The Evil 10: 10 Common Indoor Air Quality Conditions That Plagues Us All

[Daryl Watters]

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Article Title:
The Evil 10: 10 Common Indoor Air Quality Conditions That Plagues Us All

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Article Description:
Questions about unusual chemical or musty odors? Need an
indoor air quality or IAQ testing information, because of
sick building syndrome or building related illness?


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Distribution Date and Time: 2009-12-01 10:00:00

Written By: Daryl Watters
Copyright: 2009
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The Evil 10: 10 Common Indoor Air Quality Conditions That Plagues Us All
Copyright (c) 2009 Daryl Watters
A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc.
http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us/



Mold And Water Damaged Building Materials

When leakage occurs it results in the growth of mold that in turn
results in the release of pungent smelling and irritating
volatile organic compounds, and allergenic mold spores into your
air. Persons with allergies or asthma often have reactions to
such contaminates in the air while others may have no reaction at
all. People with compromised immune systems may even contract
infections from some molds. Some of the most common mold related
infections are chronic allergenic fungal sinusitis, this is a
type of allergic like reaction and infection that results from
spores germinating in the sinuses, the agent of infection is
usually Alternaria mold spores. Other persons may develop lung
infections caused by certain species of Aspergillus growing in
the lungs. Fungal infections are more a product of a person's
poor health than of the environment they are in. Home inspectors,
mold inspectors and other building investigators may use a
moisture meter to detect moisture hidden inside water damaged
building materials.

Infrared cameras can also be used to detect moisture hidden
inside walls and other areas by measuring very slight temperature
differentials between cooler wet surfaces and warmer dry
surfaces. Where there is moisture mold is often not far away.
Drying up water within 24 to 48 hours and repairing leaks can go
a long way in preventing mold problems.

Dust Dust Mites And Particulates

Air contaminated with excess particles can also cause negative
reactions. Some particles cause direct irritation when levels are
elevated. In the case of house dust people do not typically have
a direct allergenic or irritation related reaction. Common dust
is as much as 80% dead human skin cells thus the dust itself is
not seen as a forging invader by your body. When people have
allergic reactions to common household dust it is not the dust
causing the problem but allergenic proteins found in dust mite
feces. Particles counters can be used to measure airborne
particulates, particle counters are highly sensitive scientific
instruments that use an internal laser to count particles passing
through it that are of a predetermined size range. Good quality
pleated filters at your AC unit return can help reduce dust, also
use a good quality vacuum that is equipped with a hepa filter. A
bad vacuum cleaner will remove dust from your carpets then blow
it into your face.

Carbon Dioxide

High carbon dioxide levels are not typically a direct threat to
human health in home and commercial properties. High carbon
dioxide levels usually indicate a lack of adequate outdoor air
being introduced into the building. Dust, chemicals, body odors
and other indoor air pollutants often build up along with carbon
dioxide in poorly ventilated buildings, and it is these other
indoor pollutants that result in indoor air quality complaints
and health complaints. According to Parat and others "A properly
maintained and operated mechanical ventilation system can reduce
indoor Bioaerosols concentrations by limiting infiltration of
outdoor Bioaerosols and by diluting those from outdoor sources"
( Parat et al., 1994, 1996 ).

According to American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air
Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE 62-89 Outdoor air supply into the
building should be at least 20 cubic foot per min per person in
offices and thus help maintain carbon dioxide levels below 1000
ppm. Newer requirements recommend levels no more than 700 ppm
higher than outdoor carbon dioxide levels. Outdoor air that is
being introduced into a building must meet the US EPA National
Primary Ambient Air Quality Standards is short it must be clean
or it must be properly filtered.

In conclusion letting clean dry outdoor air into homes and
commercial buildings can help dilute and flush out indoor
pollutants.

Carbon Monoxide

WARNING: Carbon monoxide can rapidly rob your bloods ability to
properly absorb oxygen thus it can be deadly. If carbon monoxide
levels at your property are dangerously high then emergency
measures such as immediate evacuation may be deemed necessary.
Even if slightly elevated further investigation by a qualified,
licensed, specialist is recommended and appropriate repairs or
other measures may be needed. The leading cause of deaths from
carbon monoxide poisoning in homes is automobile exhaust escaping
from garages, however improper combustion of fuel in gas
appliances, improper ventilation of combustion gases to the
exterior, and cracked heat exchangers are also important sources
of carbon monoxide exposure.

"At low concentrations the health effects are fatigue in healthy
people and chest pain in persons with heart disease. At higher
concentrations it causes impaired vision and coordination
problems, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea. It can cause
flu like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Carbon
monoxide is fatal at very high concentrations.

Average levels in homes without gas stoves 0.5 to 5 ppm.

Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are 5 to 15 ppm.

Near poorly adjusted stoves 30 ppm or higher." The above
information is from epa.gov/iaq/co.html

If you have an attached garage, or any types of gas burning
appliances or devices in your building or home have it checked
for carbon monoxide. Make sure that gas appliances are working
properly and properly vented to the exterior.

VOC's

Volatile organic compound also known as VOC's are common indoor
pollutants composed of organic chemicals that evaporate into the
air easily, they often cause chemical odors, respiratory
irritation, headache, and other indoor air quality related
complaints. At certain high levels they can be dangerous. These
chemicals are released by paints, paint thinners, varnish, new
carpets, new cabinets and furniture that contain particle board,
household cleaners and air fresheners, fuel gas, improperly
vented combustion devices, photocopier machines, blueprint
machines, and many other sources. Refrain from the excessive use
of household product that contains chemicals.

Purchase paints and new carpets with low emission levels of
voc's. Solid wood cabinets and furnishings contain less voc's
than those composed of particle board type materials. When using
chemicals or when installing new carpets, paints, cabinets, and
other furnishings let the property air out in a safe and
reasonable way. Healthy buildings will typically contain less
than 1 ppm or even less than .5 ppm.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a common volatile organic compound that results
in lots of indoor air quality problems, it is found in glues used
in the manufacture of particle board, wood veneers, wood
furniture, plywood, and other wood products.

It is also found in some spray-on insulating foams. These resins
slowly give off formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is one of
the more common indoor air pollutants. At concentrations above
0.1 ppm in air, formaldehyde can irritate the eyes and mucous
membranes, resulting in watery eyes. If inhaled, formaldehyde at
this concentration may cause headaches, a burning sensation in
the throat, and difficulty breathing, as well as triggering
asthma symptoms.

The above recommendations made in regards to other volatile
organic compounds also applies to formaldehyde.

Sewer Gas

Hydrogen sulfide it the gas that produces rotten egg or sulfur
like odors in well water, sewer systems, rotten eggs, and other
areas where water and organic compounds have a lack of oxygen.
Hydrogen sulfide odors may lead to complaints of foul odors and
also eye and throat irritation cough and shortness of breath.
According to wikipedia ".0047 ppm is the recognition threshold,
the concentration at which 50% of humans can detect the
characteristic rotten egg odor of hydrogen sulfide."10 to 15 ppm
is the borderline concentration for eye irritation.

Drain pipes have letter u shaped curve that traps water, you have
seen this under your sinks, and this trapped water is intended to
keep sewer gas from backing up from the sewer system and into
your home. Make sure that drains such as basement floor drains,
sink drains, and even toilet bowls etc contain some water. If the
water evaporates from a drains p trap then sewer gas will back up
into the building. In vacant properties anaerobic bacterial may
invade your water heater and produce sulfur gas odors in your
drinking water, in properties with well water similar bacteria
may invade your well water system and create strong sulfur odors.
The latter two conditions are annoying but are typically thought
of as harmless and can be repaired by a plumber or well water
service company.

No2

Nitrogen dioxide is composed of nitrogen and oxygen atoms,
incomplete combustion in vehicles or gas burning appliances can
create this pollutant and improper venting of such combustion
gases from gas appliances, loading docks, and parking garages,
can result in the gas entering into the indoor environment.
Nitrogen dioxide is a respiratory irritation. If you have any
types of gas burning appliances or devices in your building or
home have the property checked for nitrogen dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other combustion gases. Make sure that gas
appliances are working properly and properly vented to the
exterior.

O3

Ozone is a fresh smelling oxygen molecule composed of 3 oxygen
atoms, the oxygen we breathe is made of just two oxygen
molecules. In the upper atmosphere ozone blocks out harmful UV
light thus protecting living organisms below, at ground level
ozone is an air pollutant that can have harmful effects on our
respiratory system in fact ozone is a constitute of smog
pollution. Asthmatics are especially at risk from the effects of
ozone exposure.

Despite claims of safe levels of fresh smelling ozone emitted by
ozone producing machines, some ozone machines have been found to
produce ozone at levels that may result in respiratory irritation
in some persons. It is true that ozone can break down smoke,
odors, and other air contaminates but the break down product
follow the most basic laws of physics and thus do not disappear
for existence but instead these products have end up in the air
where some of them can serves as irritants to sensitive persons.

According to the EPA some health effects of overexposure to ozone
are:

* Decreases in lung function

* Aggravation of asthma

* Throat irritation and cough

* Chest pain and shortness of breath

* Inflammation of lung tissue

* Higher susceptibility to respiratory infection

For more info please visit: epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

Radon

Last but not least on or list of 13 sinister Indoor Air Quality
(IAQ) problems is radon, a colorless odorless gas that finds its
way into buildings through cracks in the foundations. If a
building is negatively pressurized then that negative pressure
can cause radon to be actively sucked into the building. Radon is
unheard of in some areas such as South Florida; in other areas
such as New England radon is common. Radon is a carcinogen or
cancer causing agent. Often persons living with radon will have
no clue that the problem exists till it is to late. Even in non
smokers radon causes lung cancer. If you know of a household
where a non smoker developed lung cancer you should suggest that
the home or the victim's previous residence be tested for radon
gas. According to the EPA and the surgeon general radon is
responsible for 15,000 deaths a year.






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Daryl Watters is a certified mold inspector, certified home
inspector, and certified indoor environmentalist providing
building inspections and IAQ testing in West Palm Beach,
Miami, and Ft Lauderdale.

For mold test and IAQ indoor air quality information visit:
http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com/
http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us/common%20indoor%20air%20quality%20problems.htm
http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us/voc-levels-miami-dade-ft-lauderdale-west-palm-beach-iaq-indoorairquality-consultant.htm


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