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~ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) ~ |
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Q: Why should I be concerned about indoor air quality?
A: According to the World Health Organization, as many as one-third of the buildings in the United States may have some form of indoor air pollution which is potentially harmful to people. Since most Americans now spend more than 80% of their time indoors, it is important to be sure that the air they are breathing is not harming them. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that of the 70 million employees who work indoors in the United States, 21 million are exposed to poor indoor air.
Q: What kinds of pollutants are in my home?
A: There are three general categories: Chemical. Particulate. And Microbial. Chemical contaminants usually come from cleaning products and from building materials. Particulate pollutants come from smoke, fibers and dust originating inside the building or brought into it from the outside. Microbial contaminants account for about 85% of the harmful pollutants found inside buildings. They are the bacteria, viruses and spores from fungal colonies growing somewhere in the building.
Q: How can these pollutants harm people?
A: Depending on the size and length of the exposure to indoor air contaminants, people may have a range of reactions from temporary, minor irritation of the eyes, nose and throat to permanent, conditions affecting the brain, lungs, and other vital organs.
Q: Doesn't my HVAC system filter clean the air in my home?
A: It does filter the air to some extent. It does not really clean or purify the air. The filters used in most heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment can remove many, but not all of the contaminants in buildings. Some of the pollutants are so tiny that they pass right through the filters and are recirculated back into the air inside the building.
Q: Are there any “warning signs” that indoor air problems are developing?
A: Yes. There are a number of indicators that signal the potential presence of indoor air quality problems. The occupants of the building will probably provide the first clues. If they are experiencing headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, eye/nose/throat irritation, skin irritation, dizziness or nausea with any consistency or regularity, you should have the building evaluated for indoor air problems.
Other indicators include visible growth of molds or mildew, or persistent odors from molds or mildew; fumes or other chemical odors; water standing in and around the building or the heating and air conditioning equipment; visible contamination in the outdoor intake of the heating and air conditioning system; or any persistent source of moisture such as leaky roofs or pipes, condensation, or water coming into the building from an outside source.
Q: Should I consider air purifiers that have "ion" or
"ozone" in their name?
A: No, avoid them. In a report on cnn.com, James Sublett, M.D., a spokesman for the American
College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, says none of the ion-generating
purifiers he has tested circulate enough air to be effective - and they all emit
some ozone gas.
Ozone aggravates asthma and can irritate anyone's upper respiratory system,
especially when it interacts with common household cleaners. " There is no such
thing as good ozone," Sublett says. "It's bad for you 100 percent of the time."
More FAQ topics:
Mold, Moisture and Pollutants
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