Tag Archives: Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan

Maintain a healthy home by disinfecting it

3-bottom, ,

By The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan

We are all spending more time at home during these challenging and unprecedented times. Social distancing and staying at home are our first line of defense against COVID-19, but we should also be keeping our homes safe and disinfected to prevent possible transmission. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a wealth of guidelines for making your home healthy when it comes to COVID-19.

Those guidelines start with the recommendation to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas. Those surfaces include tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks. How do you do that? Follow these simple guidelines:

  • Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
  • If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  • For disinfection, you can use diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, or an EPA-registered household disinfectant.
  • If you have a child with asthma, always separate the child from the room being cleaned to avoid the bleach triggering an asthma attack, and do not over-concentrate your cleaning solution.  

Prepare a bleach solution:

     4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water, or
     5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. 

Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19.



For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely, or use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link) that are suitable for porous surfaces.

Follow these guidelines from the CDC to keep your children and family safe during this time.

Tips to improve the air quality of your home during the COVID-19 stay-at home order

3-bottom,

By the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Mchigan

As we all shelter in place one of the things that will matter most to all of us is the quality of our indoor air. This is especially challenging for children with asthma and other at-risk populations with respiratory concerns. With COVID-19 in the area, this is of particular concern.

If you are like the vast majority homes in West Michigan and have a forced air furnace, one simple thing you can do to dramatically improve the air quality in your home is to regularly replace your furnace filter.

The most common type of furnace filter is the disposable pleated kind. These come in a range of standard sizes and ratings. Pleated filters are constructed out of paper and polyester and do a good job at filtering most household particles and allergens.

Furnace filters are sized by thickness (depth), height and length. To find out what size filter your furnace uses, remove and check the old filter, the size should be written on the frame of the filter.  You can also refer to your furnace manual.

What’s a MERV and why should you care?

Furnace filters are rated using a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating. MERV ratings range from 1 to 16.  Higher MERV ratings capture smaller particles.

The Healthy Homes Coalition recommends a minimum of a MERV-8 filter to filter out allergens, pollens, irritants and bacteria for better lung health. A MERV-8 filter, however, will not filter out the coronavirus (more on this below).

How often should you change your furnace filter?

Once you know what size filter you require and what MERV rating you can use, and have chosen what filter type to purchase, it’s time to replace the old filter. On many furnaces, you can see the furnace filter between the air intake and furnace itself. Some furnaces may have a compartment door over the filter. Simply slide the old filter out and properly dispose of it. Often it will be dusty, so try to place it in a bag as quickly and gently as possible. Your filter should be replaced every 90 days at a minimum.

NOTE: To ensure your furnace doesn’t kick in while you’re changing your filter it’s recommended you turn your furnace off while swapping out the filter.

That’s it. Now you are ready to enjoy cleaner, healthier air at home!

Air quality and COVID-19

Many people are concerned about the airborne spread of the coronavirus. While this is a possibility, it should be noted that airborne transmission is usually though large droplet transfer, which the Center for Disease Control (CDC) puts at about six feet.

Smaller particles are possible, and if those droplets get into the air intake of your heating system, a MERV-13 filter may be your best defense. However, there has not yet been conclusive research about the effectiveness of furnace filters in filtering out the coronavirus. Furthermore, your furnace may not operate correctly with a highly efficient MERV-13 filer, so please check your manual.

It should be noted that there are many other ways in which the coronavirus is spread, including surface transfer and coming into contact with infected persons. With that in mind, running to the store to purchase a high-efficiency filter may put you at greater risk than using your existing filter.  Instead, put a furnace filter on your shopping list for the next time you have to go to the store, and pick up more than one so you have replacements on hand.

Our reason for sharing this information on furnace filters is not to suggest that they will keep you safe from the coronavirus. What a clean, MERV-8 furnace filter will do is improve your overall indoor air quality to remove allergens, pollens, irritants and bacteria to help to keep asthma better managed. It will also improve general air quality for all.

Cleaning tips to keeping a healthy homes

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

A lot has happened over the weekend from the governor announcing a shutdown of all bars and restaurants dine-in services until April 6 to many area schools offering to step in and make sure no child goes hungry during this time.

Within only hours of Kent County Health Officer Dr. Adam London signing a Public Health Emergency Order for the county, Governor Gretchen Whitmir announced that as of 3 p.m. today all bars and restaurants will shutdown in-dining services. Carry-out will be available at many locations, so call or text first to check on availability.

Many other businesses must comply with a 50 percent occupancy. So if the building’s occupancy capacity is 100, during the lock-down it may only have 50. This is to encourage social distancing, which means to stay at home as much as possible. If you must go out, it is recommended to be six to 10 feet away from the other person. According to the Centers for Disease Control, social distancing has been one of the key factors to help China and South Korea keep the coronavirus under control or at least curb its spread.

The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan recently sent out a newsletter with tips from the CDC on how to make your home healthy when it comes to the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Those guidelines start with the recommendation to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas. Those surfaces include tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks. How do you do that? Follow these simple guidelines:

Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.

If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

For disinfection, you can use diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, or an EPA-registered household disinfectant.

If you have a child with asthma, always separate the child from the room being cleaned to avoid the bleach triggering an asthma attack, and do not over-concentrate your cleaning solution.



Prepare a bleach solution:

  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water, or
  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. 

Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19.

For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely, or use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link) that are suitable for porous surfaces.

Follow these guidelines from the CDC to keep your children and family safe during this time.

Removing dangerous lead paint now free for qualifying homeowners

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Non-Profits, Our Cities, , , ,

By Molly Klimas

 

People who live in the City of Grand Rapids — particularly those who live in homes built before 1978 — probably have lead in the paint inside and outside their homes. Lead is bad — especially for kids, babies and pregnant women. It causes brain damage and learning disabilities.

 

Some key points:

  • Lead poisons people — especially kids — and can cause lifelong problems.
  • Grand Rapids zip code 49507 continues to lead state for most lead-poisoned kids.
  • Prevention is key.

Lead poisoning can be prevented. There’s HUD funding to remove lead paint SAFELY through a program known locally as Get the Lead Out!The program is led by the city of Grand Rapids in collaboration with the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, the Kent County Health Department and the Rental Property Owners Association.

 

Recently, the program was simplified, making participation free for eligible homeowners. The program is available to renters, homeowners and landlords who meet certain eligibility requirements. Repairs typically include new windows and siding.

 

“This is a great opportunity to improve your home and make it healthier,” says Doug Stek, housing rehabilitation supervisor with the City of Grand Rapids. “Sometimes people will attempt to remove lead paint by themselves – scraping and removing the paint – but that can be dangerous and make a bad situation worse. Highly trained contractors work to make homes lead-safe through the Get the Lead Out! program. Think about it: just a week or two to improve your home and, most important, to help the people who live in it.”

 

“I would encourage the community to take advantage of these funds for the sake of our children,” says Kent County Commissioner Robert S. Womack. “When I ran for office, this was my No. 1 issue. Keeping our kids healthy is crucial — they are our future.”

 

It doesn’t take much lead to create a toxic situation. One gram of lead dust is enough to make 25,000 square feet of flooring hazardous for young children, according to research jointly conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA).

 

“We’re talking an amount as small as the equivalent of a packet of Sweet’N Low — just that small amount is enough to contaminate the floors of a dozen homes in Grand Rapids,” says Paul Haan, executive director of the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan.

 

Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss has made tackling the lead problem a priority. She spoke at length about the issue during her annual State of the City address earlier this year.

 

The Kent County Lead Task Force published its Ending Childhood Lead Exposure in Kent County report in January.

 

“More and more people are learning that lead is bad, but a lot of people still don’t know what lurks in their home and how it can harm children. And many don’t know that there’s funding to help safely remove lead paint. That’s why we are relentless about spreading the word about this critical issue,” Haan said.

 

The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan has a five-point plan that spans discussions at state, county and local levels. Healthy Homes recommends that

  1. All children under age 6 must be tested, especially at ages 1 and 2. When a child is lead poisoned, the source of poisoning needs to be discovered.
  2. Homes must be tested before more children are poisoned.
  3. Homes must be fixed before more children are poisoned.
  4. Contractors must work lead-safe.
  5. The community must be engaged and listened to every step of the way.

RENTERS, HOMEOWNERS, LANDLORDS: If you live in and / or own a home in the city of Grand Rapids, contact the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan at (616) 241-3300 or go to gettheleadoutgr.org to learn more. Or, contact the city of Grand Rapids Community Development Department at 616-456-3030. The HUD funding, and the time frame to participate, is limited.

Lead poisoning on the rise in Kent County — 40% rise in zip code 49507

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, , ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Paul Haan, Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan

 

After a decade of decline, the number of lead-poisoned children in Kent County is rising. Recent data shows a 40 percent increase in lead-poisoned children in the 49507 zip code during the past two years. This Grand Rapids neighborhood leads the state in numbers of lead-poisoned children. In fact, more children were lead poisoned in 49507 than all seven Flint zip codes combined — before, during, and after the Flint water crisis.

 

According to data provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), 615 Kent County children had elevated blood-lead levels in 2016 — the year for which most recent data is available. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) as the reference level at which the CDC recommends public health actions be initiated.

 

Two out of every three lead poisoned-children in Kent County live in zip codes 49507, 49504 or 49503. These are high-poverty, high-minority neighborhoods in Grand Rapids. African-American children were lead-poisoned at twice the rate of white children in Grand Rapids in 2015, according to MDHHS data.

 

“Many people are unaware that lead exposure from dust in the house and soil in the yard is the culprit,” said Paul Haan, executive director of the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan and gubernatorial appointee to the state of Michigan’s Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission. 

 

It should be noted that lead in the water is not the cause here: The city of Grand Rapids water testing under the federal Lead and Copper Rule demonstrates that Grand Rapids has been in compliance since 2001. The amount of lead in Grand Rapids water is far below federal thresholds and is among the safest in the state.

 

Currently, houses in Kent County aren’t required to be tested for lead. A property owner can sell, rent or remodel a home without checking it for lead or lead hazards. The city of Grand Rapids last updated its housing codes in regards to lead in 2005.

 

“Many property owners and property dwellers may have no idea that dangerous lead exists in their home,” Haan said. “Even well-intentioned remodelers might not be dealing properly with lead and actually making the problem worse.”

 

Haan also said there is a correlation between the current housing crisis and the increase in lead poisoning. “With West Michigan’s robust real estate market, it’s harder now to find healthy homes to live in. The seller’s market is great for sellers but not necessarily good for buyers and renters.”

 

Last fall, Grand Rapids was awarded $2.9 million in HUD funding to fix homes with lead-based paint hazards. Typical “fixes” include new windows and exterior painting or siding. The HUD funding is available to eligible homeowners, landlords and tenants. 

 

The city of Grand Rapids  administers the funding locally. In September of this year, the city expanded program eligibility, making funding available to even more people.

 

Anyone who owns or rents a home in the city of Grand Rapids built before 1978 is encouraged to learn about funding eligibility. For more information, please call the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan at 616.241.3300 or visit www.GetTheLeadOutGR.org. Or, contact the city of Grand Rapids Community Development Department at 616.456.3030.