InspectAPedia.com InspectAPedia®
 

Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

  • HOME
  • AIR CONDITIONING
  • ELECTRICAL
  • EXTERIORS
  • HEATING
  • HOME INSPECTION
  • INTERIORS
  • PLUMBING
  • ROOFING
  • SEPTIC SYSTEMS
  • STRUCTURE
  • WATER SUPPLY
  • ENERGY SAVINGS
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • INDOOR AIR IAQ
  • INSULATION
  • MOLD INSPECT TEST REMOVE
  • NOISE
  • ODORS
  • SOLAR ENERGY
  • VENTILATION
  • EXPERTS DIRECTORY
  • CONTACT US



AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY

ACCURACY OF VARIOUS MOLD TEST METHODS

ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
AIR POLLUTANTS, COMMON INDOOR
AIR TEST FOR MOLD: ACCURACY
AIR TEST SAMPLING CASSETTE STUDY
AIRBORNE MOLD SPORE COUNT ACCURACY
ALLERGEN TESTS for buildings
ALLERGY TESTS for PEOPLE
ALLERGY TEST ACCURACY

BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
BOOKSTORE - ENVIRONMENTAL
BUY PRODUCTS for MOLD & ALLERGY CONTROL

CARBON MONOXIDE - CO

CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION
CARPET MOLD CONTAMINATION
CARPET PADDING ASBESTOS, MOLD, ODORS
CARPET FUNGICIDAL SPRAY
CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS
CARPET & other STAIN TESTS
CARPET TEST GUIDE
CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY
CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION

CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS - MOLD CLEANUP

DO IT YOURSELF MOLD CLEANUP

EMF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS & HUMAN EXPOSURE

ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings

FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD
FIND MOLD in buildings, HOW TO
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FUNGICIDAL SPRAY & SEALANT USE GUIDE

HIDDEN MOLD, HOW TO FIND
HUMIDITY CONTROL TO PREVENT MOLD
HVAC HOUSE DUST CONTAMINATION STUDY

INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
  AIR CLEANER PURIFIER TYPES
  Air Filter Effectiveness
  Air Filtering Strategies
  Air Pollutants, Health Effects
  Air Pollutants, Common Indoor
  Air Pollutants, Finding & Reducing
  Asbestos Hazards
  Backdrafting Appliances
  BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
  BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION FLAMES
  BLUERAY Recall
  BUY PRODUCTS for MOLD & ALLERGY CONTROL
  CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY
  CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
  Combustion Appliance Contaminants
  Fireplace & Woodstove Contaminants
  Formaldehyde Hazards
  GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS
  Gas Toxicity Levels
  Gases, Quick Guide to Indoor
  INDOOR AIR HAZARDS TABLE
  INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, KEY STEPS
  INDOOR COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ
  Lead Exposure Hazards
  LP & Natural Gas Safety Hazards
  LP & Natural Gas Pressures
  METHANE GAS SOURCES
  Natural Gas Combustion Products
  ODORS, Smells, Gases in buildings
  Particles in Indoor Air - Chart
  Pesticide Exposure Hazards
  Radon Hazards
  Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation UFFI
  URETHANE FOAM Deterioration, Outgassing
  VENTILATION, BALANCED
  VENTILATION, BALANCED HEAT COST SAVINGS
  VENTILATION, EXHAUST ONLY
  VENTILATION, SUPPLY-ONLY
  VENTILATION, WHOLE HOUSE STRATEGIES
  Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs
INDOOR AIR QUALITY METHODS COMPARED

LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION

LEED Building Designation & IAQ

MILDEW in buildings ?
MILDEW ERRORS - MOLD PHOTOS
MILDEW REMOVAL & PREVENTION
MOISTURE CONTROL in buildings

MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD
MOLD ACTIVITY in buildings
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 in the PETRI DISH, PHOTOS
Mold on Books, Book Conservation
MOLD CLASSES, HAZARD LEVELS
MOLD CLEANERS - WHAT TO USE
MOLD CLEANUP COMPANIES
MOLD CLEANUP GUIDE- HOW TO GET RID OF MOLD
MOLD CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets
MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS
MYCOTOXIN EFFECTS of MOLD EXPOSURE

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

ODORS, Smells, Gases in buildings-Diagnosis & Cure

RENTERS & TENANTS GUIDE TO MOLD

SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE
SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR
SICK HOUSE IAQ QUESTIONNAIRE
SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP
STAIN DIAGNOSIS

TECHNICAL & LAB PROCEDURES
THERMAL TRACKING & THERMAL BRIDGING
  What is Thermal Tracking
  Ceiling Thermal Tracking Marks
  Wall Thermal Tracking Stains
  Floor Carpet Thermal Tracking Stains
  Air Bypass Leaks Marks on Insulation
  Thermal Tracking to Diagnose IAQ
  Stains HVAC Supply Registers
  Pet Stains on Floors
  Pet Stains on Walls
  Human Occupant Stains on Walls
  Stains from Candles, Woodstoves, Fireplaces
  Other Stains on Indoor Walls & Ceilings
  What to Do About Thermal Tracking
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in buildings

TRIM, INTERIOR INSTALLATION

VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in buildings
VENTILATION in buildings
VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings
VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO

WALL FINISHES INTERIOR

WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING
WATER ENTRY in buildings

More Information

Photograph of house dust by microscope An Investigation of Indoor House Dust Debris Blamed on a Heating/Cooling System Reveals Carpet Dust
InspectAPedia®  -      

  • Harmless house dust identified can ease client concern
  • Identifying indoor air quality problems by screening building dust
  • Dust screening in a forensic lab identifies particle source and risks
  • Questions & answers about what is commonly found in house dust

What is in house dust? This article discusses analysis of building dust or house dust to trace its origins and to sort out whether or not dust problems are caused by the building HVAC system.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

A client called about an ongoing dispute with an HVAC contractor who had recently installed new heating and air conditioning equipment and duct work in her home. Mysterious thick "blue dust" was appearing throughout the home, reappearing soon even after vacuuming and cleaning. See CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY for a broad discussion of indoor air quality concerns regarding carpeting, including chemicals, adhesives, odors, and VOCs associated with carpeting.

While there were no serious health complaints nor people at unusual medical risk, the occupants were concerned, and believed that something in the ducts or air handlers was causing a problem. While the dispute had been going on for months, at the time of this call no one had performed a forensic examination of the dust itself. The client mailed me a representative sample of surface dust from the home. Here's one way surface dust can be easily collected and mailed.

Readers should see these related articles: INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE, see ALLERGEN TESTS for buildings, see CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION and CARPET PADDING ASBESTOS, MOLD, ODORS and CARPET TEST GUIDE and CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY and and CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION; See MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD; also see ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY for our full list of environmental hazard identification and remedy related to buildings.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Killer house dust - a case history: Mystery dust identified as cotton, ending dispute with contractor

We'd be concerned about finding high levels of problematic mold spores, and I'd not like to find a lot of fiberglass in the sample either, both because it may be a health concern and because it'd argue for sloppy work by the contractor.

House dust from an occupied home contains lots of stuff, usually dominated by skin cells and fibers from clothing and upholstery or carpets. Animal dander, particularly from dogs, cats, or mice, may be present at high levels too. In inner-city apartments I find lots of insect fragments as well, possibly cockroach allergens.

And everybody's dust can be expected to have traces of dust mites, usually their fecal pellets. By examining the pellets I can often determine what the mites are eating, for example mold spores.

Forensic Microscopy Basics for Particle & Fiber Identification

The dust sample was examined for homogeneity and then prepared for a look at high magnification in my lab, using both ordinary and polarized light, along with special microscope light wavelength filters, and combination of an index of refractive index mounting liquids combined Becke line analysis to measure the refractive index of particles. These methods can quickly separate out synthetic fibers such as Orlon or Nylon, as well as distinguishing typical road grit and fiberglass.

Remarkably the dust sample from this West coast home was unusually clean. The sample was 90% cotton fibers, mostly blue with a few red ones included. There were incidental (not statistically significant) wool fibers present too. Skin cells were another 8% of the sample, and typical drywall dust and road dust made up the rest.

The sample contained no mold spores, no fiberglass, no heating fuel combustion products, no ash, no paint droplets, in other words, it was cotton from a mostly blue fiber source.

This dust source was certainly not from the heating system components.

Without making a site inspection we can still offer some useful speculation:

Look for something new in the home, carpets, drapes, upholstery, bedding,

We would guess that mechanical disturbance like foot traffic, vacuuming, or other activity was combining with air movement from the HVAC system to spread dust around.

Naturally, an investigator is a lot smarter when on-site than when speculating by telephone or email. But in any case, this was the end of arguing with the HVAC contractor who was clearly not at fault.

See CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY

See STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS and STAINS on buildings - QUICK GUIDE and STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE as well as STAINS & Thermal Tracking. See Black stains from animals for details about pet stains on building floors (urine) and walls (various) and see Pet Stains on Walls for diagnosing stains such as the black marks left by pets on walls. Readers should also see STAINS on Indoor Surfaces: PHOTO GUIDE and for outdoor stains, see Stain Diagnosis on Building Exteriors.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Questions & answers about what is commonly found in house dust

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...

Share this Article      

...

Technical Reviewers & References

  • InspectAPedia.com® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
  • InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
  • Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
  • Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or 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.

AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY

FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP

HVAC HOUSE DUST CONTAMINATION STUDY

MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD
ACCURACY OF VARIOUS MOLD TEST METHODS

ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
AIR POLLUTANTS, COMMON INDOOR
AIR TEST FOR MOLD: ACCURACY
AIR TEST SAMPLING CASSETTE STUDY
AIRBORNE MOLD SPORE COUNT ACCURACY
ALLERGEN TESTS for buildings
ALLERGY TESTS for PEOPLE
ALLERGY TEST ACCURACY

BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS

CARBON MONOXIDE - CO
CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION
CARPET MOLD CONTAMINATION
CARPET PADDING ASBESTOS, MOLD, ODORS
CARPET FUNGICIDAL SPRAY
CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS
CARPET & other STAIN TESTS
CARPET TEST GUIDE
CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY
CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION

CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS - MOLD CLEANUP

DO IT YOURSELF MOLD CLEANUP
EMF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS & HUMAN EXPOSURE

ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings
FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD
FIND MOLD in buildings, HOW TO
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FUNGICIDAL SPRAY & SEALANT USE GUIDE
HIDDEN MOLD, HOW TO FIND
HUMIDITY CONTROL TO PREVENT MOLD

INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INDOOR AIR QUALITY METHODS COMPARED

LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION
LEED Building Designation & IAQ

MILDEW in buildings ?
MILDEW ERRORS - MOLD PHOTOS
MILDEW REMOVAL & PREVENTION
MOISTURE CONTROL in buildings

MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE to TEST CLEAN PREVENT
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD
MOLD ACTIVITY in buildings
MOLD AGE - Old is the Mold?
MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD

MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS
MYCOTOXIN EFFECTS of MOLD EXPOSURE

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson Dunlop The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
  • Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity, exposure limits, poisoning symptoms, and inspecting buildings for CO hazards
  • DUST CONTAMINATION FROM HVAC? An Investigation of Indoor Dust Debris Blamed on a Heating/Cooling System Reveals Carpet Dust
  • Fuel Oil & Oil Heating Magazine, 3621 Hill Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054, 973-331-9545
  • Goodman Furnace High Temperature Plastic Vent HTPV safety recall US CPSC notice
  • Home Heating System Should Be Checked [for proper venting and for CO Carbon Monoxide Hazards - DJF]
  • Inspection Procedures for Oil-Fired Heating Systems Detailed step by step approaches for inspecting complex systems]
  • Lennox Pulse Furnace Safety Inspection/Warranty Program: Carbon Monoxide Warning
  • Oil Tanks - The Oil Storage Tank Information Website: Buried or Above Ground Oil Tank Inspection, Testing, Cleanup, Abandonment of Oil Tanks
  • Oil Tanks Above Ground, UL Standards, guidance for home owners, buyers, and inspectors
  • Plastic Heating Vent Pipe & Other Heating Safety Recall Notices
  • Weil McLain Model GV Gas Boiler/gas valve CPSC recall/repair
  • Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York 3rd Ed 1969.
  • National Fuel Gas Code (Z223.1) $16.00 and National Fuel Gas Code Handbook (Z223.2) $47.00 American Gas Association (A.G.A.), 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 also available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. Fundamentals of Gas Appliance Venting and Ventilation, 1985, American Gas Association Laboratories, Engineering Services Department. American Gas Association, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Catalog #XHO585. Reprinted 1989.
  • The Steam Book, 1984, Training and Education Department, Fluid Handling Division, ITT [probably out of print, possibly available from several home inspection supply companies] Fuel Oil and Oil Heat Magazine, October 1990, offers an update,
  • Principles of Steam Heating, $13.25 includes postage. Fuel oil & Oil Heat Magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004.
  • The Lost Art of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, 516-579-3046 FAX
  • Principles of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, technical editor of Fuel Oil and Oil Heat magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004 ($12.+1.25 postage/handling).
  • "Residential Steam Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
  • "Residential Hydronic (circulating hot water) Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
  • "Warm Air Heating Systems". Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
  • Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Volume I, Heating Fundamentals,
  • Boilers, Boiler Conversions, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23389-4 (v. 1) Volume II, Oil, Gas, and Coal Burners, Controls, Ducts, Piping, Valves, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23390-7 (v. 2) Volume III, Radiant Heating, Water Heaters, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Air Cleaners, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23383-5 (v. 3) or ISBN 0-672-23380-0 (set) Special Sales Director, Macmillan Publishing Co., 866 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022. Macmillan Publishing Co., NY
  • Installation Guide for Residential Hydronic Heating Systems
  • Installation Guide #200, The Hydronics Institute, 35 Russo Place, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
  • The ABC's of Retention Head Oil Burners, National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers, TM 115, National Old Timers' Association of the Energy Industry, PO Box 168, Mineola, NY 11501. (Excellent tips on spotting problems on oil-fired heating equipment. Booklet.)
  • Links to our list of additional information on heating system inspection, repair, maintenance
  • ...
Home About Us Accuracy Contact Us Content Use Policy Privacy Website Description © 2012 Copyright InspectAPedia.com