Measure
The percentage of homes that are smoke free.
Trend
No Change / Uncertain
Why is This Indicator Important?
A smoke-free home is an important first step in protecting people from exposure to secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoking. Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, and the smoke exhaled by smokers. This mixture contains chemicals that are known to be toxic or cause cancer. Over the past two decades, evidence has shown that people suffer many of the diseases of active smoking when they breathe secondhand smoke. In 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report with an expanded list of diseases and deaths that are caused by passive smoke exposure, including lung cancer, coronary heart disease, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, respiratory illness, ear infections, and asthma attacks.
The developing lungs of young children are particularly sensitive to secondhand smoke. Infants and young children whose parents smoke are at increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the number of episodes and severity of symptoms in asthmatic children. Communities can work to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke by increasing awareness of the risks associated with secondhand smoke and by establishing clean indoor air policies and regulations that restrict or prohibit smoking in the workplace, restaurants, bars, and other public places, particularly in places where children spend time. Exposure to secondhand smoke cannot be eliminated by air cleaning or mechanical air exchange.
There are many other causes of poor indoor air quality, including radon, mold, chemicals, and even insect infestations. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that occurs naturally in the ground. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. There is no "safe" level of radon, but homeowners can reduce their risk by testing their homes with kits available from their local health department and, if necessary, reducing radon to meet guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Communities can work to reduce radon gas exposures by requiring radon-resistant construction techniques in all new homes.
Mold is present everywhere in the environment, but airborne spores from some molds can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, or toxic effects. The growth of mold is entirely dependent on moisture, so homeowners can reduce risk by eliminating sources of moisture in their home. Communities can provide information on mold and mold remediation to homeowners and landlords.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemical gases that can affect both our indoor and outdoor air quality. They come from a variety of sources including petroleum products, personal care products, and cleaning agents. At high concentrations, they are irritants and can cause asthma attacks. Individuals can help reduce indoor VOCs by reducing their use of spray personal care products and cleaning agents. Communities can assist by supporting household hazardous waste collections.
Even moderate insect infestations can contribute significantly to poor indoor air quality. Cockroach feces and parts are one of the leading causes of asthma attacks, particularly for children. Integrated pest management techniques can be used to reduce or eliminate insects with minimal pesticide application. Communities can help by providing information on pest management, requiring integrated pest management in schools, and helping maintain good sanitary practices in neighborhoods.
How Well is the Capital Area Community Doing?
Data on secondhand smoke in homes are available through the Capital Area Behavioral Risk Factor and Social Capital Survey. Eighty-two percent of people in the Capital Area reported that their homes are smoke free in 2006.
The U.S. Surgeon General and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend that all homes be tested for radon, but less than 1 percent of homes in the Capital Area have been tested. Local data are not available on levels of other substances affecting our indoor air quality.
For more information
Community Health Assessment
Ingham County Health Department
(517) 887-4568
www.ingham.org/hd/health.htm
www.CACVoices.org
Community Health Assessment & Improvement
Barry-Eaton District Health Department
(517) 543-2430 or 485-7110
www.barryeatonhealth.org
Community Health and Education Division
Mid-Michigan District Health Department
(989) 831-3609
www.mmdhd.org/ched.htm
Bureau of Environmental Health
Ingham County Health Department
(517) 887-4312
www.ingham.org/hd/envhlth/eh.htm
Environmental Health Division
Barry-Eaton District Health Department
(517) 541-2651
www.barryeatonhealth.org
Environmental Health Division
Mid-Michigan District Health Department
(989) 227-3108
www.mmdhd.org/eh.htm
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/radon/
Sources
Capital Area Behavioral Risk Factor and Social Capital Survey (formerly Mid-Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey), Ingham County Health Department; Taking Action Against Secondhand Smoke: An Online Toolkit, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, available online at www.cdc.gov/ tobacco/ETS_Toolkit; and What You Can Do About Secondhand Smoke as Parents, Decision-Makers, and Building Occupants, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, available online at www.epa.gov.