Making Your Home Asthma Friendly Fighting Asthma in Your House Presented by: Cam Dupuis Regional Advisor: Research and Information Transfer First Nations Telehealth Onehealth.ca3video
THE PRESENTATION WILL COVER Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: - Who we are Basics about Asthma Reducing Asthma Triggers in the Home Allergen Reduction Other Respiratory Irritants Where to get more information i
CMHC WHO WE ARE CMHC is Canada s national housing agency. CMHC is committed to housing gquality, affordability and choice. Through research CMHC is an authority on how houses Through research, CMHC is an authority on how houses should perform to benefit the occupant.
About Asthma Asthma Inflammatory disorder of the airways 2.3 million Canadians 8.4 % Adults 3.4 % Children Reducing exposure Statistics Canada 2009 Garner, 2008 CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 4
Allergen reduction Allergen reduction Dust mites Molds Animal Dander Cockroaches Outdoor Pollen VOC s CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 5
DUST MITES 1/25000 IN. 8 LEGS, NO EYES,.WALKING STOMACH!!
Strategies to control dust mites include: Most effective strategy is by controlling moisture Natural Ventilation Air Conditioning Dehumidification
Strategies to control dust mites include: Most effective strategy is by controlling moisture Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery Ventilator HRV Kitchen h and Bathroom fans Timer Humidistat
Ventilation Good ventilation is stale air out, fresh air in. First and foremost, ventilation is required by the building code to manage moisture in buildings and secondarily to control: Odours Pollutants Quiet and comfortable Provide source removal in kitchens and bathrooms Distribute fresh air to bedrooms Balanced, pressure neutral, no back-drafting
Strategies to control dust mites include: Vacuum often (use a central vacuum venting outside or one with a HEPA filter) Wear a N- 95 respirator while dusting and vacuuming Properly maintaining furnace filters
Strategies to control dust mites include: Dusting with a HEPA Vacuum or a damp cloth instead of dry dusting Reduce the amount of upholstered furniture and fabric coverings in bedroom Vacuum upholstered furnishings with a HEPA Vacuum while wearing a N-95 Respirator Avoid Carpets
HEPA High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance Filter Human hair 70-100 Microns Spores from plants 6-100 Microns Pollen 5-100 Microns Mold 2-20 Microns Pet dander 0.5-100 Microns Dust mite debris 0.5-50 Microns Skin flakes 0.4-10 Microns Bacteria 0.35-10 Microns Household dust 0.05-100 Microns Smoke 0.01-1 Micron CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 12
Sleeping area strategies include: Changing bedding frequently Wash bedding in warm water Cottons with pore size (200 thread count) Vacuum mattress with a HEPA vacuum Replace pillows at least yearly y Avoid using acaricides Allow bedding to dry
Other Respiratory Irritants Tobacco smoke Volatile organic compounds Nitrogen dioxide, gas stoves, Air purifiers CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 14
Other Respiratory Irritants wood smoke CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 15
Interior dust sources Anything that burns cigarettes, candles, cooking smoke Anything that sheds people, fabrics, rugs, bedding, clothes, pets Various things that grow molds, some plants, yeasts, viruses, mites Dusty activities woodworking, renovating, crafts Miscellaneous ultrasonic humidifiers, chemically generated particulates (e.g. cleaning agents and ozone reactions)
Volatile Organic Compounds VOC s Cleaning products Building materials off-gassing Personal care products Air fresheners Fabric softeners If you wouldn t eat/drink it, why inhale it?
REDUCE DUST Vacuum often with a central vac or one with a HEPA filter Change furnace filters often
REDUCE DUST Don t wear outdoor shoes in the house Replace carpets with hard flooring CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 19
Animal Dander
Advice to householders to reduce dust Minimize interior sources (cigarettes, combustion, pets, mold, cooking, etc.) Bare floors rather than carpets, and frequent vacuuming with an effective vacuum cleaner Remove shoes at the door Use a good particulate filter and run the furnace fan continuously
Mold 22 CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION
MOLD CAN MAKE YOU SICK Possible health effects: Allergy Exacerbation of asthma Non-specific symptoms (headaches, skin rashes)* *only if other causes are ruled out
WHO CAN GET SICK? Everyone is potentially affected by toxins. Those with asthma, environmental hypersensitivities or with compromised immune system may have symptoms before anyone else.
MOLD MAY BE VISIBLE
IF NOT VISIBLE, HOW CAN YOU TELL MOLD? Bubbling of surfaces
Mold Other times, you don t see the mold!
Molds Basics Moisture is the most important t factor that makes molds grow Dry........Wet no mold moldy Moisture is the only element that we can really control to avoid or minimize mold growth in houses
UNDERSTANDING MOISTURE Surface water: Groundwater: Drainage of rainwater, melted snow, roof water. How the building connects to the ground. Leaks: Roof leaks, plumbing leaks, window leaks. Lifestyle: Firewood, showers, bathing, cooking, hobbies.
Relative Humidity the right number Health Canada recommends 35 55 % RH 35 55% good for people, too high for most homes High humidity can lead to excessive condensation, molds CMHC now recommends RH be less than 35% Monitor windows and avoid excessive condensation
Furnace Filters CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 34
Furnace Filters CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 35
Furnace Filter - Types Standard Furnace Filters Electrostatic Electronic HEPA Pleated Washable Others CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 36
Filtration CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 37
Particle sizes PM 10 : Particles 10 micron or less are respirable Microns Human hair > 10 Observable dust in air > 10 Pollen > 3 Mold spores 1-10 Dust mite feces 05 0.5 8 Animal dandruff 0.5 10 Bacteria a 0.3 10 Wood smoke 0.1 5 Tobacco smoke 0.05 1 Viruses 0.01 1
Kitchen and Bathroom Exhaust Fans CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 39
Air Leakage Paths
Combustion gases Furnace back drafting / spillage Gas or propane ranges Un-vented heaters Attached garages Candles
Combustion Spillage The Cause
Combustion Spillage The Solutions Direct Vent Appliances Balanced Air Flows High Efficiency Wood Burning Appliances
Ventilation Good ventilation is stale air out, fresh air in. First and foremost, ventilation is required by the building code to manage moisture in buildings and secondarily to control: Odours and Pollutants Quiet and comfortable Provide source removal in kitchens and bathrooms Distribute fresh air to bedrooms Balanced, pressure neutral, no back-drafting
Heat Recovery Ventilator - HRV
HRAI 1-800-267-2231
All HRV s must be balanced HRAI 1-800-267-2231
To control moisture in housing Ventilate in Winter Dehumidify in Summer Important strategy to reduce moisture in basements and crawlspaces in summer
Humidification CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 49
Ozone Generators EAC Electronic plate and wire/ Electronic air cleaners (EAC) Ozone generator CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 50
Air Purifiers CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 51
Ozone 52 CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION
Ozone O 3 Blocks harmful solar ultraviolet rays in the upper atmosphere An air pollutant at ground level Ozone is an irritant CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 53
Does Ozone Kill Germs? Ozone exposure can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation Ozone worsens allergic diseases such as asthma Ozone masks rather than remove odours Concentrations of pollutants can increase after introducing Ozone Ozone will continue to degrade home materials even after it is stopped CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 54
Tips to Make Your Home Healthier Inside Product selection, low VOC s Good ventilation Regulate moisture Reduce air particulates Remove cleaning products and no odourizers Change filters often Do not use un-vented appliances Outside Soil grading Clean eaves troughs & extend down spouts Don t use pesticides Reduce chemical fertilizers Don t allow water to pool around foundations Don t idle car in garage
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 56
CMHC INFORMATION THAT CAN HELP YOU Moisture And Air Clean Air Guide Clean Air Guide Clean-up Procedures for Mold in Houses About Your House: Fighting Mold -- The Homeowner s Guide
CMHC Publications Fighting Asthma in Your House http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_005.cfm Flooring Choices http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/renoho/refash/refash_008.cfm ca/en/co/renoho/refash/refash cfm Fighting Mold The Home Owner s Guide http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_005.cfm Indoor Air Quality http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/ The Tenant s Guide to Mold http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/reho/reho_001.cfm CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 58
CMHC Publications How to Get Ventilation That You Need in Your Home http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_009.cfm Your Furnace Filter http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_008.cfm h hl / / / h / / Water damage, Mold, and House Insurance http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_007.cfm Moisture and Air: Householder s Guide Problems and Remedies http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/moaiprre/ ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/moaiprre/ CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 59
About Your House Fact Sheets Asbestos Carbon Monoxide Combustion Gases in your Home Choosing a Dehumidifier Fighting Mold The Homeowner s Guide Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI) Measuring Humidity in Your Home The Importance of Bathroom and Kitchen Fans Your Furnace Filter Should You Get Your Heating Ducts Cleaned? Testing Airflow Maintaining your Heat Recovery Ventilator How To Read a Material Safety Data Sheet After The Flood
CMHC s dust and particulate research Furnace filters Vacuuming research Ventilation strategies to reduce exterior particulates CMHC- Research Highlights
Contact Information Cam Dupuis Regional Advisor - Research and Information Transfer Prairies and Territories Region 1 403 515-2958 cldupuis@cmhc.ca www.cmhc.ca 1 800 668 2642 CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION 62