The information on this website is not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified, licensed professional.

Click here for information on ordering this book online

Clearer, Cleaner, Safer, Greener

Copyright (c) Gary Null, 1990

Installment 1: INTRODUCTION:
Where We Live and Work

    ELAINE hops off the subway into the fresh, crisp air outside, feeling good about herself and about life. She walks the few blocks to her office, takes a good deep breath of air, and pushes into the Fifth Avenue building. Within half an hour, Elaine looks and feels like a different person. It starts with her eyes burning, then the liveliness she felt earlier begins to fade into an overriding sense of fatigue. Coffee perks her up for a little while, but shortly afterwards her eyes grow even more irritated and she feels as though she can hardly hold herself up. At five o'clock she sighs, unable to believe that she actually made it through another day. She drags herself out of the office, down the elevator, and then, like a miracle, within a few minutes she begins to feel great again.

For years Elaine jokingly referred to her condition as an "allergic reaction to work." She had gone to see a number of doctors and a psychiatrist, and all of them more or less agreed. It was in her head, they said. No other explanation for it. And actually it was not all that uncommon. A lot of people experienced many strange fatiguelike symptoms in connection with work. Elaine's psychiatrist suggested that she was acting out not wanting to take care of herself.

Recently, Elaine got a new job. She was excited about it, but in a way was fearing it too. Her new position called for a fair degree of responsibility and thinking on her feet. What if her lethargy took over and she couldn't think, as so often happened at her old job? Fortunately, that never happened. Elaine found that in her new sunny office she felt just as wonderful as she did before getting in to work. Was it merely a coincidence?

Elaine never really knew for certain what the problem was. When she heard about others who were having experiences similar to hers because of a "sick building" or indoor air pollution, it all made sense. While she felt good in her new office, she noticed that it had windows that opened, natural lighting, and was decorated with soft colors. Nobody smoked. She was far away from a photocopier, and her new employer encouraged her to get up, stretch, and take breaks, particularly when she worked intensively on her computer video display terminal. On the other hand, she noticed that when she went to visit clients in their office, she would often start to experience the same symptoms all over again.

Studies reveal that conditions such as Elaine's are not unusual. Once scoffed at and rejected as a figment of an overly indulgent imagination, a wide variety of health problems are now being attributed by health authorities to the poor quality of the air inside our homes and office buildings. In 1985, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a study of air pollution within the home. Volunteers from across the country took part in the five-year study, wearing monitoring devices sensitive to eleven environmental contaminants, including chloroform, trichloroethylene (TCE), and benzene. The study found that no matter where people lived-in large cities or remote country areas-levels of the toxic contaminants were much higher indoors than they were outside. "It's probable," the study concluded, "that major sources are consumer products such as paints, cleansers, mothballs, deodorants, plastics, building materials, dry-cleaned clothes, gasoline, and cigarettes."

Since the energy crunch of the 1970s, homeowners and landlords have been sealing up buildings in attempts to reduce energy costs and consumption. This energy-conscious rush to save pennies may ironically be costing us billions in lost productivity, medical expenses, and environmental quality. Although the air in many of these energy efficient properties has become saturated with chemicals, fumes, and toxic gases, the costs of rehabilitating them may be so exorbitant that many landlords will either deny the existence of problems or indefinitely postpone much-needed modifications.

In May 1989, the EPA's long-awaited report on the quality of indoor air made its unofficial debut when Senator Frank Lautenberg, a Democrat from New Jersey, distributed bootleg copies of the EPA draft to members of a Senate subcommittee. Putting indoor air quality at the top of the list of the nation's environmental problems, the EPA report made the following findings:

* A major share of the public's exposure to air pollution is received indoors and may result in serious acute and chronic health risks. The evidence warrants an expanded effort to characterize and eliminate this exposure;

* Annual national costs of medical care resulting from major indoor air pollution (IAP) health effects are over $1 billion;

* Potential health effects of major indoor air pollutants range from itchy eyes and runny noses to chronic organ damage, and death from lung cancer and other diseases. The extent to which such effects actually occur depends on many factors, including the degree of exposure and the susceptibility of the individuals exposed;

* Few estimates are available for non-cancer health impacts but many scientists believe that these may be the most common and important effects of IAP;

* Exposure to IAP in non-industrial environments poses a significant threat to the population. We are all exposed to radon, and other pollutants that pose significant cancer risks. These include ETS (environmental tobacco smoke) and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Radon and ETS are present in a very large number of homes, and ETS is present in office buildings. VOCs are ubiquitous in indoor environments. Additional cancer risks come from asbestos, formaldehyde, PAHs (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons), and pesticides in indoor air.

A building can become "sick" and indoor air contaminated by a wide variety of factors-inadequate air and poor ventilation being by far the most important. This problem first attained public notoriety in 1976 when twenty-nine people died during a Philadelphia convention from the mysterious Legionnaire's disease. Health authorities later traced the disease to improper cleaning and maintenance of the hotel's air-conditioning system. Bacterial growth was allowed to accumulate, and vaporized throughout the building by the cooling system, causing the deadly infection when inhaled. Chemist Gray Robertson, president of ACVA Atlantic, a company that cleans up sick buildings, contends that poorly maintained ventilation systems cause disease.

The bacteria causing Legionnaire's disease is commonly found in the soil, where it is present in dilute concentration and normally does not affect people. If some of the soil is disturbed and carried in air currents due to construction activity, for example, particles can be sucked into building ventilation systems. If the soil particles fall onto a source of moisture such as the cooling tower or condensing trays, the bacteria can begin to multiply at a colossal rate. As the air comes in over the coils and through the cooling tower, some of the water evaporates, carrying with it the bacteria, which are now present in massive doses and distributed through the ducts throughout the building.

Another problem is the huge amount of debris that accumulates inside cooling systems, heating units, and duct work. Any contamination in the ducts will carry through vents to the people throughout the building. Robertson has found dead birds, snakes, rats, and insects, not to mention hundreds of pounds of beer cans, food wrapping, and other filth that constantly re-contaminates a building's air.

Bacterial infection from a sick building is not unusual. Dr. Alfred Munzer, a director of the American Lung Association, has examined many patients with vague respiratory problems that are quite bothersome. After interviewing them on their living and working habits, he found that the symptoms are associated with something at work.

A building-inspection division of Honeywell compiled data taken from buildings surveyed over a year and a half. The report concluded that:

* In almost two thirds of the buildings inspected, there was a measurable increase in toxic fumes, ambient heat from lights and VDTs, and a noticeable hike in the number of workers occupying the same space.

• Some buildings infuse no fresh air into their ventilation systems.

• In 75 percent of the buildings, maintenance was largely overlooked. Clogged filters and trash in air ducts were found throughout.

While the health effects of things like tobacco smoke and asbestos are fairly well accepted by medical and health officials, the EPA itself admits that it has little in the way of hard facts concerning the adverse health effects of many indoor pollutants. During air-conditioning season, many people come down with summer colds or viruses from work. Most often these are attributed to a change in temperature between the warmth outside and the cool air inside. But how many of these illnesses are in reality caused by bacterial or viral agents wafting through the air from poorly maintained cooling systems?

Quite apart from bacterial contamination, there are a large number of other substances that can accumulate and make people feel ill in tightly sealed buildings. We know a woman who started noticing a number of years ago that whenever she did photocopying for any period, she would begin to feel sleepy at first, and then experience achy and flulike symptoms. She asked a number of people if they had ever felt the same way, and they said no-it was all in her head. We now know, however, that copying machines as well as computers, new carpeting and furniture, and paint can all "outgas" fumes and vapors that can have significant health effects. Employees are now suing companies and building designers for medical conditions that result from indoor air pollution, especially when it's been learned that employers were aware of the problems. Until recently workers compensation laws prohibited workers from suing employers over most safety and health issues. Employees are finding their way around this by demonstrating the foreknowledge of companies and building owners.

When a publishing company moved its headquarters to a new, tightly sealed building on San Francisco Bay, workers almost immediately began to complain of stinging eyes, sore throats, and various other symptoms. One editor, who had worked for the company for many years, was particularly hard hit, and was out for weeks at a time with respiratory ailments. Workers noticed that people on the second floor of the building were the hardest hit. When they took their complaints to management, employees were met with what they called a conspiracy of silence. Frustrated by employer apathy, the ailing workers took the extraordinary step of forming a union. They discovered that the source of the contamination was a gasoline pump used to refuel boats at the marina located next to the second-floor air-intake duct. The employees have not yet decided whether they will take legal action against their employer.

The phenomenon of the sick building is not an easy one to analyze. Yes, sealing up our buildings and eliminating the flow of fresh air is certainly a major factor. But the problem is also escalated through a number of synergistic effects. In cities like New York, for instance, office space has become so expensive that a greater number of people are crowded into smaller spaces. As a result, air becomes stuffy, carbon monoxide and dioxide begin to accumulate, and people begin to feel tired, depressed, and are less productive. If smoking is allowed in the office, the problem is amplified. We also have more office machinery, computers, copiers, and fax machines-all of which emit electromagnetic radiation as well as fumes and gases that may be causing many more health problems than are currently recognized.

The number of chemicals in our environment has increased dramatically over the past few years. With no place to go, substances like formaldehyde from carpets and furniture can remain trapped in an office for weeks. Even people who do not react immediately to chemical contamination may suffer immune depletion and begin to react after periods of exposure.

Further complicating identification of indoor-pollution problems is the individual nature of people's responses to environmental contaminants. Doctors are beginning to recognize that allergic-type reactions to substances in a person's environment can evoke a wide range of responses. Some people with strong immune systems, for instance, may have no allergies or sensitivities at all. Others may react violently. Dr. Sherry A. Rogers, a specialist in allergy and environmental medicine, has tracked reactions to mold in a forty-one-year-old man who experienced headaches, dizziness, and extreme fatigue, to severe eczema in another, to an eight-year-old boy diagnosed as hyperactive until molds were discovered as the cause of his erratic behavior.

Many reactions to environmental factors can cause what Dr. Rogers calls "brain fog" or "toxic brain syndrome," where the substances evoke chemical reactions within the brain. There are no blood tests or X rays to diagnose it. Physicians unfamiliar with environmental medicine usually label these patients as hypochondriacs and suggest they get psychiatric help.

 

SOURCES OF POLLUTION

In addition to the tightening of our buildings and the growing number of chemicals in our environment, the effects of indoor pollution are compounded by the amount of time most people spend inside these days. In fact, unless you work out-of-doors or conscientiously exercise, chances are you may spend as little as one to two hours a day in the fresh air. Long-term constant exposure to toxins within the indoor environment can be the source of significant health problems. A discussion of some of the most significant sources of indoor pollution is helpful at this point. Carbon Monoxide: The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 2 percent, or 4.5 million people, are exposed to indoor levels of carbon monoxide that exceed the federal safety limits. About two hundred people die each year from carbon-monoxide poisoning from space heaters alone. Symptoms can vary, depending on the intensity of the exposure and an individual's reaction, as with many other environmental toxins.

many of our gas, coal, kerosene, and oil appliances-heaters, furnaces, stoves-give off significant amounts of carbon monoxide, particularly when they are not properly adjusted or maintained. Appliances don't have to be defective to be dangerous. Many portable space heaters are not vented outdoors. A Yale Medical School study found that some of these heaters can pollute the air of a typically ventilated room to a level of about twelve parts per million (ppm) of carbon monoxide. A day spent in a room with such a heater can bring blood carboxyhemoglobin levels of healthy nonsmokers almost to the halfway level known for the onset of nervous-system symptoms such as chronic fatigue and brain fog.

Radon: In January 1988, the National Academy of Sciences released a report estimating that as many as thirteen thousand lung cancer deaths occur each year as a result of exposure to radon, an odorless gas emitted by underground rocks that seeps into buildings through cracks in the foundations. The effects of radon are greatly aggravated by cigarette smoking.

In September 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)previously criticized by many as downplaying the health risks of radon-issued its own report concluding that radon represents one of the nation's worst environmental threats, endangering hundreds of thousands of households each year. Federal authorities have issued a national public health advisory urging Americans to test their homes for the naturally occurring radioactive gas.

Radon is an invisible gas that is produced when uranium in the soil deteriorates and gives off radioactive particles. Outside, the gas dissipates in the environment and causes few problems, but when it seeps into buildings and accumulates because of inadequate ventilation, radioactive particles can enter the lungs and cause cancer. Although the extents and risks of exposure are still not known for certain, we do know that the dangers are significant. According to a survey of eleven thousand homes in seven states, the EPA found that one third of the homes tested had levels above the federal standard of four picocuries per liter of air. For people who spend three quarters of their time indoors, that's like smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Officials also estimate that at this level of exposure over a period of seventy years, 20 percent would die of lung cancer as a result of radon exposure.

Results from over-the-counter test kits may be misleading or false because of the poor quality of laboratories doing the analysis. You can get recommendations from both state and federal environmental protection agencies for testing and safety levels.

Formaldehyde: In 1984, the EPA designated formaldehyde for priority attention. In its report on the quality of indoor air, the agency emphasizes the need for additional federal regulations affecting formaldehyde emissions from urea-formaldehyde-pressed wood products (particle board, plywood paneling, and medium-density fiberboard).

Formaldehyde, the active ingredient in embalming fluids, is found in a wide variety of consumer products ranging from carpets and upholstery, permanent-press fabrics, paper products, and cosmetics (some nail polishes and eye makeup can contain up to 5 percent formaldehyde). It is a primary ingredient in urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, which was banned in 1982 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission after persistent health problems were linked to its fumes. A subsequent decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held the safety commission's ban to be invalid, and the insulation process is still available despite its known health risks.

The chemical is a potent irritant, so it's difficult to tell whether symptoms arise from its irritating side effects on the eyes, nose, and throat, or whether formaldehyde works directly on the brain.

Common symptoms include chronic eye irritations, respiratory problems, rashes, fatigue, confusion, and chronic thirst. Studies indicate that it can cause cancers of the sinuses, lungs, and liver.

Asbestos: This fibrous substance was widely used as an insulator in almost all of our buildings until its health risks were recognized in the mid-1970s. While asbestos is no longer used, major programs have been instituted by the EPA to help defray the costs of getting the substance out of our schools and public buildings.

Health risks from asbestos result from microscopic fibers that can enter the lungs and remain there as an irritant for years. These fibers are recognized as the cause of mesothelioma, one of the worst forms of lung cancer. Scientists now believe that even a single asbestos fiber is capable of causing a tumor over time.

Volatile Organic Chemicals: After World War II, organic chemicals began to be used in a wide variety of consumer products. Today they are ubiquitous. They can be found in fabric-care products, disinfectants, paint products, and furniture polishes and waxes. Fabric-care products like spot removers and dry-cleaning solutions, for instance, can contain the carcinogens benzene and toluene. Dichlorobenzene, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylenes are often used in shoe dyes, polishes, and cleaners. Their toxic effects include heart, liver, and kidney damage, bladder cancer, and respiratory disorders.

Instead of getting rid of smells, room fresheners and deodorizers add even stronger and more toxic fumes to our environment. Many of them "deodorize" by deadening the nerve endings in our noses. Germicides and disinfectants contain phenol and cresol. Phenol is a recognized carcinogen. It is easily absorbed through the skin and can cause damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, and other organs. Paint and paint removers almost all contain organic solvents such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. Benzene is considered one of the environment's most dangerous chemicals. Fumes from all of these products can be highly toxic. When such fumes are ,combined and trapped within a poorly ventilated space, health effects can be significant.

CLEANING UP THE OFFICE

Comfortable and aesthetic office spaces traditionally have been the domain of prestigious companies and their officers. Office buildings, with their marble and brass lobbies and spacious window suites, were designed with that in mind. But comfort and beauty in the workplace usually ends there. Small firms often do not spend much on their office surroundings. While large corporations and law firms may have luxurious offices, more often than not the support staff is crowded into cubicles lacking in privacy, as well as adequate lighting and ventilation. We now know that the quality of our indoor environment has significant effects on the health and productivity of workers. Accordingly, the first step toward a safer and healthier working environment is an attitude shift. Employers and workers alike need to recognize that things like proper lighting and ventilation are necessities, not luxuries. And changes need to be made accordingly.

Building owners must be pressured by tenants to provide more fresh air in their buildings in order to dilute the pollution to relatively harmless percentages in the ambient air. The best way to do this is, of course, to provide windows that open, so people can ventilate their own space according to their needs. For landlords who refuse to replace sealed windows with ones that open, the next-best solution is to make sure that the ventilation system is adequately cleaned and blows sufficient quantities of fresh air into the office. This is also important in situations where window offices are reserved for employees higher up in the company hierarchy, while the support staff is clustered into the center of the space. Often the air in these center workstations is intolerably close and stuffy. The lack of oxygen alone can make workers tired and hazy. Nobody knows what the cumulative health effects and long-term costs can be of things like passive cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide, and the heat and pollution from office machinery.

Lighting is another factor that is only beginning to get the attention it merits in offices and public spaces. Although people have been complaining about it for years, fluorescent lighting was ubiquitous in our commercial buildings. We now recognize that this type of illumination causes a number of health problems. First, the common, commercial fluorescent tube lacks the full spectrum of light contained in natural sunlight. This deficiency has been shown to cause mood swings, depression, and decreases in productivity. Second, fluorescent light operates with small pulses of energy that are too quick to be consciously observed, but that are nevertheless registered in the brain. The result of this constant flashing can be fatigue, eyestrain, and eventually damage to the central nervous system. Adequate natural light is the best solution. If that is not possible, full-spectrum lighting is now available, and employees need to insist that their employers install it, preferably in a non-fluorescent form.

A common problem in older buildings is asbestos located in the building's insulation and duct work. This absolutely needs to be removed, and no reputable landlord should quibble about the cost.. With the current body of scientific literature concerning the carcinogenicity of asbestos, landlords who fail to remove asbestos leave themselves open to negligence suits in the future.

New carpets, furniture, paints, and building supplies commonly give off toxic fumes and gases when they are first installed. Nontoxic sealants are now available for application to carpets and upholstery to seal in most formaldehyde and other chemicals that emit fumes.

Almost all office equipment today emits varying amounts of pollutants. Photocopy machines should always be placed in well-ventilated areas. Video display terminals (VDTs) emit large electromagnetic fields that studies are now linking to miscarriages in women who use computers intensively, and possibly central-nervous-system damage. The VDT, like the fluorescent light, also pulses and can cause considerable eye fatigue and visual damage. To decrease potential health risks, avoid staring directly into the screen whenever possible. Look away, for instance, when you are entering material. Do outlines before you sit down at your computer to decrease the time you sit in front of it, and use printouts for reading and editing instead of gazing into the screen.

 

DETOXIFYING THE HOME

Since everyone’s home is different, the first thing you need to do is analyze your own situation and any problem you may have. For instance, do you rent or own your home? If you are an owner, are you thinking about building a new home, renovating an existing one, or do you just want to make minor health-oriented alterations? If you have a particular problem, you need to analyze it. Do you feel worse in one room than in another? Does anyone else in your house? Don't forget to take pets and houseplants into consideration. Animals may react strongly to formaldehyde because their noses are closer to carpets; leaves on houseplants may get brown if there is a toxic problem indoors. If you have pets, you need to consider whether they may be the source of a problem. If they urinate on rugs, bacteria may be accumulating, and animal dander’s are common allergens for many people.

You also need to consider the location of your home, since the quality of outdoor air will directly affect indoor quality. If you are planning to build and are selecting a site, there are a number of factors you will want to avoid:

* Industrial areas: Many manufacturing processes involve the use of toxic chemicals that may be dumped into rivers or released into the air. Toxic dump sites invariably leak and contaminate groundwater in surrounding areas.

* Highways and gas stations: Both are sources of toxic gases. Carbon monoxide and ozone can cause respiratory problems. Leaking storage tanks at gas stations can contaminate groundwater.

* Sources of high emissions of electromagnetic radiation: These include utility lines, broadcasting towers, and airport radar systems. Studies now link high-voltage power lines to cancer, particularly in children, as well as damage to the central nervous system. For this reason schools should not be situated near power lines.

In constructing or remodeling a home, you may want to consider the following factors:

Gutters should always drain away from buildings so that they do not allow water to accumulate near foundations, walls, and in the basement. Excessive moisture can allow allergy-causing molds and fungi to proliferate.

* Ideally a house or any building should be built tightly but with good ventilation. In this way air flow can be controlled. Air filtering through walls can blow bits of fiberglass and other particulates, including asbestos in older buildings, indoors.

Indoor pollution can result from materials used in construction, furniture, and other products used inside, so it is important to inventory these factors:

Floorings: Wood, tile, and other smooth surfaces are less prone to accumulating dust, molds, and other biological allergens than carpeting Unfinished surfaces of wood, brick, and unglazed tiles, however, have pores in which dust, kitchen grease, and all sorts of dirt can accumulate. Untreated, these surfaces also begin to fade and become gray. Hard surfaces are usually treated with urethane products. These chemicals work well to seal the surfaces and give them a durable finish, but they have two major defects. First, they emit highly toxic fumes that can evoke strong reactions in some people. Second, urethaned floors need to be refinished periodically, and in order to do this properly, the old layer needs to be stripped. This can be a costly and time-consuming job, and requires the use of more toxic chemicals.

As an alternative to urethane finishes, you can now buy penetrating oils made with nontoxic ingredients that actually seep into the cellular structure of the wood or ceramics. The result is a smooth, satiny finish that can last for years. The oil sealant is usually followed by waxing, and occasional waxing and buffing is recommended for heavily used areas. One such product is the Kaldet Resin & Oil Finish manufactured by Livos Plant Chemistry. These sealants also come in 4;olors and can be used on other woodworking to protect it from moisture.

If you are choosing tiling, remember that soft vinyl tiles outgas more than hard tiles. Some older tiles were also made with asbestos and should be removed if that is the case.

If you do have carpeting, make sure to vacuum and shampoo it frequently. Carpeting is a repository for all sorts of food particles, bacteria, molds, yeast, dust, and animal dander’s. Microorganisms thrive particularly when there is excess moisture in the air. And don't forget to change vacuum cleaner bags often. Full bags can blow dust and particles back into your air and also cause machines to overheat and give off fumes.

Removing or replacing carpeting is a number-one priority if you are concerned about the quality of your indoor environment. While older carpeting is probably not outgassing, even conscientious vacuuming and cleaning will not totally eliminate biological allergens.

Synthetic carpets give off a host of toxic fumes and allergy evoking particles. Not only do almost all synthetics contains formaldehyde, but also things like ethelbenzene, toluene, styrene, benzene and di-phenol ether. Some people react immediately with violent to these chemicals. Others may not react at first, but constant exposure can lead to suppression of the immune response and a re, sensitivity not only to the particular chemicals in the carpet, but number of other substances. Fibers from synthetic carpeting deteriorate with time and contribute to household dust. When the, enter the home's heating system, they can bum and give off even more fumes.

Many of the newer systems of carpet installation glue padding to a particleboard or plywood flooring. The glue may give off fumes, and the flooring is often treated with formaldehyde. Removing carpeting altogether under these circumstances may be quite expensive. One alternative is to replace synthetic carpeting with one made of wool and colored with nontoxic dyes. Careful taping and installation should be able to cut down on fumes from particle-boardlike flooring. Another solution is to tape up both the padding and carpeting, carefully seal the particle-board flooring, and then build a wood floor over it.

Man-made wood floorings like particle board (also used in kitchen cabinets and some walls) contain a number of toxic chemicals that can outgas for many years. Surfaces made of these synthetic woods should either be sealed with foil under the carpeting or coated with nontoxic sealants to seal in formaldehyde and other gases.

If you suspect that tiling in your house contains asbestos, it may be best to cover it with something else. Ceramic tiles are an excellent choice for bathroom walls and floors. They can be expensive, but you can save money by buying seconds.

Walls, Doors, and Windows: Depending upon the age of your home, you may have a variety of structural problems. Older buildings used asbestos not only between walls as an insulator, but also in ceilings and walls themselves. You can recognize it in cottage-cheesetype ceilings and walls. You will also want to look at your ducts to see whether they have been insulated with the fiber.

Newer structures, on the other hand, have the problem of formaldehyde vapors escaping from plywood and other man-made wood products as well as from the glue that holds them together.

Most paints, stains, and paint removers are made with organic solvents like petroleum ethers or aromatic hydrocarbons. The ethers are highly flammable, while the aromatics include toxins such as benzene, xylene, and toluene. Older paints also contain heavy metals like lead. Many paints, both old and new, can enter easily into the bloodstream upon contact, causing liver damage. The petroleum by-products also outgas significantly. Today, there are a number of paints available for sensitive people. Unless your walls really need repainting, you also might want to consider giving them a thorough wash down with soap and water. This is much less toxic and expensive than repainting

Condensation on walls is an indicator that the moisture level in the building is too high. Excessive moisture can lead to proliferation of molds, mildew, fungi, and other biological allergens.

In the basement, you need to check to make sure that there are no cracks in the foundation through which radon can leak into the building.

Ventilation and Heating: Adequate ventilation in every part of the house is essential for a healthy indoor environment. In the kitchen, a gas stove can be very polluting if the room is not ventilated either by a window or a good fan. Make sure that your fan vents to the outside of the building and does not simply blow air back into the room. In the bathroom, you need ventilation to remove excess moisture from the air. Even with a good bathroom fan, if you are sensitive to molds, it is a good idea to wipe down the tub and even the walls after showering.

Most of us spend a minimum of eight hours a day in the bedroom. Mattresses may be treated with flame retardants, and permanent-press sheets treated with formaldehyde and other chemicals that give off fumes. Check your bedroom closets. Do they have strong odors or fumes? Some laundry detergents and fabric softeners may have cloying perfumes that cling to clothes. Dry-cleaned clothes give off very toxic vapors and should be aired, preferably outside, before you hang them in your closet or wear them. If mildew or mold is accumulating in your closets, it can be transferred to your clothes, causing sensitivities when you wear them.

Even the attic needs to be ventilated so that it does not accumulate moisture. While you're there, check the insulation. Is it well sealed, or can moisture enter the house through the ventilation system? How about the heating ducts? All joints need to be taped and sealed to keep insulation from entering the ducts and filtering into the house.

The type of heating system that you choose is also important. There have been a number of studies in Canada showing that oil and gas furnaces will often "back-draft-the fumes will actually be drawn into the home instead of being drawn out through the chimney. Both heating and air-conditioning systems need to have their filters replaced often and have regular cleaning. Furnace ducts can be vacuumed by professional cleaners to remove much of the accumulated dirt and dust. The average home has ineffective furnace filters that are only good for catching big chunks of dirt. Carbon and other high efficiency filters are now available and can reduce the amount of particles in your indoor air.

RESOURCES

The EPA has published several publications on the quality of indoor air:

* The Inside Story. A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. This 32-page booklet gives an overall view of some of the potential problems with indoor pollution. Focus is on the home, but there is a short section on the office. Pollutants discussed include pesticides, asbestos, formaldehyde, radon, cigarette smoke, stoves, and heaters. Also included is a list of local and state government agencies that can advise homeowners or prospective buyers.

* Directory of State Indoor Air Contacts. This 129-page publication gives a fairly comprehensive list of state agencies in each of the 50 states that may be able to help you with specific questions concerning indoor pollution. Included are things like building complaint investigations, complaints about building materials like paint, insulation, and other matters like gasoline or gas fumes, pesticides, radon, and fiber analysis.

* Current Federal Indoor Air Quality Activities. This 43-page booklet lists the EPA's various areas of research and programs it conducts. It includes the name of the office responsible for a particular area and gives contact names and telephone numbers.

* Congressional Directory: Environment. This is a 600-page directory published by Environment Communications. It purports to list all of the congressional committees and subcommittees (as well as members, aides, and staff) dealing with environment issues. The publication also has a word index listing about five hundred environmental problems.

The first three publications are available by writing or calling the EPA, Air Division, Office of Air and Radiation, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. For the Congressional Directory, contact Environment Communications, 6410 Rockledge Drive, Suite 203, Bethesda, MD 20817.

For information on radon, state officials will provide the names of reputable companies doing radon testing. The EPA also provides a list of companies and publishes two free booklets on radon testing A Citizen's Guide to Radon: What It Is and What to Do About it and Radon Reduction Methods: A Homeowner's Guide. You can get this information by contacting your local branch of the EPA, listed in the telephone book under the United States Government section.

If you need information on formaldehyde products, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772.