2012 DISTRICT LESSON

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF HEALTHY HOUSING

KEEP IT CONTA

MINANT-FREE

CECP CORE COMPETENCIES: Housing and EnvironmentCooperative Extension Curriculum Project:“The initial focus is curriculum for professional development competencies. The intent of the project is to increase the breadth and quality of training while using human and financial resources more efficiently.”

These are just some essential concepts that apply to Keep it Contaminant-Free.Household Cleaning• The importance of routine household cleaning.• The basic properties of common household cleaners (e.g., bleaches,

detergents, disinfectants).• Ways to maintain and care for household surfaces and materials (e.g.,

flooring, cabinetry, counters).• The safety guidelines and caution labels associated with household

cleaning products.Indoor Air Quality - General•The most common indoor environmental contaminants. •Sources of indoor environmental contaminants. • How indoor air quality relates to human health and safety.

http://srpln.msstate.edu/cecp/resources/core_fcs.htm

SEVEN STEPS TO A HEALTHY HOME1. Keep it Dry2. Keep it Clean 3. Keep it Safe 4. Keep it Well-Ventilated 5. Keep it Pest-free 6. Keep it Contaminant-free 7. Keep it Well-Maintained

Why do we care?Keeping a home contaminant-free can reduce allergens and irritants, help prevent harm, and make you happy!

Just some contaminants include lead, radon, environmental tobacco smoke, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, pests, etc.

KEEP IT CONTAMINANT-FREE: LEAD• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

has changed the blood lead level from 10 micrograms per deciliter to 5.

Why should we care about CDC changing lead levels?• This is the first time in 20 years that CDC has changed the

definition of lead poisoning.• 5 micrograms per liter = very small amount. Very small

amounts can do great harm.• Lead is a neurotoxin, and can affect everything from the ability

to pay attention to death.• Lead poisoning is preventable.• The only way to know if someone has elevated blood lead

levels is to test. 

KEEP IT CONTAMINANT-FREE

Photo: Oklahoma State Department of Health

Reduce lead-related hazards in pre-1978 homes by fixing deteriorated paint and keeping floors and window areas clean using a wet-cleaning approach

• What else contains lead?

• Lots and lots of consumer goods

• http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/haz.aspx

• Watch for stuff in resale shops …

KEEP IT CONTAMINANT-FREE: LEAD

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids.

• VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.

VOCS

• Control the source

• Ventilate• Make

thoughtful purchases

KEEP IT CONTAMINANT-FREE: VOCs

• Test your home for radon, a naturally occurring dangerous gas that enters homes through soil, crawlspaces, and foundation cracks.

• Install a radon removal system if levels above the EPA action-level are detected.

KEEP IT CONTAMINANT-FREE: RADON

• ORANGE = a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 picocuries per liter (moderate potential )

• YELLOW = a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 picocuries per liter (low potential)

KEEP IT CONTAMINANT-FREEradon map of Oklahoma

Map: US Environmental Protection Agency

• Many common household cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

• Reduce VOCs by making your own fragrant kitchen cleaner.

ACTIVITY

TOOLFRAGRANT KITCHEN CLEANSER 2 tbsp. white vinegar 2 pints water 4 drops essential oil (lavender, tea tree oil, lemon,

lemongrass, or rosemary)

Combine ingredients in spray bottle and use as a final rinse after cleaning kitchen surfaces. Store in a cool, dark place.

Recipe taken from the University of GeorgiaGreen Cleaning curriculum

THANK YOU!Keep it contaminant-free

This is a photo of Gina Peek using an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine to test the lead content of the necklace she was wearing. The necklace’s lead

content = 50%!