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The Simple
Book of Indoor
Air Quality
By Kevin Ward
The easy to understand
Air Quality Handbook for
The Home Owner
The Simple Book of
Indoor Air Quality
By Kevin Ward
Indoor Air Quality Solutions
For Abundant Health
The Simple Book of Indoor Air
Quality by
Kevin Ward.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author.
ISBN 0-9714615-0-3
First Edition
Published by Aire Value
Publishing
2024 W. Government St.
Pensacola, FL 32501
Cover designed by Nancy Holweger
For additional copies of this
book or for information about indoor
air quality solutions, write or call:
Aire Value
2024 W. Government St.
Pensacola, FL 32501
(850)437-0539
The Simple Book of
Indoor Air Quality
The easy to understand book with Indoor Air Quality checklist to help
improve your health through better air quality.
The Simple Book of Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality is an often overlooked but nonetheless vital
component to any person’s optimal total health. Kevin is not only at the
forefront of drawing attention to its importance; but also is offering practical
and cost effective remedies, as this booklet very clearly attests. I applaud his
efforts and recommend reading this to help ensure your family’s good health.
Robin E Barnett M.D.
Medical Director
Center for Personal and Family Development
Preface
This book was written to satisfy a need. We Americans are concerned about
Indoor Air Quality, but many times we don’t know what to do to ensure the health
of our families. The rise in the number of duct cleaning companies testifies to
the fact that we are concerned about this issue.
When a duct system needs to be cleaned, it is usually due to an
engineering defect. The return air is not being properly filtered, allowing dirt
to accumulate. Cleaning the duct
does not remove the cause of the air quality problem. This book addresses this and other
Indoor Air Quality concepts.
Kevin Ward, B.S.
HVAC Contractor
RA 0067177
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 What
is IAQ?
Chapter 2
Types of pollutants.
Chapter 3
Effects on human health.
Chapter 4
Forced air systems.
Chapter 5 Ways
to improve IAQ.
Chapter 6
Asthma triggers.
Chapter 7 IAQ
checklist
Chapter 1
What is IAQ?
Perfectly clean air
is found only in a laboratory. The air we breathe is filled with contaminants.
Some of these are natural and some are not.
Natural contaminants arise from wind erosion, volcanic eruption and
biological processes.
The science of Indoor Air
Quality (IAQ) has many aspects. These include cleanliness, temperature,
humidity, noise levels and personal comfort. Poor IAQ affects our health,
productivity and happiness. In this
book, the focus is on contaminants and how they can be reasonably controlled.
We bring many
pollutants into our homes, unaware of the danger they pose. Some pollutants are easy to
eliminate, when we become aware of their presence, while others are more
difficult to control.
Every substance
becomes toxic above a certain amount. The level of harmfulness is different for
different people. Exact levels of toxicity for all the compounds and
combinations of substances in the air in our houses is not known.
An important concept in
understanding the health problems associated with dirty air is particle size.
Contrary to first impression, small particles are actually more harmful than
large particles. Small particles get past the natural defenses of the lungs and
are more likely to remain there. Some of these substances can be absorbed
directly into the blood stream, causing our bodies to have to fight them by
producing antibodies.
When a contaminant
becomes a hazard to human health, it then becomes a pollutant.
Chapter 2
Types of pollutants.
Some pollutants are
living or come from living organisms.
When these get in the air, they are called bioaerosols. The human body has a defense system
against inhaled foreign bodies. The
first line of defense is mucus and hair-like appendages called cilia. These hairs sweep foreign invaders
out of the lungs. The second line of
defense is the immune system.
Some pollutants cause
this system to severely overreact.
This overreaction is the body attacking itself in response to the foreign
invader.
Substances causing these
reactions are called allergens.
Pollen, mold and mildew spores, dust mite feces and pet dander are allergens
commonly found in indoor air. When a
biological substance causes disease in humans, it is called a pathogen.
Salmonella is a species of bacteria that is a pathogen commonly found
in air conditioning systems. Also
found in air conditioners are the common flu virus and the deadly virus which
causes Legionnaire’s Disease.
Volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) are pollutants of special concern to the homeowner. Living organisms, like algae, produce
these compounds. Combustion is
another source of VOCs, which includes burning tobacco and byproducts of wood
and fossil fuel burning appliances.
These appliances also produce combustion nuclei that readily bond to other
compounds to form especially problematic substances. Cleaning materials also contribute to
the presence of these carcinogens.
Chapter 3
Effects on human health.
What the
authorities say…
* The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls “Indoor Air
Pollution” the country’s leading environmental health concern.
* A recent scientific
study found that 40% of children’s illnesses are caused by home environmental
factors.
* 65% to 75% of infectious
and allergenic sources are passed from person to person through the air.
* The EPA estimates that
indoor air is 2 to 5 times as polluted as the air outside the house.
It is estimated that we spend 80% of our lives indoors. It is easy to see that clean indoor
air is critically important to good health.
The increased
number of manmade chemicals in the environment adds to the probability of ill
health. Even though research is
limited, reliable and accurate information is slowly accumulating about these
chemicals combining with others and making toxins or carcinogens.
The ill effects of poor
indoor air quality are difficult to prove absolutely. The problem is very complex, due in
part to individual differences. The
safe limits of a substance are different for a healthy adult than they are for
an infant or an expecting mother.
Don’t wait for absolute proof to remove these chemicals from your
indoor environment.
Chapter 4
Forced air systems.
Central heating and
air conditioning offers the best possibility for comfort and good air quality. A forced air unit makes it possible
to filter and sterilize the air.
However, in many houses, the central system is a source of air quality problems.
Household dust is
commonly composed of dirt, fibers, hair, skin cells and pet dander. If these contaminants are not
properly filtered, they accumulate in the equipment. This debris facilitates the growth of
microorganisms by providing nutrients.
Moist components inside
the equipment, including drain pans and evaporator coils, facilitate the growth
of alga, mold and mildew. Duct board and acoustic liners also provide a good
habitat for these microorganisms.
Duct leakage, in many
houses, is the main cause of indoor air quality problems. Outside air pulled from the crawl
space, attic or garage can be dirty, humid and contaminated. This dirty air carries a heavy price
tag regarding health and economy. It
consumes energy by being heated or cooled and lowers efficiency even more by
covering the heat exchanger and blower wheel with dirt.
There is another
efficiency penalty for leaks in the duct system.
For every cubic foot of air pulled into the house through leaks, there is
an equal amount of air being pushed out.
This escaping air contributes to higher energy bills because of the cost
of heating or cooling and dehumidifying the air again.
Chapter 5
Ways to improve IAQ.
There are three ways to
improve the quality of the air inside our homes.
1.
Eliminate
2.
Remove
3.
Dilute
1. Look for the source of the
contaminate and eliminate it. Getting rid of the pollutant’s source is the first
and most effective way to improve the indoor air.
It is easier to keep it out than to remove it once it is in the house.
Rusty, leaking containers
of paint and pesticides and solvents in an attached garage are common sources of
pollutants. Be aware that anything
in the air in an attached garage is in the air in the house.
Eliminating the source
also means not bringing pollutants into the house. Common household cleaning
supplies contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) known to contribute to health
problems. Judicious use of these materials and proper ventilation during use is
in order.
Cleaning and disinfecting
ducts, drain pans and air handlers eliminates the sources of many contaminants.
Mold, mildew and algae are readily treated with approved materials and methods.
Ultra-violet lights are
used in hospitals to sterilize the air in nurseries, operating rooms and rooms
housing TB patients.
Technological progress
has now produced UV-C lights that are affordable to most home owners.
Ultra-violet light in the
C bandwidth (UV-C) kills mold, mildew, dust mites, and the bacteria and viruses
that are known to cause disease. For people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease, (COPD), this technology can be very helpful. Many people get relief
from their symptoms.
Dust mite feces is the
most allergenic of all know substances. The good news is that dust mites go into
hibernation when the relative humidity in the house is kept below fifty percent.
Controlling the humidity reduces the amount of dust mite feces and lowers the
number of mold and mildew spores.
2. The second approach to
improving IAQ is with filtration. Screening devices and electronic filtration
are the two ways to mechanically remove particles from the air.
Careful filtration is
fundamental to Indoor Air Quality. All of the return air should be filtered. Due
to the increased surface area, pleated filters are more efficient than common
screening, media-type filters. High Efficiency Particulate Adhesive (HEPA)
filters can improve air quality by filtering more and smaller particles.
Electrostatic screening
devices use the magnetic properties of static electricity to attract particles.
The static charge attracts dust effectively. These devices have the distinct
disadvantage, however, of having a filtering media that cannot effectively be
cleaned. Having a disposable filtering media is best.
Electronic air cleaners
are the most efficient means of cleaning the air. Screen-type filters collect
only large particles. Electronic air cleaners use electrostatic precipitation.
Air flows first through a
screen filter where large particles are trapped. The next section of the device
charges the particles using small wires. The charged particles are then
attracted to a charged plate. The pollutant adheres to the surface of the place
to later be washed away.
One potential drawback to
UV-C lights and electronic air cleaners is the presence of small amounts of
ozone generated by the equipment. The United States Department of Health, Food
and Drug Administration has established a maximum safe ozone concentration of
0.050 PPM. Most air cleaner models were tested to be 1/5 to 1/20 of this amount.
3. The third method of
improving IAQ is to dilute the pollutant to acceptable limits. This is done with
natural infiltration or mechanical ventilation. Occupants of a home add
contaminants that accumulate to toxic levels. Examples include water vapor,
carbon dioxide from respiration, smoke from cooking and chlorine vapor from
showers.
In recent years, houses
are more tightly sealed in an effort to conserve energy. Some are so tight that
mechanical ventilation is required to allow the house to have the recommended
eight air exchanges per day. With the proper equipment, the infiltration rate of
a house is easily measured. Steps can then be taken to add fresh outside air, if
necessary.
Chapter 6
Asthma triggers.
Experts agree that
removal of the trigger source of the asthmatic reaction is an effective means of
controlling asthma. The first step is to identify the trigger.
Smoke from tobacco,
cooking and candles are known asthma triggers. Children
have been found to be especially susceptible to the damaging effects of these
pollutants. These triggers are particularly easy to remove.
Dust and dust mite feces
also trigger asthma. Dust can be removed by cleaning and removed from the air by
proper filtration. Dust mite feces can be reduced by one or a combination of
strategies. Lowering the humidity reduces dust mite activity. Mites can also be
killed by ultraviolet lights and disinfectants.
Pet dander is a trigger
for many people. It is a little known fact that the primary allergen from cats
is a protein found in their saliva. After the cat licks itself, the saliva dries
and is then spread into the air. Cat dander is so fine that it stays in
suspension. As a consequence, an electronic filter is the best way to remove it.
Mold spores and mildew
are frequently small enough bypass mechanical filtration. Some, too, are small
enough to be absorbed directly into the blood stream.
Cockroach carcasses and
feces contribute to asthmatic reactions. While poison is often necessary to kill
cockroaches, it is a better alternative than their presence.
Chapter 7
IAQ checklist.
* If your house has a gas
furnace, have it inspected by a qualified technician. Combustion products like
carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds are dangerous.
* Install an inexpensive
CO detector sold in hardware stores.
* Leaks in a duct system
can bring undesirable pollutants into a house. Duct leaks are a common source of
IAQ problems. With the proper equipment, these leaks are easy to identify and
usually inexpensive to repair.
* Have a qualified
technician measure the amount of infiltration in your house. Houses that are too
tight need ventilation to dilute toxins that build up.
* Common cleaning supplies form
compounds that may have an adverse effect on health. It is prudent to minimize
the use of cleaning chemicals. Always insure good ventilation when using them.
* Central air conditioning
systems are known to facilitate and house microorganisms that can be dangerous.
Routinely have your system cleaned and disinfected to minimize the growth of
these air quality degraders.
* Consider the costs and
benefits of electronic air cleaners, dehumidifiers and ultraviolet lights. These
technologies are affordable to many people and can greatly enhance the quality
of the air in our homes.
Health/ Indoor Air Quality
$5.95
This simple book is a great tool for understanding the health aspects
of Indoor Air Quality. I highly
recommend this book to health care professionals.
Carole Austin
R.N., M.S.
This simple book is an eye opener, even for people in the Heating and
Air Conditioning business.
Tommy White
Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor.
Owner: Kevin Ward
Phone: (850) 437-0539
cell: (850) 525-3453
Email:
Kevin@airevalue.com
www.airevalue.com
2024 W. Government St.
Pensacola, Florida 32501
Website design by
www.worldwidegorilla.com