Healthy Indoor Air for
America's Homes
The “Healthy
Indoor Air for America's Homes” is
a national consumer education program that
started in 1995. It is concerned with improving
the quality of indoor air in homes relating
to moisture and biologicals (molds, mildew,
and dust mites), household products and
furnishings, radon, asbestos, lead, tobacco
smoke, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, asthma,
and building science concepts. The goal
is to protect public health by reducing
risks associated with indoor air contamination.
Indoor air quality remains a widespread
concern. Because the American public spends
most of its time indoors, indoor air quality
is a serious issue. While more information
is needed about pollutant exposures and their
effects in indoor environments, national
studies have shown that levels of some pollutants
indoors can be much higher than outdoor levels.
Two indoor air pollutants of particular concern
are radon and environmental tobacco smoke
(ETS), the latter especially for children.
We are achieving decreases in exposure to
ETS.
The program, funded by the Environmental
Protection Agency's Indoor Environments Division,
sponsors Healthy Indoor Air Awareness and
Action Month each October. To assist extension
agents and community leaders in implementing
local educational programs, this project
maintains a national network of state program
managers. To date, 45 states, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,
and the U.S. Virgin Islands participate.
The project has a reference manual with 13
self-contained teaching modules, instructional
videos, marketing materials, and evaluation
forms. Montana State University Extension
helps to coordinate this program.
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