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Get Ready For Winter
A quick
pre-winter checklist for the best indoor air quality
written by
Frank Haverkate
Winter is approaching, are you ready?
This
might be a loaded question for many of us. With winter comes
the obvious dreaded cold temperatures, wind chill factors, icy
roads and snow shovelling. There is however another big problem
with winter that some people may not necessary think of; Poor
indoor air quality.
As
the temperature drops and windows remain closed from now until
spring, several problems emerge in homes and offices across this
great country of ours. Poor indoor air quality is responsible
for a number of health issues, lost productivity, even disease
and death. The EPA and Health Canada have found that indoor air
pollution can, in many cases, be 10 times worse indoors than the
outside air in industrialized cities.
As
an Indoor Environmental Consulting firm we find that many indoor
air quality issues can come from a multitude of sources. The
most read about is mould growth. Leaky basements,
plumbing leaks, roof leaks, even the occasional appliance
overflow or high relative humidity can cause serious mould
issues in a home or office. Mould can cause a variety of health
responses ranging from allergic reactions, such as respiratory
problems, to skin rashes and nose bleeds. In advanced cases
hearing loss, cancer and even death is possible.
Other issues can have just as serious health problems associated
with them.
Radon kills approximately 16,000 Americans each year. Radon can seep into
basements and can cause lung cancer as it creates radioactive
dust particles. There are no death figures available in Canada
as Health Canada discourages testing for radon.
Chemical off gassing
or VOC’s (which stands for Volatile Organic Compounds) can be
emitted by building materials and furnishings which can cause
short and long-term immune system problems.
Dust can cause a variety of respiratory issues such as asthma, lung and
throat irritations and disease.
Improperly balanced Relative Humidity settings can cause
throat and sinus infections.
Lack
of fresh air or high Carbon Dioxide levels in a building
means a lack of air exchange and leads to heightened
sensitivities as well as odours and a feeling that the air isn’t
so fresh.
Carbon Monoxide
is a deadly result of improperly vented combustion appliances.
Sewer gases
from plumbing fixtures can also cause a variety of occupant
complaints for odours.
Electric and Magnetic fields
(or EMF’s) in sleeping areas are being studied more and more as
they relate to long term health risk such as leukemia and
lymphoma.
So
what is a person to do?
Do we have to move to a cabin in the country and live like the
pioneers did? The answer is to make informed decisions based on
the facts. Have the air quality in your home or office tested.
An indoor environmental assessment can show you where the indoor
air quality problems are, so that you can do something about
them. Most, if not all, of the above problems listed are
rectifiable.
You
can also do a quick check of your home to get it ready for
winter.
-
Make sure the roof and eves and downspouts are in good
condition.
-
Make sure the basement is dry and do not store paper or
cardboard.
-
Have the furnace serviced and cleaned, clean the humidifier
and make sure it is a flow through system and not a drum type
that uses a water reservoir.
-
Buy a Relative Humidity meter for each floor of the home and
keep humidity between 50%-55% in summer and 30%-40% in winter.
-
Replace the furnace filter with a good quality filter every 3
months.
-
Have your ducts cleaned every 3 to 5 years.
-
Use eco friendly or natural cleaning products.
-
Do
not burn paraffin candles.
-
Do
not use scented air fresheners.
-
If
you suspect mould – do not open walls yourself – call a
professional.
Bundle up and have a safe and enjoyable winter season.
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Haverkate & Associates
Frank Haverkate is owner of Haverkate & Associates Inc. Mr.
Haverkate has over 7 years experience dealing with chemically
sensitive patients and the indoor air quality field. Haverkate &
Associates provides Indoor environmental assessments and air
quality testing for homes and offices.
Website:
www.safeair.ca |
