1. Mansel A Nelson Tribal Environmental Education Outreach Program Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Northern Arizona University nau.edu/iaqtc

2. Indoor Air in Tribal Communities nau.edu/iaqtc Indoor Air Quality Assessment at Tohono O’Odham Introduction to Our Lungs Healthy Homes Healthy Schools Healthy Communities Special Topics Asthma Radon Mold

3. Our Lungs nau.edu/iaqtc Our lungs are directly connected to the environment. People breath continuously (Breathing is NOT optional) Oxygen & carbon-dioxide pass through very thin walls of alveoli But, any gas (poisonous ones, too) can pass through alveoli walls And, very small particles can also pass through alveoli walls

4. Cardiovascular Connection Gases and small particles distributed widely after entering bloodstream If lungs are not functioning properly, heart must work harder

5. Healthy Homes nau.edu/iaqtc

6. An Ordinary House A Chemical House TVs & Computers Personal Care/Cosmetics Cleaning Products & Pesticides Flooring Furniture Carpeting Furniture Automobile

7. Air Pollution Levels in Homes Pollution inside typical home 2–5x worse than outdoors Levels may be 1,000x background outdoor after various activities Indoor air pollution one of top 5 most-serious environmental risks to public health Fifty percent (50%) of all illnesses traced back to home

8. Sources of Pollutants Average American household uses 40 lbs of chemicals each year Average household stores more than 60 hazardous products Loaded with fragrances and petroleum- distilled chemicals Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

9. Pollutants – Air Fresheners Interfere with ability to smell by way of nerve- deadening agent Coat nasal passages with undetectable oil film Cover up one smell with another (Rarely) break down offensive odor Air fresheners do little to freshen the air

10. Healthy Schools nau.edu/iaqtc Promote a healthy learning environment at your school to reduce absenteeism, improve test scores and enhance student and staff productivity.

11. What are pollutant sources in tribal schools? People - everyone is a source of pollutants Personal care products Students & staff with communicable diseases Radon Classroom pets Excess moisture leading to mold Dry-erase markers and chalk Cleaning materials Odors from paint, caulk, and adhesives Insects and other pests Odors from trash Outdoor pollutants nau.edu/iaqtc

12. What is the EPA IAQ TfS Program? nau.edu/iaqtc IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.htm l G uides & Check lists for: IAQ Coordinator Teachers Administrators Maintenance staff Health staff Video Collection: Action plan Ventilation basics Walk through guide

13. Healthy Communities Improve health in communities related to air quality Reduce exposure to cigarette smoke nau.edu/iaqtc

14. www.nau.edu/eeop Leading Cause of Lung Cancer Smoking is leading cause of lung cancer Causes an estimated 160,000 deaths in the U.S. every year (American Cancer Society, 2004 Harms nearly every bodily organ Causing many diseases, degrades health Estimated 438,000 deaths (nearly 1 of 5 deaths) each year in U.S. More than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined

15. www.nau.edu/eeop Surgeon General Report Second-Hand Smoke Millions of Americans, children and adults, still exposed to second-hand smoke Second-hand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects Cardiovascular system and causes Coronary heart disease Lung cancer

16. www.nau.edu/eeop Surgeon General Report Second-Hand Smoke The scientific evidence indicates there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke

17. www.nau.edu/eeop Surgeon General Report Second-Hand Smoke Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers Following actions DO Not protect nonsmokers Separating smokers from nonsmokers Cleaning the air Ventilating buildings

18. Asthma in Tribal Communities Protecting the health of the next generation. nau.edu/iaqtc 12% of people living in tribal communities Compared to the current national average of 7%. 1 13.0% of American Indian/Alaska Native children Compared to 8.9% of children in the U.S. 2 1 CDC. Surveillance for asthma---United States, 1980--1999. In: CDC Surveillance Summaries (March 29). MMWR 2002;51(No. SS- 1). 2 Asthma Prevalence Among US Children in Underrepresented Minority Populations: American Indian/Alaska Native, Chinese, Filipino, and Asian Indian. Brim, Rudd, Funk, and Callahan. PEDIATRICS: 122(1). July 2008, pp. e217-e222.

19. Asthma Many potential triggers are air pollutants Inflammation of airways Blocking, narrowing airways, mucous nau.edu/iaqtc

20. What makes Asthma Worse? Allergens such as: Dust mites Cockroaches Furred and feathered animals Pollens (grass and trees) Molds (indoor and outdoors) Nitrogen dioxide www.cliver.com

21. nau.edu/iaqtc What makes Asthma Worse? Irritants such as: Environmental tobacco smoke Air pollution including wood smoke Scented products Strong fumes or odors

22. www.nau.edu/eeop Radon Radioactive gas Radon in air is ubiquitous Found in outdoor air and indoor air of buildings of all kinds No known safe level of radon www.radonleaders.org

23. www.nau.edu/eeop Radon “Daughters” Radon, Polonium, Lead, Bismuth, and Polonium have short half-lives Results in several exposures in a short time

24. www.nau.edu/eeop Radon Testing Radon test kits for tribal communities can be ordered online at http://www.nau.edu/iaqtc

25. Radon Mitigation www.nau.edu/eeo p

26. Mold nau.edu/iaqtc

27. Mold Molds live in the soil, on plants, on dead or decaying organic matter Outdoors - breaks down leaves, wood, plant debris Indoors - air pollution and destroys buildings

28. nau.edu/iaqtc Mold Basics - Health People have lots of different reactions to mold Symptoms can include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints Molds can be found almost anywhere

29. nau.edu/iaqtc Mold Basics - Cleaning Mold growth begins within 24-48 hours of getting wet Protect staff and building occupants during cleanup Clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles may need to be replaced cleaningnetwork.com

30. nau.edu/iaqtc Resources from ITEP Air Quality Outreach Program (nau.edu/eeop) Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities (IAQTC) Technical Assistance Web resources (nau.edu/iaqtc) Radon Testing (nau.edu/iaqtc) American Indian Air Quality Training Program (nau.edu/itep)