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Mobile View ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE AIR POLLUTANTS, COMMON INDOOR ALLERGEN TESTS for BUILDINGS ALLERGENS in BUILDINGS, RECOGNIZING ALLERGY TESTS for PEOPLE ALLERGY TEST ACCURACY FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-priorities FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD MOLD INFORMATION CENTER ACCURACY OF VARIOUS MOLD TEST METHODS ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS - MOLD CLEANUP DO IT YOURSELF MOLD CLEANUP ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS FIND MOLD in BUILDINGS, HOW TO HIDDEN MOLD, HOW TO FIND INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE Health Effects of Air Pollutants Common Indoor Air Pollutants Key Strategies for Improving Indoor Air Quality Whole House Ventilation Strategies Exhaust-Only Ventilation Supply-Only Ventilation Balanced Ventilation Air Filtering Strategies Particles in Indoor Air - Chart Quick Guide to Gases Air-Cleaner Types Air Filter Effectiveness Real-World Effectiveness of Air Cleaners Finding & Reducing Air Pollutants Radon Hazards Formaldehyde Hazards Biological Pollutants Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs Pesticide Exposure Hazards Lead Exposure Hazards Asbestos Exposure Hazards Carpeting and Indoor Air Quality Combustion Appliance Contaminants Backdrafting Appliances Fireplace & Woodstove Contaminants INDOOR AIR HAZARDS TABLE INDOOR COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ INDOOR AIR QUALITY METHODS COMPARED LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD MOLD AGE - Old is the Mold? MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX MOLD BY MICROSCOPE MOLD CLASSES, HAZARD LEVELS MOLD CLEANUP GUIDE- HOW TO GET RID OF MOLD MOLD CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE MOLD DOCTOR? MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE MOLD EXPOSURE RISK LEVELS MOLD EXPOSURE STANDARDS MOLD FAQ's MOLD FREQUENCY in BUILDINGS MOLD GROWTH on SURFACES MOLD INSPECTORS & MOLD TESTERS MOLD KILLING GUIDE MOLD LEVEL REPORTS MOLD LEVELS IN BUILDINGS MOLD by MICROSCOPE MOLD ODORS, MUSTY SMELLS MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE MOLD RELATED ILLNESS SYMPTOMS MOLD SPRAYS, SEALANTS, PAINTS MOLD STANDARDS MOLD TEST KITS MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS MOLD TEST PROCEDURES MOLD TEST REASONS MOLD TESTING METHOD VALIDITY ODORS, Smells, Gases in Buildings-Diagnosis & Cure RENTERS & TENANTS GUIDE TO MOLD SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP STAIN DIAGNOSIS TECHNICAL & LAB PROCEDURES THERMAL TRACKING TRAPPED MOLD BETWEEN WOOD SURFACES USING LIGHT TO FIND MOLD VENTILATION in BUILDINGS Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE BATHROOM VENTILATION BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION CRAWL SPACE VENTING & Dryout Procedures HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET ICE DAM PREVENTION MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS MOISTURE CALCULATIONS MOISTURE PROBLEMS: CAUSE & CURE ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS ROOF VENTING NEEDED? VENTILATION DESIGN PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS WHOLE HOUSE VENTILATION Strategies VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in Buildings VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO WATER ODORS More Information InspectAPedia Blog - News Updates Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps Bookstore Electrical Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Plumbing Water Septic Roofing Structure Accuracy & Privacy Policies Contact Us |
Here we provide a summary of common indoor biological contaminants such as mold, animal dander, pollen, viruses, and bacteria: remove these materials to improve indoor air quality in homes. This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Our page top photo shows an obviously moldy building that needs professional cleaning. But other mold and biological contaminants may be more difficult to spot. For help looking for less obvious indoor mold contamination see MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE. Also see ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY for our full list of environmental hazard identification and remedy related to buildings © Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, Steve Bliss, Wiley & Sons, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. A Quick Guide to Indoor Biological Pollutants
Our photographs above show common sources of indoor biological pollutants including an un-discovered sewage backup in a crawl space (above left) and cockroach fragments and fecal dust (above right). As reported in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction: Biological pollutants are or were living organisms. At least some of these are found in every home. Common examples include molds, pollen, dust mites, animal dander, and cockroaches, as well as viruses and bacteria. Our photos above show gross evidence of a sewer backup in a crawl space that was ignored by the building owner, leaving a pathogenic hazards in the building (above left), and a cockroach fragment found in building dust (above right). Whether these biological hazards and particles are brought in to the building inadvertently by humans or pets or ride along on houseplants or their soil, living organisms tend to stay longer and breed more successfully in warm, damp conditions. In fact, given temperatures of 50°F to 90°F and amaterial that stays wet for more than 48 hours, a colony of mold or other fungi will rapidly develop from their invisible spores, which are everywhere in our environment just waiting for the right conditions to spring to life. Health Effects. Allergic reactions are among the most common health problems associated with indoor air quality. They are often connected with molds, pollen, animal dander (mostly from cats and dogs), and dust mites, which are microscopic animals living in carpets, bedding, and furnishings. Allergic reactions can range from annoying to life-threatening, as in a severe asthma attack. Common symptoms include watery, itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, coughing and breathing difficulties, headaches, and fatigue.
Asthma. Children and adults with asthma are particularly at risk. Asthmatics have very sensitive airways that react to irritants by narrowing, making breathing difficult. Between 1980 and 1994, asthma rates in the United States rose by 75%, affecting over 20 million people today, including over 6 million children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our lab photo (left) shows skin cells and dog dander particles, dyed red with acid fuchsin for clarity. Asthma “triggers” vary from person to person, but some of the most common indoor triggers are biological allergens, such as dust mites; molds; animal dander, urine, and saliva; and cockroach body parts, secretions, and droppings. At ALLERGENS in BUILDINGS, RECOGNIZING we provide additional field and laboratory photographs of common indoor allergens. Suggestions for Reducing Exposure to Biological Pollutants IndoorsSince most biological pollutants thrive in a moist environment, the key to reducing them is good moisture control. This starts with building houses correctly with good foundation drainage and waterproofing, proper flashings, continuous air and vapor barriers, and adequate ventilation. Household humidity levels should be maintained between 30% and 50%. Basements should only be finished if they are dry year-round and detailed so finish materials and carpeting are not wetted by capillary action or condensation. If a building sustains water damage for any reason, it is essential that the wet materials be dried or removed within 24 to 48 hours or mold will grow. While wood, concrete, and other solid materials can be cleaned and disinfected, porous materials should be removed and replaced. Hvac equipment and appliances that come in contact with water are other breeding grounds for biological contaminants. Have all such equipment serviced regularly and keep filters clean. Air conditioners can help filter out pollen, but dirty coils and drain pans can also become a source of biological pollutants. If using humidifiers, clean them according to manufacturers’ instructions and refill with fresh water daily. Evaporation trays in air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators should also be cleaned frequently. Duct cleaning may also be justified if an occupant is suffering from allergies and a visual inspection reveals that the air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold. If so, choose a reputable company that follows the standards of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). Good housekeeping is also an important part of the strategy for controlling household allergens. Bedding should be washed at 130°F. Using a HEPA vacuum or central vacuum with an exterior exhaust is recommended. Minimizing the use of carpeting, upholstered furniture, and dust-collecting shelving and furnishings can also help by eliminating hiding places for dust and contaminants (see Carpeting and Indoor Air Quality). In some case, portable or central air filtration may also play a role, but these are not a panacea for removing allergens (see Air Filtering Strategies). -- Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction. ... Technical Reviewers & References
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