1. A Safe and Healthy Child Care Indoor Environment “It is the policy of the University of Maryland, Agriculture Experiment Station and Maryland Cooperative Extension, that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on thro grounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.”

2. A Safe and Healthy Indoor Child Care Environment Jean Austin & Lynn Little Family and Consumer Science Educators Maryland Cooperative Extension

3. Compared to adults- Kids are more sensitive to pollutants Per body weight, kids eat, breathe more Toxins can disrupt important developmental steps Why be concerned?

4. Today’s goals: Discuss pollutants Sources Easy ways to fix

5. INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS What are they? Biological Contaminants Radon Combustion Products Volatile Organic Compounds Lead Household Chemicals Mold Dust & Pet Dander Pests Carbon monoxide Environmental Tobacco Smoke

6. Is your family breathing bad air?

7. Combustion products Carbon Monoxide

8. Combustion Products

9. COMBUSTION AIR CONCEPTS INFILTRATION COMBUSTION APPLIANCE VENT AIR EXHAUST FUMES COMBUSTION AIR

10. What Can Be Done to Prevent CO Poisoning? Ensure that appliances are properly adjusted and working to manufacturers’ instructions and local building codes. Obtain annual inspections for heating system, chimneys, and flues and have them cleaned by a qualified technician.

11. What Can Be Done to Prevent CO Poisoning? Open flues when fireplaces are in use. Do not use ovens and gas ranges to heat your home.

12. What Can Be Done to Prevent CO Poisoning? Make sure stoves and heaters are vented to the outside and that exhaust systems do not leak. Do not use unvented gas or kerosene space heaters in enclosed spaces. Never leave a car or lawn mower engine running in a shed or garage, or in any enclosed space.

13. What Can Be Done to Prevent CO Poisoning? Make sure your furnace has adequate intake of outside air. Do not burn charcoal inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle, or camper. Install a CO Detector

14. What If I Have Carbon Monoxide Poisoning? Don’t ignore symptoms, especially if more than one person is feeling them. If you think you are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, you should: –Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows. Turn off combustion appliances and leave the house. Call 911. –Go to an emergency room. Be sure to tell the physician that you suspect CO poisoning.

15. environmental Tobacco Smoke Also called secondhand smoke Secondhand smoke is both exhaled mainstream smoke from smokers and sidestream smoke from the end of cigarette, cigar, or pipe

16. Environmental Tobacco Smoke Don’t smoke Take it outside Never smoke around kids

17. http://www.epa.gov/smokefre/pledge/

18. Radon The natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water Gets into the air you breathe. You can’t see, taste or smell radon, but it may be a problem in your home.

19. Where is radon found? It moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem: new and old homes, well- sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

20. How can you check for radon? Short-term or long term radon test. A long-term test more likely to estimate your home’s year-round average radon level. If the level is above 4 pCi/L, information about corrective measures is included with the results.

21. How do you fix radon problems? Seal cracks in basement floors and walls with polyurethane caulk. Vent gas through the roof

22. Keys to a Safe and Healthy Indoor Child Care Environment Keep It Ventilated

23. Mold Micro-organisms that can grow nearly anywhere there is moisture. Needs moisture, food source and warmth to grow

24. Mold Solve and repair home maintenance issues that create moisture. Kill mold with dilute bleach. Large areas may cause serious health problems. Get professional help.

25. Where is the moisture?

26. EXHAUSTING AIR AND MOISTURE FROM KITCHEN, BATHROOM, AND LAUNDRY Stove Exhaust Fan Bathroom Ventilation Clothes Dryer

27. Keys to a Safe and Healthy Indoor Child Care Environment Keep It Dry Keep It Clean Keep It Ventilated

28. Some Asthma Triggers Dust Dust Mites Pests (roaches) Rodents Pet Dander

29. Lead Poisoning Sources: Old paint Contaminated outdoor soils Many other sources Health Effects: High doses; Organ damage Convulsions, death Low doses; Delayed development Learning disorders

30. Lead, Old Paint Indoors Fix peeling paint- Do not dry scrape or dry sand! Use damp method to mop, dust. Wash kids’ hands!

31. Lead, Old Paint- Outdoors Cover bare soil (grass) Use doormat

32. Minimize Exposure to Lead in Your Home Thoroughly clean furniture, carpets, and draperies to remove settled dust and dirt: – frequent vacuuming –steam cleaning

33. Minimize Exposure to Lead Hose off sidewalks, porches, and steps often so that lead- containing soil or dust isn’t tracked into the house Periodically clean doormats to reduce tracking dirt and soil into the home.

34. Keys to a Safe and Healthy Indoor Child Care Environment Keep It Dry Keep It Clean Keep It Pest-Free Keep It Ventilated

35. Household Products Read labels, follow directions. Don’t use more than necessary. Clean when kids are not present Don’t overuse disinfectants http://householdproducts.nim.nih.gov/products.htm

37. Pesticides Read labels, follow directions. Don’t use more than necessary. Think about other ways to control pests. (Integrated Pest Management- IPM)

38. benzene styrene xylene Tetrachloro- ethylene P-dicholoro- benzene Methylene chloride VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

39. Common sources of VOCs: Paints Strippers and other solvents Aerosol sprays Cleansers & disinfectants Moth repellents Air fresheners Stored fuels Automotive products Hobby supplies Dry-cleaned clothing

40. FORMALDEHYDE Pressed wood products Furniture Combustion sources Draperies Glues

41. REDUCE EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE Exterior grade wood products Control humidity levels Avoid products with formaldehyde

42. Keys to a Safe and Healthy Indoor Child Care Environment Keep It Dry Keep It Clean Keep It Pest-Free Keep It Ventilated Avoid Contaminants

43. A Safe and Healthy Indoor Child Care Environment “It is the policy of the University of Maryland, Agriculture Experiment Station and Maryland Cooperative Extension, that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on thro grounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.”