Selected Resources for More Information on Indoor Air Quality
Following are some of the written materials available for learning about (1) the causes and potential health effects of the indoor air quality issues discussed in the Indoor Air Quality Guide for Tenants, and (2) how to prevent and fix those problems. At the end are links to information about: other IAQ and healthy homes issues; IAQ following natural disasters; and potential sources of funding for repairing rental properties.
[Download the Indoor Air Quality Guide for Tenants here]
Mold/Dampness
- U.S. EPA: Mold and Health (https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-and-health) and Mold Cleanup in your Home (https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home)
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Mold: General Information (https://www.cdc.gov/mold/basics.htm)
- New York City: Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/epi/epi-mold-guidelines.pdf)
- California Dept. of Public Health: Statement on Building Dampness, Mold and Health (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHIB/CPE/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Mold/DMH_Stmt_ENG.pdf) and Mold or Moisture in My Home: What Do I Do? (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHIB/CPE/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Mold/MMIMH_English.pdf)
- Northwest Clean Air Agency: Mold Guidance for Landlords and Tenants (Note: not applicable to Hot and Humid Climates) (http://nwcleanairwa.gov/?wpdmdl=746)
Secondhand Smoke
- U.S. EPA: Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and Smoke-free Homes (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/secondhand-tobacco-smoke-and-smoke-free-homes)
- CDC: Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke (https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/index.htm) and There is No Risk-Free Level of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke (http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/2006/pdfs/no-risk-free.pdf)
- U.S. Surgeon General: The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke (2006) (https://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/secondhandsmoke/fullreport.pdf)
- National Cancer Institute: Secondhand Smoke and Cancer (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/second-hand-smoke-fact-sheet#r4)
- American Lung Association: Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke (http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/health-effects-of-secondhand-smoke.html) and Is Secondhand Smoke Infiltrating Your Apartment or Condominium? (http://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/tobacco/smokefree-environments/multi-unit-housing/secondhand-smoke.html)
Lead-Based Paint
- U.S. EPA: Learn About Lead (https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead#effects), Protect Your Family From Exposure to Lead (https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-exposures-lead) and Understanding Inspection, Risk Assessment, and Abatement (https://www.epa.gov/lead/understanding-inspection-risk-assessment-and-abatement)
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): About Lead-Based Paint (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/healthyhomes/lead) and Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing (2012) (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/lbp/hudguidelines)
- CDC: Lead (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead) and Prevention Tips (https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm)
Pesticides
- U.S. EPA: Pesticides and Public Health (https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/pesticides-and-public-health), Human Health Issues Related to Pesticides (https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/human-health-issues-related-pesticides) and Introduction to Integrated Pest Management (https://www.epa.gov/managing-pests-schools/introduction-integrated-pest-management)
- HUD: About Integrated Pest Management (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/healthyhomes/ipm)
- Oregon State University, National Pesticide Information Center: Pesticides and Human Health (http://npic.orst.edu/health/humhealth.html)
Radon
- U.S. EPA: A Citizen’s Guide to Radon (https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-12/documents/2016_a_citizens_guide_to_radon.pdf)
- HUD: About Radon (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/healthyhomes/radon)
Ventilation
- U.S. EPA: Improving Indoor Air Quality (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/improving-indoor-air-quality)
- California Air Resources Board: Consumers’ Air Cleaner Portal (https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/aircleaners/consumers.htm)
- National Center for Healthy Housing: Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality (https://nchh.org/information-and-evidence/learn-about-healthy-housing/health-hazards-prevention-and-solutions/ventilation-and-indoor-air-quality/)
Other IAQ and Healthy Homes Issues
There are other important IAQ issues, in addition to those noted above. For example, it is important to protect against asbestos exposure generally and during renovations. There are also non-IAQ issues (drinking water, fire safety) that are important for a healthy home.
- U.S. EPA: Indoor Air Quality (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq), Asbestos (https://www.epa.gov/asbestos) and Formaldehyde (https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde)
- HUD: Making Homes Healthier for Families (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/healthyhomes) and Help Yourself to a Healthy Home (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=DOC_11880.pdf)
IAQ Following Storms and other Natural Disasters
Flooding, power outages, and other damage can create serious IAQ problems following storms and other natural disasters. For example, flooding can cause mold and dampness, and carbon monoxide poisoning can result from using portable generators inside or too close to homes. It is important for tenants and landlords to understand the IAQ risks and how to reduce exposures during cleanup.
- U.S. EPA: Emergencies and IAQ (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/emergencies-and-iaq), Flood Cleanup to Protect Indoor Air Quality (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/flood-cleanup-protect-indoor-air-quality), and Natural Disasters (https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters)
- HUD: Post-Disaster Healthy Housing Resources (https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/disasterrecovery)
- CDC, EPA, FEMA, HUD, NIH: Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (https://www.cdc.gov/mold/cleanup-guide.html) or (https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-08/documents/mold._homeowners_and_renters_guide_to_cleanup_after_disasters.pdf)
- Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units, Children’s Health in the Aftermath of Floods (http://www.pehsu.net/Hurricane_and_Flooding_Resources.html)
Financial Assistance for Fixing IAQ Problems in Rental Housing
Fixing some IAQ problems costs little or nothing – for example, establishing a no-smoking policy or using integrated pest management techniques. Certain repairs, such as radon mitigation or lead hazard removal, can be a significant expense. Below are links to information about some government programs that provide financial assistance for repairs to owners of multi-family housing. Check with your state or local housing and economic development agency to find out whether additional programs are available where you live.
- HUD: Home Improvements (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/home_improvements)
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture: Multi-Family Housing Program (https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/multi-family-housing-programs)
- Association or State and Territorial Health Officials: State and Federal Healthy Housing Financing Initiatives (http://www.astho.org/HiAP/Environmental-HiAP/Housing-Financing/)
October 2017