BPI HHP key terms

A framework for evaluating homes so that they reduce illness and injury, covering moisture, air, pests, chemicals, safety, and maintenance as connected systems rather than isolated problems.

The recognized relationship between conditions inside a home and the physical health of the people living there, including respiratory illness, asthma, lead poisoning, injuries, and mental stress.

The practice of acting to reduce a suspected hazard even when scientific proof of harm is incomplete, especially when occupants are vulnerable or exposure is difficult to measure.

Groups at greater risk from housing hazards, including young children, older adults, pregnant people, people with chronic illness, and those with limited income or access to care.

Conditions and substances in a home that can start or worsen breathing attacks, such as dust mites, mold, pest debris, tobacco smoke, strong fragrances, and cold or damp air.

Biological or chemical substances that provoke an immune reaction, commonly dust mite proteins, pet dander, cockroach residue, mold spores, and pollen that enters from outdoors.

The movement of liquid water into a building through leaks, seepage, condensation, or flooding, which damages materials and supports mold growth, pests, and structural decay.

The combination of moisture, suitable food sources such as dust and paper, comfortable temperatures, and time that allows fungal growth on building surfaces and contents.

The amount of water vapor in air expressed as a percentage of the maximum the air could hold at that temperature; indoor levels are commonly kept between roughly 30 and 50 percent.

The process of stopping a water source, removing wet materials, drying the structure quickly, and cleaning or discarding items so that mold and deterioration are prevented.

The intentional supply and exhaust of air to remove pollutants and moisture and bring in fresh outdoor air, achieved by natural leakage, fans, or balanced mechanical systems.

A measure of how many times the volume of air in a building is replaced by outdoor or fresh air within a given period, usually expressed per hour.

Unintended air movement into a building through gaps, cracks, and penetrations in the envelope, which can carry pollutants and moisture and alter pressure relationships.

The continuous barrier of building materials and air sealing that separates conditioned indoor space from unconditioned space and determines how air and pollutants move.

A condition in which combustion gases from a water heater, furnace, or fireplace flow back into the living space instead of outdoors because of depressurization or blocked venting.

Practices that keep fuel-burning appliances venting properly and prevent carbon monoxide from entering living space, including testing, providing makeup air, and installing alarms.

An odorless, colorless gas produced by incomplete combustion that can cause headache, nausea, confusion, and death; homes with fuel-burning appliances need working alarms.

The preferred approach of eliminating or containing a pollutant where it originates, such as sealing a leak, removing a moldy material, or banning smoking indoors, before relying on dilution.

A pest strategy that combines inspection, sanitation, exclusion, and least-toxic treatments, using pesticides only as a last step to reduce both pests and chemical exposure.

Contact with insecticides, rodenticides, or repellents through skin, breathing, or ingestion, which can be reduced by safe storage, careful application, and non-chemical pest control.

Paint manufactured before restrictions took effect that contains lead; deteriorating paint, dust, and disturbed surfaces are major exposure routes for young children.

Fine particles containing lead that settle on floors, windowsills, and soil, often created by friction, impact, or renovation, and easily transferred to hands and mouths.

Procedures used during maintenance or renovation to limit the spread of contaminants, such as containment, dust suppression, careful cleaning, and proper disposal of debris.

A radioactive gas that rises from soil and rock, can accumulate indoors, and is a leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers; testing is the only way to know levels.

A fibrous mineral once used in insulation, flooring, and other building materials that can cause serious lung disease when fibers are released and inhaled during disturbance.

Chemicals that evaporate from paints, adhesives, cleaners, furniture, and fuels, contributing to indoor air pollution and symptoms such as irritation and headache.

Smoke released by burning tobacco products and by the exhalation of smokers, which leaves harmful residues and is best controlled by keeping smoking entirely out of the home.

The condition in which occupants feel neither too warm nor too cool, influenced by air temperature, radiant surfaces, humidity, clothing, and air movement.

Building upgrades that reduce energy use and drafts, such as air sealing and insulation, which must be paired with ventilation and combustion safety checks to avoid new hazards.

Conditions that cause injury, including missing guards, loose handrails, hot water scalds, unsecured poisons, and inadequate lighting, addressed through inspection and repair.

Changes such as grab bars, handrails, improved lighting, and removal of trip hazards that reduce the risk of falls, especially for older adults and people with limited mobility.

Design and maintenance measures that reduce accidents in the home, including safe water temperatures, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, window guards, and secure storage.

A structured walk-through of a home in which the inspector observes and records conditions, using senses and simple tools, without destructive testing or laboratory analysis.

A conversation with occupants about symptoms, smells, leaks, pests, and daily routines that reveals problems not visible during a walk-through and guides further investigation.

A handheld instrument that estimates water content in building materials, helping locate hidden dampness and confirm whether a material is dry enough to close up.

Teaching residents how their behavior and maintenance choices affect indoor conditions, such as reporting leaks early, ventilating bathrooms, and avoiding unvented heaters.