Recommended
My House Is Killing Me! The Home Guide for
Families With Allergies and Asthma
The following are suggestions to reduce health risks.
Maintenance and use items generally are useful in any home that which
would have this material. Those
items checked were found to be particularly applicable to the inspected
property.
RADON
GAS
q
Install airtight sump well cover.
q
Seal cracks in concrete slabs.
q
Seal cracks and joints in foundation walls.
q Seal at pipe penetrations in foundation wall.
q Seal top of open blocks at top of foundation.
q Caulk joint between slab and foundation wall
q Tape or seal joints in ductwork in basement or crawlspace.
q Increased natural ventilation usually helps, but may depressurize a basement and increase levels of radon.
q Install and maintain quality mechanical or electronic central air filter. Radon binds to dust particles which air filters help remove.
q Install sub-slab suction system.
q Install heat-recovery ventilator in basement.
q Have house professionally tested before and after any remedial work
LEAD IN WATER
q If you suspect lead have water professionally tested.
q Flush faucet if not used for six hours until water turns cold. May not be effective in high-rise or old street line contains lead.
q Use only cold water for cooking.
q Use lead free solder when making repairs.
q Do not make baby formula from hot tap water.
q On new homes flush faucets 15 minutes to flush any lead solder and clean aerator strainers.
q Where the service line is lead use bottled water for drinking or install calcite filter and retest, carbon filters do not remove lead.
q Have well water tested. Equipment may have lead containing brass components.
q If water is corrosive install corrosion reduction equipment to minimize leaching of lead from solder or parts.
ASBESTOS
CONTAINING MATERIAL ACM)
q Have sample tested if you suspect any materials contain asbestos. Common materials in pre- 1985 homes include; heating pipe & boiler insulation, sprayed textured ceilings, blown insulation, floor tiles, siding and roofing tiles, certain mastics and caulks..
q Do not strip ACM floor tiles or use abrasives.
q Do not disturb or damage any material containing asbestos; sanding, drilling, ect.,
q Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum these materials.
q Most materials are best left in place and protected from contact by taping, encapsulating or enclosing.
q Obtain a professional survey and recommendations when in doubt about materials.
MOLD AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS
q Clean and disinfect central humidifiers annually. Set humidistat properly to avoid condensation on windows and in walls.
q Air conditioner condensate should discharge to exterior or floor drain not a plumbing fixture.
q Use bath and kitchen fans to exhaust excess moisture.
q Have ducts and air conditioner coil cleaned.
q Use dehumidifier in basement ins summer.
q Clean refrigerator drip pan.
q Vent dryer to exterior and clean duct.
q Keep interior and exterior sanitary to avoid insects and rodents. Seal exterior access routes.
q Install crawlspace vapor barrier and open vents in summer.
q Make sure attic is adequately vented.
q Maintain proper exterior drainage and downspouts.
q Consider humidistat tied to fan in attic or crawlspace to exhaust moisture.
q Clean and disinfect regularly; kitchen and bath surfaces, refrigerator door and seals.
q Carpets and concrete floors may need plastic vapor barrier under pad.
q Humidity should be kept below 50%.
q Repair any leaking pipes, fixtures, and fittings.
VOLATILE CHEMICALS; OIL, FORMALDEHYDE, PESTICIDES:
q New carpets, cabinets, vinyl flooring, and furniture can outgas formaldehyde. If you are sensitive make sure house is well ventilated or consult professional.
q UFFI insulation installed prior to 1981 is generally no longer a problem as it has mostly outgassed.
q Have oil storage tanks checked for leakage.
q It is best to avoid pesticides, but when used should be stored outside as these are volatile and leak even from tightly sealed containers.
q Use water based paints and solvents.
q Avoid using petroleum and oil based paints, solvents, and varnish inside and do not store in the house. Particularly avoid products containing; Methylene chloride, Benzenes, Xylene, Toluene, or other aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbons.
q Of course follow label directions closely and provide good ventilation. There are over 900 chemicals associated with household products and most have healthier alternatives. See Resources.
q Various indoor plants can be effective in filtering pollutants out of the air and breaking them down.
Healthier Home Product Alternatives:
Basic Cleaning: White vinegar, baking Soda, washing soda, ammonia. Borax, Zud, Murphy's Oil Soap.
Scouring Powder: Bon ami, Soft Scrub, salt.
Disinfectant: Arm & Hammer washing soda, Pine
Sol, baking soda.
Polish and wood floor cleaning: Lemon oil, Scand-Oil.
Oven Cleaner: SOS, No fume oven cleaners.
Laundry: Clorox 2, Oxydol, borax, washing soda
Windows: Soapy water, vinegar in water.
Air fresheners: No commercial products. Plants,
baking soda, natural fragrances, herbs, spices.
LEAD IN PAINT,
SOIL, DUST
q In
homes built prior to 1979 have a lead survey performed particularly
when there are young children, peeling paint, or recent renovation.
q Obtain lead hazard fact sheets from state environmental department.
q Clean walls, floors, windowsills regularly.
q Remove and dispose peeling paint, do not use regular vacuum, sand, or disturb surface.
q Consider replacing old windows with friction surfaces of painted sash and frame.
q Remove shoes before entering house, particularly children playing in older houses or yards.
q Make sure children wash hands after playing outside and before eating.
q Test other painted surfaces; older furniture, fences, outdoor play equipment, and outbuildings.
q Test soil if there has been peeling exterior paint or house is located near a busy street where leaded gasoline particulates have settled.
q Consult lead paint certified contractor if you plan renovation work that would disturb painted surfaces.
DRINKING
WATER
Private
supplies:
q Test annually for coliform bacteria, nitrates, total
dissolved solids, and pH.
q Test every three to four years for radon, metals, synthetic organics chemicals, sulfate and corrosion index.
q Test whenever you notice a taste, odor, color, or staining problem.
q Have septic system evaluated.
q Protect well by properly disposing and storing and household and lawn chemicals. Minimize use of lawn chemicals and fertilizers. Check any buried petroleum tanks for leaks.
q Have professional check well pump and any conditioning equipment when not working properly these can lead to bacteria contamination.
q Make sure filtration equipment is proper type for the contaminants.
Public
supplies:
q Water analysis results can be obtained from the supplier.
q You may wish to test independently, the bacteria, cryptosporidium, is becoming a problem in some areas of the country.
COMBUSTION CONTAMINATES
q Check Furnace air
filters monthly.
q Check for blue flame on all appliances, should not have yellow tip or flame.
q Check furnace/water heater flue for draft. Combustion must not back up into the house.
q Make sure appliances have good ventilation for complete combustion and draft.
q Use kitchen exhaust fan or window when using gas stove.
q Check for build-up of rust or soot on appliance burners, flues, or combustion chambers.
q In homes that are very tightly sealed you may need to improve ventilation or have air exchange rates tested.
q If you have a draft damper on furnace make sure it opens when furnace is operating.
q Install CO (Carbon monoxide) detector.
q Wood burning stoves need annual cleaning.
q Install chimney screen at top of flue and check for flue and chimney for blockage, deterioration, and creosote and soot build up.
q Convert gas pilots to electric start.
ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS
q There is considerable controversy over what effects are associated with EMF which are emitted from power lines and electrical equipment in the home. It is recommended to keep 2.5 feet away from electrical appliances such as TV, computers, microwaves, ect., as this greatly reduces exposure. Of course this rules out electric blankets and heated waterbeds.
q If you live near high-tension power lines and have small children you may wish to consult a professional. There are ways to shield bedrooms.
Maintenance:
Paint: Use latex paints, many are now have very low to no volatile compounds. "Natural" paints are available but contain turpentine and oils that need ventilation when using as well.
Varnishes and Stains: Use water based brands, natural oils, and beeswax.
Caulks: Non-toxic caulks and sealents are hard to find. Sensitive persons should try 100% silicone caulk and DAP kwik-Seal tub and tile caulk.
Pesticides : Most pests can be avoided by controlling moisture, sanitation and sealing and caulking entry holes and cracks. Before using conventional pesticides try;
a) Boric acid and sugar mixture for ants, roaches and blister beetles.
b) Diatomaceous Earth, a natural insecticidal spray or dust.
c) Bacillus Thuringiensis and other natural bacterial sprays that attack insects.
d) Pyrethrums and other natural-plant derived
Insecticides. These are still toxic however.
e) Predator insects and nematodes for the yard.
f) Natural repellents include; soap, hot peppers,
and herbs such as mint, onion, or garlic