Even though we all like to spend time outdoors, work, school and home duties keep us inside most of the time. In fact, research from the American Lung Association shows that people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors.
The safety of indoor environments is an important health issue because contaminants such as radon, carbon monoxide and lead can pose significant health risks. The key to avoiding these health risks is educating yourself about potential hazards and making personal choices to lower your chance of exposure.
The major sources of risk associated with indoor environments are radon, chemicals emitted by items inside the home, and lead. In the workplace, workers are protected from these and other pollutants by federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Adm inistration (OSHA) standards. However, when at home, most people never think twice about how they use or store materials that potentially could have damaging health effects.
RADON
Radon is a naturally occurring gas which is odorless and colorless. It is released when uranium in rock or soil under a home breaks down. When radon becomes trapped inside the home, it creates a health risk for occupants. The major health threat from r
adon is lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon exposure causes around 14,000 deaths per year.
Because of the limestone geology of Tennessee, there are many areas of the state with naturally high radon levels. There are a variety of tests which are simple to conduct that detect radon levels higher than 4 picocuries per liter (pc/L), EPA’s recommen
ded level for corrective action. Call the Tennessee Radon Program at 1-800-232-1139 for more information.
CHEMICALS
Often household items are a source of chemical emissions into the air. Improperly installed or vented gas appliances, fireplaces and wood stoves can emit nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide fumes. Particleboard, paneling, carpet and upholstery can emit
formaldehyde. Chemicals used in cleaning agents, paint, pesticides and other household products can also have detrimental effects. The keys to prevention? Read the directions on products and follow directions. Open windows in your home when using che
micals or when you buy a new piece of furniture or carpet.
LEAD
Exposure to lead is a very serious concern, especially for children and expectant mothers. Lead poisoning, caused by prolonged exposure or one severe exposure to lead, can cause a variety of health consequences including headaches, nausea and even death.
Although its harmful effects cannot be reversed, lead poisoning is preventable.
Removal of lead from gasoline caused a dramatic decline in blood lead levels in U.S. citizens, as did the removal of lead from the solder used in canned food and copper water pipe installation. Now the main avenue for exposure to lead is through inhaling or ingesting lead-based paint. Even though lead-based paint has not been marketed since the late 1970s, old layers of lead-based paint in homes and buildings can chip or peel and pose a risk. Lead-based paint must be carefully removed, as inhaling lead -based paint dust is a very serious exposure pathway.
Tennessee is developing a training and certification program for lead-based paint abatement professionals to ensure that paint removal is performed properly. If done improperly, lead-based paint removal can create a greater hazard than leaving the paint
alone.