WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT

 During the last thirty years, with the advent of higher energy costs, tighter construction practices and more synthetic building materials, the old subject of air pollution has moved indoors. The recent rise in allergies as well as unspecified sensitivities and illnesses has led to the creation of terms like "sick building syndrome." Although we speak of "indoor air quality" as if it were a specific thing, it is not one thing, but many. As a result there are no standards that can be applied to tests of indoor air. The best way to control the many factors involved is a through physical inspection of your house or workplace and common sense actions to eliminate risk factors.

The most common culprits in indoor air problems are heat and air conditioning system design and maintenance, the presence of mold due to current or prior moisture problems, chemical vapors from pesticides, cleaning agents, paint or fuels, the presence of animals, second hand smoke and radon. Each of these conditions should be considered independently, although each can exacerbate the others. Smoking indoors magnifies the problems caused by all the others.

The following are some of the most basic practical measures every homeowner can take to eliminate potential problems.

Test your house for high levels of radon. Once done, radon can be eliminated from the list of potential problems (unless the levels are high). See the radon section on this web site.

Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. This will provide ongoing monitoring of potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide caused by improper venting of your heating system. See the section on carbon monoxide on this web site.

Don't smoke, or allow others to smoke in your house.

Restrict your use of chemicals, pesticides and cleaning products to the least toxic possible. Rid your house of hazardous materials. See the "Hazardous Waste" section of this web site.

Clean up water or other liquid spills quickly. If absorbent materials become wet, use mechanical drying to prevent mold from starting. Remove any carpeting, drywall, insulation or other absorbent material that has become moldy. Wash mold off non-porous surfaces using a ten percent bleach solution and dry thoroughly afterward.

 The Madison Health Department provides indoor air quality brochures to the public at the Town Campus and the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library.

 For more information on the web start at the EPA site www.epa.gov/iaq