Healthy Air on Cape Cod

Winter Indoor Air Quality, It gets worse!, reprinted by Healthy Air Cape Cod

2010-10-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

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Healthy Air Cape Cod
508-360-6700

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Indoor air quality is often much worse than outdoor air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that indoor air pollutant levels could be two to five times higher than pollution levels outdoors. Considering that most Americans spend an estimated 90 percent of their time inside, indoor air quality has a great impact on our everyday lives. In addition, indoor air pollutants are one of the foremost triggers of allergies and asthma.

Why Winter Makes Indoor Air Quality Worse

Homes are built to be energy- (and therefore cost-) efficient by holding heat in during the winter time and keeping heat out during the summer. Winter weather prompts homeowners to tightly seal any cracks in insulation that could allow cold drafts into the home. This, in turn, also seals off the home from any fresh air and raises the concentrations of both allergens and pollutants in the home.

Pollutant Sources in the Home

Pollutants in the home come from a variety of sources. The first step in making sure that your family has the cleanest possible air is knowing where the pollutants come from. Following is a list of common sources of indoor air pollution:

Combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood. Any household appliances that use any of these fuels can lead to indoor air pollution. Such appliances include wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, water heaters, dryers, and stoves. It's crucial to make sure that these appliances are well-maintained and properly adjusted so that they don't release dangerous levels of pollution into the home. Heating systems themselves are one type of combustion source. (Another reason that indoor air pollution can be worse in winter.)
Building materials and furnishings, ranging from insulation, to carpeting, to cabinetry or furniture made of pressed wood. The kinds of pollutants that these items in the home may harbor or release are varied, including VOCs, mold, and dust mites.
Household cleaning and maintenance products, personal care products; air fresheners, for example, release pollutants continuously.
Hobby or home improvement activities including painting, varnishing, sanding, welding, using adhesives, and more. Basically, if it produces fumes, it's probably not good for you to be breathing it or filling your home with it, especially when your home is sealed tight against winter cold – and the healthy circulation of fresh air.
Outdoor sources like radon, pollen, lead, and more. Radon occurs in the soil as the natural decay of uranium occurs and can leak into the home. Pesticides, pollen, lead, and other outdoor pollutants may be tracked by people or pets into the home, where their levels become concentrated.

Pets – animal dander and other particles from pets with fur or feathers are a major aggravation of allergies and asthma to sensitive individuals. As people stay indoors more, so do pets that go outside during less inclement weather.

Common Household Pollutants

The next step in making sure to protect your family from household pollution is knowing what the pollutants are so that you can know how to deal with them. Here is a list of the most allergens and pollutants that affect indoor air quality.

Mold and mildew – when windows are closed tight against cold air, steam from the bathroom and the kitchen, as well as other kinds of moisture can build up in the home. Mold and mildew reproduce through spores, which become airborne and easily inhaled.
Pet dander - because it is very light and very small, pet dander is one of the most irritating and difficult-to-remove allergens. Indoor concentrations are especially high during winter when pets, as well as people, spend more time indoors.
Dust mites – because more time is spent indoors during the winter, the concentration of dust mite food – shed human skin cells – increases, as do dust mite populations. Dust mites are present wherever there is dust, including household surfaces, upholstered furniture, draperies, carpets, and especially bedding.
Pollen – though less of a problem in the winter, there are winter-blooming plants whose pollen can be tracked indoors. In addition, fluctuations in weather may cause plants to blossom earlier than normal.
Biological pollutants - in addition to molds, pollen, dust mites, and animal dander, other germs, viruses, and bacteria are present in the home.
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or secondhand smoke, is also a major indoor air pollutant.
Formaldehyde is one of the main volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and is often found in adhesives or other bonding agents present in carpets, upholstery, particle board, and plywood paneling.
Various VOCs –in addition to formaldehyde, many other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in cleaning products, air fresheners, beauty products, laundry products, and more. Off-gassing of VOCs from household items (like dry-cleaned drapes or other clothing, or particle board furniture or cabinets) is also a source of VOCs.
Asbestos comes from microscopic mineral fibers that are flexible and durable and won't burn. They are extremely light and consequently can remain airborne and therefore easily inhaled. Many home components contain asbestos, including roofing and flooring materials, insulation, and heating equipment, among others. These are only a problem if the asbestos is disturbed and becomes airborne, or when it disintegrates with age.
Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are the worst air pollution components given off by the combustion sources discussed above. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and it interferes with the distribution of oxygen in the body. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include poor coordination, headache, nausea, confusion, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue; the gas can also worsen cardiovascular conditions. High levels can cause death. Nitrogen dioxide is similarly colorless and odorless, and it irritates the mucous membranes, including those in the eyes, nose, and throat. Additional effects include shortness of breath, damaged respiratory tissue, and chronic bronchitis.

Lead - lead can be present in the home as paint or dust. Older homes routinely used lead paint, and cracked or chipping paint leads to both paint chips and paint dust, both dangerous pollutants, especially if there are young children in the home.

Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Immediate effects of poor indoor air quality can show up after just a single exposure and include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and itchy eyes, nose, and throat. Asthma and chemical sensitivities can also be aggravated by exposure to indoor pollution. Chronic sensitivity may also build up after repeated exposures.
Although it remains uncertain what levels or periods of exposure are necessary to bring on serious health effects from indoor air pollution, long-term effects of indoor air pollution include respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

The EPA recommends three basic strategies to improve indoor air quality: source control, ventilation improvements, and air cleaners or purifiers.
Improving indoor air quality through source control involves removing the sources of pollution. Gas emissions, like those from a poorly maintained stove, for instance, can be adjusted in order to lower their emissions; asbestos can be sealed or enclosed. Often, source control is a more cost-conscious way to remedy poor air quality than ventilation because increased ventilation can significantly increase energy costs.
However, increased ventilation is an easy and effective way to control poor indoor air by bringing fresh indoor air into circulation. Especially because most heating systems do not bring fresh air into the home, opening windows and doors when weather permits provides great benefit.
You can easily check to see if your home might have ventilation problems. Condensation on walls or windows, stuffy air, moldy areas, or dirty heating or cooling equipment are all indicators. Odors (which are most notable upon entering the home from outdoors) are also an indication of poor ventilation.
When performing many home improvement or hobbies, it's especially important to be aware of the need for proper ventilation. Without ventilation, pollutants such those emitted during painting, welding, sanding, or even cooking, can add toxic elements into your home environment.

The EPA's final recommendation in their three-pronged approach to improving indoor air quality involves using an air purifier. When investing in an air purifier, it's important to understand all the factors involved. For instance, most air purifiers capture particulate matter but do not remove gas and other chemicals. Activated carbon filters are needed in order to remove gas and chemicals. Additionally, it's important to get an air purifier that has the proper capacity to fill the job. This depends on factors such as pollutant levels, sensitivity, and room size.

An air exchange, draw down system will remove allergens, and pollutants in the process, In addition by controling humidity the system will result in dramitic energy system savings.

Here are a few tips for maintaining healthy indoor air, especially during the winter:

Clean regularly – dusting safely with proper cleaning equipment like dust cloths and masks, and regular and frequent vacuuming go a long way in reducing airborne pollutants like mold, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites.
Replace furnace filters frequently – with your heating unit running during the cold winter months, your furnace filter is working hard to keep your air clean. Ensure that airflow is not impeded - or worse, that contaminants aren't being reissued into the air you breathe - by checking your filters regularly and replacing them as needed.
Test for radon – the Surgeon General warns that radon causes lung cancer and recommends testing your home. The EPA's Web site has more information about testing for radon.
Consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detection device to alert you to the presence of this colorless, odorless, lethal gas.
Use non-toxic cleaning products. Especially when cleaning in the winter when ventilation is typically less, chemicals' fumes stay inside the home and on surfaces cleaned with them.
Keep bedding clean. Wash bedding frequently (once a week) in hot water or with a de-mite laundry additive. Cover mattresses and pillows with dust mite encasings.
Look for low- or no-VOC products when doing any hobbies or home-improvement projects. If possible, wait for spring, when you can open the windows for adequate ventilation.
Dry cleaning products emit chemicals like formaldehyde from dry-cleaned fabrics. Consider dry cleaning alternatives or air out dry-cleaned items in the garage or patio before bringing them indoors or into your closet.
Air out and clean mold-prone areas of the home. Make sure bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, which tend to collect extra moisture and may not receive adequate ventilation, are routinely aired out, and cleaned of any mold.
Open windows and doors when you can. If you're concerned that outdoor pollutants may enter your home, use a window filter.
Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters do an excellent job of filtering particulate contaminants from the air. Carbon filters are necessary in order to remove gases, odors, and chemicals from the air.
Many plants are known as nature's air purifiers because of their ability to absorb toxins from the air. Just be aware that mold often grows around plants, especially if they're watered often.

Knowing the sources of indoor pollutants, as well as what they are and how to combat them, is the first step in keeping the air in your home clean. Due to the combined factors of more time spent indoors and decreased ventilation, winter is a time to be particularly vigilant about maintaining healthy indoor air quality. But making sure that your home is as free as possible from indoor pollutants is important all year round.

Article reprinted by Rob Donaldson

Healthy Air Cape Cod
508-360-6700

http://www.healthyaircapecod.com/

Installation of a Humidex ventilation system by Healthy Air Cape Cod

2010-09-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

Title: Installation of a Humidex basement exhaust ventilation system by Healthy Air Cape Cod

· 1. Locating the floor joist bay where the unit will be installed.

· 2. Drilling the exhaust hole from the outside of the building.

· 3. Completion of the exhaust hole.

· 4. Inside view of the exhaust hole.

· 5. Back side view of the Humidex exhaust ventilation unit prior to fastening it to the cellar wall.

· 6. Connecting the outside vent and flex duct through the exhaust hole.

· 7. View of the installed Humidex cellar exhaust ventilation system.

· 8. View of the air controls for the Humidex cellar exhaust ventilation system.

· 9. View of the air intake manifold of the Humidex cellar exhaust ventilation system.

· 10. View of the functioning air exhaust vent for the Humidex cellar exhaust ventilation system.

2010-09-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

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2010-09-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

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Healthy Air Cape Cod 508-360-3700 Call Rob Donaldson for a Free Testing and Report
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Radon Testing and Remediation, reprint by Healthy Air Cape Cod

2010-09-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

Reprint by Rob Donaldson of   Healthy Air Cape Cod
                                                508-360-3700
                                 http://healthyaircapecod.com/
website

Radon Mitigation (Reduction of Radon Gas):

Indoor radon can be mitigated by sealing basement foundations, water drainage, or by sub-slab de-pressurization. In severe cases, mitigation can use air pipes and fans to exhaust sub-slab air to the outside. Indoor ventilation systems are more effective, but exterior ventilation can be cost-effective in some cases. Modern construction that conserves energy by making homes air tight exacerbates the risks of radon exposure if radon is present in the home. Older homes with more porous construction are more likely to vent radon naturally. Ventilation systems can be combined with a heat exchanger to recover energy in the process of exchanging air with the outside. Homes built on a crawl space can benefit from a radon collector installed under a radon barrier (a sheet of plastic that covers the crawl space).

The most common approaches are active soil depressurization (ASD) and mechanical ventilation (MV). Experience has shown that neither is applicable to all buildings with radon problems. A less common approach works efficiently by reducing air pressures within cavities of exterior and demising walls where radon emitting from building materials, most often concrete blocks, collects.

Nearly all mechanical ventilation-based radon control systems are of fixed rate operation, and even if the indoor relative humidity in the interior of a building goes high, they will continue to inject moisture-laden air into this wet environment increasing the likelihood of mold growth. This is especially risky in hot, humid climates. It is not an unusual practice for radon mitigators in hot, humid climates to warn of possible resulting mold problems by way of an easily removed warning sticker.

Above Slab Air Pressure Differential Barrier technology ASAPDB requires that the interior pressure envelope, most often drywall, as well as all ductwork for air conditioning systems, be made as airtight as possible. A small blower, often no more than 15 cubic feet per minute may then extract the radon-laden air from these cavities and exhaust it to the out of doors. With well-sealed HVAC ducts, very small negative pressures, perhaps as little as 0.5 pascal, will prevent the entry of highly radon-laden wall cavity air from entering into the breathing zone. Such ASAPDB technology is often the best radon mitigation choice for high rise condominiums as it does not increase indoor humidity loads in hot humid climates, and it can also work well to prevent mold growth in exterior walls in heating climates.

In hot, humid climates, heat recovery ventilators HRV as well as energy recovery ventilators ERV have a record of increasing indoor relative humidity and increased dehumidification demands on air conditioning systems. In some cases, it is not unlikely that serious mold problems have an origin in HRV and ERV operation in hot, humid climates. HRVs and ERVs have an excellent record in heating climates.

A recently revealed technology is based in building science. It includes a variable rate mechanical ventilation system that prevents indoor relative humidity from rising above a preset level such as 50% which is currently suggested by the USEPA and others as an upper limit for the prevention of mold. It appears to be especially promising for radon mitigation in hot, humid climates.

It is generally assumed that air conditioner operation will remove excess moisture from the air in the breathing zone. Just because you have cooling does not mean that you have dehumidification.

Factors that are likely to aggravate indoor humidity problems from mechanical ventilation-based radon installations are as follows and an expert radon mitigator/building scientist will check for and correct any and all of the following when he performs his radon mitigation procedure:

1. Air conditioner duct leaks located outside the breathing zone, such as in the attic. 2. Excessive exhaust fan operation 3. Oversize or over-capacity air conditioners 4. AC air handler fans that do not stop running when the air conditioner compressor stops running. 5. A radon system air intake located close to a clothes dryer exhaust. 6. delta t, which is the number of degrees that the air is cooled as it is passed over the air conditioner's cooling coils. A good delta t performance figure for home air conditioners is about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In comparison, automobile air conditioners deliver delta t performance of 32-38 degrees F. A delta t of 14 degrees will dehumidify poorly if at all.

In South Florida, most all radon mitigation is performed by use of fixed rate mechanical ventilation. Radon mitigation training in Florida does not include any segment addressing mechanical ventilation or of problems associated with mechanical ventilation systems such as high indoor humidity, mold, moldy odors, property damage or health consequences of human occupation in high humidity of moldy environments. As a result, most Florida radon mitigators are unaware of and do not incorporate existing building science moisture management technology into mechanical ventilation radon installations.

^ "Recommended Residential Radon Mitigation Standard of Practice". United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.

^ "ASTM E2121-03 Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings". ASTM International. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.

^ "Residential Measurement Provider". The National Environmental Health Association -- National Radon Proficiency Program. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.

^ "Radon Measurement Method Definitions". The National Environmental Health Association -- National Radon Proficiency Program. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.

^ "You've found radon in your home - what should you do?". Air Chek, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.

^ "National Radon Proficiency Program". The National Environmental Health Association -- National Radon Proficiency Program. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.

^ "Residential Mitigation Provider". The National Environmental Health Association -- National Radon Proficiency Program. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.

^ "Radon Mitigation Methods". Radon Solution -- Raising Radon Awareness. Retrieved on 2008-12-02.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radon_mitigation"

ABOUT RADON GAS:

Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas that is formed from the decay of radium. It is one of the heaviest substances that remains a gas under normal conditions and is considered to be a health hazard. The most stable isotope, 222Rn, has a half-life of 3.8 days and is used in radiotherapy. While having been less studied by chemists due to its radioactivity, there are a few known compounds of this generally unreactive element.

Radon is a significant contaminant that affects indoor air quality worldwide. Radon gas from natural sources can accumulate in buildings, especially in confined areas such as the basement. Radon can be found in some spring waters and hot springs.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is reportedly the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking; and radon-induced lung cancer the 6th leading cause of cancer death overall. According to the same sources, radon reportedly causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States.

Reprint by Rob Donaldson of Healthy Air Cape Cod 508-360-3700

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IAQ Report. Reprint by Healthy Air Cape Cod

2010-08-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

Healthy Air Cape Cod
508-360-3700
http://www.healthyaircapecod.com/

What are you breathing? It is a good question to ask ourselves. All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some risks are simply unavoidable. The good news is indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. Find out more below about what you are breathing and how to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) around you.

Quick Finder

Asthma

Mold

Radon

IAQ Tools for Schools

Smoke-free Homes and Cars

Indoor airPLUS Program

IAQ Design Tools for Schools

IAQ Tribal Partners Program

Partnership for Clean Indoor Air

Carbon Monoxide

CIAQ

IAQ and Climate Readiness

Ice Arenas

Air Cleaners

Floods

Indoor Air Topics

Asthma

About 23 million people, including 6.8 million children, have asthma and 12 million people report having an asthma attack in the past year. Asthma accounts for nearly 17 million physician office and hospital visits, and nearly 2 million emergency department visits each year. Learn more about EPA's Asthma Program

National Asthma Forum
Asthma Awareness Month
National Asthma Awards

Radon

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually. Learn how you can protect your family. Learn more about EPA's Radon Program

National Radon Action Month
Radon-resistant New Construction
Radon Leaders Savings Lives
How do I get a radon test kit?

Tour the IAQ House

Get a quick glimpse of some of the most important ways to protect the air in your home, tour the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) House. Room-by-room, you'll learn about and how to address key pollutants. Read "Care for Your Air"

Healthy Air Cape Cod
508-360-3700
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