Residential indoor air quality is a pillar of environmental health. With exceptionally high rates of respiratory disease, a critical housing shortage and exceptionally demanding heating needs, Alaskan households face major indoor air challenges. In this session we will examine how the unique aspects of climate, geography, building construction and culture influence air quality in rural and remote Alaskan homes. Nationwide, many agencies offer research, outreach material and best-practice recommendations regarding indoor air quality. Unfortunately, Alaskan environmental health workers are finding much of this material is poorly suited to the unique and challenging conditions of our state. A careful review of housing issues and respiratory disease rates details a web of weighty, and often unique, air quality factors that gravely impact health. By making use of available research, as well as field experience, we will explore and prioritize the air quality concerns which have the greatest impact on rural residents.
Looking towards the future, we will discuss how increased concern over heating efficiency and the progressive “tightening” of Alaskan homes will create new challenges for the residential environmental health professional.
We will describe a systematic, evidence-based review of health and housing factors and how it can be used to set priorities and a address a complex health topic. While this session will focus specifically on the residential indoor air quality issues of remote and rural Alaska, it will be well suited to anyone trying to develop or adapt health initiatives for a unique audience.
This presentation sounds fascinating! It is quite timely, since many housing and health agencies are dealing with energy efficincy improvements or tightening of homes. However, there has been little discussion on indoor air quality and health consequences. I would love to hear this presentation at the conference!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really interesting. I've heard how typical fixes just don't work up there. Will this be available as a webinar? Not sure if I'll make it to San Diego.
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments regarding this abstract and we look forward to seeing you in San Diego!
Dear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your inquiry regarding if this session will be available on our virtual platform. We are currently still in the review process and have not determined which sessions to video tape. However, I will keep your comments regarding the desire to have this session taped. In addition, are there other sessions you would like to see taped as well?
Thank you for your time and we hope to see you in the virtual world!
Indoor Air Quality is an often overlooked area of health concern. As described in the abstract, IAQ becomes even more important as we tighten up our homes. As natural ventilation is reduced occupants need to pay attention to all pollutant sources.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in seeing awareness of IAQ issues increase and this conference would be an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of this vital health issue.
man
Residential Indoor Air Quality concerns are increasing and Environmental Health Professionals need to be prepared to systemically address those concerns. I would be interested to learn more about the possible effect of creating more energy efficient houses on IAQ and respiratory health. The rural Alaska perspective sounds very fascinating and could offer applicable insights to other regions across the U.S.
ReplyDelete-Ryan Autenrieth
Thanks Mansel and Ryan for your thoughtful comments. How do you see the Alaska perspective being helpful in your region?
ReplyDeleteThis is a timely topic. I travel to remote villages throughout Alaska and indoor air quality is a huge concern. I recently visited a community and was asked to conduct a home evaluation. What do you do when you live in a community < 100 people and your home is making you and your family sick? No new homes are being built, so you must address the issue. Any tools I can get to help would be greatly appreciated. Good topic! Kimberly S.
ReplyDeleteHi Kimberly,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your great comments! So as Environmental Health Specialist how do we help people make their homes more energy efficient without adversely affecting their indoor air quality.
Thanks for all the feedback. I think the "Alaska Perspective" is useful for a number of reasons. First, Alaska is cold, and we pay a very high percentage of our income on heating our homes. This situation puts us on the sharp edge of rising energy costs and has spurred conservation practices that can affect the health of occupants. As heating costs continue to rise across the country, I think lessons learned in Alaska re: heating efficiency, tight construction and air quality will be valuable throughout much of the country.
ReplyDeleteIn a general sense, I think the "Alaska Perspective" will be valuable because it tells the story of local environmental health information being interpreted by a network of local experts to design priorities to address local health problems. This framework should be of interest to anyone in the field coping with a guidelines and recommendations that don't quite fit their unique community.
I had the privilege of hearing Mr. Albertson talk on this topic this summer and was thoroughly impressed by his ability to relate it to our Northwest coastal maritime climate. It is definitely a timely topic in light of the direction we are going with our building practices in North America. I appreciate Mr. Albertson's approach of dealing with a one-size-fits-all tendency towards problem solving and am very glad to see the success he is having using knowledgeable local experts to systematically address the complexities of this topic.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between poor indoor air quality and respiratory illness is becoming a growing concern in many colder regions of the country. Our recent harsh midwestern winter coupled with skyrocketing fuel costs highlighted the trend toward more fuel efficient homes and resulting poor indoor air quality. I would be extremely interested in hearing more about the data supporting this relationship and the resulting effects on respiratory health. I would also like more information on the process for adapting general guidelines and setting priorities to address specific rural environments. I'm looking forward to hearing this. Marty Andersson
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your great comments on this subject!
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in Indoor Air Quality as I believe it’s a growing concern in many areas of the country. I would be particularly interested in learning more about the approach used to customize general recommendations to my specific geographic area.
ReplyDeleteDon S Lick
This topic seems applicable to any part of the country with a long term cold weather season and a large rural community; including the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Also, as natural gas and electricity prices rise nationally there will be an inevitable increase in the use of wood and other incompletely combustible materials as heating sources. Great topic.
ReplyDeleteI have one of my Indoor Air Quality business. It usually only cause discomfort, and most people feel better as soon as they eliminate the source of the pollution. However, some pollutants can cause diseases, such as respiratory diseases or cancer. Making sure that your building is well-ventilated and eliminating pollutants can improve the quality of your indoor air.
ReplyDeleteA furnace filter pulls a majority of unwanted particles from your indoor air. Such as household dust, smoke, pollen, dust mites and smog. Using a filter in your furnace is an easy way to reduce the cost of energy you use. Our Furnace Filters business helps to keep the maximum air flow through out the house and Reduces the cost of energy you use.
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