Assess the Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

Boulder County Public Health’s (BCPH’s) Healthy Homes Program is a no-cost resource for all Boulder County residents. It focuses on households with respiratory illnesses and diseases and underserved and under-resourced communities. We focus on indoor health and safety and strive to inform residents to allow them to improve their health and quality of life by recommending no-to-mid-cost solutions. We have identified resources to which we can direct residents that may help to support and address their needs.

We are not service technicians and do not make repairs or diagnostics. We do not perform building code enforcement or home inspections and will not assess the structure or condition of your home. We will focus on providing education and information to improve indoor air quality (we touch on some outdoor as well) and safety within your home.

The assessment will take about 1.5 hours, and we will review the eight principles of a healthy home to keep your home:

• Dry
• Clean
• Pest-Free
• Well ventilated
• Safe
• Contaminant Free
• Maintained
• Thermally Controlled

Conduct Your Assessment

Assess the indoor air quality of your home using the following checklist and considering these questions while conducting your assessment.

• Are there any health or safety concerns in your home?
• Are there low to mid-cost solutions or repairs you can make?
• What resources may be available to address potential issues or concerns you may identify during the DIY assessment?

Please note that the Healthy Homes Assessment Checklist is for informational and educational purposes only. If you have specific concerns about your home, please consult the appropriate service technician.

• We spend 90% of our time indoors, where the air quality is often worse than outdoors.
• Pollutants that can impact indoor air quality include radon, lead, asbestos, mold, tobacco smoke, and household chemicals (e.g., cleaning agents, pesticides, paints). Other factors include combustion appliances, ventilation systems, and cooking practices.

Asthma is More Common in Colorado than the National Average

• There are communities across Boulder County with higher-than-state-average asthma hospitalization rates.
• The percentage of Colorado residents with asthma is 9.6%, which compares to the national average of 7.8%
• Dry Air: Colorado’s high desert terrain produces an arid climate that can irritate mucus membranes and exacerbate asthma conditions
• Smoke: Any smoke, including marijuana, e-cigarettes (i.e., vaping), cigars, cigarettes, and campfires, can trigger asthma
• Air Pollution: Colorado’s highly wooded areas increase the risk of wildfires, and winds sweeping across the western United States can carry smoke for many miles.
• High Altitude: Higher altitudes tend to have cooler air temperatures and reduced oxygen, which can worsen asthma.

Radon

Homes in Boulder County have elevated radon levels.

• One out of every two homes in Boulder County has elevated radon levels.
• Radon breaks down into radioactive particles that can cause cancer when inhaled. These radioactive particles can damage the cells in our lungs and increase the risk of lung cancer.
• Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Aging Homes Across Boulder County

• Just over 40% of housing units in Boulder County were constructed before 1978, when lead was most prevalent.
• Approximately 56% of homes nationwide were built before 1988, when asbestos-containing materials were more commonly used.

Health and safety concerns in the home extend beyond air quality and include:

• Poisoning
• Carbon monoxide
• Expired medications
• Harsh chemicals
• Fires and burns
• Drowning, choking, suffocation, and strangulation
• Electrocution
• Firearms

• Information on Air Filter and Air Cleaners
• The EPA’s Citizen Guide to Pest Control and Pest Safety Pamphlet
• CSU’s Household Pests glossary
• Home Maintenance Checklist
• Dispose of unused paints and chemicals at Boulder County’s Hazardous Materials Management Facility
• Avoid hazardous cleaning products. Use soap and water or products certified by the EPA Safer Choice Program
• Find a location near you to disposed of expired and unused medications
• How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher Training Video
• Fireplace Safety Tips for Families
• Sign up to Receive Air Quality Alerts
• Sign up for Boulder County Alerts
• Search for recalled products or to report an unsafe product
• AARP’s Home Fit Guide is a self-guided way to modify homes and minimize trip and fall hazards
• Change ceiling fan direction in the Summer to counterclockwise and in the Winter to the clockwise direction
• Industrial Hygienists and Environmental Consultants