Healthy Indoor Air for Tennessee's Homes

If you are like most Americans, you spend much of your time indoors. Although air is taken for granted, the air you breathe at home may not be healthy. Research has found that in homes across America the quality of indoor air can be worse than outdoor air.

News

05/15/08 - US Consumer Product Safety Commission - Maple Chase Co. Recalls Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Combo Alarms Due to Alarm Malfunction -- Recall Notice Release #08-267

05/06/08 - US Consumer Product Safety Commission - Williamson-Termoflo Gas Boilers Recalled Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard -- Recall Alert #08-567

05/06/08 - US Consumer Product Safety Commission - Weil-McLain Gas Boilers Recalled Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard -- Recall Alert #08-566

04/02/08 - US Consumer Product Safety Commission - Cabot Recalls Composite Deck Cleaner Due to Inhalation and Fire Hazard -- Recall Notice Release #08-237

Why?

Improved construction techniques make homes being build and remodeled "tighter" than in the past. In addition, we are using more products and furnishings containing compounds to which some individuals are sensitive.

What Can I Do?

By understanding a few basics, you can manage your household and your family's behavior to improve the air quality in your home.

Indoor Air Hazards You Should Know About

	Moisture and biologicals (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 "back drafting" from furnaces and water heaters.
	Formaldehyde Sources include durable-press draperies and other textiles, particle-board products such as cabinets and furniture framing, and adhesives.
	Radon A radioactive gas that comes from the soil and rock beneath and around the foundation, ground water wells, and some building materials. See our Radon Program web page.
	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. See our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program web page.
	Particulates Sources include particles from fireplaces, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, unvented gas space heaters, tobacco smoke, dust and pollen.
	Environmental tobacco smoke Tobacco smoke produces particulates, combustion products and formaldehyde.
	Remodeling activities Remodeling can provide the disturbance that releases such materials as asbestos, lead, formaldehyde and other hazardous materials.

Poison Prevention

Learn more about preventing poisonings through our Be Poison Safe Tennessee! program or through the Tennessee Poison Center web site http://www.tnpoisoncenter.org or by calling 1-800-222-1222.

If you think someone has been poisoned, call the Tennessee Poison Center right away –

1. Don’t panic.
2. Call the Tennessee Poison Center immediately for help – do not wait for symptoms to occur.
3. Do not treat until the Tennessee Poison Center specialist determines what action to take.
4. Have the following information ready when you call:
   • Person’s condition, age and weight
   • Product container
   • Whether the product has been swallowed, inhaled or splashed in the eyes
   • Time that the poisoning occurred

Publications

• Indoor Air Hazards - Every Household Should Know About (SP555)

Have more questions?

Here are some sources for information on Home Indoor Air Quality.

• EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearing House 1-800-438-4318
  http://www.epa.gov/iaq/index.html
• EPA - Tools for Schools
  http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools
• National Lead Information Center 1-800-424-5323
• US National Library of Medicine - Environmental Health and Toxicology
  Indoor Air Pollution
  http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/indoorairpollution.html
• Consumer Product Safety Commission 1-800-638-CPSC
  http://www.cpsc.gov/
• Tennessee Radon Program 1-800-232-1139
  http://www.state.tn.us/environment/apc/radon/

Healthy Indoor Air for Tennessee's Homes is part of the national program, Health Indoor Air for America's Homes. These programs form a collaborative, interagency effort to increase the knowledge and understanding of residential indoor air quality issues by the general public. The goal is to protect the publics health by reducing risks associated with indoor air contamination.

For more information about the UT Extension Health & Safety programs, please contact your local County Extension Representative.

State Contact

Martha Keel, PhD
Professor & Extension Environmental Health Specialist,
University of Tennessee Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
119 Morgan Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996-4501
Telephone: (865) 974-8197
Fax: (865) 974-5370
E-mail: mkeel@utk.edu