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How Healthy is the Air in Your Kitchen? 

• Household Cleaners - Unhealthy or irritating vapors may be released from chemicals in products. Remedy: Select non-aerosol and non-toxic products. Use, apply, store and dispose according to manufacturer's directions. Never mix products together. If products are concentrated, properly label storage container with dilution instructions. Use up product completely. 
• Moisture from Cooking & Dishwasher Use - Encourages biological pollutants (mold, mildew, cockroaches, dust mites) which can trigger asthma. Remedy: Install and use exhaust fan.
• Pressed-Wood Cabinets - Source of formaldehyde vapor. Remedy: Pressed-wood products coated with polyurethane or laminates will reduce formaldehyde emissions. Maintain moderate temperatures (80^o F maximum) and humidity (about 45%). When purchasing new cabinets, select solid wood or metal cabinets or those made with phenol resin as they emit less formaldehyde. After installation, provide ventilation. 
• Unvented Gas Stove & Range - A source of carbon monoxide and combustion by-products. Remedy: Keep appliance burners clean! Periodically have burners properly adjusted (blue flame tip, not yellow). Install and use exhaust fan. Never use a gas range/stove to heat your home.

How Healthy is the Air in Your Bathroom and Laundry? 

• Moisture from Bathing, Clothes Washing, etc. - Encourages biological pollutants (mold, mildew, cockroaches, dust mites) which can trigger asthma. Also creates potentially damaging condensation. Remedy: Install and use exhaust fan. Fix plumbing leaks promptly. 
• Personal Care Products - Organic gases are released from chemicals in products. Remedy: Select no/low odor-producing products. Select non-aerosol varieties. Open window or use exhaust fan. Follow manufacturer's directions for use and container disposal. 
• Air Freshener - Organic gases are released from chemicals in products. Remedy: Open window or use exhaust fan instead. If using air fresheners, follow manufacturer's directions.
• Unvented Clothes Dryer - Produces excessive moisture and dust. Moisture encourages biological pollutants. 
• Gas-Fired Dryer - Produces carbon monoxide and combustion by-products and a fire hazard. Remedy: Regularly dispose of lint around and under dryer. Provide air for combustion of gas. Exhaust dryer directly to the outside.

How Healthy is the Air in Your Living Areas? 

• Paneling, Pressed-Wood Furniture & Cabinetry - May release formaldehyde gas. Remedy: Ask about formaldehyde content before purchase. Some types of pressed-wood products, such as those with phenol resin, emit less formaldehyde. Also, products coated with polyurethane or laminates may reduce formaldehyde emissions. After installation, open windows. Maintain moderate temperature and humidity. 
• Carpets - Biological pollutants can grow on water-damaged carpet; organic gases are released from new carpet. Remedy: Clean and dry or remove water-damaged carpets promptly. If installing new carpet, air it out before installation. Ask for low-emitting adhesives, if adhesives are needed. During installation open doors and windows; use window fans or room air conditioners. Vacuum regularly. 
• Floor Tiles - Some contain asbestos. Remedy: Periodically inspect for damage or deterioration. Do not cut, rip, sand or remove any asbestos-containing materials. If you plan to make changes that might disturb the asbestos, or if materials are more than slightly damaged, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Call your local or state health department or EPA at (202) 554-1404 for more information. 
• House Dust Mites - Biological allergens can trigger asthma. Remedy: Clean house and vacuum regularly. Wash bedding in hot water above 130^o F. 
• Air Conditioner - Biological allergens. Remedy: Empty and clean water tray often. Follow all service and maintenance procedures, including changing filter. 
• Fireplaces - Carbon monoxide and combustion pollutants. Remedy: Open flue when fireplace is in use. Have flue and chimney inspected annually for exhaust backdrafting, flue obstructions or cracks, excess creosote, or other damage. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 
• Moisture - Encourages biological pollutants including allergens (mold, mildew, dust mites and cockroaches). Remedy: If possible, eliminate moisture source(s). Install and use exhaust fans. Use dehumidifier if necessary. Remove molds and mildew by cleaning with a solution of chlorine bleach (1 cup) and water (1 gallon). 
• Gas or Kerosene Space Heater - Carbon monoxide and combustion pollutants. Remedy: Never use unvented kerosene or gas space heaters. In room where heater is located, provide fresh air by opening a door to the rest of the house, turning on an exhaust fan, and opening a window slightly. 
• Secondhand Smoke (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) - Contains harmful combustion and particulate pollutants including carbon monoxide and combustion by-products. Remedy: Do not smoke in your home or permit others to do so (especially near children). If smoking cannot be avoided indoors, open windows or use exhaust fans. 
• Draperies - New draperies may be treated with a formaldehyde-based finish and emit odors for a short time. Remedy: Before hanging, air out draperies to ventilate odors. After hanging, ventilate the area. Maintain moderate temperature and humidity. 
• Lead-Based Paint - Manufactured before 1978. Remedy: Leave lead-based paint undisturbed if in good condition. Prior to removing paint, test for lead. Do-it-yourself lead test kits are often available from hardware or building supply stores. Do not sand, burn off, or remove lead paint yourself; hire a person with special training for correcting lead paint problems. For more information call 1-800-LEAD-FYI. 
• Animals - Leave allergens such as dander; hair, feathers, or skin in the air. Remedy: Keep pets outdoors as often as possible. Clean entire house regularly; "deep" clean areas where pets are permitted.

How Healthy is the Air in Your Bedroom? 

• Humidifier/Vaporizer (cold mist type) - Can encourage biological allergens including mold, mildew and cockroaches which can trigger asthma and infectious disease agents (viruses, bacteria). Remedy: Use and clean according to manufacturer's directions. Refill with fresh water daily. 
• Moth Repellents - Often contain paradichlorobenzene, a pesticide. Remedy: Avoid breathing vapors. Place moth repellents in tightly sealed trunks or other containers and store separately (attic, storage closet), away from living areas. 
• Dry-cleaned Goods - Organic gases are released from chemicals used in the cleaning process. Remedy: Bring odors to the attention of your dry cleaner and attempt to air out dry-cleaned goods before bringing them indoors. Seek alternatives to dry cleaning (can article be hand washed?). 
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Install a smoke detector in the hallway adjacent to or located in each bedroom. If you have gas or other fossil-fuel burning appliances in the house, install carbon monoxide detectors in these locations as well. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are available. (Remember to check the batteries frequently.)

How Healthy is the Air in Your Utility and Hobby Areas? 

• Asbestos Pipe Wrap & Furnace Insulation - Remedy: Periodically inspect for damage or deterioration. Do not cut rip, sand or remove any asbestos-containing materials. If you plan to make changes that might disturb the asbestos, or if materials are more than slightly damaged, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Call EPA at (202) 554-1404 for more information. 
• Ground Moisture - Encourages biological allergens like mold and mildew. Remedy: Inspect for condensation on walls, standing water on the floor or sewage leaks. To keep basement dry, prevent outside water sources from entering (install roof gutters and downspouts, do not water close to foundation, grade soil away from home, apply water proofing sealants to basement interior walls). For standing water, consider installing a sump pump. If sewage is the source, have drains professionally cleaned. If moisture has no obvious source, install an exhaust fan controlled by humidity levels. Remove and kill mold/mildew growth by applying a solution of bleach and water (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon water). Clean and disinfect basement floor drain regularly. 
• Radon - An invisible, radioactive gas which poses a lung cancer risk. Remedy: Test your home for radon -- do-it-yourself kits are easy and inexpensive. Have an experienced radon contractor fix your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. For more information, contact your state radon office or call 1-800-SOS-RADON. 
• Hobby Products - Solvents, paint, glue, epoxy, etc.; organic gases are released from chemicals in products. Remedy: Follow manufacturer's directions for use, ventilation, application, clean-up and container storage and disposal. Use outdoors when possible. Indoors, open window or use exhaust fan. Reseal containers well. Clean tools outside or in well-ventilated areas. 
• Wood Shop Hazards - Wood dust and particles, adhesives and chemical finishes. Remedy: Provide ventilation when working. Store all products in original, well-sealed, labeled containers. Consider a dust collection system. 
• Unvented Clothes Dryer/Gas-Fired Clothes Dryer - See "Bathroom & Laundry" description. 
• Gas or other Fossil-Fuel Furnace/Boiler and Gas Water Heater - Backdrafting carbon monoxide (CO) and combustion pollutants. Remedy: Have your heating system and water heater (including gas piping and venting) inspected every year. Check chimney for obstructions that may block the exhaust leaving the appliances. Routinely clean adjacent to furnace and water heater. Repair fuel or gas leaks promptly. Follow service and maintenance guidance, including changing filter. If you suspect CO or a fuel leak, immediately call your fuel supplier or the fire department.

How Healthy is the Air in Your Garage? 

• Car or Small Engine Exhaust - Sources of carbon monoxide and combustion by-products. Remedy: Never leave vehicles, lawn mowers, snow mobiles, etc. running in the garage -- even with the garage door open. 
• Paint, Solvents and Cleaning Supplies - May release harmful vapors. Remedy: Provide ventilation when using. Follow manufacturer's directions. Buy limited quantities. If products contain methylene chloride (e.g. paint strippers), use outdoors. Reseal containers well. Keep products in original labeled containers. Clean brushes and other materials outside.
• Pesticides/Fertilizers - Toxic yard and garden chemicals. Remedy: Use nonchemical methods when possible. Follow manufacturer's directions for mixing, applying, storage and use protective clothing. Mix or dilute outdoors. Provide ventilation when using indoors. Store products in original labeled container out of home. Remove shoes and clean hands and clothing to avoid spreading chemicals. Call EPA at 1-800-858-PEST for more information. 
• Stored Fuels - e.g., gasoline, kerosene. Remedy: Buy limited quantities. Use properly labeled and well-sealed containers designed for fuels. Do not store inside home. Store in well-ventilated area.