| 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
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)
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
Please visit MDEQ’s webpage on lead paint. Paint containing Lead and Cadmium can become airborne if sanded. Fine particles can be distributed and settle throughout the house via air ducts.
http://www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/Air_Lead-BasedPaint?OpenDocument
Safe paint products with Green Seal approval can be found at the following site: http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/paints_coatings.cfm
Test Kits for Lead
For more information on detecting lead in your home and various do-it-yourself test kits, review the following study from Consumer Reports:
http://www.consumerreports.org
Insulation
Symptoms from Fiberglass will typically go away after being removed or encapsulated. Fiberglass is not regulated and is widely used, but should not be breathed. There are some alternatives to fiberglass insulation (such as polyester and sheet foam). One technical paper concluded that wet spray-applied cellulose insulation (typically 30-40% water), when used in the walls of indoor environments, can become very moldy and result in unacceptable risk to occupants. It is recommended that fiberglass insulation be kept neatly contained (not hanging out) and use proper personal protective equipment to avoid exposure during installation or maintenance activities. Replace ceiling panels and repair disconnected ventilation ducts if needed.
Mold
Hayfever-like symptoms such as stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation may be the result of a high concentration of mold spores. In worse cases Mycotoxins from molds has been linked to symptoms like headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.
Mold needs water and a food source (building materials) to grow. If one removes the water and moisture and keeps it dry, the mold cannot grow.
- PICTURE LIBRARY (Images available at this site give examples of trouble spots & cleanup apparatus)
 Wall with Black mold
- Book: "Clean Up Procedures for Mold In Houses", can be found at: EEBA Bookstore
Note on Mobile homes.
A few residents have complained about mold growth in their trailers; some of these were less than five years old. The growth was due to water leaking from the metal siding or roof (those that do not have shingles). Any exposed nail or screws in metal siding should be sealed so water does not seep into the wall cavities. Some walls have no barrier to resist moisture between the outer metal siding and inner dry wall sheeting. If a leak is suspected, it may be worthwhile to check the inner wall cavity for mold and correct any problems as soon as possible.
Air Ducts
"Should You Have the Air Ducts In Your Home Cleaned?"
Download EPA 402 K 97 002 from EPA publications: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/index.html#air%20ducts
Pesticides
Radon
Smoke (Tobacco Smoke and Second hand smoke)
Air Cleaners
Vapor Intrusion
Fireplaces, Wood stoves, Wood heaters, Wood boilers
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| General IAQ Resources & Organizations |
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| Consultants and Laboratories |
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| Related IAQ Topics |
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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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