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Healthy Homes

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How do I handle clothes with poison oak on them?

Q: I need to wash clothes with poison oak oil on them, should I wipe my washer with Tecnu after washing them? Some say to use cold water to rinse or hottest water, some say only detergent. What do you say?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

OSU-invented wristband reveals pollution risks

Silicone bracelet can detect 1,200 chemicals in air, water and food

Kim Anderson | Jun 2021 | Impact story

Five facts about those annoying Box Elder bugs

Are the box elder bugs worse this year, or is 2020 just making everything seem “extra”? Gardeners in Klamath Falls are asking about these annoying home invaders, insects that congregate on and sometimes inside our homes as...

Nicole Sanchez | Oct 2020 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

When can I open my windows?

Q: We have been dealing with wildfire smoke/ash and low air quality for over a week. Given the clearing that has occurred just today after a much-appreciated rain, can we open our windows (as opposed to our filtered air system)? If not, how will we know when it is safe to do so?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Cómo mejorar la calidad del aire interior causado por el humo de los incendios forestales durante COVID-19

Las partículas de humo más pequeñas pueden llegar a la parte más profunda de los pulmones y ser absorbidas por el cuerpo. Para maximizar la efectividad del filtro de aire, manténgalo encendido continuamente o en la mayor ...

Glenda Hyde, Catalina Sanchez-Frank | Sep 2020 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Improve indoor air quality from wildfire smoke during COVID-19

Officials warn us to stay indoors when air quality is poor due to heavy smoke from wildfires. Reduced exposure to smoke helps protect our lungs, heart, eyes, nose, throat and immune systems. Staying indoors, if possible, can ...

Glenda Hyde | Sep 2020 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Pandemic leads to unprecedented burst of questions to Ask an Expert tool

Questions have ballooned to 6,625 in the first half of 2020, more than all of the questions answered in 2019.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 29, 2020 | News story

High concentrations of polluted air found inside homes during 2018 wildfire smoke event

Preliminary results of an OSU-led study indicate that the household indoor environment may be worse for PAH exposure than outdoors.

Chris Branam | Jun 2, 2020 | News story

Maintaining a moss-free roof takes some effort

After cleaning the shingles, low-toxicity products can be used to kill the moss. But shedding more sun on the roof works more permanently.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 14, 2020 | News story

Coastal risks and land use policy create economic tradeoffs for armoring the Oregon Coast

An Oregon land use policy creates a large economic value for some private homeowners who are allowed to protect their shoreline against erosion, according to a new Oregon State University study.

Chris Branam | Feb 6, 2020 | News story