Microshield IAQ

Indoor Air Hazards Every Homeowner Should Know About...

Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes is a national consumer education program concerned with improving the quality of indoor air in homes. The program offers nationwide education through state program managers and the development and distribution of educational resources, as well as a network of over 3000 county Cooperative Extension Service offices.

• The goal of Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes is to educate consumers about sources, health risks and control measures related to common residential indoor air problems and help consumers reduce their risks from these problems.
• This program provides awareness of indoor air quality issues such as carbon monoxide and other combustion by-products, radon, secondhand smoke, molds, and other biologicals, formaldehyde, lead and air hazards associated with home remodeling and household products.
• Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes is a partnership program of the Montana State University Extension Housing Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.
• For more details and a list of state program managers, visited the website: www.healthyindoorair.org

If you're like most Americans, you spend much of your time indoors. Have you ever stopped to think about whether the air you're breathing at home is healthy? This booklet can help you identify things in your home that may impact the quality of your indoor air and your health.

Research has found that in some homes across America, the quality of indoor air can be worse than outdoor air.In part, this is because many homes are being built and remodeled tighter.

You don't have to be a building scientist to deal with the quality of air in your home, However, you should understand a few basics to get you started. The "Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes" project was developed to provide basic but comprehensive information to consumers to get a handle on indoor air quality.

A major hazard is MISINFORMATION. Be informed. Request more information by contacting the resources listed on the back of this booklet.

Signs of Possible Home Indoor Air Quality Problem:

• Unusual and noticeable odors, stale or stuffy air
• unusual and noticeable odors, stale or stuffy air
• noticeable lack of air movement
• dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment
• damaged flue pipes or chimneys
• excessive humidity or condensation
• tightly constructed or remodeled home
• presence of molds
• health reaction when inside the home, especially after remodeling, weatherizing, installing new furniture, using household or hobby products or moving into a new home.
• feeling noticeably healthier outside the home

Indoor air hazards you should know about:
	Biological Pollutants (like molds, animal dander, cockroaches, and dust mites). Sources include excessive humidity levels, poorly-maintained humidifiers and air-conditioners, inadequate ventilation and animal dander.
	Unhealthy Remodeling By-products. Sources include materials such as: asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, and other hazardous materials disturbed during remodeling activities.
	Combustion products including carbon monoxide. Sources include excessive humidity levels, poorly-maintained humidifiers and air-conditioners, inadequate ventilation and animal dander.
	Lead Dust Sources include lead-based paint dust from removing paint by sanding, scraping and burning.
	Secondhand smoke Sources include sidestream and exhaled smoke from burning tobacco products.
	Radon This is a radioactive gas from soil and rock beneath and around the foundation, ground water wells and some building materials.
	Household Products: How to safely choose and use Sources include cleaning products, paints, air fresheners, hobby supplies, dry cleaned clothing, acrosol sprays, adhesives that contain formaldehyde, and fabric additives used in carpeting and furniture.
	Asthma triggers include secondhand smoke, dust, mites, pets, molds and pests such as cockroaches and rodents.