Indoor Environmental Quality Plays a Pivotal Role in the Efforts of National Healthy Homes Month in Puerto Rico

Today marks the start of the sixth celebration of National Healthy Homes Month (NHHM). The month-long celebration takes place each June and was begun by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and various partners.
 
In Puerto Rico, NHHM is an opportunity for residents to learn about healthy homes. This includes everything from home maintenance to potential hazards that may already exist in the home. To help in this effort, HUD provides a number of educational materials, including Eight Healthy Homes Principles. They include:

1. Keep it Dry - Prevent water from entering a home through leaks in roofing systems, rain water from entering the home due to poor drainage, and check the interior plumbing for any leaking.
2. Keep it Clean - Control the source of dust and contaminants, creating smooth and cleanable surfaces, reducing clutter, and using effective wet-cleaning methods.
3. Keep it Safe - Store poisons out of the reach of children and properly label. Secure loose rugs and keep children’s play areas free from hard or sharp surfaces. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and keep fire extinguishers on hand.
4. Keep it Well-Ventilated - Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens and use whole house ventilation for supplying fresh air to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the home.
5. Keep it Pest-Free - All pests look for food, water and shelter. Seal cracks and openings throughout the home; store food in pest-resistant containers. If needed, use sticky-traps and baits in closed containers, along with least toxic pesticides such as boric acid powder.
6. Keep it Contaminant-Free - Reduce lead-related hazards in pre-1978 homes by fixing deteriorated paint, and keeping floors and window areas clean using a wet-cleaning approach. Test the home for radon, a naturally occurring dangerous gas that enters homes through soil, crawlspaces and foundation cracks. Install a radon removal system if levels above the EPA action-level are detected.
7. Keep the Home Maintained - Inspect, clean and repair the home routinely. Take care of minor repairs and problems before they become large repairs and problems.
8. Thermally Controlled - Houses that do not maintain adequate temperatures may place the safety of residents at increased risk from exposure to extreme cold or heat.

 
“Since most people spend about 90% of their time indoors, much of it at home, having a healthy indoor environment plays a key role in the well-being of all family members,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “In Puerto Rico, Zimmetry’s local experts are dedicated to identifying and resolving exposure risks in homes, schools and businesses. We offer building assessments and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing and monitoring for biological, chemical and radiological pollutants. These include mold, bacteria, viruses, lead, asbestos, radon, VOCs, carbon monoxide, asthma triggers, allergens and respiratory irritants to name a few. If a problem is found, our professionals can provide the expertise to eliminate or mitigate the issue.”
 
To learn more about Zimmetry’s indoor environmental quality, building science or occupational testing, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail