Contaminant Free 7. Keep it Maintained 8. Keep it Climate Controlled 7

8 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

9 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? General Health of People 1. Primary Prevention 2. Secondary Prevention 9

10 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Environmental Health 1. Lead 2. Radon 3. Allergens/Asthma 4. Mold/Moisture 5. Asbestos 6. VOCs 7. Tobacco 8. Unintentional Injuries 10

11 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? People and the Environment Epidemiologic Triangle Agent / Source Environment Host 11

12 HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE IT?

13 HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE IT? Be aware and observant Look at your environment How you feel walking up to the home Cultural issues, language barriers, and protocols Ask open-ended questions 13

14 HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE IT? Things to Look for in Rooms 1. Windows that work 2. Evidence of condensation or moisture stains 3. Number of moisture or dust reservoirs 4. Lingering odors or stale air 5. Level of cleanliness, clutter 6. Smoke alarms that work 7. Unvented gas or kerosene heaters 8. Overloaded electric cords 14

15 HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE IT? 5 Routes of Exposure 1. Inhalation 2. Ingestion 3. Skin Absorption 4. Injection 5. Built-in Protection Mechanisms 15

16 HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE IT? Tying signs/symptoms to the environment Do signs and symptoms occur: 1. At the same time each day? 2. In the same place each day? 3. Only in certain times of the year? 4. Do others have the same signs/symptoms and same times? 5. Do signs/symptoms go away when not in the environment? 16

17 HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE IT? Identifying Risks RISK = HAZARD x EXPOSURE Determine the type of risk by looking at both the hazard and the route of exposure, and how that effects the client Acute Risks vs. Chronic Risks Acute risk needs immediate attention Chronic risk does not need immediate attention 17

18 8 PRINCIPLES

19 KEEP IT DRY Why is it important? Mold and moisture effect all populations Asthma and upper respiratory issues How do you recognize it? Look and smell What do you do if you find it? Identify the source Make recommendations to repair/stop source 19

20 KEEP IT DRY 5 Strategies for Controlling Moisture in a Home 1. Ventilation 2. Source Control 3. Repairs 4. Drainage 5. Clean/Remove wet or moldy building components 20

21 KEEP IT CLEAN Why is it important? Reduces exposure to chemical contaminants, allergens, pest droppings, pesticides, lead, and arsenic How do you recognize it? Look for dust mites, pest droppings, clutter, dishes in sink What do you do if you find it? Educate the homeowner on the importance of cleaning 21

22 KEEP IT CLEAN Practice Healthy Cleaning 1. Keep clutter off floor 2. Avoid dry dusting, use wet cloth 3. Dust walk off systems 4. Provide smooth, cleanable surfaces 5. Easy to clean flooring 6. Vacuums with good filtration 7. Natural cleaning products 22

23 KEEP IT PEST FREE Why is it important? Pests can spread disease and trigger allergens/asthma How do you recognize it? To see the creature, be the creature Look for pest feces What do you do if you find it? Develop an integrated pest management plan to control pests Remove the source: water, food, or place of harborage 23

24 KEEP IT PEST FREE Cockroaches Cockroaches are one of the biggest triggers of asthma in the home. They need water and food to survive. Clean & remove the water and food. 24

25 KEEP IT PEST FREE Mice Mice are also a big trigger of asthma in the home. Mice do not need water to survive only food. Mice can pass on diseases to humans when their saliva, droppings, & urine are stirred in the air. 25

26 KEEP IT PEST FREE Bed Bugs Bed Bugs do not carry disease or cause asthma. Bed Bugs are an annoyance. Bed Bugs do not need water and food to survive. They survive on human blood. 26

27 KEEP IT PEST FREE Integrated Pest Management 1. Elimination/Reduce 2. Control Measures 3. Educational Training Education/ Training IPM Eliminate/ Reduce Control Measures 27

28 KEEP IT PEST FREE Control Measures of Integrated Pest Management Prevention Identify the Source Deny the pest entrance and the source Sanitation Clean up food and water sources Physical & Chemical controls Use low risk controls first Move on to chemical controls if necessary Ongoing monitoring is essential to elimination. 28

29 KEEP IT VENTILATED Why is it important? Proper ventilation can reduce VOCs, moisture, allergens, mold, smoke, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde How do you recognize it? Smell for odors or stale air Look for exhaust vents and windows What do you do if you find it? Open windows, change filters, install exhaust fans 29

30 KEEP IT SAFE Why is it important? Injuries are preventable and accidents happen by chance How do you recognize it? Look at areas of concerns for falls or trip hazards If something doesn t feel right, it probably isn t trust your instincts What do you do if you find it? Pick up clutter, install safety guides, cover electrical outlets Educate 30

31 KEEP IT CONTAMINANT FREE Why is it important? Can cause infections, illnesses, and delayed child development Not always detected by our senses How do you recognize it? Ask questions about headaches or nausea Get it tested What do you do if you find it? Get a professional to remove it Increase ventilation in the home 31

32 KEEP IT CONTAMINANT FREE Common Contaminants VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) Scents, Chemicals, Flooring off gassing Exposure Symptoms: Headaches, nausea, eye nose, throat irritation, Can cause developmental delays in children 32

33 KEEP IT CONTAMINANT FREE Common Contaminants Tobacco Smoke Increased risk of SIDS in kids exposed to secondhand smoke Health problems in children ear infections & respiratory issues Heart disease and cancer in adults Leading cause of home fire death Educate QUIT SMOKING 33

34 KEEP IT CONTAMINANT FREE Common Contaminants Lead More prevalent in Pre-1978 homes Assume lead is present, or prove it s location by testing Renovate Right Procedures (RRP) must be used to remove lead in homes Can cause developmental delays and stunt growth in children 34

35 KEEP IT CONTAMINANT FREE Common Contaminants Asbestos Friable asbestos is an acute risk - get a professional to remove it. Assume all materials contain asbestos As long as you do not disturb asbestos, it s not harmful to you Homeowners can remove up to 32 sf on their own, but it s not recommended 35

36 KEEP IT CONTAMINANT FREE Common Contaminants Radon Radon is very prevalent in CO Cancer is a long term effect of radon exposure Assume all home in CO have high radon levels Hire a professional to install an active radon system 36

37 KEEP IT CONTAMINANT FREE Common Contaminants Radon Active Mitigation Has fan that removes moisture No homeowner maintenance Profession install $1200 Controls pressure differential between home interior and soil 37

38 KEEP IT MAINTAINED Why is it important? Stay on top of the issues Control dust in a home How do you recognize it? Perform routine checks under sinks and throughout home What do you do if you find it? Educate Refer to a local agency that can help 38

39 KEEP IT CLIMATE CONTROLLED Why is it important? Large swings in temperatures can cause condensation and increased humidity How do you recognize it? Is the client cold, are they reserved? Ask questions How does the temperature of the home feel? What do you do if you find it? May need cooling or heating, or repairs if systems are broken Recommend a weatherization agency to come into home 39

40 WRAP UP Remember that most remarkable thing you ve seen in a home? What did you do about it? What might you do differently if in that situation again? Recognize the 8 Principles Talk to the client Educate the client Recommend resources & professionals 40

41 ASHLEY FEIERTAG Director of State Programs (303)