A Healthy Home

The ideal home is not just a building for shelter.

A healthy home protects against extreme heat and cold, rain and sun, wind, pests, disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and pollution and disease.

poor housing, indoor air pollution, pests, and toxic chemicals in household products can cause many illnesses.

Activity:Unhealthy home may include:BiologicalPhysicalChemical hazardous

Give 4 examples for each

Videohttp://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujkvK6c-vcc

1 -Biological hazardous:Dust mitesDust mites are tiny, invisible bugs that are

the biggest cause of indoor allergies.They irritate the eyes and nose and cause

asthma attacksDust mites live in warm, humid places filled

with dust such as bed pillows, mattresses, carpets, stuffed toys, clothing, and furniture.

The protein substances in the dust mite feces produces antibodies in humans who are allergic when these are inhaled or touch the skin. These antibodies cause the release of histamines which causes to nasal congestion, swelling and irritation of the upper respiratory passages

typical symptoms of an allergy to dust mites :

Itchy, red or watery eyes Runny nose, Sneezing, Asthma, difficulty in breathing, Infantile eczema Itchy noseFrequent awakening Swollen, blue-colored skin under eyes

They feed on the tiny flakes of human skin that shed from our bodies each day

To get rid of dust and dust mitesCleaning sleeping areas and bedding will

help reduce dust, dust mites, and animal hair.Covering mattresses and pillows with tightly

woven fabrics or plastic, and washing these covers in hot water regularly

If some one in the home is allergic to dust or dust mites, you may want to avoid having carpets, or other fabrics in the home.

Video presentationhttp://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qApq5O73piw

2 -MoldMold is a kind of fungus, a simple plant that

grows on soil and other plants.

In the home, it grows on walls, clothing, old or spoiled foods

look like black or yellow powder, tiny threads, or white and blue fuzz

Molds cause breathing problems, headaches, skin irritation, and can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.

To prevent and get rid of mold:Fix leaks in walls, roofs, and pipes.Improve ventilation. When more air passes

through the home, it keeps everything drier and helps prevent mold from growing.

Wash areas where molds grow with bleach solution.

How to make a bleach solution

Video presentationhttp://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd3peWnqTRo

3 -PestsInsect pests, such as cockroaches and

rodents (rats and mice), live wherever there are food crumbs, trash, and places to hide.

They carry illnesses and are a common cause of allergies and asthma attacks.

Unfortunately, the sprays often used to get rid of insects and rodents also cause asthma attacks and other health problems.

prevention• Sweep and clean regularly to get rid of food

scraps• Clean and dry surfaces where food is prepared

after cooking and eating.• Store food in tightly covered containers.• Fix leaking pipes and keep sinks dry.

Cockroaches and other insects like water.• Keep household waste in covered containers,

and remove it regularly.• Fill holes and cracks in walls, ceilings, and

floors to prevent pests from entering.

N5290, Sept. 27, 2004

Scenario #1A mother tells you that she arrived home last

Wednesday to discover that the lawn care company had sprayed. There was a strong odor, and liquid could be seen on the grass and furniture. After playing outdoors that afternoon, her child developed nausea and vomiting, with some sweating but no fever. She also had mild tremors. Her pediatrician diagnosed her child with “flu” (GI virus). However, she is asking you if you think the pesticides may have had something to do with her child’s illness.

N5290, Sept. 27, 2004

Do you think that pesticide poisoning (or poisoning by other environmental toxicants) could be misdiagnosed?

If the child in this scenario did develop illness from the pesticides, why didn’t her mother get sick?

N5290, Sept. 27, 2004

Principles and Concepts

Environmental health effects may mimic other conditions

Children’s behavior may increase susceptibility to environmental toxicants.

Pest control without chemicalsFor cockroaches, mix boric acid with water to

make a thick paste. Add corn flour and make little balls. Leave them around the house,

For ants, sprinkle red chili powder, dried peppermint, or crushed cinnamon where they enter.

For flies, soak crushed basil leaves in water for 24 hours. Filter and spray onto flies.