Download 2013-108 HTVN Edited Healthy Homes Overview part 1

Healthy Homes Overview
Introduction
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course you will:
Recall the relationship between health
and housing
 Apply the seven principles of a healthy
home
 Determine the role that education plays
in a healthy home inspection
 Examine the role that dust plays in
children’s health

Learning Outcomes
Recall why an integrated approach to a
healthy home is essential
 Determine why children and the elderly
are the most vulnerable to health
threats in the home?
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Housing and Health
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People may spend 80-90% of their time
indoors
The relationship between housing and health
has been acknowledged for decades
Housing quality has explained 25% of
the variability in health status in urban
environments
The built environment can be an agent
for health or illness
Medical Conditions Related to the Built Environment
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Asthma
Allergies
Neurologic
conditions
Behavior
disturbance
 Learning disabilities
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Cancer
Injuries
Poisoning
Healthy Homes Hazards
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Lead
Asthma/Asthma triggers
Allergens
Mold
Insects
Rodents
Tobacco smoke
Moisture
Noise
Asbestos
Healthy Homes Hazards
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Radon
Ventilation
Sewage backup
Combustion by-products (CO)
Drinking water contamination
Toxic chemicals
Each of the above is important in its own right.
Attempting to address each and every one
independently would be unworkable as most are
related.
Healthy Homes Hazards
Most common injuries in the home:
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Falls
Poisonings
Fires
Burns
Choking
Suffocation
Sensitive Receptors

Children
 Greater amount of time spent indoors
 Still developing
 Hand-to-mouth activity
 Curiosity
Sensitive Receptors

Seniors
 Greater amount of time spent indoors
 Respiratory problems easily triggered
 Falls
 Heat/Cold
Healthy Homes Issues
 Moisture
▪ Lead poisoning may be caused by
deteriorated paint. The cause of the
deteriorated paint may be excessive
moisture.
▪ Excessive moisture can lead to mold
growth, higher concentrations of dust
mites, cockroach infestation, asthma and
allergen sensitization, and structural
defects.
Healthy Homes Issues
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Dust Control
 Dust is the principal pathway through which
children are exposed to lead-based paint and
mold.
 Dust is also an exposure route for allergens,
dust mites, and some pesticides.
 In young children, transmission
occurs principally through
hand-to-mouth contact.
Healthy Homes Issues
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Improving Air Quality
 Ventilation can either be a problem or an
intervention.
 Proper ventilation supplies adequate oxygen
and removes carbon dioxide, pollutants,
and allergens.
Healthy Homes Issues
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Improving Air Quality
 In some climates, increasing ventilation can
result in increased moisture problems.
 Poorly designed systems, such as forced-air
systems can contribute to dispersal of mold,
soil gases, and other contaminates.
Healthy Homes Issues
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Education
 Education is an important part of most
interventions.
 Occupant behavior can be modified and
can be especially effective in preventing
injuries at low costs.
Seven Healthy Homes Principles
1.
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6.
7.
Dry
Clean
Ventilated
Pest-Free
Safe
ContaminantFree
Maintained
Compliant Residents
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Compliance with the seven principles
for healthy homes is critical.
Most people want to live in a dry, clean, pestfree, ventilated, safe, contaminant free and
maintained home.
Education is a key component of a
healthy home inspection.
American Housing Survey (2005)
Participants were asked to rate their homes
(1 to 10; 10 being the best)
 53% of rated homes were above eight and had
severe problems
 13% of participants living in poverty rated their
home as a one
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Summary: Functions of a Healthy Home
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Protect from unwanted guests (humans,
animals, insects)
Protect from extreme temperatures by
heating/cooling
Protect from wind, sun, rain, sleet,
snow, and dust
Provide ventilation
Control humidity