Archive for the ‘Mold’ Category

The Facts about Dust Mites

Sunday, May 17th, 2009
House Dust Mite

House Dust Mite

Dust Mites are a reality, they live with and feed off the human species. Are dust mites dangerous? well the short answer is yes. Dust mites themselves are not dangerous and do not drink blood like the bed bug but they can cause breathing problems and bring on allergy attacks through there fecal matter. Dust mites do not have stomachs, but the enzymes left behind after feeding are a common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide.

A typical house dust mite measures only 420 micrometers in length and 250 to 320 micrometers in width. Well not large in size they are large in numbers, a typical mattress can have as many as two million dust mites occupying it’s warm and well nourished frame. The human body losses as much as 1.5 grams of skin per day which enough to feed over a million dust mites. (more…)

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Posted in Air Purifiers, Allergies, Furnace duct Cleaning, Indoor Air Quality, Mold | 1 Comment »

What is Sick Building Syndrome?

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

Sick Building Syndrome or (SBS) is a combination of aliments usually associated with the Heating Ventalation And Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC), including molds, volatile organic compounds, improper exhaust ventilation, outgassing of building materials and the by products of chemicals located near the HVAC system.

Usually the systems of SBS are sensory irritation of the eyes, nose, throat; neurotoxic or general health problems; skin irritation; nonspecific hypersensitivity reactions; and odor and taste sensations.

SBS is one of the leading casues of employee’s missing work in North America and costs businesses hundereds of millions per year. Great lengths have been taken to prevent and correct the causes of SBS. What can you do to identify and correct the problems associated with SBS?

1. Pollutant source removal or proper storage of chemicals in your building. Storage of harsh chemicals in the mechical rooms can lead to unwanted fumes and vapors finding their way into the HVAC system.

2. Remove carpeting that has been damaged with water. Carpet that has been through a flood can be filled with molds and should be replaced as soon as possiable.

3. Use paints, adhesives, solvents, and pesticides in well-ventilated areas, and use of these pollutant sources during periods of non-occupancy.

4. Increase the amount of air exchanges in the building. A minimum of 8.4 complete air exchanges per 24 hour period is the reccommended amount by the engineers of The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning.

5. Proper and regular maintence of the HVAC system.

6. Proper cleaning and disenfecting of the air handling system and the attached ducting.

With building getting tighter and not allowing leaks to naturally occur we have to be sure to follow the proper installation of HVAC systems and consider installing air exchangers. Be sure to maintain your HVAC system and periodically clean the entire system.

Contact A-1 Ductworks of Alberta Canada at 780-598-5966 to recieve a free estimate on your Furnace Duct Cleaning http://www.furnacecleaning.info

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Posted in Air Purifiers, Allergies, Furnace duct Cleaning, HVAC, Indoor Air Quality, Mold, Sick Building Syndrome | 1 Comment »

Quick Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009
Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality

We spend up to 90% of our time indoors and more than half of the population in North America suffery for at least one allergy. Spring and Summer are the worst time of the year for people who suffer from any allergies, so this year add these tips to your regular spring cleaning regimen to help eliminate the needless suffering.

1. Before you enter your home brush off your clothes and shoes to remove any pollen spores and debris that you may picked up during the day.

2. During hot Summer days where the humidity levels can rise up over 80% in the home the perfect weapon against both the hot air and the poor indoor air quality due to high humidity levels is the Air Conditioning System. A good Air Conditioning system will keep the home in the 30 – 40% humidity range eliminating molds and forcing the air to run through the furnaces air filters. If your home is not equipped with Air Conditioning then a portable Air Conditioner will still decrease the humidity levels in the home. (more…)

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Posted in Air Purifiers, Allergies, Indoor Air Quality, Mold, Sick Building Syndrome | 1 Comment »

Lifebreath TFP Air Cleaner

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009
Lifebreath TFP Air Cleaner

Lifebreath TFP Air Cleaner

Indoor Air Quality is a major concern for many people who suffer from allergies or asthma. Last week I installed one of our best Indoor Air Quality warriors in the Lifebreath TFP air cleaner.

My customer was faced with breathing problems that caused her to cough constantly when in the comfort of her own home. She called our company to have the furnace duct cleaning service performed and ask what other steps she could take to improve the indoor air quality in her home.

This is a fairly new home but has never had the furnace system cleaned in its five year existence. First we preformed our Viper cleaning method to insure that all the debris would be removed from the system. Next we removed the the drum humidifier that was never cleaned and full of mold and calcium buildup and not providing much humidity to the home, we replaced this with our Generalaire SL-16 Flow Thru Humidifier. After removing the sources of the poor indoor air quality we installed the best air cleaning system available today in the Lifebreath TFP air cleaner. (more…)

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Posted in Air Purifiers, Allergies, Furnace Filters, Indoor Air Quality, Mold, Sick Building Syndrome | 2 Comments »