It is important for children to have a healthy home in which to live.  People spend most of their time inside their homes, which are a source of shelter and safety.  Serious health problems for adults and children can occur from unseen hazards that are in the home, such as lead-based paint, mold, carbon monoxide and radon.  Children are at a higher risk for these hazards because their bodies still are growing.  Understanding, identifying and eliminating dangers that may be in the home can help to keep children and families safe.

Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health.  The Ohio Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (OHHLPPP), through the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), recognizes that children under the age of 3 years are at greatest risk for lead poisoning.  Exposure to lead can cause serious harm to a child’s health, including damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, as well as hearing and speech problems.  The most common source of lead poisoning is deteriorating lead-based paint.  Although the use of such paints has been banned in the United States since 1978, it still may be present in older homes and apartments.  When the paint peels and cracks, it creates lead dust that children can swallow or inhale, significantly increasing their risk of lead poisoning.

Most children with lead in their blood have no symptoms, which makes it hard to diagnose and treat lead poisoning early.  No safe blood lead level has been identified in children.  Parents who suspect their child has been in contact with lead should contact their child’s healthcare provider.  A physician can determine high levels of lead through a blood lead test.

Lead poisoning is preventable.  Individuals can test the paint in their homes for lead using an at-home test kit, available at most home improvement stores.  Renovations also should be conducted safely using contractors certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Recalled toys should be removed from the home and disposed of properly.  Parents can stay up-to-date on current recalls by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website at www.cpsc.gov.

OHHLPPP addresses the needs of lead-poisoned children from birth through 6 years of age.  The program provides public health lead investigations, case management, local program funding, education, and lead data.   They can be contacted by calling (877) LEADSAFE (532-3723).

Mold is another hazard in the home that can cause adverse health effects for children.  It is a fungi that assists in the breakdown of organic material and reproduces through tiny spores that can float easily through the air.  For some, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash.  Kids who have asthma and those allergic to mold may have severe reactions.  Children with compromised immune systems or chronic lung disease may get infections in the lungs from mold.

Mold flourishes in areas that contain moisture, such as leaks in roofs, windows or pipes, or where flooding has occurred.  Organic materials such as wood, paper and cloth provide the ideal nutrients for mold to grow.  It is important to mitigate a mold problem as soon as it is discovered.  Soap and water or a bleach solution can be used to remove mold from hard surfaces.  Moisture control is the best way to prevent indoor mold growth.  Reducing humidity levels in the home by using air conditioning and dehumidifiers may prevent future mold growth.  Utilizing exhaust fans when cleaning and cooking also may limit excess moisture in the home.

Licking County has the highest levels of indoor radon in the state of Ohio.  According to the EPA, radon is estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is responsible for over 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year.  Radon is a naturally forming gas that is produced when uranium, radium and thorium break down in rocks, soil and groundwater.  It is colorless and odorless, and exposure comes from breathing radon in air that enters through cracks and gaps in buildings and homes.  Exposure to radon over a long period of time can lead to lung cancer.  A radon test is the only way to determine radon levels in the home, and levels can be reduced with a mitigation system.
The Licking County Health Department (LCHD) recommends that all residents test their homes for radon.  Free test kits are available and may be ordered online at the ODH website, ohio.radon.com.  LCHD also provides radon education and awareness through a grant from the EPA, administered by ODH.  Individuals may call (740) 349-1562 for more information.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is another harmful gas that is odorless and colorless.  CO is found in combustion fumes produced by cars, gas appliances, generators, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves.  If CO builds up in an enclosed space such as a room, home or garage, people and animals can be poisoned by the gas.  The most common symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.  High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death.

A number of preventative measures can be taken to avoid CO poisoning, such as installing a battery-operated CO detector in the home and performing annual maintenance checks on heating systems, water heaters and other appliances powered with gas, oil or coal.  Stoves and fireplaces should be properly vented to the outside of the home.  Generators, grills and other equipment powered by gasoline or charcoal should be operated outdoors and not inside a garage or a basement.  Vehicles should not be left running while in a closed space, even with the garage door open.

LCHD and ODH offer a number of resources for Licking County residents to ensure that their homes are healthy and safe.  ODH provides a Healthy Homes Environmental Visual Assessment Tool for homeowners to inspect their dwelling for potential health hazards.  Information can be found on their websites, www.lickingcohealth.org/env and www.odh.ohio.gov.