Good Health Starts at Home Lesson Guide Indoor Air Quality Segment Time Full length: 1 to 1.5 hours For a shorter lesson (20 to 30 minutes) o Omit showing the DVD segments on Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment o Select a couple of demonstration activities (e.g., show samples of ways to control biological contaminants) o Do an overview of the IAQ issues and focus on action steps Purpose To provide knowledge of the causes of poor indoor air quality and provide identification of actions to detect and correct indoor air pollutants. Audience General consumer audience Learning Objectives Participants will accomplish the following: Knowledge: o Recognize that most people in the U.S. spend over 90% of their time indoors o Indoor pollutants can be 2 to 5 times greater than outdoor pollutants and young children are at greater risk to pollutants Comprehension: o Identify sources of indoor air pollutants in the home Application: o List actions that can be taken to improve indoor air quality in the home: e.g., installing carbon monoxide detectors, testing for radon, preventing and cleaning up mold, improving home ventilation, controlling asthma and 1
Transcript
Good Health Starts at HomeLesson Guide
Indoor Air Quality
Segment Time Full length: 1 to 1.5 hours For a shorter lesson (20 to 30 minutes)
o Omit showing the DVD segments on Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment
o Select a couple of demonstration activities (e.g., show samples of ways to control biological contaminants)
o Do an overview of the IAQ issues and focus on action steps
Purpose To provide knowledge of the causes of poor indoor air quality and provide identification of actions to detect and correct indoor air pollutants.
Audience General consumer audience
Learning Objectives
Participants will accomplish the following: Knowledge:
o Recognize that most people in the U.S. spend over 90% of their time indoors
o Indoor pollutants can be 2 to 5 times greater than outdoor pollutants and young children are at greater risk to pollutants
Comprehension:o Identify sources of indoor air pollutants in the home
Application:o List actions that can be taken to improve indoor air quality in
the home: e.g., installing carbon monoxide detectors, testing for radon, preventing and cleaning up mold, improving home ventilation, controlling asthma and allergy triggers
o Identify resources for assistance with these topics
Instructor Lesson Materials
Indoor Air Quality Lesson Guide PowerPoint with speaker notes Help Yourself to a Healthy Home (Extension/HUD booklet available in
many languages) order or download from www.HealthyHomesPartnership.net
Publications/handouts of choice (optional—see below for suggestions) Selected materials and supplies for demonstrations and activities (see
below for suggestions) Name tags/tent cards for each student
Retrospective evaluations for each participant Sign-in sheet, pens/pencils for participant Research References (see listed at end)
Participant Materials
Retrospective evaluation Pens/pencils/paper Help Yourself to a Healthy Home book Copy of PowerPoint slides (optional) Other selected publications/resource materials (optional)
Equipment Computer LCD projector and screen Speakers for computer (if showing videos) Extension cord and power strip (plus tape to tape down cords) Microphone (if you are inviting a guest speaker or have a large group) White board or flip chart and markers Internet connection to show videos
Helpful websites
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard control
o www. healthyhomes.hud.gov US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
smokefree.gov U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://smokefree.gov/ready-to-quit
State quitlines; state quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Calling this toll-free number will connect directly to your state quitline. Quitlines feature trained coaches who provide information and help with quitting. Specific services and hours of operation vary from state to state. Contact your state Quitline services for flyers to hand out.
Hometime TV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-3U1pcSIyg
Extended Activity
Radon Action Month (January) Event Planning Guide
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pdfs/nram/event_planning_kit.pdfChildren’s Health Month (October) http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/chm-home.htm
Suggested show and tell demonstration tools(Select most appropriate materials for your audience)
Mold: 2 drinking glasses/water/ice, moisture meter, N-95 particulate respirator mask, dish soap, spray bottle, rubber gloves, goggles (without side vent holes), hygrometer and moisture meter
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Pests: Integrated Pest Management tools: sticky traps, baits, caulks, plastic containers with lids (ex: to store food), boric acid
Combustion by-products:
Carbon monoxide detector Ventilation: 2 HVAC filters: one fiberglass and
one pleated (at least MERV 8), salt, square of toilet paper—to test exhaust fans
Radon Samples of radon test kits (may have sample of short term and long term)
Lead Samples of lead test kits N-100 face mask, 6mil drop cloths, contractor
trash bags, spray bottles with water (to demonstrate lead safe work practices)
Volatile organic compounds
Samples of these (can bring from home if available: pesticides, air fresheners, varnishes, paints, etc.)
To make less toxic cleaning products: empty spray bottles, measuring spoons, measuring cups, vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, etc.
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Preparing for this LessonIndoor Air Quality
Preparing for this lesson
This lesson assumes that an Extension educator will be the speaker. If an alternate facilitator or co-facilitator is used, be certain they have reviewed the material and are clear that Extension is tasked with presenting non-biased material.
Before the training:1. Several weeks in advance:
Determine appropriate training location and time Contact guest speaker(s) at least a month in advance (optional)—if
using, use Guest Speaker Confirmation form. For this subject area, consider asking a radon professional or fire department representative (discuss CO poisoning), for example
Send out notices for the training Order handouts/reference materials/videos
2. At least one week before training: Read the lesson guide and PowerPoint materials; review speaker
notes and add notes if necessary Review handouts/reference materials and supplemental material Make copies of handouts Review the optional activities and assemble show and tell
activity/demonstration tools. Visit a store and purchase demonstration supplies or bring samples from home. See Suggested Materials & Supplies for Demonstrations and Activities.
Download any videos onto your computer
3. Day before training: Assemble snacks/beverages: Drinks, fruit, plates, napkins, etc. Load course materials on computer/thumb drive
4. Day of training Arrive at least 45 minutes in advance Set up computer/LCD projector/check speakers. Tape down cords. Set out references/publications, course materials. Either place on
participants’ tables or place near registration table for students to pick up. Set out registration sign-in list
Set up demonstration tools on table or have in container for easy access
Set up whiteboard/large flipchart
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Presenting the LessonIndoor Air Quality
Important InstructorNotes
Remember to use activities, demonstration of materials, and videos for a variety of teaching tools and to not be too dependent on the PowerPoint slides.
Encourage participation and questions by the participants throughout the presentation. Be interactive with your learners.
Provide personal stories when possible. People sometimes remember better when personal stories are shared either by you or by the participants.
Good visuals will provide guided practice for the learning objectives of the lesson. Activities and demonstration materials can reinforce learning.
The adult learner brings a background of learning and experience that contributes to learning. Many will have experienced some of these home hazards in their own homes.
The purpose of this information is to empower people with knowledge so they will adopt healthy behaviors and to offer practical, low-cost action steps to solve problems.
Emphasize the vulnerability of children for environmental health concerns. These are important concepts to remember:
o Children are not just little adults. Their organs (especially the brain) and immune systems are still developing, especially until about age 6. Their metabolic rates are faster. Pound-per-pound children drink, eat, and breathe more than adults.
o Children’s behaviors keep them closer to the floor—where pollutants may collect.
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Training AgendaIndoor Air Quality
Segment Time Activity Materials
Sign-in and Introductions
10mins
Make sure everyone has signed the sign-in sheet.
Introductions (including yourself) or get-acquainted activity of your choice
Sign-in sheet
Introduction and Objectives
5 Review:Learning Objectives
Knowledge Comprehension Application
Discuss:Children and other populations are vulnerable to environmental pollutants.
Introduce Help Yourself to a Healthy Home book.
PowerPoint slides 1-2
Publication: Help Yourself to a
Healthy Home
Why do we care?
5 Discuss: 90% of time spent indoors Definition of a healthy home Housing conditions can be
linked to health problems
PowerPoint slide 3
Indoor Air Quality and Health Hazards
10 Ask/Discuss: Has anyone ever thought
about if the air inside your home is healthy?
PowerPoint slide 4
10
Demonstration activity:Draw 4 vertical lines on a whiteboard or flip chart to create sections. Then title the sections: Indoor air hazards, health impacts, action steps, resources
Discuss:In the indoor air hazards and health impacts columns: List indoor air pollutants and
health problems caused by these pollutants
At the end of this lesson, refer back to the list and list action steps for each pollutant.
Supplies/demonstration tools: White board or flip
chart and markers
Indoor Air Pollutants
2-5 Discuss:Introduce indoor air pollutants
Discuss:What are the risks? Some pollutants (radon, CO) cannot be seen or smelled.
PowerPoint slides 5-6
Learning Objective: Knowledge
1 Review:Learning objective/knowledge:Indoor air quality is important to health
PowerPoint slide 7
Healthy Home Publications
Review:Help Yourself to a Healthy Home Each chapter of the book
contains information, action steps and resource links
PowerPoint slides 8 - 10
Publications: Help Yourself to a
Healthy Home Tips for Keeping a
Healthy Home Care for Your Air: A
Guide to Indoor Air Quality
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Learning Objectives: Comprehension
1 Review:Comprehension: Identify indoor air pollutants in the home
PowerPoint slide 11
Common air contaminants
20 Discuss:Common indoor air pollutants
Show:Supplies that can be used to lessen IAQ hazards.
Show:Scenes from Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment (optional)
PowerPoint slide 12
DVD/Publication: Healthy Homes:
Assessing Your Indoor Environment Scenes 1-3 home assessment county conducted by an Extension agent
Dust mites
Explain:Dust mites can be an allergy/asthma trigger.
Demonstrate:Tools to reduce dust mites.
Demonstrate:How effective are different HVAC filters in trapping indoor air quality pollutants>Get two HVAC filters: 1 pleated, 1 fiberglass. Sprinkling salt on them. Salt should pour through the fiberglass filter easily—showing that this type doesn’t filter much.
PowerPoint slides 13-16
DVD/Publication: Healthy Homes:
Assessing Your Indoor Environment; Dust mites: Scenes 11, 18
Mold—explain that the key to mold control is moisture control: Keep It Dry
Demonstrate:Moisture meters
Activity:Pour water in a glass and ice water in another glass.
“Both indoor air and outdoor air contains water vapor.Wherever air goes, water vapor goes. When humidair contacts a surface that is cold enough, the watervapor in the air will condense onto that cold surface.” Source: http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P100HF07.PDF?Dockey=P100HF07.PDF
Demonstrate:Toilet paper held to vent. It should be sucked up to vent if vent fan is working properly.
Explain:Soap and water can be used to clean hard, non-porous surfaces
PowerPoint slides 17-19
DVD/Publication: Healthy Homes:
Assessing Your Indoor Environment; Mold: Scenes 4, 10, 17
Mold supplies & demonstration tools: Moisture meter Glass of water plus ice Toilet paper square—
hold up to vent For cleaning up mold:
N-95 face mask, goggles without side vent holes, gloves
Publication A Brief Guide to Mold,
Moisture, and Your Home (also in Spanish)
Pet dander PowerPoint slides 20-21
DVD/Publications: Healthy Homes:
Assessing Your Indoor Environment; Pet dander: Scenes 6, 19
Pet dander supplies & demonstration tools: Microfiber cloths
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Pests and pesticides PowerPoint slides 22-25
DVD/Publications: Healthy Homes:
Assessing Your Indoor Environment; Pests and pesticides: Scenes 12, 17
Pest and pesticidessupplies & demonstration tools: Sticky traps and baits Caulk Plastic containers with
lids (to cover food) Boric acid
Publication: Preventing Pests at
Home
Carbon Monoxide
5 Explain:CO is a by-product of all fuel-burning appliances.
Explain:Proper ventilation is important inside homes to prevent build-up of toxic gases—especially those we can’t detect otherwise.
PowerPoint slides 26-27
DVD/Publications: Healthy Homes:
Assessing Your Indoor Environment; Carbon monoxide: Scenes 7, 14
higher than 5 ugm/dL is considered too high—some studies have shown neurobehavioral effects at 5 ugm/dL. However, no level of lead can be considered safe. A doctor or local health center can perform a simple blood test to determine a blood-lead level.
PowerPoint slides 35-39
DVD/Publications: Healthy Homes:
Assessing Your Indoor Environment; Lead: Scenes 9, 15
5-10 Complete chart (you should have columns 1 and 2 completed from earlier in the lesson)
List action steps and resources
PowerPoint slide: 48
Demonstration tool: Whiteboard/flip chart
started on slide 4
Evaluation 5 Administer retrospective evaluation
Retrospective evaluation
Note: Other lessons are available for Lead, Combustion Gases and Home Energy IAQ issuesPrepared by Laura Booth, Healthy Homes Partnership Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University. April 2014.
Sample News Release or Radio SpotIndoor Air Quality
Most people spend over 90% of their time indoors. However, did you know that indoor air pollution can be 2-5 times greater than outdoor air pollution? Very young children and older adults may be even more sensitive to indoor environmental pollutants. Indoor air pollution can be lots of things—from radon to cigarette smoke to mold. Is the air in your home healthy? There are steps and resources that can help us have good indoor air quality.
(Agency name) is sponsoring a program at (time) on (date) at (location). This program covers indoor air quality. The program will address hazards such as asthma triggers, mold, carbon monoxide, radon, asbestos, and home ventilation. Additional helpful resources will be given. For more information or to register for the program call or email (agency name) at (phone number) or (email address).
January is Radon Action Month
Download the Event Planning Kit: http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram/
Exposure to radon gas causes more than 20,000 deaths annually and it is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The challenge is that we can’t see, smell, or taste it, so it’s easy to forget that radon may be a problem in any home, school, or building in the country. The potential exists to double the lives saved from radon exposure over five years. To protect the lives of all Americans, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated January as National Radon Action Month. This is a great opportunity to increase awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radon-resistant new construction practices.
EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment requires us to continue to pay special attention to the vulnerabilities of children, and especially to children living in disadvantaged communities. Children are more affected by pollution than adults for many reasons. They are smaller, their organ systems are still developing, their play and learning behaviors expose them to additional environmental threats. In October and throughout the year, we will work with parents, teachers, and health providers to promote healthy environments where children live, learn and play.
Guest Speaker Confirmation Form:Indoor Air Quality
Speaker:
Today’s Date:
Presentation Date & Time:
Location:
Location Directions:
# Of Expected Participants:
General Audience:
Background: The indoor air quality workshop you are speaking at provides consumers with information on how to improve indoor air quality. Your experiences may help people to understand one or more of the following: better ventilation, how to control radon, how to use integrated pest management, how to prevent and clean up mold, etc. Please share information that will help those with indoor air quality concerns to take action steps so they can have a healthy indoor environment.
Thank you language:
Other info: Please let the workshop coordinator know of any audiovisual equipment or other needs you might have at least 2 business days prior to the presentation.
Indoor air quality workshop coordinator contact info:
Thank you for agreeing to share your expertise on indoor air quality.
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Indoor Air Quality
References:
American Lung Association, Epidemiology & Statistics Unit, Research and Program Services. (September, 2012). Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality. Retrieved from http://www.lungusa.org/finding-cures/our-research/trend-reports/asthma-trend-report.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2006). Healthy Housing Reference Manual. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/housing.htmhttp://www.iom.edu/Reports/2004/Damp-Indoor-Spaces-and-Health.aspx
Institute of Medicine (2004). Damp indoor spaces and health, Institute of Medicine. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.There is evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and mold and health: upper respiratory symptoms, cough, wheezing, asthma in sensitized people.
Institute of Medicine. (2000). Clearing The Air: Asthma And Indoor Air Exposures, Institute of Medicine. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2000/Clearing-the-Air-Asthma-and-Indoor-Air-Exposures.aspxThere is an association between biological and chemical exposures in the home (dust mites, cat dander, cockroaches, secondhand smoke) for causing asthma to develop and the exacerbation of asthma. This is key to the effort in education about the effect of housing on health.
Surgeon General: The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Healthy Homes: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/healthyhomes/index.html
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action. (2013). http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/advhhGoal Four: Educate the Public about Healthy Homes. The Strategy promotes adoption of a public communications campaign to help people connect the dots between their health and their home.
