Steps to Healthier Homes
Blue Cross & Blue Shield Healthy Home Initiative
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has created a Healthy Home Initiative Program to assist income-qualified households increase health outcomes through the installation/repair of health and safety measures at a customer’s residence. A Healthy Housing Evaluator/Contractor will do an assessment of the home and make eligible repairs.
A Healthy Housing Evaluator/Contractor is a well-credentialed, experienced and well-trained contractor who performs Healthy Housing Assessments and generates a written scope of work based on the results. Some components of an assessment could include:
*Hard Surface Flooring vs. Carpet - From a healthy home perspective, hard surface flooring is preferred over carpet. In some cases, carpet can be a trip hazard and contain dust mites, which are carnivores and asthma triggers. It can contain other contaminants such as gasoline, battery acid, animal feces and motor oil. To minimize these problems, in some homes people are asked to remove their shoes before entering. On the other hand, hard surface floor covering can be damp mopped and cleaned much easier, thus eliminating the trip hazard and minimizing the spread of contaminants. Popular examples of hard surface flooring are luxury vinyl tile, ceramic tile, sheet vinyl and vinyl composite tile, laminate and hardwood.
* Interior Pest Management - A certified pest management professional will treat the home for infestations of cockroaches, flies, bedbugs, ants, rodents, stinging insects, termites and other pests.
* General Cleaning Procedures - Hoarding and debris removal may be addressed. Some cleaning agents have been approved and recommended by the EPA such as disinfectant spray and solution and bleach. Note – proper storage of chemicals and cleaning agents is a must.
* Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors - Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon containing materials. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache and dizziness; loss of judgment; nausea and convulsions and death. Symptom severity depends on the amount of carbon monoxide ingested and the length of time of exposure.
* Smoke Detectors - Smoke detectors may be battery operated or hard wired. Hardwired detectors are powered by a home’s electrical supply and may also have batteries for backup power. The alarm will sound when the test button is pressed. Test alarms weekly! This assures that changes in your environment (i.e., moved furniture, addition of electronic appliances) have not adversely affected the operation of your detectors. Check with your local fire department for smoke detectors and free installation.
* Lead-Based Paint Inspection - The Healthy Home contractor will test for the presence of lead-based paint. This involves testing paint using an x-ray fluorescence machine, which measures the lead content in paint. The inspector will test any painted surface that is peeling and all windows and doors.
* Installing ADA Compliant Safety Features for the Handicapped - A properly constructed ramp provides safe entry for a physically handicapped person. Installing handrails and tub and toilet grab bars also provide additional security. Widening interior bedroom and bathroom doors create ADA compliant entry and enhance mobility and provide maneuverability for wheelchair residents.
* Moisture Control - Excess moisture can lead to mold. In many homes, the under-sink area is a place where moisture is frequently found due to leaking plumbing. The contractor will inspect for moisture content equal to or greater than 19 percent and meter and monitor the indoor RH (Relative Humidity), which should be 40-60 percent of moisture in the air. Some instances might require the installation of a dehumidifier or humidifier. Humidity can also be controlled by some HVAC systems and bathroom exhaust fans.
* Air Duct Cleaning - Air Ducts can become a breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria if they accumulate dust, pet dander and other debris.
* Filter Change - There should be some conversation as to why filters must be changed. On a forced air system, there is a supply and return. The return filter is changed. Is the filter flat or pleated? What is the MERV rating – MERV 8 captures pollen, dust mites, mold and allergens. MERV 11 captures pollen, dust mites, allergens, mold and auto emissions; MERV 13 captures bacteria, fine dust, smoke, smog, dander, mold spores, allergens and virus carriers. MERV 16 is often used in hospitals where there are high levels of unknown airborne bacteria and viruses-things that can spread through air ducts. Note: all systems will not function properly with a high MERV filter because of the pressure drop across the filter. Please contact your HVAC contractor in reference to filter MERV rating.
* Air Purifiers - Ultraviolet (UV) air purifiers employ UV-C light (a type of ultraviolet light) to kill many harmful and irritating microorganisms in the air such as mold, bacteria and viruses. UV-C technology is frequently used in a variety of applications in medical facilities to kill germs. Some UV air purifier models can be installed in home HVAC systems. Yale University has a series of DIY (Do-it-yourself systems that work well with MERV 11 and 13 pleated filters).
* Interior Ventilation Issues - Interior ventilation should be designed according to ASHRAE 62.2 American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers. Exhaust Ventilation - depressurizes a house to force indoor air out. Supply Ventilation - is the opposite of exhaust systems. This type of system pressurizes a house using a fan to force outside air through a home’s existing duct work to distribute fresh air. Balanced Ventilation - incorporates two fans and two duct systems to pull in and exhaust equal amounts of air. Unvented combustion appliances should not be used indoors. (Kerosene space heaters, unvented gas space heaters, etc.) Materials containing Formaldehyde should not be used indoors because Formaldehyde is a serious asthma trigger. Note: Bath fans and range hoods should be tested with a flow hood and manometer (pressure and flow gauge).
Zane Matthews is a Building Analyst Professional - Building Envelope Professional, Building Quality Control Inspector, Healthy Home Evaluator, NC Licensed General Contractor and NAHB Certified Green Professional.
