Poor housing conditions like chipping paint, poor air quality, pests, and water leaks can be harmful to health. Our Healthy Homes Program aims to address these conditions through Healthy Home Assessments, home improvement resources, community connections,
workshops, professional advice, and presentations.
"Studies like the Household Exposure Study reveal the potentially toxic consequences of hygienic homes, lush lawns, gleaming tile, plastic-wrapped leftovers, and vinyl-covered furniture."
— Ruthann Rudel, Silent Spring Institute—
Toxic Ingredients
Many home furnishings including couches, ottomans, chair pads and beds can include toxic ingredients. The chemical ingredients that make up flame retardants can be linked to thyroid, reproductive, developmental and liver problems. Chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) also irritate the eyes, nose and throat and cause headaches. Long term exposure to these toxic ingredients can increase the lifelong risk of cancer.
Furniture repair products are as equally bad for your health. Some contain chemicals that can irritate your lungs, eyes and skin, cause reproductive toxicity, allergies and even cancer.
Tips for Avoiding Toxic Problems
- Select natural wood furniture – particle board or pressed wood products are known to contain formaldehyde
- Select organic linens and consider purchase of an eco mattress made from untreated organic cotton and wool
- Install working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in the home
Healthy Homes Asthma Program
The Healthy Homes Asthma program strives to ensure a healthy, asthma-friendly home for all, but especially for children.
Unmonitored or uncontrolled asthma can be fatal for children. Asthma triggers in the home include mold, moisture, poor ventilation, poor temperature control, pests and dust. WHE is assessing and addressing in-home asthma triggers to improve asthma control for children in Allegheny County.
If you or a loved one is struggling with poor indoor air quality or other conditions that have triggered or worsened asthma, you may qualify for home improvements from our fully-funded Healthy Homes Asthma Program. Click here to learn more.
Downloadable Resources
WHE has created shareable guides related to lead, indoor air quality, consumer products, and other environmental health topics.
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