Spirit Lake Tribe Indoor Air Quality and the Green and Healthy Homes

Initiative (GHHI)Beginning the Journey

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What is the GHHI?The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative

(GHHI) is a public-private partnership that refocuses how we as a nation repair and improve housing in economically challenged communities.

GHHI is leading a national strategy to make sure all families and children live in homes that are healthy, safe, energy-efficient and sustainable

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Why do we need GHHI?Creating greener, safer, and healthier homes leads to

more stable housing, a higher quality of life and better health, mental health and social and economic outcomes for parents and their children.

Investment in the development of Green and Healthy Homes creates a sustainable pathway to higher-quality "green jobs" and generates small-business ownership opportunities for residents of economically distressed communities.Spirit Lake is currently working on developing our

“Sustainable Communities Plan” which GHHI efforts were key in the tribe realizing just how far we need to go.

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Where it all beganThe Green and Healthy Homes Initiative is a

partnership between the federal government, national and local philanthropy, the National Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning and local partners in the 17 GHHI project sites - 15 cities and two Native American Tribes.

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Local effort with national partnershipsAs we work locally, we are also working

closely with federal policymakers to create new comprehensive green and healthy housing standards that integrate weatherization, energy efficiency, Healthy Homes, and lead-hazard reduction interventions.

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Goals of the GHHIThe goals are broad, connected and critically

important: 1. Stabilized housing, 2. Healthier outcomes for children and families

and, 3. Better jobs.4. Government innovation and systems change5. Family economic security

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The GHHI Bottom Line:Children and families are healthier and have

brighter prospects.Preventable medical costs are reduced.Energy costs for families are reduced.More sustainable housing is created.More well-paying green sector jobs and

training opportunities are made available.

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How it works:In the past, one housing program would

focus on removing lead paint from a home, but ignore other safety hazards such as mold, pest infestation or inadequate staircase railings, or inefficiencies that result in excessive energy usage and costs for the occupant. A crew would remove the lead paint but do nothing to address the other issues — due to a lack of funding support, lack of training or both.

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GHHI visual on how it works

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With GHHI, we are working with nonprofits and their partners to create new approaches that address all of a home's problems. We are creating training programs for work crews and establishing protocols to do the work more efficiently. Under this strategy, work to weatherize a home or make it more energy-efficient also incorporates critical improvements related to the health and safety of the family living there. A crew making improvements to boost energy efficiency also address all health-related hazards such as poor ventilation, water leaks, mold, pests, and lead.

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Economic Benefits of Green and Healthy HomesWorkers employed on Green and Healthy Homes

projects increase earnings.Fewer days are missed from school or work because of

illness.Less money is spent on doctor and emergency room

visits.Less money is spent on heating and cooling houses that

are well-insulated.Less money is spent on water as leaks and drips are

fixed.Property values for homeowners increase; landlords

are better able to market Green and Healthy Homes.

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Some statistics

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How we got startedThe Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota site

built off of an existing Lead Hazard Control Capacity Building Grant Program. It integrated Healthy Homes and energy efficiency along with weatherization components into a comprehensive housing program. Federal funding came from the HUD Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.

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What are we currently doing…Funding for FY13 CAA Section 103 has been

acquired. We will be conducting indoor air quality research on tribal homes.

Tribe will monitor pollutants to characterize and document indoor air quality in tribal homes.

Monitor concentrations of pollutants to determine possible air quality impairments.

Tribe will become more knowledgeable in testing and logging all complaints associated with indoor air.

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Partnerships and MOUSpirit Lake Tribal CouncilSpirit Lake Housing CorporationTEROSLT HIP/WEATHERIZATIONSLT Rental PropertiesSpirit Lake Health Center

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Issues we face on Spirit Lake

How do we address tribal members concerns?

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What causes issues?Indoor air quality is not just a measure of a

healthy lifestyle; it’s a direct reflection of a standard of living.

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Common Indoor Air Quality Problems Mold Asbestos Radon Lead Formaldehyde Bacteria VOCs Carbon Monoxide Combustion Products Environmental Tobacco Smoke PCBs Pesticides Sewage Contamination Vapor Intrusion Allergens

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What are common symptoms indicating IAQ issues?

Eye, nose, and throat irritationCoughing, sneezing, and wheezingAsthma attacksHeadachesFatigueAggravated allergies and asthmaRespiratory infections

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MoldMolds live in the soil, on

plants, on dead or decaying organic matter

Outdoors - breaks down leaves, wood, plant debris

Indoors - air pollution and destroys buildings

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Mold Basics People have lots of

different reactions to mold

Symptoms can include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints

Molds can be found almost anywhere

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Cleaning MoldMold growth begins within

24-48 hours of getting wetClean up the mold and

eliminate sources of moisture

Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely

Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles may need to be replaced

Protect staff and building occupants during cleanup

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RadonRadioactive gasRadon in air is ubiquitous Found in outdoor air and indoor air of buildings of all

kinds  No known safe level of radon

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What health issues are associated with Radon?Radon is number one cause

of lung cancer among non-smokers 

Second leading cause of lung cancer 

Responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year 

About 2,900 lung cancer deaths are among people who have never smoked 

**Borrowed from ITEP

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Radon – EPA Action LevelsRed alert - radon level above 4 pCi/L (pico Curies

per Liter)

Yellow alert - radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L

Average radon indoor air about 1.3 pCi/L Most of the homes we’ve tested have come

back with concentrations higher than 4 pCi/L. Even the Tribal K-12 school has readings exceeding the ‘Red Alert’ level.

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Radon Mitigation

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Additional actionsThe tribe conducted a Strategic Energy Plan

that was necessary to discover if the steps taken with the GHHI were truly energy saving and beneficial to the tribal community.

With the assistance from our JOBS program we were able to conduct Energy Audits on over 165 homes.These audits uncovered a minimum of 67

issues per home.

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Funding sourcesUS EPA Region 8 (CAA Section 103 IAQ)USDA Rural Community Development Initiative

GrantsDept of EnergyDept of InteriorHUDPrivate foundationsTribal Supportive funds (EDF)Partnerships within the tribe also provide “in-

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One final thought

“It’s much easier to fix a faulty home rather than fix a sick child”

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