Environmental Midterm (Healthy Homes)

Question 1

Whats the difference between building and housing codes?

Answer 1

• Building codes (state codes affecting all states)

- Housing codes (not statewide but affect community)

Question 2

What are the 7 healthy homes principals?

Answer 2

Keep it:

1. Dry
2. Clean
3. Ventilated
4. Pest Free
5. Safe
6. Contaminant Free
7. Maintained

Question 3

What are the 3 key housing related health hazards?

Answer 3

• protection from elements and preventing transmission of disease
• safe drinking water, sewage, facilities for food prep, absence of overcrowding
• protection of occupants against temperature extremes (65)

Question 4

What is healthy housing?

Answer 4

• designed
• constructed
• maintained
• rehabilitated
  “conducive to good occupant health”

Question 5

Why a holistic approach?

Answer 5

moisture/water intrusion less to mold which triggers asthma

Question 6

What are structural damages that can occur in homes?

Answer 6

• pests, lead poisoning, injuries, fire

Question 7

Keep it dry from…

Answer 7

• drainage
• leaks
• condensation
• construction moisture on other non traditional areas e.g. crawlspace

Question 8

Why does mold occur?

Answer 8

its around where there is no insulation or wind blowing through insulation. unsealable recessed light allows warm, moist air into unheated attic.

Question 9

Keep it clean….

Answer 9

reduce exposure to:

• chemical contaminants
• allergens
• pest droppings/urine
• pesticides/chemicals
• heavy metals
• redue harborage for pests

Question 10

What are sources of dust?

Answer 10

• brought in

- Home grown (lead dust, dust mites, resident made, garbage, clutter)

Question 11

How can buildings be more cleanable?

Answer 11

• dust walk ways
• effective storage spaces
• easy to clean flooring
• use vacuums with good filters
• ventilation

Question 12

What are combustion contaminants?

Answer 12

• CO: fatigue headaches, dizzy, confused

- N02: eye/nose/throat irritation, shortness of breath

Question 13

CO alarms requirements?

Answer 13

place near sleeping area, put on every level of a home, don’t install directly above or besides fuel burning appliances

Question 14

Why pest free?

Answer 14

health affects:
eye, nose, throat irritation
skin rashes, stomach aches, nausea, CNS damage, kidney damage, cancer risk

Question 15

Why keep it safe?

Answer 15

• hazards (falls, electricity, flooring, stairs, etc.)

Question 16

Age groups and deaths

Answer 16

Birth to 14: falls
Infants: choking
80+: 20X risk for death from injury
1-14: highest rate of injury death for fires/burns

Question 17

Be contaminant free from…..

Answer 17

• lead paint
• smoking
• radon
• combustion
• pesticides
• asbestos
• Volatile organic compound
• sewer gas

Question 18

Asbestos health risks

Answer 18

lung cancer
mesothelioma
asbestosis
(smokers at higher risk)

Question 19

what are some volatile organic compounds?

Answer 19

environmental tobacco smoke, paints, cleaning chemicals, carpets, pressed wood furniture, air refreshers, vinyl floors

Question 20

VOC health concerns

Answer 20

eye/nose/throat irritations

headache, nausea, loss of coordination, livery/kidney/brain damage, cancer, development issues

Question 21

VOC solutions

Answer 21

control the source (avoid products, seals, store away, remove unwanted), ventilate, don’t use it unless you need to