Indoor air quality DRAFT

Moisture indoors creates conditions for damp and encourages mould and bacteria. These pollute the air producing spores, volatile compounds and toxins associated with allergies, asthma and respiratory disease.

Prevent/reduce:

• Avoid air-drying clothes indoors if possible or increase the ventilation if this cannot be avoided.
• If using a tumble dryer, vent it outside, unless it is self-condensing.
• Use the bathroom extractor fan if present, or open windows where possible to provide temporary increased ventilation.
• Close the bathroom door when it is in use to help stop moisture from reaching other rooms.
• Repair sources of water damage and ensure residual moisture is removed.
• Ensure damp and mould problems are fixed promptly.
• Avoid exposure to dust mites by using mattress and pillow covers, washing bedding regularly and avoid using second-hand mattresses if possible.

Find more information about damp and mould on the Shelter England website.

Tobacco smoke is a source of various pollutants including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, ammonia (NH3) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Second hand smoke is a known carcinogen and can contain more than 7,000 substances. Components of tobacco smoke are deposited onto surfaces and then are slowly released back into the room as vapour.

Vaping using E-cigarettes is a source of ultrafine particulate matter.

Stop Smoking Service

Smokefree Knowsley is Knowsley's stop-smoking service and is provided by City Health Care Partnership.

The service offers specialist support to all residents who want to stop smoking, including those who are pregnant, One-to-one support can be given face-to-face, over the phone or online.

For more information visit Smokefree knowsley or call 0151 426 7462 or text QUIT to 61825 to receive a call back from an advisor.

Visit the Smokefree Knowsley website here to find out more.

The most significant indoor air pollutants created from the use of solid fuels are particulate matter (PM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Other pollutants which may also be released indoors include gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Using an open fireplace is much more polluting than an enclosed solid fuel appliance. However, increases in particulate matter (PM) levels are associated with solid fuel appliances when the door is opened for refuelling and removing ash.

Prevent/reduce:

• Try to avoid or reduce the amount of solid fuel burning if it is not your main source of heating.
• Follow the product instructions when using appliances to minimise exposure to pollutants.
• Always use the correct fuel and look for the 'Ready to Burn' logo.
• Consider upgrading to an Ecodesign enclosed solid fuel burning appliance.
• Solid fuel appliances must have local authority Building Control consent to be installed, or be installed by a member of a Competent Persons Scheme, for example HETAS.
• The chimney must be swept at least once per year by a professional and/or registered chimney sweep.
• Install a carbon monoxide monitor in the same room to alert you to dangerous fumes.
• Keep your home well-ventilated if using a solid fuel fire or appliance by using background ventilation (such as trickle vents), mechanical ventilation or opening windows if possible and safe.

LINK TO BURN BETTER KEEP IT CLEAN

More information can be found on the Heating Your Home page on the Merseyside Fire and rescue Service website.

Burning gas or paraffin in freestanding heaters releases pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) into the indoor environment.

These heaters also put a lot of moisture into the air – when burnt, one gallon of gas or paraffin produces about a gallon of water. Therefore there is a risk of creating damp conditions that could encourage the growth of dust mites and microbes such as moulds and bacteria.

Prevent/reduce:

• Avoid using freestanding bottled gas or paraffin heaters indoors - try to use an alternative form of heating.
• Follow the manufacturers instructions and keep the heater well maintained and serviced.
• Use a carbon monoxide monitor in the same room to alert you to dangerous fumes.
• Keep your home ventilated if using free-standing gas or paraffin heaters by using background ventilation (such as trickle vents), mechanical ventilation or opening windows if possible or safe.

Further information about using portable heaters is available from the Heating Your Home page on the Merseyside Fire and rescue Service website.

Household products can be a source of a range of pollutants including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia, formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid.

Prevent/reduce:

• Try to use the minimum amount of product
• Try to use non-spray alternatives
• Switch to using lower Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) alternatives such as unperfumed cleaning products or low-VOC/water-based paint. look out for product labels on paint containers - paints labelled low-VOC should contain fewer than 50 grams per litre of VOC.
• Follow the product instructions when using products to minimise exposure to pollutants.
• Keep your home well-ventilated when using products by using background ventilation (such as trickle vents), mechanical ventilation or opening windows if possible and safe.

Chemical emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde may be released over significant periods of time from new building materials and home furnishings into the indoor environment. The amount will depend on factors such as how much material is present, the temperature and how the room is ventilated.

Prevent/reduce:

• Choose low-emission materials (for example, products with low VOC or formaldehyde content and emissions) if furniture or flooring needs replacing - look out for product labels such as Ecolabel.
• Keep your home ventilated by using background ventilation (such as trickle vents), mechanical ventilation or opening windows if possible and safe.

Burning candles releases pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO), smoke, particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde into the indoor environment.

Prevent/reduce:

• Try to avoid or reduce candle burning indoors - consider using electric candles instead.
• Follow the product instructions when using candles to minimise exposure to pollutants.
• Keep your home well-ventilated if burning candles or incense sticks by using background ventilation (such as trickle vents), mechanical ventilation or opening windows if possible and safe.

Gas and solid/ liquid fuel cookers are a source of indoor pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM).

Regardless of the source of heat, cooking processes can be a source of other pollutants such as VOCs, particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Cooking can also put a lot of moisture into the air. Therefore, there is a risk of creating damp conditions that could encourage the growth of dust mites and microbes such as moulds and bacteria.

Prevent/reduce:

• Cooking food by boiling or steaming is generally less polluting than frying or grilling
• Use the cooker extractor fan if present
• Put a lid on saucepans to keep the steam inside and don't leave kettles boiling
• If possible, close the kitchen door when this room is in use to help stop moisture reaching other rooms.
• Gas cookers should not be used to heat a room
• Cookers must be correctly installed and tested.
• Keep your home well-ventilated when cooking by using background ventilation (such as trickle vents), mechanical ventilation or opening windows if possible and safe.

Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause leaks and a build-up of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO).

Prevent/reduce:

• Gas appliances should be serviced regularly.
• Always use a Gas Safe-registered engineer to fit, fix or service your gas appliances.
• Use a carbon monoxide monitor in the same room to alert you to dangerous fumes.

Further information

Carbon monoxide poisoning - NHS

Gas Safe register - The official list of Gas Safe-registered businesses

Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas that is formed naturally in the ground that has links to causing lung cancer. Radon can enter buildings from the ground beneath or from the materials they are built from, and levels can build up indoors. However, for most homes the risk to health is low. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is the UK’s primary expert on radon and radiation protection. Their UKradon website has more information about radon, including:

• Health risks;
• Maps of radon-affected areas; and
• The radon measurement services that UKHSA offers.