Practical Management Strategies to Reduce Exposure Risks of Indoor Air Pollutants in Limited Resource Households

Abstract

The goal of this research project was to test a teaching method that would encourage members of limited resource households to reduce their risks of exposure to indoor environmental toxins. The study focused on an educational approach for conveying the importance of healthy indoor air quality to those living in such households. This “Practical Management Strategies” project (PMS) had four components. The first was a summary of educational resources developed in this area for limited resource households. The second identified limits and gaps in these materials and developed new materiah to fill these gaps. The third component was the implementation of a pilot program which both educated occupants about indoor environmental toxins and audited the presence of such toxins in their homes. The fourth component was a gauge of the effectiveness of this pilot program’s approach.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joseph Laquatra

Joseph Laquatra is the Hazel E. Reed Human Ecology Extension Professor in Family Policy, Judy Boggess is a former Visiting Scholar, and Mark Pierce is an Extension Associate, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Judy Boggess

Joseph Laquatra is the Hazel E. Reed Human Ecology Extension Professor in Family Policy, Judy Boggess is a former Visiting Scholar, and Mark Pierce is an Extension Associate, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Mark Pierce

Joseph Laquatra is the Hazel E. Reed Human Ecology Extension Professor in Family Policy, Judy Boggess is a former Visiting Scholar, and Mark Pierce is an Extension Associate, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

David Diligent

David Diligent is a former Extension Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Albany County, NY. The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Mary L. White and Christopher DeCicco in the preparation of this article and that of Yasamin Miller and the Computer-Assisted Survey Team in the data collection effort. This study was funded through the Research/Extension Integrated Grants Program at Cornell University.