- What is outdoors can come indoors.
- Naturally occurring contaminants in air and soil
- Pollution-related contaminants in air and soils
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- Naturally occurring contaminants in air and soil
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold spores
- Radon
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- Pollution-related contaminants in air and soils
- Ground-level ozone
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur and nitrogen oxides
- Soil chemical vapor intrusion (think Love Canal)
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- Exterior maintenance
- Landscaping
- Irrigation
- Pesticides
- Pruning trees and shrubs
- Animals
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- Remove detritus from roof
- Keep roof drains clear
- Direct draining water away from house
- Check roof penetration mastics for cracking and deterioration
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- Check caulking around windows and doors.
- Replace broken glazing
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- Irrigation
- Do not over water
- Prevent sprinkler from spraying on house
- Do not put planters against house
- Slope of landscaping away from house
- Keep hose bibs in good repair—don’t let water drip down side of house
- Prune trees and shrubs away from house
- Clean up after animals, both pets and pests
- Use caution with pesticides
- Do not plant vines to grow up the side of your house
- Some vines can actually grow through the mortar of brick/block homes
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- Pigeons, starlings, crows, etc.
- Over 60 diseases are attributed to birds
- Routes of exposure include:
- Food and water
- Inhalation of contaminated dust
- Transference by parasites (fleas, ticks, mites & other ectoparasites). Direct contact with feces.
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- Don’t store gasoline indoors, or near pilot lights
- Annually inspect water sources
- Do not block garage passive vents
- Use caution with storage of cleaning chemicals, paint, and other VOC’s in garage
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- Gas water heaters should be elevated off the ground
- Make sure the gas water heater exhaust system is in place and unobstructed.
- Check electric water heaters heating elements
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- Inspect water sources
- Fridge ice maker
- Under sinks
- dish washer
- RO system
- Repair water leaks immediately!
- Do not keep a bucket under leak
- Run your exhaust fan while in the kitchen
- Do not put food items in your trash compactor
- Enclose food that gets moldy, such as an orange in the bottom of the fruit bowl
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What is Wet?
What is Wet?
What is Wet?
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- Inspect water sources:
- Under sinks
- Tubs
- Toilets
- Water supply line
- Wax ring
- Don’t carpet your bathroom, particularly at the sink, tub, and shower.
- Run the water periodically in unused drains.
- Keeps sewer gasses and bugs out
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- Dust mites live in pillows, mattresses
- Burning candles
- Increase particulates in air
- Scented candles can increase VOCs
- Candles can cause "ghosting"
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- Carpet and pressed wood furniture
- Keep it clean
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- Vacuum with High Efficiency Filters (True HEPA is best technology)
- Central Vacuum is better when it exhausts outdoors (also a hearing conservation bonus)
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- Inspect water sources:
- behind wash machine
- behind dryer
- under utility sink
- Run your exhaust fan
- Secure the washing machine drain line so it will not jump out of the drain.
- Do not exhaust dryer vents into the garage or the attic
- Make sure vent is free of lint build-up
- Do not block or cover vent
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- HVAC
- Keep air handlers clean and free of debris build-up
- Replace filters
- Make sure filters are right size
- Check condensate pans and drains
- Don’t let water pool beneath drain
- Don’t let water run down side of house
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- Confirm ducts are connected
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- Do not block heat exchangers (compressors)
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- Clean out pet water bowl
- Check for shrimp left in cupboards
- Cracks and leaks in sewer lines
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- Wash their stuffed animals and pillows in hot, hot water and dry in heated dryer.
- These harbor dust mites and other allergens
- Clean home to remove pet dander
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- When you eat it or breath it, asbestos is bad.
- When you eat it, you can get diseases like gastrointestinal cancer.
- When you breath it, you can get diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer
- Popcorn ceiling
- Asbestos containing duct tape
- Drywall & joint compound
- Plaster & stucco
- Vinyl floor tiles, floor sheeting & adhesives
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- If a home was built before 1978, then assume there is lead-based paint.
- Use caution remodeling.
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- Anemia
- Impotence
- Nervous system damage
- Hearing impairment
- Impaired mental function
- Appetite loss
- Abdominal pain Constipation
- Fatigue
- Sleeplessness
- Irritability
- Headache
- Renal (Kidney) failure
- Miscarriages & stillbirt
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- Potentially dealing with a regulated material:
- When need issues documented as well as questions answered
- Seller’s disclosure statements
- Potential health exposures
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- They may use personal protection equipment when in your home
- Don’t freak out when you see him/her putting on a respirator, disposable coveralls and gloves
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