Filters are either disposable or reusable and are made from materials such as fiberglass, metal, man-made, or natural fibers. Factors that affect filter efficiency include fiber size, fiber density, airflow rate, and particle diameter. When selecting filters for your home, consider what your needs are for filtering the air, initial filter cost, filter replacement, and how long it will be effective.

For descriptions of the various filters and tips for their use, visit the website: http://www.healthhouse.org/tipsheets/TS_FurnaceFilters.pdf

Unfortunately, anytime can be the season for mold! There are mold spores everywhere in our environment just looking for a moist organic surface on which to grow.

If you can smell a musty odor or see mold, you have a mold problem. Reliable sampling for mold can be expensive since it requires special equipment and training. Testing is not generally recommended as a first step.

Since people react to mold whether it is living or dead, the mold must be removed. During mold removal protect your health by using a mask or respirator that will filter out mold spores. Usually it will be designated as an N95, 3M#1860 or TC-21C particulate respirator. Wear eye protection, rubber gloves, and clothing that can be immediately laundered. Dampen moldy materials before removal to minimize the number of airborne mold spores.

Mold can be removed from hard surfaces by scrubbing with a non-ammonia soap or detergent. (Do not mix ammonia and bleach; the fumes are toxic.) Mold on porous surfaces like carpeting and drywall cannot be thoroughly removed, so those materials should be discarded.

After the mold is removed, disinfect the area using bleach and water solution or another disinfectant. The amount of bleach recommended per gallon of water varies considerably, ranging from a solution of 1/4 cup bleach for a clean surface to 1 1/2 cups bleach per gallon of water for surfaces that could not be thoroughly cleaned. The surface must remain wet for about 15 to 30 minutes to allow the solution to disinfect.

Finally, rinse the entire area with clean water and then rapidly dry the surfaces. Use fans, dehumidifiers, air conditioning, or natural ventilation.

The moisture problem must be fixed to prevent future mold growth. Mold cannot grow without moisture.

Radon mitigation specialists can be found in communities across Iowa. The Department of Health maintains a listing of certified radon mitigation specialists at the website: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/common/pdf/radon/mit.pdf

Carbon dioxide is a gas with a number of beneficial uses. It is also frequently used as an indicator of the adequacy of ventilation systems. Persons in buildings with high levels of carbon dioxide may complain of burning eyes, tiredness, and headaches. For more information on carbon dioxide and ventilation see the publication, Indoor Air Quality: Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide, Iowa State University Publication AEN-125, http://www3.abe.iastate.edu/human_house/aen125.asp

Radon is a known carcinogen. There are currently  no conclusive data on whether children are at greater risk than adults from radon. We do know that risks for everyone are related to how much radon is in your home, how much time is spent in the home, and smoking or exposure to smoke. In a child's world risks relate to the level of radon in their home, school or child care facility; how much time they spend in areas with high levels of radon; and whether or not adults in the home smoke. All of these variables can be controlled. Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive. High radon levels in buildings can be lowered. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) figures that radon levels in homes can be readily lowered for about $800-$2500 with an average cost of $1200.

Since children spend a considerable amount of time in child care, Iowa law states that Child Care Centers must have testing performed as prescribed by the Iowa Department of Public Health.  For more information read Measuring Radon in Iowa Child Care Facilities for the Iowa Department of Public Health, Midwest Universities Radon Consortium, University of Minnesota  http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/common/pdf/radon/daycare_protocols2.pdf

Yes, radon is a risk factor in the development of lung cancer. It is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas emitted from uranium, a naturally occurring mineral in rocks and soil.  The only way to tell if your home has an elevated amount of radon is to use a reliable radon test. The age of your home or the amount of radon measured in your neighbor's house is not an indicator of the level of radon in your house. Testing is simple and inexpensive. 

If a new home is being built radon reduction methods can be planned for and installed during construction. The publication, Building a New Home: Have You Considered Radon? http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/builder.html provides guidance. For information on radon reduction in an existing home read the EPA's Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction, http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

Information related to cleaning and salvaging flood damaged homes and belongings see the Extension website: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/DisasterRecovery/flood.htm

Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters.  If you do not have bottled water, you should boil water to make sure it is safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling.  Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers.

If you can't boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach.  Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection.  Add 1/8 teaspoon(or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.  If you have a well that had been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede.