M1.4 Environmental Exposures

Blog Group 1: M1.4 - Environmental Exposures

	Biological	Chemical	Radiological
Home	Mold Fungi Pet Dander	Lead Asbestos Insecticides Carbon Monoxide* Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in plastics Phthalates (detergents, shampoos, perfumes, etc.) Air fresheners, deodorizers and candles. Chemicals from paints, wood finishing products and cleaning products Chemicals from new carpets or building materials Chemicals from materials such as glues and paints with strong odors, lead for stained glass work, etc.	Radon Thoron deposits in building materials Uranium deposits in building materials
Schools	Influenza Cold Virus Lice	Solvents Methylmercury Chloroform from Chlorine Treated Water* Bisphenol A (BPA) in water bottles Chemicals from materials such as glues and paints with strong odors. Art supplies Playground equipment, decks and furniture made with chemically treated wood
Workplace	Bed bugs Tuberculosis	Arsenic Carbon Monoxide* Chloroform from Chlorine Treated Water* Glues and paints with strong odors.	X-rays Cellphones Microwave ovens
Communities	Rabies Sewage Tetanus Lyme disease	Automobile Exhaust Asphalt Paving Fumes Secondhand Smoking Gasoline and kerosene fumes from lawnmowers and other power equipment. Playground equipment, decks and furniture made with pressure-treated (chemically treated) wood	Ultraviolet Rays

M1.5 Environmental Home Risk Assessment

My parents and I have been living in our family home in Daly City, CA since 2003. It was built in the 1960s. There were a few items that I was uncertain about, such as lead testing, radon testing, and water testing. Since it's construction, the house was renovated and so I assume that since lead has been banned for decades, there were no lead materials, paint or otherwise, that were used in the renovation.

We use scented candles to mask the smell of food when we cook. I never thought about the contaminants that could be associated with these products. 

Home built before 1960s - no
Home tested for lead - no
Living space in basement - n/a
Attached garage - n/a
Home radon test - no
Home radon ventilation system - n/a
Living space in basement - n/a

Combustion heating source - no
Gas, kerosene or propane space heater - n/a
Wood stove - no
Fireplace - no

Gas dryer - yes
Vented - yes
Gas hot water heather - yes
Vented - yes
Gas stove - yes

Well water - no
Lead pipes - no
Water tested for contaminants - no
Known contaminants - n/a

Smoke detector - yes
Carbon monoxide detector - yes
Fire extinguisher - yes
Emergency phone numbers - yes
Disaster plan - no
Shelter-in-place supplies - no

Insects in home - no
Rodents in home - no
Pesticide spraying in home - no
Pesticide contract - no

Air freshener used in home - yes
Candles - yes
Plug-ins - yes
Incense - no
Use of strong smelling cleaners - yes

Tuna fish served in home - yes
If yes, how often per week: once every 2-3 wks
Fresh fruit/vegetables used - yes
Local/organic products used - yes

Mercury thermometer in house - no
Other mercury devices - no
Needle boxes for needles - n/a
Use of traditional or cultural remedies containing mercury - no

Smoking allowed in house - n/a
House smells like smoke - no
Cigarette products present - no