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Causes of Environmental Air Quality
Problems:
Sources of contamination
include:
·
Building dusts,
containing human skin scales, cellulose fibers, plant, materials,
etc, are biodegradable. When these become wet from leaks or
condensation, mold spores and bacteria mixed in with the dust starts
to grow and multiply. Bio-amplification sites, particularly on
AC coils and in fibrous insulation exposed to air flows, can be
significant sources of problem Bioaerosols.
·
Chronic water leaks can
turn ceiling tiles, wallboards or wood into ready-to-eat mold
food. Common molds like Cladosporium and Penicillium can grow to toxic
levels, triggering allergic reactions, including asthma, as well as
sinus infections, headaches, coughing, and eye and throat
irritation.
·
Others like Strachybotrys, and Aspergillus versicolor; provide
airborne toxins, called mycotoxins, which can cause even more
serious problems, including chronic fatigue, loss of balance and
memory, irritability and difficulty speaking.
·
Radon
·
Asbestos
· Gas Leaks
·
Meth Labs
Another major source of
building IAQ complaints is volatile organic compounds (VOC) from
building activities, surfaces and components.
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