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An Ordinary

HouseA Chemical

House

TVs & ComputersPersonal Care/Cosmetics

Cleaning Products & Pesticides

Flooring

FurnitureCarpeting

Furniture

Automobile

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Levels in HomesPollution inside typical home 2–5 times worse

than air outdoorsLevels may be 1,000 times background

outdoor after activities like stripping paintIndoor air pollution one of top 5 most-serious

environmental risks to public health50% of all illnesses traced back to the home

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Sources of PollutantsAverage US household uses 40

lbs of chemicals each yearAverage household stores more

than 60 hazardous productsLoaded with fragrances and

petroleum-distilled chemicals Volatile Organic Compounds

(VOCs)

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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)Paints, paint strippers, and other solventsWood preservativesAerosol spraysCleansers and disinfectantsMoth repellentsAir freshenersStored fuels and automotive productsHobby suppliesDry-cleaned clothing

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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)Laundry detergents and fabric softenersPhthalates

Chemicals harmed hormonal systems Harmed reproductive organs in animal

testsMake the scent last longer

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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)Chlorine bleach

Also called sodium hypochlorite Caustic fumesToxic if swallowed

Scented productsPerfumes and deodorants

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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)PesticidesUsed inside and outside homeCan be tracked into home from outside

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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)

Dry cleaning CA Air Resources Board designated

perchloroethylene (PERC) as a toxic air contaminant

If you dry clean traditional way–Air your clothes before wearing or

placing in closet

Alternative Choice-Hydrocarbon solvent-Wet cleaning

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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)

Pungent, colorless, toxic, water-soluble gas Disinfectant PreservativeIngredient of synthetic resins, dyes, plastics

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Sources of FormaldehydeBuilding materials

Pressed wood products Particleboard Hardwood plywood

paneling Medium density

fiberboardSmokingHousehold

productsUn-vented, fuel-

burning appliances

Manufactured productsPermanent press

qualities to clothing and drapery

Component of glues and adhesives

Preservative in paints

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Mercury SourcesLighting

FluorescentHIDMercury Vapor

OtherThermostatKids shoes

    

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Sources of Pollutants (cont.)How Air Fresheners Work Interfere with ability to smell by way of

nerve-deadening agentCoat nasal passages with undetectable oil

filmCover up one smell with another(Rarely) break down offensive odorAir fresheners do little to freshen the

air

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Health Effects Depend on…Toxicity of chemicalLevel of exposureLength of time exposed Pathway of exposure

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Health EffectsEye, nose, and throat irritationHeadachesLoss of coordination / dizzinessNauseaDamage to liver, kidney, and central

nervous systemSuspected or known to cause cancer in

humans  Allergic skin reactionFatigue

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Health Effects (cont.)Children born into households

using toxic cleaning products twice as likely to have wheezing

Over last 20-30 years, level of toxins stored in body’s adipose tissue (fat cells) have risen

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Health Concerns of Pesticides

Child in household using home and garden pesticides has 6.5 x higher risk of developing leukemia

NeurotoxinsIrritantsCarcinogensMutagensEndocrine disruptors

Health Effects of Pesticides

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Formaldehyde Health ConcernsWatery eyesBurning sensation in

the eyes and throatNauseaDifficulty breathingShown to cause

cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans

Eyes, nose, and throat irritation

Wheezing and coughing

FatigueSkin rashAllergic reactions

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Steps to Reduce ExposureIncrease ventilation Meet or exceed any label precautionsDo not store opened containers of unused

paints and similar materials Throw away unused or little-used containers

safely; buy in quantities that you will use soonNever mix household care products unless

directed on label Follow label instructions carefully

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Steps to Reduce Exposure (cont.)Use least toxic product that works for your

projectMake homemade alternative cleaning

products using baking soda, vinegar, soapProvide adequate ventilationKeep out of reach of children and pets

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Reduce Pesticide Exposure When you apply pesticides you treat

symptom, rather than cause of pest problems

Control pests without chemicals by using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques

Physical controlsCultural controlsBiological controlsLeast-toxic pest control

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Reduce Pesticide Exposure (cont.)

Best products for environment and your health are less toxic and less persistent

Dispose of unwanted pesticides through the Household Hazardous Waste Program

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Reduce Formaldehyde ExposureUse “exterior-grade” pressed wood productsProvide adequate ventilation Maintain moderate temperature and humidity

levels Use materials not containing formaldehyde

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How do you make your home healthy?

Educate yourselfInvestigate and researchMake lifestyle change

Be careful what you buyUse natural forms of pest controlUse less toxic cleaning productsBuy curtains, carpets, furniture or

electronics free of PBDEs Choose products free of suspect

chemicals

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Resourceshttp://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/

Virtual tour of house looking at chemicals

http://www.healthychild.com/database/guide_to_safer_cleaners_and_disinfectants.htmThe cleaner can be more dangerous than the

things we are trying to clean up

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Resourceshttp://www.acereport.org/cleaners.html

Overview on cleaning chemicals

http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/abstracts/01-336.htmIndoor Air Chemistry: Cleaning Agents, Ozone

and Toxic Air Contaminants

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Resourceswww.vpirg.org/downloads/toxicschools.doc

Toxic Chemical Exposure in Schools: Our Children At Risk

www.fpinva.org/AWMA2005.htmScented Products as Sources of VOCs:

Implications for Susceptible Populations