Keep indoor air clean during the pandemic with tips shared in the webinar

With the new reality of childbirth, teleworking, and the virtual school pandemic, many people are spending more time at home. But does home accommodation have its own risks? On November 12th, hundreds of people tuned in to hear experts talk about what causes poor indoor air quality and how to protect their families.

The webinar series offers participants the unique opportunity to find out about current health knowledge and to ask world-renowned experts specific questions. (Photo Courtesy Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com)

The webinar was the second in NIEHS ' new virtual series on women's health awareness raising : "RealTalk with the Experts".

Packenham said many attendees have raised air quality concerns in their homes since they were incarcerated during the pandemic. (Courtesy photo by Steve McCaw)

"This virtual platform enables us to empower women to become their own health advocates, understand their health options, and identify services and resources that are preventing poor health," said Joan . Packenham, Ph.D., lead organizer . , Director of the NIEHS Office of Human Investigations Compliance.

Hazardous chemicals

Neasha Graves chaired the first session and described how pollutants in the air can negatively affect lung health. He supplemented this information with ways to keep the air in the house clean. Graves is responsible for environmental health awareness at the University of North Carolina Health and Sensitivity Center (UNC).

"From mold and insect repellants to nail polish to animal hair, there are a number of effects on the air quality of consumer products in our daily lives," said Graves. It focused on three causes of poor indoor air quality:

• Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling chemical found in hardboard furniture, carpets, nail polishes, air fresheners, and scented candles. Graves said people can reduce their exposure by making sure their space is well ventilated and by choosing products that are labeled low VOC, which means they have little to no volatile organic compounds.
• Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that is produced by flammable devices. People can protect themselves by installing carbon monoxide detectors, running exhaust fans on their stoves every time they cook, and never using their stoves to heat their homes.
• When vaping , steam is inhaled through an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). Steam contains nicotine and aroma chemicals with formaldehyde and heavy metals like lead. Graves said people should avoid exposure to tobacco products as they are even exposed to third-party smoke - cigarettes or tobacco smoke left on car seats, carpets and couches. - is examined for possible damage to the lungs. Vaping is an emerging environmental problem among middle and high school students as well as young adults.

Graves noted that to many people the new car smells like chemicals that can damage the lungs. Reduce exposure by airing out smelly products before bringing them home. (Courtesy photo by Neasha Graves)

Unwanted guest of the house

In the second session, the experts discussed another substance found in households that can affect indoor air quality: mold .

Collins works with Lester to develop simple, inexpensive measures to keep families safe from mold. (Courtesy photo by Terrence Collins)

Terrence Collins, Ph.D. suggested that policymakers develop a national strategy to promote healthy homes so that the entire burden does not fall on people. "The cost of mold in the United States is about $ 20 billion a year," said Collins, who directs the Green Science Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.

"This is something we could get rid of at a fraction of the cost," he added.

"Mold is everywhere," said Brian Lester. "It is not something that we can completely escape because it is part of all environments." Lester works for Indiana Mold Remediation, where he helps homeowners get rid of microscopic mold spores.

Even if people are unwilling to seek professional help, Lester says there are steps you can take to deal with mold.

• Check the sources of moisture.
• Remove badly damaged materials.
• Clean or disinfect contaminated surfaces.

(Marla Broadfoot, Ph.D., is a contract writer for the NIEHS Office of Communications and Public Relations.)

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