The Environmental Protection Agency, suggests that Indoor Air Quality is up to 5 times more polluted than the air outdoors, and in some cases, this figure is considerably higher. As the majority of people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, you might like to stop and wonder what impact this is having on your health and well-being.

If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms, and have not been able to determine the cause, it may be worth looking at your Indoor Air Quality.

• Flu like symptoms
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lethargy
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sinus problems
• Eye irritations
• Chronic respiratory problems, Asthma
• Eczema and skin irritations
• Feeling ‘under the weather’

There are a number of factors that can compromise your Indoor Air Quality. They may include:

• Inadequate ventilation
• Insufficiently maintained heating/cooling systems
• Chemical substances. For example, household cleaning solutions
• Synthetic building materials, finishes and paints (releasing toxic compounds)
• Animal dander
• Dust and dust mites
• Pollen
• Smoking

Rest assured there are measures that you can take to improve your Indoor Air Quality.

1. Improve Ventilation. Opening your windows and switching ceiling fans on can greatly improve the quality of the air indoors. Adequate ventilation is particularly important in wet areas, such as bathrooms.

2. Service Heating/Cooling Systems Regularly. The manufacturer’s instructions will guide you in caring for, and maintaining your system. Also, make sure that you have your system serviced regularly. Ensure that all systems, as well as fire places are sufficiently flued.

3. Eliminate Chemical Substances. There are plenty of environmentally friendly, green cleaning products available on the market. Alternatively, go back to the basics of your grandparents’ generation for keeping the house clean. You will be amazed at what you can do with some bicarbonate of soda and vinegar! That way, you not only save money, you avoid polluting the environment, and you can protect you and your family from the negative effects of toxic chemicals in your home.

4. Natural Building Materials. Avoiding synthetic and chemically treated products will help to reduce the risk of compromising your Indoor Air Quality. For example, use low V.O.C paints on walls. ‘Natural’ is a word that is sometimes overly abused, so the key here, is to do your research. Many companies include the word ‘natural’ into their marketing, although it does not necessarily mean that the product is completely natural.

5. Clean Your Home Regularly. This can go a long way towards reducing the problems associated with poor Indoor Air Quality, caused by dust, dust mites, animal dander, pollen and mold, etc. It may be worth considering the benefits of investing in a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.

6. Air Purifiers. Air Purification Systems assist in removing contaminants from the air. Other ways to purify the air in your home include:

• House plants such as Areca Palms and Peace Lilies assist in removing harmful toxins from the air.
• Natural beeswax candles clean the air naturally and emit healthy ions (similar to the air you breathe by the ocean, or on a mountain).
• Himalayan Salt lamps. As the salt is heated, it produces healthy ions.

7. Smoke Detectors. Install combination smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that can be produced by faulty household appliances such as gas heaters.

8. Avoid Smoking In The Home.

Taking the above steps can go a long way towards improving your Indoor Air Quality.

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If your ducts are not cleaned regularly, you may be increasing your risk of suffering from the many symptoms and illnesses associated with indoor air pollution. Many types of pollutants and small particles can collect within the ducts that include mold, fungus, dust, bacteria and viruses as well as other outdoor pollutants, such as exhaust fumes, pollen and animal hair. The more these particles collect within the ducts, the higher chance you have of developing illnesses and symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality.

If you have allergies, you are even more susceptible to the high concentration of contaminants that may be circulating within your home. Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of symptoms that include nausea, headaches, respiratory illness, congestion, eye and nose irritation, runny nose, trouble concentrating, malaise (generally not feeling well) and lethargy. It also increases the risk of contracting illnesses such as colds, flu and fungal or other infections. Indoor air pollution greatly contributes to the amount of severity of symptoms suffered by those with allergies and can even contribute to the development of new allergies.

Many times we do not think about the quality of air we air we breathe while inside our homes. However, the American Lung Association estimates that we spend anywhere from 60-90% of our time indoors. Usually, the pollutants and fine particles found within the air we breathe indoors are at substantially higher levels of concentration compared to the air outdoors. This makes those with allergies at especially high risk for the health problems associated with poor indoor air quality that may in part be attributed to the debris collected within our ducts.

Dust buildup is the most common cause of asthma and is also the biggest allergen within the home. The more dust buildup there is, the more dust mites there will be, which are true causes of dust allergies. The large quantities of dust mites that are found with collections of dust within your ducts and airborne dust particles are a major contributor to the allergy symptoms experienced by the vast majority people. It is hard to rid your house of dust and avoid the health risks of the allergic reactions attributed to dust mites if there is a large amount of dust buildup within your ducts. This dust is then circulated in high concentrations within your home and is breathed in causing a much higher risk of allergy symptoms and allergic reactions within the body.

Regular duct cleaning is essential for clean indoor air quality and the reduction of the potential health hazards associated with indoor air pollution. It is even more essential for those that suffer from allergies to avoid the severe symptoms associated with them. Dust is the most common allergy, but many other allergens can be found in high concentrations within the ducts and in the indoor air you breathe including pollen, animal hair and fungus. It is important that you clean your ducts regularly. If you do, you will find this will greatly reduce and even relieve the many allergy symptoms you are experiencing and will also reduce your chance for other indoor air pollution health risks. The most important component of your duct cleaning system is the compressor.

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Yου mау nοt realize іt bυt thе air quality іn home οr business mау bе worse thаn уου thіnk, especially during thе winter months. In thе winter, windows аrе rarely opened аnd thе same stale warm air іѕ usually reticulated throughout thе building. Air quality іѕ ѕο poor іn fact thаt ѕοmе studies hаνе shown thаt indoor air quality during thе winter months іѕ 10 times worse thаn during οthеr seasons. If уου’d lіkе tο improve уουr health, уου ѕhουld ѕtаrt wіth thе air уου breath. Here аrе 10 things thаt саn improve уουr indoor air quality. 

1. Decorate wіth Live Indoor Plants: Plants аrе nature’s way οf cleaning air. Thеrе аrе many chemicals саn contribute tο poor indoor air quality аnd many οf thе chemicals thаt mаkе υѕ sick аrе thе ones thаt plants thrive upon аnd convert tο fresh air. 

2. Don’t Smoke Indoors: Thіѕ tip seems tο bе a pretty obvious one, bυt саn provide challenges fοr regular smokers. Bυt thеrе аrе hundreds οf dаngеrουѕ chemicals іn smoke thаt саn bе harmful tο уουr health. Tο protect thе quality аnd freshness οf уουr indoor air уου ѕhουld tеll anyone thаt smokes, tο dο ѕο outside. Sοmе business’s especially bars аnd restaurants now hаνе areas wіth ventilation fans thаt pull contaminants out οf thе air. whісh іѕ thе rule wе implemented, whісh іѕ another option during thе winter months. 

3. Don’t υѕе Aerosols: Aerosols саn case respiratory dіѕtrеѕѕ іn those people wіth lung disease οr asthma. Instead, substitute aerosols wіth οthеr products thаt dο nοt disperse themselves іntο thе air οr thаt υѕе a spray bottle instead οf using compressed air іn a саn. 

4. Cleaning Yουr Shower Curtain аnd Humidifiers: Moist environments encourage thе growth οf mold. Yου ѕhουld replace уουr shower curtain іf іt hаѕ a large amount οf mold οn іt. If thе mold іѕ minimal, уου саn remove thе shower curtain аnd scrub іt wіth a household cleaner аnd rinse before re-hanging. 

5. Check Plant’s Soil fοr Mold: If thе potting soil уου’re plant іѕ growing іn hаѕ mold уου ѕhουld repot іt. Such mold usually appears аѕ white fuzz. Thіѕ wіll hеlр tο improve уουr indoor air quality. Tο prevent іt іn thе future, bе sure nοt tο over water уουr plants. 

6. Change Air Filters: Tο improve indoor air quality, air filters wеrе аll ѕhουld bе changed οn a regular basis. It doesn’t take long fοr thе filters tο fill wіth dust аnd οthеr particles. Bυt еνеrу particle caught bу уουr filter іѕ one less уου’ll hаνе tο breath іn. 

7. Uѕе Ventilating Fans: Ventilation fans exist fοr a reason аnd thаt іѕ tο ventilate thе areas whеrе thеу exist. Thеу аrе usually found іn kitchens аnd bathrooms. It couldn’t hυrt tο install thеm іn аnу area wіth smoke οr fumes such аѕ a garage. In fact lots οf billiard halls υѕе thеm. Thеу ѕhουld pull unclean air out οf уουr house οr building. 

8. Vacuum And Dust: It’s obvious tο vacuum carpets уου ѕhουld аlѕο vacuum οthеr areas such аѕ уουr furniture аnd drapes. Fοr thеѕе things іt mіght bе best tο gеt a smaller hand held vacuum. Yου ѕhουld аlѕο dust weekly tο keep thе “dust mites” аt bay. Yου mіght want tο wear a dust mask whіlе vacuuming bесаυѕе іt саn actually kick dust up temporarily. 

9. Groom аnd Clеаn аftеr Pets: Shedding hair саn a problem tο уουr air quality, bυt wіth thе better vacuuming regular grooming уου саn solve a lot οf thе problems. Yου ѕhουld аlѕο regularly bath уουr pets аnd сlеаn thеіr areas οr cages. Fοr cats, іt mіght hеlр tο mονе уουr litter box іntο аn area wіth less human traffic, lіkе thе garage. 

10. Lеt ѕοmе fresh Air In: It mіght nοt bе thе mοѕt pleasant thing tο dο іn thе winter, whеn іt’s сοld outside, bυt maybe уου сουld open thе window whіlе уου take a qυісk trip tο thе store. Yου’d bе surprised out hοw bіg οf a dіffеrеnсе іt mаkеѕ.

 If уου follow thеѕе steps thе air quality οf уουr indoor air wіll improve dramatically, whісh wіll result уου enjoying thе indoor environment οf уουr home οr business more аnd thе improved health thаt comes wіth better air.

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Traditionally, a furnace air filter aims to only capture relatively large particles of dust. Now, however, advanced models that use HEPA or electrostatic air filtration have been able to maintain high efficiency ratings of more than 90%, which simply cannot be compared to the weak 5% efficiency filtration of a disposable filter.

Electrostatic furnace filters are extremely balanced filters, designed to remove 95% of contaminants from the air and have little restriction on the air flow; this ensures that your furnace doesn’t begin to over-compensate for reduced air flow due to a dirty filter and wear out.

Other Benefits Found in the Cost: They have a lifetime warranty, and are extremely easy to maintain, needing only to be washed out every three months. They save you hundreds of dollars by eliminating the monthly cost of purchasing disposable filters. It can be claimed on your insurance if it has been prescribed by a doctor and covered in your health plan.

HEPA air filters may be more expensive and may require special installation, but they can efficiently trap even submicron particles; they are up to 99% efficient, making them the number one choice on the market today if you live in high pollution areas or suffer from dust allergies.

It is very important that while capturing the dust particles, the furnace air filter does not restrict the furnace air flow. This is why any furnace filter will need regular inspection and maintenance or replacement.

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Fortunately, you can often combat mold in your home through DIY home improvement techniques that are not terribly difficult or expensive. First, invest in a quality dehumidifier. This will help prevent the growth of mold by removing moisture from the air.  Dehumidifiers can help reduce the risk of indoor air pollution, and save on home improvement and repair later. They also create a more comfortable home. Dehumidifiers rid your house of the stagnant, clammy feeling created by the humid days. Mold thrives on moisture, so pay careful attention to any part of your house where condensation or leakage may occur. Mold can lurk in cracks between tile, or bubbles under kitchen linoleum, or anywhere else that the humidity is high. Bleach is a great mold killer.

After cleaning a mold-covered area, either by DIY or by a professional, protect yourself from future attacks to your indoor air quality; paint over the areas with a mold-sealing paint, and use dehumidifiers to prevent future problems. Because indoor air pollution can occur in hard-to-see places, use creative DIY home improvement techniques to further investigate. For example, remove any wall covers that you may have for electricity, phone or television cables. This will allow you to be able to look within your walls to detect the presence of mold. If found, you can take simple measures such as removing and replacing just the section of drywall that is infected, to promote healthier indoor air quality in your home. Keep in mind that if mold damage is severe, then home insurance companies are likely to cap claim money to about 5000 dollars in funds. This makes DIY prevention even more important, to eliminate the health risks from indoor air pollution by spores. Not only will these steps keep indoor air pollution to a minimum, but they will keep your money in your wallet, and not your doctor’s or contractor’s.

Source: Purified Living

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In the study, David Layton and Paloma Beamer found that over 60 percent of house dust originates outdoors. They note that household dust consists of a mixture that includes dead skin shed by people, fibers from carpets and upholstered furniture, and tracked-in soil and airborne particles blown in from outdoors. It can include lead, arsenic and other potentially harmful substances that migrate indoors from outside air and soil. This can be of special concern for children, who can ingest these substances by spending time on a dusty floor, or by putting dusty toys and other objects into their mouths.

They estimated that nearly 60 percent of the arsenic in floor dust could come from arsenic in the surrounding air, with the remainder derived from tracked-in soil.

So then, I wasn’t too far off base when I wrote Please Remove Shoes Before Entering, extolling five reasons for removing shoes before entering the home: number two being toxins-toxins-toxins! Even so, many people are wildly opposed to removing their shoes when visiting others’ homes. To each his own and all, but still.

Aside from keeping dust out of the home in the first place, I like microfiber cloths to tackle surface dust once it has invaded. They are eco-friendly because they reduce the use of cleaning products and paper towels or other disposables, and they thoroughly remove dust, allergens and bacteria.

To clean dust from the floor, the right vacuum is essential. Suction alone often isn’t enough to get much dust out of carpet; for best results, use an upright vacuum with an agitator, although some canister vacuums with agitators work well for carpet too. For wood, tile or vinyl flooring, use a canister vacuum without an agitator–or with an agitator that can be turned off–using an agitator on hard flooring actually kicks up more dust than it sucks up.

By Melissa Breyer via Care2

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Millions of homes harbor lead-based paint, asbestos, and toxic wood preservatives. All three have been banned from building products, but they continue to plague building owners and occupants.

Lead-based paint
Of the three, lead-based paint is by far the greatest hazard. Young children who ingest old paint chips or get lead-contaminated dust on their hands and in their mouths can develop lead poisoning, a serious condition that can damage the brain and the nervous system.

If you have a home that’s more than 30 years old, be aware that any disturbance of old paint–sanding, scraping, using heat guns or paint strippers–can release lead particles into your home. (And even if you’re not doing any remodeling work, peeling or chipping paint can wind up in children’s mouths or in your whole family’s lungs.)

Even though lead in paint has been banned for thirty years in the United States, imported products made with lead-based paint continue to be sold here in violation of the law. Read our Toys article to learn how to protect your children.

Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral fiber used in building materials to increase strength and heat resistance until it was banned in the 1970s. High levels of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer and other fatal diseases. Asbestos-related diseases have primarily been associated with workers exposed to high levels on job. But if you have a home that’s more than 30 years old, when you do home improvement projects it’s smart to take precautions to prevent asbestos from becoming friable and airborne. This can happen if the asbestos-containing material is cut into, damaged, sanded, or removed during remodeling.

Asbestos materials in older homes include duct and pipe insulation, attic and wall insulation, ceiling tiles, wallboard and joint compound, electrical insulation, floor-tile adhesives, roofing, and siding. It’s often impossible to tell by looking at a material if it contains asbestos. You can have a material tested by sending a small sample to an asbestos testing laboratory.

If an asbestos-containing material is in good shape, leave it alone. It’s not harmful unless it deteriorates. If you need to repair or remove it, consult the U.S. EPA’s website; the asbestos section has detailed information on safe handling.

Wood preservatives
The once-common wood preservative chromated copper arsenate (CCA) was banned for most residential uses at the end of 2003. It contains arsenic and can cause cancer and other illnesses. If you have decks and playground equipment that were treated with CCA, protect yourself and your family with an oil or water-based stain that penetrates the wood surface. Painting the surfaces is not advisable because paint can chip and flake, requiring scraping and sanding that will only increase your exposure to CCA. When working with wood that was treated with this material, shower afterward and wash your work clothes separately. When you dispose of any-old or new-treated lumber, make sure it goes to a lined landfill, and don’t burn it. Burning it can release toxic substances into the air.

For new projects you should use EPA-approved preservatives, such as quat and azole, made from less toxic copper-based compounds. The only way you are likely to run into wood preserved with the banned compound is if you buy from a dealer with very old inventory.

Source: Sierra Club

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Cardiovascular Health Study

The study, “Insights Into the Mechanisms and Mediators of the Effects of Air Pollution Exposure on Blood Pressure and Vascular Function in Healthy Humans,” was published in the journal Hypertension, a publication put out by the American Heart Association. Researchers conducted two randomized, double-blind crossover studies measuring the effects of ozone and fine particulate matter on cardiovascular health. Subjects in good health were exposed to air pollution in a series of three two-hour sessions. The air simulated the pollution present in urban environments near major roadways.

Air Pollution Tested

Researchers exposed subjects to two main forms of air pollution: ozone and fine particulate matter. Ozone is a well-known pollutant, recognized by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization as a hazard. Fine particulate matter is made up of microscopic particles measuring 2.5 microns, less than a tenth of the diameter of a strand of human hair. These particles come from the burning of fossil fuels, such as a car’s exhaust, for example. Fine particles can settle deep in the lungs and may even get into the body’s bloodstream. Previous studies haven’t been able to clearly determine whether fine particulate matter or ozone was worse for people’s health. Significantly, this study did.

Study Findings

Test results indicated that fine particulate matter both significantly raised diastolic blood pressure and impaired the normal functioning of blood vessels. The increase in blood pressure occurred soon after exposure to air pollution, within about 2 hours of breathing in the air. The changes in blood vessel function took longer, but also lasted for a longer period of time, in some cases up to 24 hours. The particles also disrupted the body’s central nervous system and triggered inflammation, which can weaken the walls of blood vessels.

The lead researcher, Dr. Robert Brook, stated, “Although this increase in diastolic blood pressure may pose little health risk to healthy people, in people with underlying coronary artery disease, this small increase may actually be able to a trigger heart attack or stroke.” The authors recommended that on days with significant air pollution present, people with lung disease, heart disease, or diabetes should stay indoors as much as possible. Given that these deleterious effects were experienced by people only subjected to pollution for a limited amount of time, people who live in polluted areas should take special care with their cardiovascular health.

Indoor Air Quality

Staying indoors is less helpful if indoor air quality is poor. The EPA has stated that indoor air pollution is two to five-times worse than air found outdoors. This is because pollution accumulates within the home, becoming more concentrated, both from sources inside the home and outside pollutants seeping in. The EPA’s three suggestions for improving indoor air quality include controlling the pollution’s source, improving ventilation, and buying an air purifier. Since 9 out of every 10 breaths is taken indoors, it’s important to make sure that the air one breathes is clean and healthy.

HEPA Air Purifiers for Improved Indoor Air

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers can filter out many of the airborne pollutants that may harm cardiovascular health. To get a HEPA rating, filters must remove 99.97% of particles .3 microns and larger. Purifiers often include both a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter, the latter of which removes toxic chemicals, gases, and odors. Together they can remove a wide array of airborne pollutants and provide clean, pure air.

Source: CleanAirPlus

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Immunocompromised Individuals

People who are immunocompromised have an immune system that is compromised or entirely absent.  Indoor air quality is of great concern to those who are immunuocomprimised, as their bodies are very vulnerable to opportunistic infections.

Hypersensitivity

Some people can become sensitized to biological & chemical pollutants after repeated or high level exposures. Effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures.  Once sensitized to a pollutant, the individual can experience acute adverse reactions when they are exposed to that pollutant, even when the pollutant is at a lower level.

Age Makes a Difference

Children are sensitive to indoor air quality because they breathe faster than adults, inhaling up to 50% more air per pound of body weight than adults.  Elderly have a higher risk for cardiovascular, respiratory illness from fine particle pollutions.

Allergies & Asthma

Dust is a mixture of many substances. Its content may vary from home to home, but the most common allergy triggers such as mold spores, pollen, dust mites, can trigger allergy or asthma attacks.

Fortunately for most healthy people, the symptoms of air pollution exposure usually go away as soon as the air quality improves.  Good housekeeping and good maintenance of the heating and air conditioning equipment is the most important methods for controlling exposure to indoor air pollutants.

Source: Ductworks

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Arlington Heights IL – infoZine – Newswise – Damp environments, poorly maintained heating and air-conditioning systems and carpeting may contribute to poor indoor air quality, according to experts at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla.

Damp Buildings

“If there was just one thing I could do to fix buildings, it would be to change the relative humidity,” said Doug Garrett, CEM, CDSM, building scientist and president of Building Performance and Comfort, Leander, Texas. “Moisture leads to conditions that are conducive to dust mites and mold, as well as bacteria, yeast and other living organisms.”

Garrett pointed to dust mites and mold as particularly worrisome.

A damp building with high humidity may lead to increased levels of dust mites and mold, leading to increased allergic respiratory symptoms, as well as the worsening of asthma. And even if someone is not allergic, molds may produce mycotoxins and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that smell bad and may cause respiratory irritation, he said.

Dust mites are microscopic arachnids that thrive in humidity. They cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma symptoms. Nearly half of all young people with asthma are allergic to dust mites; about 10 percent of the population is allergic to dust mites.

Mold requires moisture to grow. Indoor environments house many sources of moisture including condensation and leaky pipes.

Indoor Breathing Environment

Although there are many culprits that negatively affect indoor air quality, poorly maintained air-conditioning and carpeting are among the most problematic.

“A home’s heating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, if poorly maintained, can become a major source of microbial allergens,” said Garrett.

According to Garrett, up to 30 percent of the air inside a home can come from the attic, parking garage or basement. One study supported by the EPA found that 75 percent of homes had carbon monoxide from the garage inside of the home.

Like air conditioning systems, carpeting often harbors allergens, including dust mites and molds said Jeffrey May, M.A., principal scientist of May Indoor Air Investigations LLC, Tyngsborough, Mass. Organisms and particles that become airborne eventually settle in carpeting. In damp environments, carpeting provides an ideal environment for mold growth.

“Many schools shampoo their carpeting right before school starts at the end of summer when it’s humid outside,” said May. “There couldn’t be a worse time.”

Making a Healthier Indoor Environment

To improve indoor air quality, Garrett lists several construction practices that, when done right, can make a significant difference. These include installing tight ductwork, achieving airtight construction, using a correctly sized HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system and making sure there is fresh air ventilation. Proper ventilation involves introducing air from a known source and then filtering, dehumidifying and pre-cooling or heating it.

“You can’t build houses too airtight,” said Garrett. “But you can under ventilate them.”

Once built, maintenance becomes key. May offers the following advice for home owners on making their indoor environments healthier:

• Keep the air conditioner clean. Use a filter with an American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (AHRAE) Standard MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) of at least 8.
• Do not have carpeting in any buildings or homes where humidity can’t be controlled. If you cannot replace carpet, vacuum thoroughly, carefully and methodically so you don’t stir dust into the air. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or cyclonic vacuum.
• Prevent mold by dehumidifying the basement. In unfinished basements, humidity should be kept lower than 50 percent. Do research before buying a dehumidifier. “There are scams out there” said May. “And ‘exhaust only’ systems are not effective.”

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI Indoor Breathing EnvironmentAlthough there are many culprits that negatively affect indoor air quality, poorly maintained air-conditioning and carpeting are among the most problematic.

“A home’s heating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, if poorly maintained, can become a major source of microbial allergens,” said Garrett.

According to Garrett, up to 30 percent of the air inside a home can come from the attic, parking garage or basement. One study supported by the EPA found that 75 percent of homes had carbon monoxide from the garage inside of the home.

Like air conditioning systems, carpeting often harbors allergens, including dust mites and molds said Jeffrey May, M.A., principal scientist of May Indoor Air Investigations LLC, Tyngsborough, Mass. Organisms and particles that become airborne eventually settle in carpeting. In damp environments, carpeting provides an ideal environment for mold growth.

“Many schools shampoo their carpeting right before school starts at the end of summer when it’s humid outside,” said May. “There couldn’t be a worse time.”

Making a Healthier Indoor Environment

To improve indoor air quality, Garrett lists several construction practices that, when done right, can make a significant difference. These include installing tight ductwork, achieving airtight construction, using a correctly sized HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system and making sure there is fresh air ventilation. Proper ventilation involves introducing air from a known source and then filtering, dehumidifying and pre-cooling or heating it.

“You can’t build houses too airtight,” said Garrett. “But you can under ventilate them.”

Once built, maintenance becomes key. May offers the following advice for home owners on making their indoor environments healthier:

• Keep the air conditioner clean. Use a filter with an American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (AHRAE) Standard MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) of at least 8.
• Do not have carpeting in any buildings or homes where humidity can’t be controlled. If you cannot replace carpet, vacuum thoroughly, carefully and methodically so you don’t stir dust into the air. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or cyclonic vacuum.
• Prevent mold by dehumidifying the basement. In unfinished basements, humidity should be kept lower than 50 percent. Do research before buying a dehumidifier. “There are scams out there” said May. “And ‘exhaust only’ systems are not effective.”

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)

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