Sources and original illustrations

Primary references and the limits of this educational collection.

Primary references

• AirNow: AQI basics — AQI category and scale interpretation; not a personalized exposure prescription.
• AirNow: using the AQI — Forecast AQI and current NowCast information answer different time questions.
• EPA: home radon testing — Correct testing and appropriate follow-up matter; a short test is not the same as a year-round average.
• CPSC: carbon monoxide questions and answers — CO alarm planning, testing and response; follow actual alarm instructions and current local emergency guidance.
• CDC: drinking-water advisories — Boil-water, do-not-drink and do-not-use notices are different; follow the current local notice.
• CDC: testing well water — Private well owners need appropriate testing through a state-certified laboratory and local guidance.
• EPA: annual water-quality report — Community water-system Consumer Confidence Reports describe annual water-quality information, not a live household notice.
• CDC: mosquito control at home — Routine removal or management of standing-water containers, without DIY pesticide recipes.
• EPA: clean, sanitize and disinfect — Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting are distinct surface-product purposes.
• EPA: disinfectant selection and contact time — Use-site instructions and the label-specified wet contact time matter to the claimed use.
• CDC: disinfecting with bleach — Never mix cleaners or disinfectants; article provides no dilution recipe.
• FDA: food allergies — U.S. allergen declarations and voluntary precautionary wording serve different roles; no home exposure test.
• FDA: food recalls — Recall notices identify affected products through packaging, codes, dates and distribution details.
• FDA: refrigerator thermometers — Appliance thermometers and recommended refrigerator/freezer temperatures; no claim that smell establishes safety.
• FDA: selecting and serving produce — Wash ordinary produce under running water; soap and detergent are not recommended; read ready-to-eat/prewashed directions.
• CDC: cleaning pet supplies — Pet-supply cleaning depends on the item and household; follow compatible product and equipment instructions.
• NCI: absolute risk — Risk as a chance over a defined period; all article numbers are invented teaching examples.
• NCI: relative risk — Relative risk compares risks; it is not a percentage-point difference.
• NIH News in Health: when clinical research is in the news — Observational and intervention designs address different research questions; neither headline alone establishes personal advice.
• FDA: registered, approved and cleared devices — Registration does not mean approval or clearance; check specific device identity and intended use.
• EPA: using insect repellents — Use the label for the particular product and application site; no improvised substitution or dosing.
• American Red Cross: online first aid — Online-only and formats with skills sessions differ; check the actual course and purpose before enrolling.

Original visual material

The diagrams in this edition are original SVG illustrations explaining the sequence or decisions in each guide. They do not show a laboratory experiment, a personal trip or a tested product result. No photographs from the linked sources are reproduced.

Check the source in context

References were consulted during preparation of this edition. A source may cover a broader or narrower question than a particular guide; the support notes above explain why it is listed. Read the original for methodology, exceptions and updates.