Indoor air quality

Protecting your home from radon

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non‐smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall, responsible for about 20,000 lung cancer deaths every year.

Radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. It causes no immediate health symptoms. Simple test kits can reveal the amount of radon in any building. In most buildings, levels of radon can be reduced with easy and affordable venting techniques. Homes built on a concrete slab or homes with a basement may also be at a higher risk for radon gas.

Radon levels are believed to vary throughout Clark County, with higher levels in areas bordering the Columbia River. Because of these varying radon levels, Public Health encourages all residents to get their homes tested. Test kits are available at most home improvement stores.

Learn more about testing your home for radon. 

Preventing and cleaning up mold in the home

Mold is a form of fungi, found in moist indoor and outdoor environments. Exposure to mold does not always cause health problems. But daily exposures can trigger allergies, asthma and respiratory problems along with headaches, watery eyes, dizziness, lethargy, and rashes. Mold testing is not usually needed. Any visible mold should be cleaned up right away.

In Clark County, the wet seasons of fall, winter, and spring can mean more moisture in your home. Too much moisture can lead to mold and mildew. Here are some suggestions for preventing mold in your home.

Get excess moisture out of your home
  • Open all the doors and windows and let fresh air circulate through the home. Do this two to three times each day for three to four minutes each time.
  • Ventilate the bathroom and the kitchen with an exhaust fan.
  • Keep shower curtain or bathtub sliding door open after bathing to increase air circulation.
  • Make sure the bathroom, kitchen and dryer vent freely to the outside.
  • Heat all the rooms in your home to keep moisture from forming on the walls and other surfaces of unheated areas.
Stop moisture from coming in
  • Repair leaky pipes or plumbing problems right away.
  • Stop any leaks from the roof, broken gutters and downspouts.
  • Stop water from entering basements and crawlspaces.
  • Properly insulate walls and ceilings.
  • Grade ground so that it drains surface water away from home.
Other preventive measures
  • Use easy-to-clean paint and wallpaper, especially in bathrooms.
  • Install a timer switch on your bathroom fan and leave the fan on for 15 minutes after showering.
  • When cooking, try to minimize simmering of liquids and foods.
  • Keep furniture away from outside walls where mold might grow.
  • Replacing carpet with wood or vinyl floor tiles will prevent some of the problems with carpeting.

Clark County Public Health does not conduct mold assessments. If you need a mold assessment, visit the American Industrial Hygiene Association's consultant directory.

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Mold problems in buildings are a result of water and moisture problems. Renters need to operate the heating and ventilation systems to reduce water condensation. Renters need to notify landlords promptly, in writing, of any water leaks or moisture problems. If there is a water leak or moisture problem, it should be fixed by the landlord. Local building and code enforcement officials may take action if building problems are not addressed. Additional guidance for landlords and tenants is available on the Northwest Clean Air Agency website.

Additional resources:
Cleaning up mold

Act fast! Mold damages your home as it grows. Clean it up as soon as possible.

If you have a lot of mold damage (more than 10 square feet) or the moldy area has been contaminated by sewage or is in hidden places, consider hiring a cleaning professional.

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  1. Use protection. Wear goggles, gloves, and breathing protection while working in the area. Wear an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved particle mask.
  2. Seal the area. Seal off the area from the rest of your home. Cover heat registers or ventilation ducts/grills. Open a window before you start to clean up.
  3. Remove items. Move all furnishings to a mold-free area. Clean the surrounding moldy area, then follow cleaning directions below for the items you removed and the new space.
  4. Bag moldy trash. Bag all moldy materials and tie off the top of the bag. Take bags outside and place in your garbage container right away.
  5. Clean and wash. Give the entire area a good cleaning, vacuum floors, and wash any exposed bedding or clothing.
  6. Monitor. Check regularly to make sure mold has not returned to the clean-up area.
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  • For wood, metal, plastic, glass, ceramics, and other objects that don't absorb water but are washable: Wipe them with a solution of lukewarm water and laundry detergent.
  • For clothes, bedding, and other materials that absorb water and are washable: Wash them using a clothes washer and dryer. For beds, sofas, and other furniture that absorb water but are not washable: These items may need to be discarded. Try to save them by vacuuming well and allowing to air out. If there is no odor, the item may be okay. Mold can come back, so watch for any mold growth or mold-related health problems. Discard the item if you suspect mold is growing inside or outside the item.
  • For painted walls: Don't paint or caulk over mold. The mold will grow under the paint, and the paint will peel. Scrub walls with a solution of lukewarm water and laundry detergent.

Visit the Washington State Department of Health website for more information.

Fresh air for a healthier home

Northwest Clean Air Agency shows different ways to ventilate homes to maintain indoor air quality in a video series called Fresh air for a healthy home. It is a useful resource for anyone who designs, builds, inspects or lives in a structure. 

You can find other indoor air quality resources on their resources page.

Air quality index

For the current air quality index and burn ban information, visit Southwest Clean Air Agency. 

Related links

Report a public health concern