Healthy Homes' mission is to have all people have the opportunity to grow up in a healthy home that is free of environmental hazards.
"Which would you choose: to live in a home you could afford, or one that is healthy for your children? Sadly,too many families are forced with that decision everyday."
- Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Seven Attributes to a Healty Home
DRY CLEAN WELL VENTILATED CUMBUSTION-PRODUCT SAFE PEST-FREE
TOXIC-CHEMICAL FREE COMFORTABLE
If you want to learn how to be involved in your community or be an advocate on a national level, go to website Alliance for Healthy Homes. They will help you learn how to take action towards healthier homes!
June 1st-3rd is a Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Conference in Sanudusky, Ohio. If anyone is interested in attending, go to http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/cfhs/lead_ch/leadch1.aspx for registration materials.
For questions about the Linn County Public Health Healthy Homes Division and their services, call Ruby Perin at 319-892-6058
The healthy homes division can help explain how certain objects or practices can affect health, safety and energy.
Air Quality
First and Second hand smoke
Carbon Monoxide
Asthma
Radon
Water Quality
Drinking water
Septic and Sewer
Toxics
Pesticides
Asbestos
Lead
Household Cleaners
Mold
Home Maintenance
Housekeeping
Food Safety
Pest Management
Health and Safety
Water Safety
Fire Safety
Air Quality
First and Second Hand Smoke
Why should I be concerned?
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Smoking causes an estimated 160,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. every year (American Cancer Society, 2004). On January 11, 1964, Dr. Luther L. Terry, then U.S. Surgeon General, issued the first warning on the link between smoking and lung cancer. Lung cancer now surpasses breast cancer as the number one cause of death among women.
Secondhand smoke is considered an asthma trigger. People exposed to secondhand smoke tend to have more ear and respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that secondhand smoke is responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year among nonsmokers in the U.S. About 800 of these people are estimated to be exposed from the home, and 2,200 are exposed from work or social situations.
Action I can take
Take the smoke-free pledge.
Choose to smoke outside.
Don't smoke around your children
Call Quitline Iowa (I-800-QUIT-NOW) for help.
Carbon Monoxide
Why should I be concerned?
It's a colorless, odorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed because it robs the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. In early 2007, 41 Iowans were poisoned by carbon monoxide. Most of the cases involved the use of generators, furnaces, gas stoves, or wood burners as a source of heat during power outages.
How do I know if I have a problem?
Even low levels of Carbon Monoxide can give someone a mild headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. At moderate levels, poisoning can have symptoms of headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, and more acute nausea. If you are experiencing these, go outside to get fresh air and then go to your doctor.
Action I can take
Use carbon monoxide detectors
Properly vent heating systems, gas or propane stoves, ovens, and dryers.
Never use barbeque grills indoors and never leave gasoline-powered motors running in the garage
Never use stove tops or ovens to heat a room.
Asthma
Why should I be concerned?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease of the lungs that cause breathing problems. The disease affects all race, age, and sex. In 1999, approximately 47,000 children and 145,000 adults in Iowa were affected by asthma. Each year in Iowa, uncontrolled asthma results in approximately 12,000 hospitalizations, 45,000 emergency room visits, 37,000 unscheduled doctor's office visits, and 140,000 lost school days.
How do I know if I have a problem?
The common symptoms of asthma are wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing that produces mucus. For infants and young children, symptoms may include wheezing, persistent coughing, and recurring or lingering chest colds. If you have excessive dust, cigarette smoke, pet fur, mold, cockroaches, dust mites, and excessive fumes from household items and someone in the home is having symptoms of asthma, you should consult a doctor.
Actions I can take
Visit your doctor regularly and have an asthma action plan
Know you asthma triggers and do your best to avoid or reduce them.
Call "The Lung Helpline" at (1-800-LUNG-USA) if you have additional questions.
Radon
Why should I be concerned?
Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that enters homes through cracks, holes, or spaces in the basement walls and floor. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Studies show that at least two out of three homes in Iowa have elevated levels of radon and have at least readings above EPA'S action level of 4pCi/L. Iowa's indoor radon level is almost eight times the national indoor average of 1.3 pCi/L. Radon exposure accounts for approximately 55% of a person's radiation dose in their lifetime, however, in Iowa it accounts for approximately 75%. 
How do I know if I have a problem
If you have cracks in the foundation, an open sump pit, or poor ventilation in your home, an issue with radon may be present.
Actions I can take
Test your home for radon.
Call 1-800-206-7818 for inexpensive do-it-yourself radon test kits.
Call the Radon Hotline at 1-800-383-5992 if you have questions.
Seal the sump pit in your basement if its open.
Water Quality
Drinking water
Why should I be concerned?
Clean drinking water is necessary for good health. High concentrations of bacteria, synthetic chemicals, and natural contaminants in drinking water have the potential to cause health problems. Public water supplies are monitored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
Actions I can take
Read the Consumer Report from your local public water supply.
Have the water in your private well tested.
Contact your local county health department of IDNR with questions.
Septic and Sewer
Why should I be concerned?
Septic tanks should be properly constructed and maintained to ensure that they are getting rid of the treated water safely.
Actions I can take
Do not flush down the toilet non-biodegradable products such as: coffee grounds, cigarette butts, diapers, or feminine products.
Conserve water and consider composting your food waste.
Contact your local solid waste management agency or landfill to find details on how to properly dispose of hazardous wastes.
Contact IDNR, your county's sanitarian, or your nearest Iowa State Extension Office for more information about wastewater management.
Toxics Back to Top
Pesticides
Why should I be concerned?
Many pesticides pose some risk to humans, animals, and the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms. In 2006, there were 1,984 cases of pesticide poisoning in Iowa. Most of these cases were related to improper handling of chemicals.
How do I know if I have a problem?
Poisoning from pesticides may cause nausea, dizziness or more serious problems such as: injury to the lungs ofr damage to the nervous, reproductive, endocrine or immune systems. The extent of these problems depend on the toxicity of the product and the amount and length of exposure.
Actions I can take
Read the label before you buy, use, or dispose of a pesticide.
Always wash your hands after working with pesticides.
Call POISON CONTROL at 1-800-222-1222, if you suspect poisoning.
Asbestos
Why should I be concerned?
Most materials that contain asbestos do not pose a health risk, as long as they are maintained in good condition. In these cases, the safest, easiest, and least expensive option may be to just leave it alone. When building materials break down or are damaged or disturbed, tiny fibers of the mineral can be released into the air. If these fibers are inhaled, they can cause serious lung damage and even cancer. However, symptoms may not appear for up to 20 or more years after the exposure.
How do you know if I have a problem?
If you have shingles, siding, pipe insulation, floor tiles, or ceiling panels made out of asbestos in your home be sure to watch it. If any of those materials look disturbed or damaged, you may have an issue with asbestos exposure from the air.
Actions I can take
Do not disturb materials that you think may contain asbestos.
Hire a state-certified asbestos contractor if you decide to have asbestos removed.
Contact the IDNR Air Quality Bureau for more information on asbestos regulations.
Lead
Why should I be concerned?
Lead is found in many older Iowa homes. Before being banned in 1978, lead was added to household paint and could potentially be a household hazard. It's considered a hazard if lead paint is chipping, peeling or in high use areas (like window sills, doors, or stairways). 
How do you know if I have a problem?
If the lead paint is chipping or peeling, lead abatement should occur to prevent lead poisoning.
Actions I can take
Have your children tested for lead poisoning if you have a home built before 1978.
Keep painted surfaces in good condition.
Contact the IDPH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Bureau (1-800-972-2026) if you have questions about lead.
Household Cleaners
Why should I be concerned?
Many household products contain ingredients that have the potential to harm your health and your environment if not used properly. Organic vapors or volatile organic compounds (VOC's), found in paints and solvents, can be very hazardous to your health.
How do you know if I have a problem?
If you are using household cleaners or are painting and begin to have symptoms such as irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, then you should open some windows to increase ventilation or take many breaks to go outside so long term exposure doesn't occur and permanently damage your liver, kidneys, or central nervous system.
Actions I can take
Use products in well ventilated areas.
Buy only the amount of product that you will need.
Read and follow product labels.
Dispose any unused products to a hazardous waste collection facility.
Mold
Why should I be concerned?
The home has a high potential for water leaks and moisture sources. Unfortunately, that is what mold likes. Mold grows in moist and damp environments. If mold spores from the air land on a wet surface in your home, they may just need a day or two to grow. Potential symptoms associated with exposure to mold include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. Sometimes you can't the mold because there are circumstances where the mold can be in the foundation and the ceiling, where you'd have to go behind drywall to be able to see a visual of the mold.
How do you know if I have a problem?
If your relative humidity is 60% or greater, the environment has the potential to have spontaneous mold growth. Also, if you are having a water leak in your home, that creates a harborage condition for mold growth and an major issue could arise.
Actions I can take
Fix the source of the leaks in the home
Keep the relative humidity down below 60% and recommended to be under 40%.
If there is a problem with mold already, increase the ventilation in your home to decrease the exposure level of the mold.
Visit http://www.cdc.gov/mold for more information
Home Maintenance Back to Top
Housekeeping
Why should I be concerned?
A clean home is a healthy home. Too much clutter allows dust to accumulate and creates hiding spaces for cockroaches and other pests. Mites, molds, and other allergens can be controlled through managing the indoor environment, especially keeping humidity under 50%.
Actions I can take
Reduce clutter in your home.
Vacuum and dust regularly.
Clean or change furnace filters monthly.
Follow directions on cleaning products and store them safely.
Increase ventilation while housekeeping so the uplifted dust has a place to exit the home, either through HVAC systems or through a window.
Food Safety
Why should I be concerned?
The amount of bacteria in your home can accumulate and be harmful towards humans. Eating some raw or cooked foods can cause food poisoning. Also, leaving leftovers out of the fridge can cause a harborage condition for pests such as cockroaches, ants, rats, and mice. Left overs still out of the refridgerator after 2 hours can cause that bacteria build up from the around the kitchen and be harmful to eat.
How do you know if I have a problem?
If you get real sick with gastrointestinal problems directly after eating a certain food and the doctor says it was food poisoning, This is a definite sign that you need to be more careful with food safety.
Actions I can take
Keep your refridgerator's temperature at 40 F or less.
Keep your kitchen and dishes clean.
Do not eat raw or slightly cooked eggs.
When cooking meat, use a meat thermometer to test for safe internal temperature.
Pest Management
Why should I be concerned?
Pest control is important because pests can carry harmful bacteria that can contaminate foods and cause illness. These harmful bacteria can be passed to the food by contact with their hair, faeces and urine. Pests can also cause serious damage to the structure and fabric of food premises. Pests include rats, mice, crows, pigeons, seagulls, flies, beetles, cockroaches, ants, and bees.
How do you know if I have a problem?
If you are experiencing damaged food or newly made holes,droppings, or hair along the walls, then you might have a pest problem. Pests also carry diseases. Certain mice can spread the Hanta Virus and Salmonellosis. Insects could carry Lyme Disease, St. Louis Encephalitis, and West Nile Virus. Birds can also carry encephalitis, bed bugs, E coli and chicken mites.
Actions I can take
Using wire mesh screens to pest proof air vents
Sealing holes, and other places where pests can gain access
Keeping the floors, walls, roof, doors and window openings in a good state of repair with no gaps or spaces
Fitting drain covers to prevent pests gaining access
Properly store food and throw away trash.
Health and Safety Back to Top
Water Child Safety
Why should I be concerned?
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1-14. Drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. In 2006, there were 29 deaths due to drowning in Iowa. Even a small amount of water can drown a small child.
Actions I can take
Keep children out of the bathroom, except when they are directly supervised.
Keep the drain plugs out of the reach of children, so the tub or sink can not fill with water.
Always empty liquid out of containers, especially buckets, after use.
Fire Safety
Why should I be concerned?
The Iowa department of Public Safety records show that in 2009 there were 43 deaths from house fires. 2008 had 9 deaths, 2007 had 30, and 2006 had 33 deaths. That means that in the last 4 years, 115 deaths were caused by house fires. Many of them were of children under the age of 18, playing with lighters or embers. Department of Public Safety Iowa
Actions I can take
Supervise your children when they use kitchen appliances or any electrical devices.
Use caution when using space heaters.
If you smoke, be especially careful around furniture and never smoke in bed.
Always keep matches and lighters out of children's reach.