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MASTER HOME ENVIRONMENTALIST PROGRAM
Impact/Purpose:
A public-private partnership to reduce pollutants in the home through volunteer-based education and action.
Description:
The Master Home Environmentalist (MHE) program is an innovative approach to address issues of indoor pollution, such as molds and biological contaminants that cause allergies and asthma, dust, indoor air pollution (including asbestos, formaldehyde, radon, combustion sources, tobacco and wood smoke), lead, and pesticides and other hazardous chemicals. EPA has provided funding, Group Health Cooperative has provided funds to purchase materials for the volunteers to hand out, and the American Lung Association of Washington is supplying the staffing and support to conduct the program in Yakima County. Community volunteers receive 40 hours of intensive training in key issues of indoor pollution, communication and community outreach skills, and cultural diversity. A comprehensive training manual for the volunteers is used as a reference. Once certified, Volunteers use the Home Environmental Assessment List (HEAL), a comprehensive survey of indoor pollution conditions, and work with residents to conduct home environmental assessments. Then they devise action plans that address the major concerns identified. The action plans place priority on low-cost and no-cost approaches to reduce home toxic exposures and pollution. Volunteers subsequently make two follow-up phone calls to answer questions and to determine if recommended changes are being implemented. A recent University of Washington study of homes visited by MHE volunteers found that in 31 out of 36 households the visits led to changes in people's behavior to improve their home environment.