| Materials used in building construction and conditions resulting from property damage, or even poor maintenance and upkeep, can result in indoor air pollution that could jeopardize a person's health. Many of the sources of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems (i.e. formaldehyde, mold, radon, etc.) can be easily prevented and corrected by simple measures. Therefore, to help homeowners and business owners recognize and correct problems they may be experiencing, the following sources have been pulled together for easy access to useful information and answers to solve indoor air pollution. The information consists of guidance on most IAQ issues, links to home testing kits, and associations of professional consultants should these services be desired or needed. Authorization and resources do not allow the MDEQ to visit homes and businesses to test for indoor pollution, but the agency is striving to be of assistance through the information it is making available here. mold mold mold mold mold mold mold mold mold. |
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 Information on Pollutants & Their Sources
Information on Pollutants & Their Sources
Asbestos
MDEQ enforces rules for building demolitions and renovations; however, this does not include residential housing (except for apartment buildings with four or more units, projects with multiple residential buildings at a site, residential installations, or some larger projects). The MDEQ asbestos program provides compliance inspections for building renovations and demolitions to comply with National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), and also for nonprofit schools to comply with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Symptoms of Asbestosis will often take 15-30 years after exposure conditions before they appear. Asbestos fibers are about 1/100th the thickness of human hair and cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope. Avoid damaging asbestos containing materials by grinding, sanding, sawing, etc. If asbestos containing materials in your home must be disturbed, consult your local yellow pages for a qualified contractor. Contractors working on nonresidential buildings must be certified by the MDEQ certification branch. A list of certified inspectors and contractors can be obtained from MDEQ. Contact Jimmy Asbil (601)961-5164.
Asthma & Allergies
 Biological contaminants
Household Cleaning Chemicals and Sprays
Safe household cleaners
http://www.informinc.org/
http://www.informinc.org/summaries_chem.php
- Green Seal recommended products
http://www.greenseal.org/
http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm
http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/cleaners.cfm
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
CO is a colorless, odorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. CO detectors are widely available.
Formaldehyde
Note on FEMA travel trailers and Emergency housing cottages:
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehhe/trailerstudy/assessment.htm
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) test results showed that levels of toxic formaldehyde in the remaining FEMA trailers were on average five times as high as normal due to building materials and poor ventilation. Formaldehyde is a common ingredient in pressed-wood products, including particle board, and can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rashes, headaches, nosebleeds, and severe allergic reactions.. Formaldehyde levels are generally much higher in the warmer months. Good ventilation can dilute and reduce levels quite a bit. The CDC is recommending that Katrina storm survivors be moved out. Most have been vacated. Families who live in travel trailers and mobile homes should do the following: spend as much time outdoors in fresh air as they can, especially if the family includes children, elderly people,or those with chronic diseases such as asthma; open windows as much as they can to let in fresh air; try to keep the temperature indoors at the lowest comfortable setting; not smoke, especially indoors; and see a doctor or another medical professional if they have health concerns. The Sierra Club in Mississippi is concerned that formaldehyde levels in the cottages could also be higher than normal if adequate ventilation and temperature control is not used.
Lead
Insulation
Mold
Air Ducts
Pesticides
Radon
U.S. Surgeon General Health Advisory
"Indoor radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It's important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques." January 2005 |
A Citizen's Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html
"Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon"
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.html
One may also call the Radon hotline number at the National Safety Council
(800) SOS-RADON or (800) 55-RADON
Compared to other states, most of Mississippi has a low predictive indoor radon screening. Radon levels in Alcorn, Union, Pontotoc, Lee, Chickasaw, Clay, Lowndes, and Noxubee have a medium predictive level. Visit the following site to view radon maps of any state: http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap/mississippi.htm
Discounted radon test kits are available from the National Safety Council - 1-800-SOS-RADON ;
Read the section in "A Citizen's Guide to Radon" listed above for a discussion on how to get reliable radon test results.
Schools: The Indoor Radon Program in Mississippi provides free screening for schools in participating areas. Call 1-800-626-7739 or (601) 987-6893.
Smoke (Tobacco Smoke and Second hand smoke)
Air Cleaners
Ozone Generators
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html.
Vapor Intrusion
Fireplaces, Wood stoves, Wood heaters, Wood boilers
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General IAQ Resources & Organizations
EPA Resources
EPA IAQ website http://www.epa.gov/iaq/
EPA IAQ publications http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/index.html
Mold Recourse Library http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldcourse/resourcelibrary.html
"The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality": http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/index.html#insidestory
Indoor airPLUS : Design & Building Specifications for the EPA Indoor airPLUS program for homes
http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/index.html
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, OH 45242-0419
Website: www.epa.gov/nscep
Phone: 1-800-490-9198
Fax: (301) 604-3408
E-mail: nscep@bps-lmit.com
Note: NSCEP operates a Toll-free phone service for EPA Publication Assistance with live customer service representative assistance Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:30pm eastern time.
EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Line: Call toll-free number 1-800-438-4318
Publications on Multiple IAQ Topics
Organizations
Books
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Consultants and Laboratories
- Environmental Solutions Association (ESA)
http://www.esaassociation.com/
http://www.esaassociation.com/?q=node/15
- American Council for Accredited Certification (former IAQ Council) list of certified consultants.
http://www.acac.org
- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) certified Consultant services:
http://www.aiha.org Select: "Locate an Industrial Hygienist (IH)"
Businesses
Laboratories
Legal Matters
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For More Information Contact Bryan Williams 601.961.5799
Or IAQ Staff |
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601-961-5799
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