EPA grant to Baltimore City Health Department supports education programs to reduce indoor air pollution

EPA Press Release:

EPA grant to Baltimore City Health Department supports education programs to reduce indoor air pollution

PHILADELPHIA (December 19, 2012) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $120,000 grant to the Baltimore City Health Department to support indoor air quality projects including a program to educate about 460 nursing students from the University of Maryland about environmental asthma management.

The funding will also support a training workshop for about 32 medical professionals on how to work with families in neighborhoods where there is a high risk for indoor air pollution issues.

“Reducing the environmental health risks of indoor air contaminants such as asthma triggers can benefit people’s health,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “This funding supports efforts to improve indoor air quality, which will better protect the health of children and families in the Baltimore area.”

Indoor air pollutants in homes, buildings, and schools can negatively impact the health of occupants. Some pollutants cause health problems such as eye irritation, burning in the nose and throat, headaches or fatigue. Others can worsen allergies, respiratory illnesses (such as asthma) or even cause cancer (from radon gas). Exposure to unhealthy indoor air pollutants in homes, buildings, and schools can be reduced through better design, construction, operational and maintenance practices; personal choices; and mitigation of indoor air quality problems.

The grant to the Baltimore City Health Department is one of 32 EPA grants nationwide to improve indoor air quality, better protecting the health of Americans in classrooms, communities and homes across the country.