Question: Did you understand why all of the questions on the Assessment tool pointed to an environmental health risk?
My response: I must admit I was lost on a couple of the questions like the ones regarding randon. I never really considered all the potential environmental health risks in my own living space. This was my first time seeing and using the Environmental Health Home Assessment. I am reminded again why tools are so important in the field of public health.
Question: Did you discover any environmental risks in your home by completing the home assessment?
My response: Yes, the furnace has never worked, the paint is quite old, and not sure what other possible issues are present. Now I am thinking more about it and there is some mold issues and potential lead issues as well being when this place was built (never fully reinvented to my knowledge).
Question: Did anything surprise you?
My response: Yes, unfortunately after a quick search I found out this apartment community was built in 1964. It is very concerning after learning the year lead-based paint was banned for use in homes. Now I have so many questions for my landlord but will most likely move when appropriate rather than do the back in forth. If I had more control over my living quarters things would be a lot different and this type of assessment put a lot in perspective for the simple fact I do not think the current landlord has the best interest of the people and could care less about the environment.
- In the home assessment, why did we want to know about the age of your home?
- To know if the house was built prior to the banning of lead in paint used for homes.
- Why would we want to know if someone lives in the basement?
- Because of the potential risk of mold and other the type of environment that breads fungus.
- Who is responsible for home-based environmental health risks?
- I would say the Local Public Health Department, but in reality, a lot falls on the homeowner/renter to be more knowledgeable about toxic products and other home-based environmental health risks. What I liked about this is the more an individual knows about toxic contaminants we can advocate for laws to prevent housing in toxic environments known to have high levels of pollution.
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