Board of Health

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Health Commissioner

Health Department

General Information

The mission of the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program is to conduct and promote the coordination of investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, and control of indoor pollution in Canton.

One issue that many people are concerned about is mold, another is second-hand smoke

1.  Molds are small organisms found almost everywhere, inside and outside, including on plants, foods and dry leaves. They can be nearly any color - white, orange, green or black. Molds are beneficial to the environment and are needed to break down dead material. Very tiny and lightweight, mold spores travel easily through the air.

Most building surfaces can provide adequate nutrients to support the growth of mold. When mold spores land on material that is damp - for example, walls, floors, appliances (such as humidifiers or air conditioners), carpet or furniture - they can begin to multiply. When molds are present in large numbers, they may cause allergic symptoms similar to those caused by plant pollen.

You are exposed to some mold every day, usually by touching, eating or breathing it. When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. A person who ingests or inhales a large number of spores may suffer adverse health effects.

Health effects such as headaches, dizziness and nausea have been linked to exposure to microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs), but research is only beginning. Odors from mVOCs are a sign that mold is actively growing and so may indicate a level of mold contamination requiring remediation.

Some molds make good neighbors-

Penicillin, yeast, cheese, beer and wine

Some molds are bad seeds-

Stachybotrys and Aspergillis

In any case, mold in your home is never a good thing if you didn't intend on it being there. Mold means that there is a moisture problem in your home that needs attention.

2.  Public smoking is now legislated in the State of Ohio.  Currently there is a prohibition from smoking in most facilities that are open for business to the general public. 

How long has Ohio had a smoking ban?

Voters approved the indoor smoking ban in November 2006, making Ohio the first Midwestern state and the first tobacco-growing state to enact such a ban.

Who is affected?

ODH estimates there are some 280,000 public places and places of employment in the State that are covered by the ban. Anyone who visits or works in these places should no longer be exposed to secondhand smoke.

Are any places exempt from the ban?

Under certain conditions, private residences; family-owned businesses without non-family employees; certain areas of nursing homes; outdoor patios; and some retail tobacco stores are exempt.

What are the penalties for violating the smoking ban?

Businesses: Warning letter, first violation; $100, second violation; $500, third violation; $1,000, fourth violation; and $2,500, fifth and subsequent violations. Note: fines may be doubled for intentional violations at the discretion of the enforcement entity and may be assessed on a daily basis for continuing violations.

Individuals: Warning letter; first violation; $100, second and subsequent violations.

Retaliation against Complainant: Warning letter, first violation; $1,000, second violation; $2,500 third and subsequent violations.


What are their proprietors’ obligations under the smoking ban?

They are essentially threefold: prohibit smoking, remove ashtrays and post no-smoking signs.
 

We are here to answer your indoor air quality questions, so give us a call at 330-489-3327

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