Volunteers promote healthy homes in the Valley.
Published 2:47 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
When North Bend resident Kelly Whitcomb’s son’s asthma began to flare up, the mother of four was
determined to find the cause of the problem.
It was then that she heard about the American Lung
Association’s Master Home Environmentalist Program, which arms community
members with the knowledge and training to detect health hazards that can
contribute to asthma and other allergies.
“We saw a real need to teach people about pollution issues in
the home,” said Amy Duggan, the manager for the Master Home
Environmentalist Program. “There was a lot of information on outdoor
pollutants, but nothing addressing the home.”
“The home environment can be quite toxic and people have a lot
of control over their home environment,” she added.
Within their first year of service, volunteers must dedicate 35 hours
of community outreach, which can include conducting home
assessments, manning information booths at fairs or holding various workshops.
Whitcomb quickly became a volunteer and implemented the
allergy-reducing techniques she learned in the classes in her own home. Within
the year, Whitcomb noticed a remarkable change in her family’s health.
Now the two-year volunteer veteran wants to change the lives of
others.
So far she has conducted about half a dozen home assessments
and has consulted many people over the telephone.
“People tend not to allow people into their home because of things
like huge laundry piles,” Whitcomb said. “If anyone is worried, then they
can come to our home and see all the laundry piles in my home.”
“I finally justified in my mind that it’s no big deal and that I should
just learn how to have a healthy home,” added North Bend resident
Karen McKiernan, who finally agreed to have her home evaluated
by Whitcomb.
McKiernan’s son has been suffering from nasal congestion
particularly in the morning. One major cause of allergies, Whitcomb said, is the
hundreds of dust mites that people come into contact with every day. But it
isn’t the dust mites themselves that irritate the person’s nose; it is the little
gifts that the insect-like creatures leave behind.
“Allergies are from the dust mite poop,” Whitcomb explained.
“And they lay about 20 poopies a day.”
The mites feed off of human skin and pet dander and a female can
lay 25 to 50 eggs every three weeks. The microscopic organism resides in
bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture.
Warm, humid conditions attract the mites, which makes a home
easily susceptible to an infestation during the winter when the heater is
constantly running and everything is locked tight. It creates what Whitcomb calls
a “greenhouse for your critters.”
Instead, people should consider maintaining good airflow
throughout the home, even during the cold months, she said.
One way to battle the mites is to wash the pillowcases, sheets and
blankets every week in 130-degree water. Then, encase the bedding and
mattresses with allergy control covers, which prevent dust mites from
getting into those items. Also, Whitcomb suggests using a powder on the carpet
that kills the creatures.
“You can go as expensive as you want or as inexpensive,” she said,
noting that quality covers can be very costly, whereas giving your carpet
a good vacuum is relatively cheap.
But vacuuming might not be as quick and easy as one thought,
especially if you want to make sure all of the dirt is out of the carpet.
Whitcomb, who vacuums her home twice a week, said that when she used a
vacuum equipped with a sensor that detects dirt on her floors, she was able to pull
up one pound of dust from a four-foot section after about two hours.
To prevent bringing unwanted dirt into the home, Whitcomb said
that people should remove their shoes before entering their home. Not
only would that reduce the grime, it also prevents the introduction of
outdoor pollutants that hitch a ride on the soles of the shoes. But for those who
can’t convince their family to take off their shoes, investing in a sturdy
commercial-style doormat at all the entrances to the home can greatly reduce
the dust.
After the evaluation of the McKiernan’s home, Whitcomb
offered the family three suggestions to help make their home a
healthier place. The plan included covering the bedding, installing the doormats
and cleaning the home’s heating ducts.
“It doesn’t feel overwhelming,” McKiernan said after the
walk- through. “That’s the purpose of the goal setting and I’ve thought
about cleaning the ducts several times.”
The American Lung Association of Washington will be holding a
volunteer workshop from July 11 through Aug. 17 at their office in Seattle.
About 300 King County residents have participated in 35-hour training
program since 1992.
Volunteers learn about lead issues, hazardous chemicals, indoor air
issues, moisture problems and dust.
Applications for the program are due by June 16. For more
information about the volunteer program or for a free home assessment by a
Master Home Environmentalist, call the American Lung Association of
Washington at (206) 441-5100 or (800) 732-9339 or visit their Web site
at www.alaw.org.
