MS Dept of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Healthy Homes

1. MS Dept of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention ProgramHealthy Homes

2. 2 MS State Department of Health- Healthy Housing Two kinds of repairs to your home: Weatherization � to reduce gas bills and increase comfort Health repairs � to reduce asthma and allergy triggers

3. 3 Things you can do to reduce and prevent asthma triggers

4. 4  Things in the house that people may be allergic to

5. 5 Allergen asthma triggers

6. 6 Things that irritate the lungs? Dense occupancy Tight budgets Food served Nap areas Variety of materials Children play on floor Dense occupancy Tight budgets Food served Nap areas Variety of materials Children play on floor

7. 7 Irritant asthma triggers Dense occupancy Tight budgets Food served Nap areas Variety of materials Children play on floor Dense occupancy Tight budgets Food served Nap areas Variety of materials Children play on floor

8. 8 Reducing exposure to indoor allergens and irritants can reduce asthma symptoms Let�s consider the fact that many allergens and irritants are found indoors. Add to that the fact that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, it is not surprising that exposure to indoor asthma triggers is a significant contributor to the asthma problem. Conversely, controlled studies show reducing exposure to indoor allergens can reduce asthma symptoms. Therefore, avoiding indoor asthma triggers is important to helping avoid asthma attacks. Also, when asthma episodes do happen, they could be less severe. However, many people are still focusing only on treating asthma once an episode has already started. Let�s see if we can learn about how to keep these asthma attacks from starting in the first place. Let�s consider the fact that many allergens and irritants are found indoors. Add to that the fact that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, it is not surprising that exposure to indoor asthma triggers is a significant contributor to the asthma problem. Conversely, controlled studies show reducing exposure to indoor allergens can reduce asthma symptoms. Therefore, avoiding indoor asthma triggers is important to helping avoid asthma attacks. Also, when asthma episodes do happen, they could be less severe. However, many people are still focusing only on treating asthma once an episode has already started. Let�s see if we can learn about how to keep these asthma attacks from starting in the first place.

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10. 10 Dust Mites Dust mites found in: Carpets and rugs Pillows and bedding Upholstered furniture Stuffed animals

11. What�s Wrong Here?

12. 12 Reduce Dust Mites Minimize carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture Use allergen-proof covers for bedding Use washable stuffed toys Wash toys and bedding in hot water

13. 13 Reduce Dust Mites Vacuum rugs, carpets and upholstered furniture weekly (when person with asthma not present) Minimize things that collect dust Don�t make the bed, let it air out

14. 14 Cockroaches Roach dust �droppings & body parts Very strong asthma trigger What do you do when you see a roach?

15. 15 Cockroaches Do not use roach sprays, bombs or fogs� can trigger asthma attack contain dangerous chemicals don�t work

16. 16 Cockroaches Make your home unfriendly for roaches: Don�t provide food and water � store food in tight containers, cleanup crumbs and spills, remove trash daily Don�t provide hiding places - reduce clutter

18. 18 Cockroaches Use safer roach control products: Gel baits and bait stations Boric acid powders Use in small amounts where roaches hide where children can�t reach

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20. 20 Mice Mouse urine � strong asthma trigger; found almost everywhere: Don�t provide food, water, hiding places Use snap traps in childproof stations Don�t use poisons

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22. 22 Mold Many people allergic to molds: Spores (seeds) � invisible mold parts in the air everywhere; grow on moist surfaces Discard items soaked for more than a couple of days Key to mold control is moisture control

23. 23 Mold Moisture control: Cleanup spills promptly Use exhaust fans Report leaks promptly Do not use a humidifier

24. 24 Mold If there is an infant in the home and there is mold, the Health Department can check the house.

25. 25 Products with strong odors pesticides cleaning products paints art supplies perfume �air fresheners�

27. 27 Tobacco smoke The worst asthma trigger! Don�t smoke in the house!

28. 28  Tobacco smoke Quit Smoke outside No smoking in a car with children or a person with breathing problems Separate smoking room does not protect people with asthma

30. 30 Pets Pets with fur and feathers: Allergens in dander, urine and saliva No pets policy best Keep out of bedroom Bathe pet weekly

31. 31 Combustion gases & particles Do not use fuel-burning unvented space heater or fire places Do not use stove for heating Do not burn candles Use kitchen exhaust fan

32. 32 Outdoor air pollution Ozone (smog) Fine particles (soot) Pollen Car and truck exhaust

33. 33 Lead Can cause learning and behavior problems. Makes it hard to do well in school, hard to stay out of trouble.

34. 34 Where is the lead? Soil and dirt in the yard Household dust on the floor, in the carpet Paint chips on the floor, in window well and sill, on the wall

35. 35 What to do about lead? Wash hands and toys frequently Shoes-off Use door mats Keep children away from loose, flaking, or chipping paint and bare soil

36. 36 What to do about lead? Frequent special cleaning of floors and window wells If renting, report non-intact paint to landlord

37. 37 Allergens, irritants and lead get into house dust Pollen Animal dander Lead Pesticides Smoke particles Mold Mites Roach parts Rodent urine

38. 38 Regular cleaning not effective - special methods needed

39. 39 Special cleaning Use wet cleaning methods Change rinse water, mop heads, cleaning rags frequently Vacuum very slowly Use allergen vacuum Use door mats (wash frequently)

41. 41 Start Here

42. 42 Make the bedroom a safe space Use special bedding covers Keep floors bare; use washable rugs No upholstered furniture or drapes Wash bedding bi-weekly in HOT water Keep toys, books, clothes in drawers or covered boxes Keep doors closed

43. 43 Make the bedroom a safe space Remove shoes at the door No smoking, pets or plants Use window air conditioner, not a humidifier or vaporizer Use High Efficiency Particulate Air room cleaner Clean/decontaminate the room frequently No products with strong odors

44. 44 A Bedroom Safe Space?

45. Thanks for your attention. www.healthyms.com (601)576-7619

46. 46 Getting Started Decide what changes you can make immediately Remember, the easiest place to start is in the child�s bedroom