Healthy Home Remodeling Cuts Indoor Air Pollution

Dust and fumes can aggravate allergies, asthma

SATURDAY, Sept. 15, 2001 (HealthDayNews) -- Virtually every homeowner will tackle a renovation project at some point in the life of their home. Whether it's upgrading the kitchen or bathroom, installing new windows, building an addition or just giving everything a fresh coat of paint, remodeling is a major event.

Before you pick up a saw or a paint brush, or sign the papers for a contractor to do the work, it's important to think about the impact a renovation project could have on your health.

The American Lung Association reports that indoor air pollution is one of the five most-urgent environmental risks to public health. Pollution levels inside the home can reach two to five times higher than outside, and during a remodeling project those levels can skyrocket.

If you're one of the 36 million Americans who have asthma or allergies, the dust from sawing, sanding, installing insulation, tearing out old walls or cutting new ones can trigger or aggravate those conditions. Opening up walls or ceilings can also release organic contaminants, including mold and other spores that can collect between walls, and droppings from insects and rodents. And there can be significant fumes from paint, glues, new carpet or hardwood floors.

Even if you don't suffer from asthma or allergies, it's well worth minimizing the amount of dust and fumes in your house during a renovation.

"It's worse for a remodel because with new construction, no one is there. The owners don't sleep there," says Steve Klossner, a consultant with the American Lung Association of Minnesota.

There are three major air-quality concerns that come with a remodeling project, Klossner says. They are bug and rodent droppings; biological contaminants like mold and mildew; and mechanical systems -- such as furnaces and fireplaces -- that don't operate as designed or don't vent properly after a remodeling project.

Compounding the problems associated with a remodeling project is the fact that the most common indoor allergies are dust mites and mold. Those allergens can trigger coughing, sneezing, itching, wheezing and shortness of breath, says Dr. Inyanga Mack, an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

Because mold likes a dark, warm environment, air conditioning or a dehumidifier will cut down on its growth, Mack says. And a solution of one cup of bleach to 10 cups of water makes a good fungicide for cleaning away mold spores on the under-sink fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen, she says.

Anyone with significant indoor allergies should think carefully about the home-remodeling products they choose. Tile, vinyl or hardwood floors will reduce the amount of dust mites that collect in your home far better than carpet, Mack says. And enamel paint inhibits mold growth better than latex paint.

If prolonged exposure to dust and fumes is a health issue, you might want to consider a contractor instead of doing the job yourself, Mack says.

"Anyone with a known history of allergy or asthma shouldn't take on a project like that. Get some help from someone who doesn't have those sensitivities," she says.

Other recommendations for improving indoor air quality during a remodeling project:

  • Make sure the rooms are well ventilated, wear a mask and don't stay in the work area for extended periods of time. "You don't want to be closed up in it all day," Mack says. "If you felt a little winded, a mild headache, or tightness in the chest, take a break. A lot of people want to get things finished today -- and that may not be safest thing to do."
  • Isolate the work area with tarps or plastic zipper doors and shut air vents to keep dust and fumes from circulating throughout the house.
  • Clean the work area daily to reduce the amount of dust and debris.

One final suggestion: Hire a professional to remove asbestos and lead-based paint.

What to Do: The American Lung Association offers Tips on Healthier Home Remodeling. For more information on allergies and asthma, check out the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

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