Indoor Air Quality
What's in the air you are breathing? When we are outside it is difficult to control what we breathe but in many cases the air in our homes is much worse. The good news is indoor air pollution is on risk that you can do something about. At All Seasons Air Conditioning and Heating we have a very large assortment of air filters, air scrubbers, UV lights, humidifiers, de-humidifiers, ventilators and other solutions for your indoor air quality problems. Your lungs work hard enough, the last thing you need is to fill them with dust, dirt and bacteria from your home.
Below are two reasons you should take air quality seriously:
- The EPA ranks indoor air pollution among the top five health risks
- 97% of homes have indoor air quality issues (Air Advice, State of Our Indoor Air Report 2007)
Click here to take a tour of the Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Air Quality House and see some common problems.
There's Good Mold and There's Bad Mold
The Truth About Mold
Molds are the "bleu" in bleu cheese and Raquefort. Molds improve our wine. they produce penicillin and antibiotics and are used widely in the food and beverage industry. Without mold and mold's decaying mechanism, the natural environment would be overwhelmed with large amounts of dead organic matter.
Despite many harmless and beneficial molds, some molds can be toxic and pose very serious health threats to humans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cautions that all molds can cause health problems under the right conditions. The word "toxic" is used to refer to mold that produces toxic compounds, or mycotoxins.
Often included in the list of toxic molds is Stachybotrys Chartarum, a green-black mold, which can grow on high cellulose, low nitrogen materials such at fiberboard, drywall, paper, dust and lint in the presence of moisture.
How to Minimze Mold Growth
Mold is natural byproduct of the fungi family that thrives when nutrients - primarily organic substances and water - are found in the right conditions. These organic substances include materials commonly found in buildings: soil, dead plants, carpets, drywalls, fiberboard, wood, paper, dust, lint, etc. Mold propagates via spores that can remain dormant - yet viable - for years durin periods when moisture is not present. Mold issues requires education, identification, remediation, and solutions to minimize mold growth in the environments we live.
HVACR mechanical systems are not generators of mold. their metallic surfaces do not provide the organic matter mold needs to grow. However, systems that are not well maintained could support mold growth. It's importan that your system ...
- Be designed and installed correctly
- Be properly maintained regularly
- Control the moisture in your building
- Use good filtration methods to keep your air clean
Preventing Mold
- Consider air conditioning possibly augmented with a dehumidification system. These systems pull the mositure from the building thus minimizing growth by depriving mold of one of its nutrients.
- Use caution when turning your air conditioning off. In humid climates, extended periods of non-operations of HVAC equipment may allow humidity levels to become quite high in buildings. These periods can permit mold to gain a foothold in the building and thrive.
- Install insulation and vapor barriers to prevent condensation on cold objects such as water pipes, beams, and plumbing fixtures.
- Keep sinks, showers, tubs, and other "wet" areas free of standing water.
- Demand architectural, design and construction applications that prevent water from entering the interior. Areas of concern include improperly pitched roofs, poorly designed balconies, windows, doors, improperly installed flashing, vapor barriers, and thin stucco.
- Maintain the integrity of the building envelope through regular inspections, caulking, roof flashing, and sealing of the buildings exterior.
- Perform semi-annual maintenance of the HVAC mechanical systems using Preventative Maintenance Agreements with a licensed HVAC contractor. If water pooling or dust and dirt are allowed to accumulate in the system, the HVAC system could support mold growth.
- Inform your HVAC contractor of your mold concerns and point out locations of suspicion or evidence of mold.
- Educate your family or building occupants about mold, the dangers and prevention.
Potential Adverse Health Effects of Mold
There are correlations of mold exposure contributing to the following symptoms:
- Allergic reactions, including irritation of the eyes, nose or throat
- Flu-like symptoms including fatigue, dizziness, headaches and diarrhea
- Worsening of asthma
Some molds can amplify poor Indoor Air Quaity and are capable of making people sick
If You Suspect Mold In Your Home Or Building
The first step is to alert your HVAC contractor and/or the building contractor (if the building is relatively new) regarding your concerns. The next step is education ad exploring solutions. If mold is found, identifying the type will help establish whether any danger are present. If health issues are present, evacuation, abatement, and remediation are necessary.