INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Is there a problem with your indoor air quality?

If yes, what health effects are you experiencing?

• Symptoms, e.g. nausea, eye irritation, burning or stinging eyes, respiratory problems, nasal congestion or runny nose, dizziness, headache.
• In which room or rooms do these symptoms usually occur?
• Do you feel better after leaving the suspected area?
• At what time of the day do these symptoms usually occur?
• Are there any new events, changes or hobbies in your home environment that began within a month of the start of your symptoms, e.g. new carpeting, new construction, or renovation, addition of gas heating, cooking, clothes dryer, fireplace, appliances, flood damage, house cleaning, insulation, large purchases, new pet or plant addition?

Diagnostic indoor air quality testing is available for relative humidity, home ventilation or breathability, carbon monoxide, ammonia, sewer and appliance exhaust gases. Call the health department to arrange for a visit by an environmental health specialist. (608) 355-3290.

SPECIFIC INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS

Ten things to consider:

1. Lead

   If you live in an older home and have peeling paint, especially on accessible high friction areas such as windows that open and close, doorsteps, stairways, floors in play areas, there may be a lead hazard present. Ingested lead is very toxic to infants under six years of age and may cause long lasting adverse health effects including problems with learning, growth and behavior. Call the health department for an assessment by a certified lead hazard investigator to determine if a lead hazard is present and receive advice on how to safely remedy the situation. (608) 355-3290.

2. Asbestos

   Unless you know the composition, ceiling, floor tiles, duct insulation wrap, siding, shingles, mastic and any other suspect material should be analyzed for asbestos before removing them. If you think you might have a problem with asbestos, consider the following:

   • Is it asbestos? To be sure, samples should be tested by the State Occupational Health Lab. Call (608) 263-6550 for information how to submit a sample for testing.
   • Was your home built before 1975?
   • What is the location of the problem?
   • What is the condition of the material?

   Exposure to asbestos fibers increases your change of developing cancer. Call the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Air Management for information on how to safely remove or control any asbestos found in your home. (608) 266-3658. Demolitions and commercial building renovations are strictly regulated and must be pre-inspected by a certified asbestos inspector.

3. Radon

   Radon is a potential hazard for many Wisconsin homes. While it does not cause short-term health effects, it can increase the risk of lung cancer, especially for smokers. If you think you might have a problem, call the Health Department about purchasing a test kit for a nominal fee. (608) 355-3290. High radon levels can be reduced by mitigation methods employed by a Radon mitigation contractor. Make sure they are certified and it is advised to check for references.

4. Mold

   Should I be concerned about mold in my home? Yes, if the contamination is extensive. When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they can cause allergic reactions, asthmatic episodes, respiratory infections and other health problems including weakened immune system. Severe mold infestations can also cause structural damage to your home resulting in expensive repairs and ruined valuables. Surface mold can be spot cleaned with a bleach solution. Mold problems are commonly caused by water infiltration due to flooded basements and leaky roofs, sometimes also by bad habits. Be sure to run your bathroom exhaust fan for awhile after showering to dry the air. Be sure your washer and dryer are vented to the outside. Keep fuel burning appliances and cooking area well ventilated. Place a dehumidifier in rooms where moisture condenses on windows and it's a good idea to use one in a damp basement. Moisture will condense on cold surfaces so keeping the air warm will help prevent that. Remember to keep your dehumidifier clean so it doesn't spread airborne contaminants. Mold thrives in humid, moist environments and can grow on just about anything but especially woody material. It is vitally important to make sure your home is kept free of any water intrusion problems such as a poorly designed basement drainage, foundation landscaping or roof system. Neglect a water and mold problem, you're asking for trouble! Call the Health Department to arrange for a sanitarian to perform a walk through inspection and advice how to correct your mold problem. (608) 355-3290.
   There is helpful information on dealing with human health hazards associated with mold from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Environmental Health/mold website.
   
   Local Mold Remediation Contractor List:
   
   A & J Specialty Services -
   Location: Deforest, WI
   Phone: 1-800-727-8990
   
   Health Hazard Specialist
   Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI
   Phone: 1-608-678-0283
   
   Wonewoc Environmental
   Location: Wonewoc, WI
   Phone: 1-608-464-3323
   
   Johnson and Son Weatherization
   Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI
   Phone: 1-608-524-2880
   
   A & A Environmental
   Location: Poynette, WI
   Phone: 1-608-576-4960
   

5. Carbon Monoxide

   Carbon monoxide is produced by burning fuel. Therefore, any fuel-burning appliance in your home is a potential CO source. When appliances are kept in good working condition, they produce little CO. Improperly operating appliances can produce fatal CO concentrations in your home. Make sure appliances are installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and local building codes. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation.

   Never....

   • Operate an unvented gas-burning appliance in a closed room or room in which you are sleeping.
   • Leave a car running in a garage, even with the door open.
   • Install or service combustion appliances without proper knowledge, skills and tools.
   • Use a gas oven, range or dryer for heating.
   • Use a charcoal grill indoors.
   • Use a carbon monoxide detector as an excuse to allow for one of the above!

   Check for....

   • Proper venting of furnace, water heater and clothes dryer
   • Loose or missing furnace panel
   • Internal appliance damage or malfunctioning components
   • Improper burner adjustment
   • Hidden blockage or damage in chimneys
   • Sooting
   • Chronic headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, drowsiness
     

6. Cleaners and Solvents:

   • Do you frequently use cleaning products, e.g. oven cleaners, disinfectants, home cleaners in aerosol spray form, tub and tile cleanser, carpet, floor and furniture cleaners, kitchen cleaners, stain removers, etc.?
   • Do you frequently use solvents in your home, e.g. wood stains, furniture polish, paint stripper, turpentine, artist paints, model or household glue, etc.? Are they stored in your home?
   • What is the condition of the container of your cleaning products or solvents? Are there any holes, leakages, or rusting? Many of these products have been linked to short-term health problems, such as nausea or dizziness with just brief exposure. Continued exposure may lead to more serious problems. For proper disposal of unused cleaners and solvents, call the Sauk County Recycling/Solid Waste Facility at (608) 524-6515. Many of these chemicals may be brought free of charge to the Sauk County clean sweep held annually in the fall.
   • There are several natural cleaners that are much safer to use that can be used in place of commercially manufactured, highly toxic products. These natural cleaners are relatively inexpensive and easy to prepare but still effective when combined with some good elbow grease! Call the Health Department for further information. (608) 355-3290.
     

7. Pesticides:

   • Do you store pesticides (e.g., rodent baits), herbicides (e.g., weed killer), or insecticides (e.g., bug killer) in your house?
   • Do you keep them stored properly in closed, leak-proof containers in closed cabinets or enclosures?
   • Do you frequently use pesticides indoors on pets, house plants or insects? Pesticides are poisons. More than occasional use of pesticides in your home and surrounding area may cause acute respiratory problems and lead to more serious problems with internal systems and possibly cancer. If you are experiencing health problems you suspect are associated with pesticides, consult your physician or local health professional as soon as possible.
     

8. House Dust and Biological Contaminants:

   A multitude of unhealthy things such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, allergens, animal dander, mold spores and dust mites can cling to dust particles and enter your body along with them as they are breathed in and may cause a variety of adverse health effects such as asthma and respiratory problems especially in the very young, elderly and sensitive individuals. In addition, unsanitary conditions will attract rodents and nuisance insects that may spread disease. Bugs, rodents and mold all need a moist environment to thrive. Keeping your home environment dry and clean will help prevent these nuisances from taking hold!

   • Do home occupants have hobbies that create dust?
   • Is good housekeeping regularly maintained?
   • Are there any water leaks from pipes under the sink or elsewhere?
   • Are dirty dishes left piled in the sink or on the counter?
   • Is food kept properly stored in airtight containers and closed cabinets?
   • Are floors, tables, counters and furniture kept free of food scraps and crumbs?
   • Do you ever use a humidifier or vaporizer in the house? Is the water cleaned each time you use it?
     Your humidifier may become a germ spreader if not kept clean!
   • Is your carpeting kept cleaned and dried? Dirty, wet carpets are bad news!
   • Does your home have moisture or water problems?
   • Is your home kept well ventilated?
   • Is firewood stored indoors? It may bring in bugs and mold with it!
   • Do you burn only clean, untreated dry wood in your wood stove? Burning trash releases toxins!
   • Do you have a lot of indoor plants? Plants produce moisture, attract bugs and mold.
   • Do any furry pets live indoors? Are they cleaned regularly and kept free of any parasites such as fleas and ticks?
   • If you have a furnace do you use a good quality, small pore filter for it and change it regularly?
   • Do you burn candles? Candles emit airborne soot particles that add to the dust load.
     

9. Pets:

   Urine and feces from pets on floors, carpets and furniture may cause a serious air contamination problem with ammonia which can be highly toxic in strong concentrations that sometimes develop when cat and dog populations are excessive in the home. When this condition exists it causes extreme irritation to the eyes and respiratory system and can even make the home unsuitable for young children, not to mention the terrible smell!

   Other popular pets such as birds, amphibians, reptiles and rodents such as hamsters, rabbits or even mice and rats can spread disease such as salmonella in their droppings, especially if their cages are not kept clean!

10. Ventilation:

    As homes become more and more airtight either by new construction or renovation to make them more energy efficient, more air pollutants are subsequently trapped inside the home and inhaled by the occupants causing a variety of health problems, especially asthma and respiratory tract infection or irritation.

    Perhaps the very best thing you can do to improve the indoor air quality of your home is to make sure it is well ventilated. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways and for a cost that fits all budgets. Simply opening a window or two on each end of the home to allow for a natural outside air flow through it can greatly improve the air quality. Even just a fraction of an inch opening can provide dramatic improvement for not much additional heating or air conditioning costs. Window fans exhausting home air to the outdoors works even better. A dehumidifier in the basement is a good idea to help remove moisture that causes mildew and mustiness. A whole house air system such as an air exchanger can continually bring the correct amount of fresh air into the home and expel stale air out of the home while maintaining temperature and moisture balance with costs typically about $1000.

    Heat recovery ventilators (HRV's) are the best way to counterbalance air tightness in new homes. HRV's use the heat from the air they expel to heat the new air they carry into the house, thus reducing energy consumption. They also filter the new air before circulating it through the house which further improves indoor air quality by removing contaminants from the air you breathe. The cost of these systems range from $1500 to $3000.