Q... What are signs of possible Environmental Air Quality (EAQ) problems?
A... Signs may include:

·  Unusual and noticeable odors, stale or stuffy air!

·  Noticeable lack of air movement!

·  Dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment!

·  Damaged flue pipes or chimneys!

·  Un-vented combustion air sources for fossil fuel appliances!

·  Excessive humidity!

·  Tight constructed or remodeled home!

·  Presence of molds and mildew!

·  Health reaction after remodeling, weatherizing, using new furniture, use of household or hobby products, or moving into a new home!

·  Feeling noticeably healthier outside the home (at work, shopping, visiting relatives, etc)

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Biological Problems

Q...What biological problems should I be concerned about?
A...Molds, mildew, fungi, bacteria, and dust mites are some of the main biological pollutants inside the house.  Some such as pollen are generated outside the home.  Mold and mildew are generated in the home and release spores into the air.  Mold, mildew, fungi and bacteria are often found in areas of the home that have high humidity levels, such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or basements.  Dust mites and animal dander are problematic when they become airborne during vacuuming, making beds or when textiles are disturbed.

Q...What are some of the health effects?
A...Allergic reactions are the most common health problems associated with biological pollutants.  Symptoms often include watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness and fatigue.  Dust mites have been identified as the single most important trigger for asthma attacks.

Q...How are biological contaminants transported through the house?
A...Molds and dust mites thrive in areas of high humidity.  Molds grow on organic materials, such as paper, textiles, grease, dirt and soap scum.  Mold spores float throughout the house, forming new colonies where they land.  Dust mites thrive on dead human skin cells and in textiles, such as bedding, carpeting and upholstery.  When these textiles are disturbed during vacuuming, making beds or walking on carpet, the dust particles become airborne.  Pollen, a plant material that enters through windows or on pets and animal dander also become airborne when disturbed.  Infectious disease caused by bacterial and viruses are generally passed from person to person through physical contact, but some circulate through indoor ventilation systems.

Q...If I'm concerned about the biological contaminants in my home, what can I do to deal with the problem?
A...There are no practical test for biological contaminants four use by non-professionals.  However, there are signs to watch for.  You can sometimes see and smell mold colonies growing on surfaces.  Mold growth should be suspected wherever there are water stains, standing water or moist surfaces.  Prevent mold growth by keeping basements, bathrooms and other rooms clean and dry.  Use a dish soap & water ( & add 1-9 ratio chlorine bleach & water if the surface is discolored ) to clean surfaces that have mold on them.  If carpeting or furnishings become wet, they must be quickly and thoroughly dried (in less than 48 hours) or discarded.

Q...Can my humidifier or air conditioner be a source of a problem?
A...Humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioning units should be regularly cleaned with a disinfectant such as chlorine bleach.  Keep humidity at acceptable levels (30 – 60% with a preferred level of 40 – 50%) and make sure there's plenty of ventilation, especially in areas where moisture tends to build up.  

Q...What other steps should I take if I'm sensitive to Dust Mites?
A...People who are sensitive to dust mites may need to replace carpeting in their homes with hard surfaced flooring and use area rugs which can periodically be removed and cleaned.

Q...Can vacuuming frequently help?
A...Vacuum cleaner with high efficiency filters or central vacuum systems can reduce airborne dust generated by vacuuming.  Unfiltered vacuuming may actually aggregate your IAQ the problem.

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Combustion Problems...

Q...What are combustion pollutants?
A...They include gases or particles that come from smoking and the burning of fuels such as natural gas, propane, wood, oil, kerosene and coal.  The resulting harmful gases include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulates and excess water vapor which increase levels of humidity.

Q...Why should I be concerned with combustion pollutants?
A...Carbon monoxide, an odorless gas, can be fatal, Nitrogen dioxide can damage the respiratory tract and sulfur dioxide can irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory tract.  Smoke and other particulates irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and cause lung cancer.  Too much water vapor can lead to moisture problems in the home, including the growth of mold.

Q...How do combustion pollutants get into the home?
A...Combustion pollutants enter the home from a variety of sources.  Any heating appliance that burn fuels - furnaces, boilers, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, space heaters, ranges and clothes dryers - introduce combustion gases.  These pollutants also are caused by tobacco smoking, automobile exhaust entering from a garage, and activities including use of internal combustion engines or burning, welding, or soldering.

Q...What causes these gasses to build to dangerous levels?
A...Harmful build-ups of these gases can occur when exhaust from combustion equipment is not properly vented to the outside of the home, combustion equipment is not in good working order and is not regularly inspected for safe operation, and a negative pressure balance exists between the inside and the outside of the home.  Tobacco smoking inside a home also contributes.

Q...What signs can help me determine if combustion gases are affecting my health?
A...They may be the culprit if you feel bad only when you're inside the home or office and the symptom disappear or are reduced when you leave, or if more than one person in the home has a similar symptoms.   A noticeable increase in moisture problems can also be a sign of combustion pollutants in the home.

Q...How can I reduce the risk from combustion gases?
A...The most important practice is to keep all combustion equipment well-maintained and inspected for safety.  Experts recommend having your combustion heating systems inspected by trained professionals every year.  Such inspections should look for blocked opening to flues and chimneys, cracked or disconnected flue pipe, dirty filter, rust or cracks in the heat exchangers, soot or creosote build-up, and exhaust or gas odors.  Also always operate combustion equipment for its intended purpose and make sure it has been installed correctly.  Never use un-vented combustion appliances indoors.  Install a carbon monoxide detector, which will alert you to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.  However, such a detector will not detect common combustion by-products that can still make you ill.

Q...What is carbon monoxide and why should I be concerned about it?
A...Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be fatal when breathed.  It's sometimes difficult to determine if carbon monoxide is the culprit, because symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to flue, and allergies.  Low levels can cause nausea, dizziness, weakness and muscle ache.  Higher doses can impair judgment, cause paralysis or coma and death.

Q...How does carbon monoxide get into the home?
A...Carbon monoxide buildup can occur in several ways:  when flues or chimneys become blocked so exhaust cannot be vented to the outside; when a fuel burning furnace has a cracked or rusted heat exchanger, allowing combustion gases into living spaces; when a fuel burning furnace has a cracked or rusted heat exchanger, allowing combustion gases into the living spaces; when fuel burning space heaters, ovens, ranges, or grills are operated in the home without adequate ventilation; when care exhaust from an attached garage enters the home' when combustion equipment is not working properly and causes incomplete combustion; or when there's a negative pressure balance between the inside and outside of the home, preventing adequate venting of combustion gases.

Q...What causes carbon monoxide to build to dangerous levels?
A...Harmful build-ups of these gases can occur when exhaust from combustion equipment is not vented to the outside of the home and when combustion equipment is in poor working order and  not regularly inspected for safe operation.

Q...What is back drafting and why is it a problem?
A...Back drafting occurs when the air pressure inside the home is less than the air pressure outside, causing combustion by-products from furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces and similar equipment to spill back into the room rather than being vented outside.  Back drafting can also occur when natural draft appliance exhaust is pulled back into the house by mechanical ventilation - like a down-draft kitchen power vent.

Q...Is there a way to detect if my home has carbon monoxide buildups?
A...There are carbon monoxide detectors you can install which will alert you to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.  It is important to place and maintain a detector in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

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Formaldehyde

Sources of formaldehyde include durable press drapes and other textiles, particle board products such as cabinets and furniture framing and adhesives.

Q...What is formaldehyde?
A...It is a chemical that is released into the air as a pungent gas.  It has a number of useful properties:  it's a good preservative and makes an excellent adhesive.  Therefore, it is used widely in the building and furnishing industries.  It is also found in small amounts in some textiles as an anti-wrinkle agent.

Q...Why should I be concerned about formaldehyde?
A...It is a strong irritant that causes watery eyes and, in low doses burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat.  Wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rashes, headaches, loss of coordination and nausea are other symptoms.  Larger doses can cause asthma attacks as well as damage to the liver, kidneys and the central nervous system.  Some people are highly sensitive and react to formaldehyde concentrations that don't bother most people.  Formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals, but there is limited evidence that it causes cancer in humans.

Q...What are the major sources of formaldehyde?
A...Particleboard is a major contributor of formaldehyde to the home environment.  The culprit is the adhesive, urea formaldehyde, which can break down, releasing the formaldehyde.  Pheno formaldehyde (used in external panels) does not present problems.  Some particle board is now manufactured with reduced formaldehyde.  Other sources include interior plywood, veneered or laminated furniture and cabinets, some professionally applied furniture and floor finishes, paneling, permanent press fabrics (some drapes), combustion products and cosmetics.

Q...How can I detect whether my home has significant concentrations of formaldehyde?
A...You may be able to detect it by its odor.  Also, environmental testing firms, such as our company, can test for forlaldehyde levels.  Since such tests are costly, you should learn whether your home has possible sources of formaldehyde.  Do-it-yourself test kits are available, but here is some question about their accuracy.

Q...What can I do to reduce formaldehyde problems?
A...Formaldehyde cannot penetrate plastic laminate and is at least partially blocked by coatings.  Varnishes, and special formaldehyde sealants are also available.  Apply these coatings to all exposed edges and surfaces, such as the undersides of countertops, cabinet interiors and drawers.  High humidity and elevated temperatures cause formaldehyde release, so you might want to control humidity through air conditioning and dehumidifiers.  Also, increase ventilation, particularly, after bringing new sources of formaldehyde into the home.  When remodeling and in new construction, select low formaldehyde materials.

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Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas from solid and rock beneath and around the foundation, group water wells and some building materials.

Q...Why should I be concerned about radon?
A...Exposure to radon can increase your chances of getting lung cancer.  Scientists are more certain about radon risks than risks from most other cancer-causing substances.  Smoking combined with radon exposure is an especially dangerous  health risk.

Q...How does radon affect my health?
A...Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe.  These particles release bursts of energy that can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer.

Q...What is radon?  Where does it come from?
A...Radon is an odorless radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium.  Uranium is present in most of the soil and rock around the world.  It is typically concentrated in areas with lots of granite, shale, phosphate and pitchblende.

Q...How does radon enter my home or office building?
A...Because radon is a gas, it can leak into hour home or office through the basement or crawl space - via adjacent or exposed soil and rock - or through well water.  Some building materials such as natural stone or rock can contain or emit radon.  Radon can also be carried into your house through natural gas.

Q...How do I know if my home has significant concentrations of radon?
A...The only way to know is to have your home tested.

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Household Products and Furnishings

These include volatile organic compounds from paints, solvents, air fresheners, hobby supplies, dry cleaned clothing, aerosol sprays, adhesives and fabric additives used in carpeting and furniture.

Q...What are some of the products of which I should be aware?
A...Solvents, paints, paint strippers, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, moth repellents, air fresheners, stored fuels, automotive products, hobby supplies, pesticides and some cleaners and disinfectants.

Q...What are the particular ingredients that I should be concerned about?
A...The products to watch for are those containing volatile organic compounds, which are organic solvents that easily evaporate into the air.  Some may be flammable.  Following are some of the compounds listed on product labels:  petroleum distillates, mineral spirits, chlorinated colvents, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, trichloroethane, toluene, and formaldehyde.  Other household products ingredients can also be a hazard if they are used improperly.

Q...What are some of the health effects?
A...Short-term effects include eye, nose and throat irritations and headaches.  Long-term exposure can cause loss of coordination, nausea, and damage to liver, kidney and the central nervous system.  Some organics can cause cancer in animals and are suspected of causing cancer in humans.

Q...What are some ways I can minimize potential health problems?
A...First, read the labels of any product you are considering buying.  Note the product's ingredients and be aware of any warnings of its use.  Always use household products only for their intended purpose and according the manufacturer's instructions.  Use the product in a well-ventilated area.  Choose products that are packaged to reduce the chance of spills, leaks and child tampering.  Keep household products in their original containers so that safety information and directions for use are always with the product.

Q...Are there ways I can reduce my need for these products?
A...Yes, by practicing preventive maintenance.  Quickly attend to spills and stains.  Remove food wastes promptly.  Also, control excess moisture (such as standing water from air conditioner drains or refrigerator drip pans) and fix leaks, drips and seepage problems.

Asbestos

Most homes more than 20 years old are likely to have asbestos.  Sources include deteriorating, damaged or disturbed pipe insulation, fireproofing, or acoustical materials and floor tiles.

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Lead

Sources of lead include lead-based paint, dust from removing lead-based paint by sanding, scraping and burning.

Q...What is lead?  What are the sources of lead?
A...Lead is a metallic element that is widely dispersed in the environment.  It was used in house paint until 1979, when it was banned.  It was also widely used in gasoline, but has since been removed.  Near major traffic corridors, soil may be contaminated from the long-term exposure to leaded gas.  Also, water is a potential source of lead.  This is usually from lead in solder, fixtures and piping in the home.  (There is no lead in a "lead" pencil!)

Q...Why should I be concerned about lead?
A...Young children (up to about six years old) are especially at risk of unknowingly ingesting lead contaminated dust or paint chips.  Small amounts of lead dust, ingested regularly, can cause delayed development, reading and learning problems, lowered IQ, hyperactivity and discipline problems.  Larger doses can cause high blood pressure, anemia, and kidney and reproductive disorders in children and adults.  Lead accumulates in the body and its effects are irreversible.

Q...How do I know if my children have been exposed to lead?
A...If you live in an older home, your children may be at a high risk.  All children up to age six should be tested for lead in their blood.  Ask your public health department about lead testing programs for children.

Q...How do I know if my home has significant concentrations of lead?
A...An estimated 57 million U.S. homes have at least some lead paint.  Older homes are greater risk.  Prior to 1950, paint contained as much as 50 percent lead.  Paint that is peeling or on deteriorating surfaces is especially risky Dust created from remodeling an older home can also be a source of lead..

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Q...Are Do-it-yourself Lead Test Kits effective?
A...Do-it-yourself test kits are available at home centers, paint stores and ceramic supply stores, but their sensitivity is limited.  Also, it may be difficult to get accurate reading on surfaces with multiple levels of paint.  For more accurate information, have a professional detection service such as ours conduct a lead-based paint risk assessment.

Q...Should I be concerned if my home has lead?
A...Yes, especially if you have young children in your home.  But it's important to distinguish between the presence of lead paint and a lead paint hazard.  Lead paint in good condition may not pose a hazard until sometime in the future.  If you plan to scrape the paint or remodel, then paint dust will pose a hazard.

Q...If lead is detected in my home, what should I do?
A...The simplest way to control exposure to lead is through frequent damp moping to control dust.  (Vacuuming can disperse dust particles back into the room.)  Pick up loose paint chips with duct tape.  Frequent washing of your children's hands and toys will also reduce exposure.  It's important not to sand or scrape leaded paint or do any other activities that generate dust.

Q...What's the safest way of removing lead hazards?
A...Eliminating lead dust hazards is complex and should only be done by professionals.  Measures include replacing windows and moldings, paint removal and covering surfaces with materials such as wall board.  Children should be removed until the site clears inspection.

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Remodeling Activities

Remodeling can provide the disturbance that releases such materials as asbestos, lead, formaldehyde and other hazardous materials.

Q...What remodeling hazards should I be concerned about?
A...Asbestos, formaldehyde and other organic solvents, and leaded paint dust are the main ones.  These hazardous materials can be released into the air when you remove paint, hang cabinets or disburse other existing products that contain these materials.  Pints, stripping and finishing products, and adhesives can also create indoor air pollution.

Q...Will I minimize my exposure by remodeling with product that don't include hazardous materials?
A...Not necessarily.  Lead and asbestos were commonly used in homebuilding until the lat 1970s.  Remodeling or attempting to remove these materials from a building can actually increase your risk of exposure.  Often it is better to leave lead-or asbestos-containing materials in place, but cover or seal them to reduce exposure.  If you suspect these materials are in your home, seek professional help before remodeling.  If you remodel, remember that careful cleanup is important to control exposure.