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Shoppers for Healthy Homes

Instructions

Thank you for serving as a shopper for us!  By documenting problems and successes, your effort will help us improve the quality of advice and products sold at the retailers you and your neighbors frequent.  Your work will make healthier homes for all!

Please note that we have contacted all of the chains through their on-line survey and offered to meet with them before starting the store visits.  We have talked with several chains.  No one objected to our approach.  Several wanted to see the form so they could prepare their clerk.  Others asked to see the final report.  If anyone asks, they should contact Tom Neltner at 317-442-3973 or neltner@ikecoalition.org.

You can submit the information one of three ways:  complete the on-line form, email the information to Janet Fox at JFoxDreamArt@aol.com, or fax a completed paper form to 866-234-8505.  

Click here to go to the on-line form.  We have provided links to photos of most of the products to help you.

If you have started filling in the survey form and followed a link to get to these instructions, use the "BACK" key on your browser to get back to the information you entered.

General Approach:

1. Print out a hard copy of the shopper form and instructions.  You can enter the information on-line.

2. Identify a store that sells paint, pesticides, furnace filters or safety alarms.  There are four types of stores that we are most interested in:

   • Big Box Hardware:  Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards (regional)

   • Small Hardware Chain:  Ace, True-Value and Do-It-Best

   • Big Box Department:  Wal-Mart and Target

   • Paint Stores:  Sherwin Williams, Duron, PPG/Porter, Benjamin Moore (regional)

3. Visit the store completing the form as you go.  Always complete the Basic Information part of the form.  It is OK if you only complete some of the other parts.  We plan to visit the store several times so we will get the other departments.  The most important department is the Paint Department.

4. Basic Information:  

   • Store Name:  Circle the name of the chain you are shopping.  For the small hardware chains, it is not always easy to tell from the name on the building.  But when you enter the store, you should be able to tell from the store products or flyer.  If the store is not on the list, click other and write its name in the Store Address. 

   • Products/Services Checked:  Check all that apply.  We are looking at five key indicators of a commitment to healthy homes.  Since most chains stock similar products at all of the stores within their chain, we are checking the product lines in only a couple of stores.  We have only asked you to check products where we have noticed differences in stores within a chain.     

   • Store Address:  Write in the address of the store.  Don't worry about getting it exact.  Through the chains on-line store locator, we can identify the store if you give the street name and neighborhood name.  Click here for directories of stores by region and by chain in Washington DC region.

   • Who is Doing the Survey?:  Write in your name, the date of the survey and the time of the survey.  We will not share the information with any retailer. The date and time are helpful in case the store tries to identify the manager on duty. 

    

Paint Department:

Since 1978, federal law prohibits retailers from selling paint with lead added.  However, using new paint requires that the surface be prepared so the new paint will stick.  This surface preparation may involve disturbing old lead-based paint.  Disturbing old lead-based paint may create invisible lead dust that can poison children (and adults too).  Dry sanding or burning old paint are the most dangerous activities. 

The keys are not to make dust and to clean-up as if you did make dust.  Please note, if the old paint is in bad condition, you may already have dangerous levels of lead dust.  A good coat of new paint with proper surface preparation is an important step to preventing the problem from getting worse. You still need to cleanup the old lead dust.

• What is lead poisoning and what is its connection to old paint?

• Paint industry commitments to retailers.

• Photos of paint-related tool and supplies.

We are checking several things in this section. 

1. Initial Advice:  Most customers are likely to follow the advice of the clerk.  Therefore, we want to learn if the clerk gives out dangerous advice or good advice when confronted with a situation likely to disturb lead-based paint.  We call the situation the "Paint Scenario." 

   • Good advice are the last six items on the list in the left column on page two:  Use citrus stripper; use heat gun carefully (don't char the paint); don't sand or scrap; wet sand and cleanup; test paint for lead; and hire professional.

   • Bad advice are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th items on the list:  Sand without water; scrape without water; and use chemical stripper.  Chemical strippers are either poisonous and/or flammable.  While they may not cause lead poisoning, they have other problems.  Dry sanding or scraping makes invisible lead dust.  Once you make lead dust, it is tough to clean up well enough to make it safe.

   • Neutral advice:  Some chains have told their clerks not to give any advice regarding paint.  In our experience, the clerks still give advice. If this happens, ask why the clerk is not giving advice and see if the store has products to help you figure out what to do.

2. Advice After Warning:  If the clerk gives dangerous advice, we want to see if the clerk gives better advice when confronted with the warning label on the can.  Often, the clerks are unwilling to change.   

3. EPA Pamphlet:  Paint retailers are supposed to make available to customers for free an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pamphlet called "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home".  Unfortunately, many retailers ignore this responsibility.  We want to see if the store has the pamphlets available on the counter.  The best approach is for the clerk to offer you the pamphlet when you give the basic scenario. 

4. LeadCheck swab:  The LeadCheck® swab is a tool to help residents know whether old paint is lead-based paint.  It is the only one on the market.  It looks like four white tubes the size of cigarettes on a piece of yellow or blue cardboard.  Consumers need to follow the instructions carefully to make sure they are testing the oldest paint not a new layer.  Also the results are not official.  We recommend that consumers use the swabs as an easy, cost-effective tool to give them immediate feedback.

5. Dust Wipe Kit:  Lead dust is what poisons most children.  But the dust is invisible.  Therefore, consumers should check for lead dust after they disturb lead-based paint or whenever considering a new apartment or a new home.  The most commonly available kit is called LeadSmart®.  It is in a clear plastic box about 4" by 6". Still it is not in most store.  Consumers need to follow the instructions carefully to make sure they collect all of the dust.  The results are not official. 

Paint Scenario:  Tell the clerk you own an old house - one built before 1950.  The paint on the door to your child's room is cracked and chipping. You want to get down to bare wood to repaint the door.  If you are older, say you are taking caring of your grandchild or helping your daughter or son with their new house.  You may want to say that you (or your daughter or son) just bought the house.  (Note:  Saying you just bought the house may also make it easier later on in the survey when describing cockroach and rat problems, since it shifts the blame to a previous owner). Feel free to add to this scenario as you feel comfortable.

Warning Statement:  Paint manufacturers reached an agreement with 45 state and territorial attorneys general to put warning statement regarding lead-based paint and surface preparation on the paint cans.  "WARNING!  If you scrape, sand or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. Contact the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead."  Initially, the warning statement was on the lid of the can where users could easily see it.  Some paint manufacturers have opted to move the warning statement to the side of the can in small print.  It is tough to see - even if you are looking for it. 

"Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home" Pamphlet:  Paint manufacturers reached an agreement with 45 state and territorial attorneys general to provide retail stores with free pamphlets called "Protect Your Family from Lead".  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency developed the pamphlet.  The paint manufacturers added to the pamphlet by including a Spanish version and some other references.  The EPA pamphlets are the same ones that landlords and home sellers distribute with the property transfer and contractors provide owner and occupant when disturbing paint in a home built before 1978.

Using the Paint Department section of the form:  The section for the paint department is at the bottom of page 1 and top of page 2.  It is a cumbersome, but hopefully easy after you've used it a time or two .  We apologize in advance.  Usually, when you visit the paint department you will often need to wait for a clerk.  If you do, complete the paint part of the form on page 1.  Then move on when you talk to a clerk.  If the clerk helps you right away, you need to start with the form at the top of page 2.  For these instructions, we are assuming you are waiting for service.

1. Look for the EPA Pamphlet (image), LeadCheck swabs (image), and dust wipe kits (image).  Circle whether they were "easily found", "found with difficulty" or "could not find." 

2. If you could not find the products, ask the clerk if about the products.  You will find it easier to ask about these products after you get the initial and final advice from the clerk.  If the clerk offers the products to you without asking, circle "Offered before asking."  This is the best advice the clerk could give.

3. Please write-in any comments you have about the products - either what the clerk said or where you found the products.  These stories are important to bringing about improvements.

4. When you talk to a clerk, give the clerk the paint scenario.  Check all that apply.  The best advice are the bottom five items.  Dry sanding or scraping are the worst answers.  If the clerk says he or she cannot give advice, circle "No Advice". 

5. If the clerk gave you bad advice, ask the clerk to show you what paint you should buy to prime the wood door.  Pick up the paint can and read the warning statement to the clerk.  Write down the clerk's response.  Prepare to be surprised. 

6. If you could not find a warning statement on the paint can, please checkmark the box below the warning statement.  Also write in the brand and model of the paint.  We will contact the paint manufacturer.

7. Write down any comments about the advice you received.  Exact quotes are particularly helpful.

Pesticide Department:

1. Roach:  Tell the clerk the roach scenario.

2. Checkmark the products that the clerk advises.  If the clerk recommends other products, note the products in the comment section.  Bad advice is insect spray or fogger.  The best advice is a bait - preferably a manufactured enclosed bait.  The glue trap is most helpful to determine whether you have killed the cockroaches after treatment.   

3. Checkmark the products that the store has available.  Sometimes the clerk recommends a product not in stock.

4. A good clerk should suggest housekeeping and maintenance advice to keep the cockroaches out and to make it more difficult to live with you. 

5. Write down any comments about the advice you received.  Exact quotes are particularly helpful.

6. Rat:  Tell the clerk the rat scenario.

7. Checkmark the products that the clerk advises.  If the clerk recommends other products, note the products in the comment section.  Bad advice is rat poison without a box to protect children and pets from the poison.  The best advice is to hire a professional or at least put the poison in a special plastic box that secures the poison in the box so the rat won't drag it out where children or pets can get to it.     

8. Checkmark the products that the store has available.  Sometimes the clerk recommends a product not in stock.

9. A good clerk should suggest housekeeping and maintenance advice to keep the rat out and to make it more difficult to live with you.  This is especially important in a crawlspace since there are probably more rats.   

10. Write down any comments about the advice you received.  Exact quotes are particularly helpful.

Furnace Filters:

A furnace filter removes contaminants in the air as the air is sent into the furnace fan, heat exchanger and air conditioner.  It keeps the equipment clean.  It runs better when clean.  The filter is usually the entrance to the main burner at the furnace.  It should be changed every three to six months depending on the region.

But a good filter does more than protect the equipment.  A properly installed good filter will remove contaminants that threaten the health of residents.  Filters are rated using a voluntary industry standard called Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV).  A score of 16 is best.  A score of 1 is worst.  Another term is HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air).  It is roughly equal to a MERV 16. Consumers should use a MERV 8 or higher filter.  But be careful, the higher ratings reduce air circulation.  If the filter does not have a MERV rating, they should not buy it. 

Click here for more information on furnace filter issues.

Furnace Scenario:  Tell the clerk that your child or grandchild has asthma.  You think fine dust is irritating it.  You want a furnace filter to remove the dust.  Feel free to add to this scenario as you feel comfortable.

Using the Furnace Filter section of the form:  You may have difficulty finding a clerk to help you.  If you don't see one right away, ask for help. 

1. Tell the clerk the furnace scenario.

2. Checkmark the advice that best describes the clerks recommendation.  The best advice is "recommended MERV 8 or higher."  The worst advice is "recommended low quality filter."

3. Write down any comments about the advice you received.  Exact quotes are particularly helpful.

Safety Alarms / Monitors:

A healthy home is a safe home.  A retailer should sell kits to test for radon gas since radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.  They should also sell smoke alarms as well as respirators for people disturbing old dust since the dust can contain lead, insect debris, mold, and various allergens.

Most importantly, the homes needs a carbon monoxide alarm (CO).  CO kills more than 300 people a year and injures many more.  A good CO alarm should have battery backup so it works when the power is out and residents take dangerous shortcuts to stay warm such as using charcoal grills or using an unventilated non-electric fuel space heater.  A great CO alarm should also have a peak level recorder so the resident can check for CO levels that may impair health, and not just life-threatening conditions that trigger an alarm.

Safety Alarm Scenario:  Tell the clerk that you are worried about your child's or grandchild's safety.  You want to know that they have safety alarms.  Also, mention that you have are looking for a respirator to use when painting.  Feel free to skip or add to this scenario as you feel comfortable.  

Using the Safety Alarm/Monitors section of the form:  You may have difficulty finding a clerk to help you.  If you don't see one right away, ask for help or skip this section. 

1. Checkmark if a clerk recommends safety alarms WITHOUT you asking about them. 

2. Tell the clerk the safety alarm scenario.

3. Checkmark the products that the clerk advises. If the clerk recommends other products, note the products in the comment section. 

   • Carbon Monoxide Alarm:  The best advice is to buy a CO alarm with battery backup and a peak level recorder.  These usually cost about $45. 

   • Radon Gas Test Kit:  Radon is a naturally occurring element that can enter the home from the foundation.  The test kit is usually about $15. 

   • Smoke Alarm:  Smoke alarms are essential in any home.  They usually cost about $15.

   • Respirators:  Respirators protect the user from dust or chemicals.  A cartridge respirator has a round cartridge that screws into the respirator.  You can change the respirator depending on the contaminant.  The best advice is to buy a cartridge respirator that is designed to remove the vapors from the paint.  A PF-95 respirator only protects the user from coarse dust. 

4. Write down any comments about the advice you received.  Exact quotes are particularly helpful.

Photos of CO alarm and radon kits

Thank you for helping us make retailers do their part to make homes healthier!

10320 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 500 • Columbia, MD 21044
Phone: 410.992.0712 • Fax: 443.539.4150