Project Results and Conclusion

Lead pollution

Verbal and visual information about lead pollution caused a great impact on families. The majority (98%) of respondents learned about the deleterious effects of lead on children, resulting that the percentage of families testing their children between 6 months and 6 years of age for blood lead levels increased from 17% at the first visit to 80% at the follow up visit. Likewise, more families investigated about the lead testing results with their drinking water agencies.

Pesticides use and residuals

Lessons learned about the impact of pesticides in respiratory health resulted in a reduction in the use of pesticides, both inside and outside the homes. Almost 90% of participants learned that reducing the use of pesticides may help them prevent asthma and other respiratory problems in children. This information yielded a reduction from 35% of participants applying pesticides at the time of the first visit to none of the households applying pesticides indoor, and from 45% applying pesticides outdoors to only 5% applying pesticides outdoors at the time of the follow up visit. Similarly, 14% of participants stated using pesticides in the kitchen during the first visit and none of the participants stated using pesticides in the kitchen at the follow up visit.

Household Cooling and Heating Systems

Participants were asked about the cooling and heating systems used at their homes. Use of wood for heating was fairly common as 30% of households reported using fireplaces and wood stoves. Study households learned that cooling and heating systems require maintenance and cleaning filters frequently to reduce indoor air pollution.

Carpets and Rugs

Having low level carpets or no carpets is recommended to prevent exposure to asthma triggers such as dust, dust mites, and indoor air particulates. Of homes with carpets (64%), most (58%) were area or level loop carpets as opposed to shag or pile carpeting (42%). Twenty-five participants were convinced of the deleterious effects of carpeting that they had them removed over the course of the project.

Pets inside the Household

Although pets were not allowed in the bedrooms, nearly 12% of families allowed pets inside their homes by the time of the first visit. At the follow up visit, none of the families allowed pets inside their homes. Pets can trigger asthma attacks or develop allergies in children.

Household Ventilation

Important ventilation practices occurred after families learned the importance of ventilation to prevent indoor air pollution. From the first to the follow up visit, the percentage of families using bathroom fans increased from 88% to 100%, venting their clothes dryers to the outside increased from 31% to 51%, and venting kitchen stoves to the outside increased from 29% to 59%.

Outdoor Air Pollution

Participants were asked if they agreed with the statement that outdoor air affects respiratory health. Initially 70% of respondents stated they strongly agreed with this statement. At the follow up visit, 100% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed with this statement. None of the respondents knew where to obtain an air quality reports at the initial visit, but 83% of the respondents learned from the CHW where to find out reports and accessed the information daily.

In conclusion, the goal of this program was to transfer culturally and linguistically appropriate environmental education to low-income Hispanic families, and several changes in practices from participant families corroborate the successful accomplishment of this goal. The transition from learning to practice was possible thanks to the support from experienced promotoras, culturally appropriate materials, and safer products with hands-on demonstrations.

Results such as reduction in chemical exposures (such as cleaning, pesticide, and aromatic products), increase in hygiene and cleaning practices, elimination of asthma triggers (carpeting, dust, pets inside), more access to screening services (such as children blood lead analysis) and access to information (such as local ambient air pollution levels) were important actions aimed to lessen the in-home risks for children.

Additionally, more families were ventilating their cloth dryers to the outside and used their kitchen and bathroom fans more frequently. The use of aromatic and cleaning products was reduced substantially, and more families are now consulting the media for the ambient air conditions.