Health & Safety Notes California Childcare Health Program Indoor Air Quality When we think of air pollution, it is important to upholstery, wood finishes, rug and oven clean- consider the air that is inside of our homes, work- ers, paints and lacquers places, and other buildings. The Environmental • art supplies such as glues, paints, dry erase Protection Agency has found that indoor air is two markers and pens to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and • pesticides considers contaminants in indoor air among the • radon top five environmental risks to public health. In- • tobacco smoke and second-hand smoke door air contaminants may have adverse effects on the health and comfort of infants, toddlers, pre- How can we reduce indoor schoolers and the staff who care for them. Many air pollution? health problems can be triggered by polluted air. Remove the source of the pollutant. Source control Young children and indoor is the most effective, economical and time-efficient air pollution way to address indoor air quality. Young children are especially vulnerable to indoor Control moisture in the environment. Moist vapor, air pollution. The same concentrations of pollutants standing water and water-damaged materials are can result in higher exposures to children because a breeding ground for mold, mildew, insects and they breathe more air in proportion to their body bacteria. Prompt attention to moisture problems is weight than adults. Also, since children are growing essential to reduce the risk of adding contaminants and developing, the potential for damage to their into the air. respiratory and neurological systems is greater. Provide ventilation. Ventilation means supplying What are the health risks? outdoor air to the areas that are occupied by chil- Some short-term health problems that may result dren indoors. Opening windows and safely using from indoor air pollutants are headache, nausea, fans will provide ventilation. Windows should open dizziness, infection and irritation of the eyes, nose no more than four inches and fans should not be and respiratory tract. Possible chronic and long- accessible to children. When windows cannot be term effects include asthma, allergies, lung disease, opened, rooms should be ventilated by a system that cancer, and neurological damage. circulates air from outdoors. State laws set standards for the amount of fresh air that should enter the building during operation of the heating, ventilation, What causes indoor air pollution? and air conditioning systems (HVAC). HVAC sys- • biological contaminants such as mold, dust tems should be inspected to ensure that the vents mites, pet dander and cat saliva, pollen, rats that allow mixing of outdoor air are open. Failure and mice, cockroaches, bacteria and viruses to open the vents is common and results in unsafe • gas stoves, wood stoves and kerosene heaters indoor environments. • solvents, cleaning agents, air fresheners, cosmetics and perfumes Maintain and inspect heating and air conditioning • dust from lead paint systems. Never burn charcoal indoors. Fireplaces, • off-gassing of chemicals found in furnishings furnaces, gas heaters, air conditioners and venti- and consumer products such as carpeting and lation systems need to be clean, dry and in good repair. Filters should be changed regularly. Make • Ventilation. Arrange your space to provide sure that vents in HVAC systems are open. adequate ventilation to high-need areas such as arts and crafts areas and diaper changing areas. Review custodial and housekeeping practices. Install window guards for safety. Regularly in- Vacuum and damp mop for dust which may contain spect and maintain HVAC systems. lead, dust mites, pesticides and other contaminants. • School supplies and purchasing choices. Pur- Use proper dilutions for cleaning products and use chase least toxic supplies. Install new products products only for their intended purpose. Read such as carpeting and furniture when children labels and buy the least harmful product available. are not present, and provide ventilation for 48 Products labeled “warning” or “caution” are less to 72 hours after installation. (AAP, 2011) harmful than those labeled “poison” or “danger.” Choose low emission products. Choose cleaning products with fewer fumes such as • Sanitizing and cleaning products. Decide what baking soda and vinegar. Avoid products in aerosol products you will use for cleaning and sanitiz- sprays. Don’t use air fresheners—they do not im- ing. Keep products in their original containers. prove air quality and use artificial chemicals. Keep all chemicals out of the reach of children. • Equip craft areas properly. Use art supplies such as Pets. Determine if you will allow pets in your glues and paints outside or in ventilated areas. Do program. Confine pets to a limited area that is not use materials that create toxic fumes or gases. easily cleaned. Read the labels, as they are required to identify haz- ardous ingredients. Don’t store open, unused paints Are air purifiers helpful? and craft materials. Supervise children closely. Many products are sold as air purifiers. Ozone gen- erators purposely introduce ozone into the air. Ion Use pesticides only as a last resort. Use Integrated generatorsmayintroduceozoneintotheairasa Pest Management (IPM) rather than spraying byproduct. Ozone can be harmful to children, so pesticides (for more information see IPM Toolkit these devices are not recommended. Air filtration for Early Care and Education Programs. Consult systems, if properly maintained, can be used as an a specialist who is familiar with IPM. adjunct to source control and adequate ventilation. Effective control at the source of pollution remains What are useful policies for the most important step in maintaining air quality. promoting indoor air quality? (AAP, 2011) Written policies show you are committed to pro- Resources and References viding a healthy child care setting and help avoid California Environmental Protection Agency Air confusion when communicating with parents and Resources Board, Indoor Air Pollution in California, 2012. staff. Communication about environmental issues www.arb.ca.gov/html/fact_sheets/ is essential between caregivers, parents, grounds preschool_exposure.pdf. keepers, custodial staff and maintenance contrac- American Academyof Pediatrics, Committee on Environmental Health.(2011)Pediatric Environmental Health. tors. Policies may address: • Painting, renovations and repair. Schedule American Academy of Pediatrics,AmericanPublicHealth these activities for times when children are not Association, & National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care. (2011). Caring for Our Children: present. Test all painted surfaces for lead before National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines painting. Choose licensed professionals with ex- for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition. perience in dealing with lead paint and proper disposal of debris. Volunteers, although well United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2000). meaning, are often not aware of the environ- Indoor Air Quality: Tools for Schools. www.epa.gov/iaq. mental risks to young children. American Lung Association. (1999). Indoor Air Pollution • No smoking. This includes all adults. Adults Fact Sheet. www.lung.org. who live in the home of a family child care California Childcare Health Program. (2011). Integrated Pest program as well as parents, relatives and staff Management Toolkit for Early Care and Education Programs. cchp.ucsf.edu. should be aware of this policy. • Pest management. Use IPM techniques. by Bobbie Rose, RN 08/05 (revised 06/16) California Childcare Health Program UCSF School of Nursing cchp.ucsf.edu.