healthy living
Checking the air we breathe Indoor air can be much worse than outdoor air LEA HANSON
T
he average American spends up to 90 percent of their time indoors and the indoor air quality can be up to five times worse than outdoors. In Fort Collins, one in four homes has a family member with a respiratory ailment. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health, so the indoor air quality of our homes is very important. MOLD AND MOISTURE There is always some mold—in the air and on many surfaces. Mold grows where there is moisture. For people who are sensitive to them, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. Mold is found both indoors and outdoors and can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors. Colorado has an arid climate, but we still experience mold and moisture in our homes, especially bathrooms, kitchens, and sometimes basements. Mold can grow on most any surface including paint, wallpaper, and even upholstery. If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water. 16
| RMPARENT
RADON Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, radioactive gas created during the decay of radioactive elements (such as uranium) in soil. Radon is everywhere, and Colorado has higher concentrations than other areas in the country. It is present both outdoors and indoors and is drawn into homes and other buildings through cracks and openings in basements, crawl spaces, and foundation slabs. Radon levels vary from house to house and have nothing to do with age, quality, or upkeep of the home. Being exposed to Radon for a long period of time has been shown to cause lung cancer. The EPA lists radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, estimating it is responsible for about 20,000 deaths annually. Radon exposure doesn’t come with symptoms, so testing for it is essential. It is easy to test for Radon yourself; home self-tests are readily available and easily accessible. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) recommends radon reduction if your home level exceeds 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L).
Radon Testing
Take advantage of the inexpensive or free options in your area and test your house for radon.
• FORT COLLINS & LOVELAND
Purchase radon-testing kits at a discounted rate of $5 for short-term, $18 for long-term kits at: Fort Collins Senior Center at 1200 Raintree Drive Fort Collins Development Review Center at 281 North College Ave.
• GREELEY
FREE test kits may be picked up 8am– 5pm, Monday – Friday at: 1555 N. 17th Ave., Greeley 4209 County Rd. 24 1/2, Longmont (I-25 & exit 240)
• AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Fort Collins offers free indoor air quality assessments performed by Master Home Educators and typically take less than an hour and a half. Includes radon testing as well as checking for mold and moisture. Email mpaardrup@fcgov.com, or call 970-416-2832