Make Your Home a Healthier Home

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that humans spend 90% of their time indoors; in homes, schools, workplaces, places of worship, or gyms. Research shows that indoor air pollution is increasing. Our air quality is affected by chemicals, gases, and particles from products used or naturally found inside buildings, inadequate ventilation, and moisture and humidity problems. Homes are the most likely place people are exposed to indoor air pollution.

To encourage participants to learn about and improve the indoor air quality of their homes, the Boone County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent presented “Make your Home a Healthier Home” for 17 men and women from the general public. The session covered 36 areas that may be of concern in homes including lead dust, radon, carbon monoxide, and chemical pollution. Resources shared with the audience included those developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School or Public Health.

Evaluations collected immediately following the session indicated 91 percent understood the value of removing shoes when entering the home, and of vacuuming and cleaning on a regular basis. 

A survey conducted about three months after the program showed that 80 percent of respondents now change their HVAC filters as recommended, 60 percent now clean their homes (vacuum, dust, etc.) on a regular schedule, and 80 percent now use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans on a regular basis. Forty percent of participants now have their family members remove their shoes upon entering the home. 

One person installed a carbon monoxide detector in their home as a result of the program and another no longer burns candles as discussed during the program due to the air pollution candles create. 

References:  

Environmental Protection Agency: Improving Your Indoor Environment
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/improving-your-indoor-environment

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: 36 Tips to make Your Home a Healthier Home, https://homes.forhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/05/Harvard_Healthy_Buildings_Program_Homes_for_Health_May-2019.pdf

April 9, 2025