Healthy Homes Overview Introduction

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course you will:  Recall the relationship between health and housing  Apply the seven principles of a healthy home  Determine the role that education plays in a healthy home inspection  Examine the role that dust plays in children’s health

Learning Outcomes  Recall why an integrated approach to a healthy home is essential  Determine why children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to health threats in the home?

Housing and Health  People may spend 80-90% of their time indoors  The relationship between housing and health has been acknowledged for decades  Housing quality has explained 25% of the variability in health status in urban environments  The built environment can be an agent for health or illness

Medical Conditions Related to the Built Environment  Asthma  Allergies  Neurologic conditions  Behavior disturbance  Learning disabilities  Cancer  Injuries  Poisoning

Healthy Homes Hazards  Lead  Asthma/Asthma triggers  Allergens  Mold  Insects  Rodents  Tobacco smoke  Moisture  Noise  Asbestos

Healthy Homes Hazards  Radon  Ventilation  Sewage backup  Combustion by-products (CO)  Drinking water contamination  Toxic chemicals Each of the above is important in its own right. Attempting to address each and every one independently would be unworkable as most are related.

Healthy Homes Hazards Most common injuries in the home:  Falls  Poisonings  Fires  Burns  Choking  Suffocation

Sensitive Receptors  Children  Greater amount of time spent indoors  Still developing  Hand-to-mouth activity  Curiosity

Sensitive Receptors  Seniors  Greater amount of time spent indoors  Respiratory problems easily triggered  Falls  Heat/Cold

Healthy Homes Issues  Moisture ▪ Lead poisoning may be caused by deteriorated paint. The cause of the deteriorated paint may be excessive moisture. ▪ Excessive moisture can lead to mold growth, higher concentrations of dust mites, cockroach infestation, asthma and allergen sensitization, and structural defects.

Healthy Homes Issues  Dust Control  Dust is the principal pathway through which children are exposed to lead-based paint and mold.  Dust is also an exposure route for allergens, dust mites, and some pesticides.  In young children, transmission occurs principally through hand-to-mouth contact.

Healthy Homes Issues  Improving Air Quality  Ventilation can either be a problem or an intervention.  Proper ventilation supplies adequate oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, pollutants, and allergens.

Healthy Homes Issues  Improving Air Quality  In some climates, increasing ventilation can result in increased moisture problems.  Poorly designed systems, such as forced-air systems can contribute to dispersal of mold, soil gases, and other contaminates.

Healthy Homes Issues  Education  Education is an important part of most interventions.  Occupant behavior can be modified and can be especially effective in preventing injuries at low costs.

Seven Healthy Homes Principles 1. Dry 2. Clean 3. Ventilated 4. Pest-Free 5. Safe 6. Contaminant- Free 7. Maintained

Compliant Residents  Compliance with the seven principles for healthy homes is critical.  Most people want to live in a dry, clean, pest- free, ventilated, safe, contaminant free and maintained home.  Education is a key component of a healthy home inspection.

American Housing Survey (2005)  Participants were asked to rate their homes (1 to 10; 10 being the best)  53% of rated homes were above eight and had severe problems  13% of participants living in poverty rated their home as a one

Summary: Functions of a Healthy Home  Protect from unwanted guests (humans, animals, insects)  Protect from extreme temperatures by heating/cooling  Protect from wind, sun, rain, sleet, snow, and dust  Provide ventilation  Control humidity