Wave Home Solutions

Winter 2009 -- Indoor Air

The quality of the air we breathe indoors becomes even more important in the colder months, when we naturally spend more time inside. But the list of things that pollute that air is a long one, featuring such varied culprits as combustion sources (oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood and tobacco), building materials (deteriorated insulation, damp carpet), household cleaners, even our furniture and carpets.

 

Indoor air quality has been a problem since homeowners and builders began to "tighten" the homes with increased insulaton to reduce the overall energy costs without balancing it with adequete ventilation to exchange polluted indoor air with fresh outdoor air.  Plus excess moisture and high temperatures can lead to mold problems.  During the winter (and summer if the house is closed up), carbon monoxide from gas stoves, dryers and furnaces, if not properly vented to the outside, can cause serious health issues.  Studies done by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) have shown that indoor air can be 5 - 10 times more polluted than outside air.

 

Key to managing indoor air is providing healthy air exchanges on a daily basis and expelling the "bad" air that tends to accumulate in the lower levels of the home.  One key element in any home is controlling humidity levels which also tend to build in the lower level of the home and can lead to organic growth such as mold. 

 

By installing a mechanical ventilation unit in the lower level of the home that runs 24/7 expelling the contaminants from the lowest level to the outside and bringing down healthier, drier replenishment air from the upper levels, is being proactive and contributes to an overall healthier home environment.

 

"NEW" UV Light & Flu Season

The flu season is here and at this time of year you're spending more time indoors and the house is closed up. This increases the exposure and inhalation of harmful airborne viruses as well as bacteria, mold and chemicals that will make you and your family sick.

Eliminating the triggers that makes us sick is the first line of defense for better health. You can sterilize the air with our NEW UV Air Purifier, which uses a technology for natural purification without ozone or filters that clog. The technology has been tested by the EPA and Homeland Security and has been found effective in killing 99% of airborne viruses and bacteria.

The NEW UV system is designed with patented ultra violet technology to further increase the time and the volume of air is within the compartment and exposed to the UV lamp. Performance results are measured in terms of how many air exchanges or passes will be required to purify the air. Our unit increases the ability to destroy more pollutants and to sterilize the air with each pass.

It's available as a add on installation to a HVAC system and also comes in a portable version that can handle room sizes up to 900 square feet.  Please view more details on our site at: http://www.wavehomesolutions.com/content/ventilation/uv-air-purifier.cfm   

 

 

Study Shows Americans Want Energy Savings and Improved Air Quality

Americans are increasingly demanding lower energy costs, healthier living, and improved air quality according to findings from a survey conducted by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and McGraw-Hill Construction. 

"We're crossing the tipping point for green home building," Harvey Bernstein, a McGraw-Hill Construction VP, said in a statement.  "Concerns about energy costs, health, and even resale value are adding up for builders, buyers, and renters."  "Being able to afford your utility bill is as important as being able to pay your mortgage," USGBC senior VP Michele Moore said.

The references above were taken from an article that was published in Eco-Home on line pointing out a shift in homeowner priorities towards "green construction" and finding ways to make their homes "healthy" and more energy efficient.  This is not a surprising trend as there have been numerous articles about the increased health risk from airborne contaminants being "trapped" inside the home.  

Both the CDC and EPA have been warning about increased levels of contaminants in new home construction that are built almost air tight and unless they are built with adequate ventilation, they can trap contaminants inside the home.  There are minimum standards for air exchanges within new home construction that if ignored, can lead to serious health concerns.

Regardless of the age of home, proper ventilation in the home is important, as it ensures that fresh air is being introduced and provides a means for expelling the stale air to the outside.  And as warm air along with airborne contaminants are heavy, they will fall to the lowest point in the home.  This means the basement and/or crawl space is often the collection point for this "bad" air.  And in most homes, the least ventilated area of the home is the basement and/or crawl space.  And as "bad" air is not something we can see, we tend to ignore the accumulation of toxins which do have a way of creeping back up and finding ways into the duct system of the home.

By installing a ventilation system in the lower level that continually runs and recirculates the air and pulls air from the upper levels, it will assure that the lower level remains clear of contaminants, gases, and toxins and is being refreshed on a regular basis thus making the lower level a healthier environment.

Winter Indoor Air Quality

In a December, 2008 Philadelphia Inquirer article titled "Keeping air inside home clean during the winter", it says the the air (as has been pointed out in several other entries to the Blog) that "indoor air is 5 times more polluted than outdoor air and asthma has been on the rise for the last 15 - 20 years." The article implies that a culprit for the rise in poor inside air is a failure to control and manage humidity levels within the home.  The suggested ideal humidity levels inside range from 40 - 60% in the winter although some homes fall either below or higher than the desired range.

When the home exceeds the acceptable range, even in the driest air, mold and microbes can thrive.  Excess humidity can exist in the coldest of environments and in winter is usually evidenced in windows frosting over from the inside.  The best options entail looking at ventilation recovery units coupled with a having a properly installed system to vent the excess humidity to the outside even during the coldest of months. 

Homeowners wrongly assume that once the furnace kicks on that the mold or mildew problems that they may be experiencing will take the winter off.  Actually, this is a time when the conditions can lead to serious respiratory problems as the families spend over 90% of their time inside and without the proper management of the indoor air, it can lead to exacerbation of respiratory disorders that last longer than they should because of breathing the trapped "bad" air. 

Being conscious of what is happening with the air inside the home is becoming an issue more and more homeowners are investigating as with new construction being as tight as it is to conserve on energy costs, it can also trap airborne contaminants and proper ventilation is the only sensible solution.  It is recommended the homeowner check on the ideal number of air exchanges their home should maintain for proper ventilation and reduction of airborne contaminants. 

Regional Brown Cloud

AP Beijing, China reports of thick brown clouds of soot, particles, and chemicals stretching from the Persian Gulf to Asia is a threat to health and food supplies in the world.  These brown clouds contribute to glacial melting, reduces sunlight by up to 25%, and is creating extreme weather conditions that effect agriculture production. 

Although these huge plumes have darkened 13 mega-cities in Asia, these enormous cloud masses can move across continents in three to four days illustrating this is not just a regional urban issue but a global one.

This report noted that health problems associated with particle pollution, which includes cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are linked to nearly 350,000 premature deaths in China and India every year.

In another Blog, it was pointed out that conditions in certain parts of California lead to premature deaths that out numbered those related to traffic fatalities.  Bottom line is the particle pollution in these areas becomes trapped inside homes and can be up to 100 worse than the outside pollution.  There is a tendency to feel "safe" from this pollution when inside the home but the EPA has pointed out the danger in that assumption.

What is staggering are the number of deaths related to pollution and that little is being done to educate the population on what they can do to "manage" the issue within the home.  And unfortunately there is a certain amount of skepticism regarding what one can do inside to improve air quality because of the bad rap air cleaning products have received from a few bad manufacturers.

The reality is there are quite a few companies that provide smart solutions and will listen and tailor the solution to fit the need of the homeowner.  Researching is a whole lot easier today with the Internet and it should include a trip to the EPA.gov web site to read what they are saying about indoor air pollution.

Dirty Air Deadlier Than Car Crashes?

Intriguing headline pulled off of an AP story about how improving air quality in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley could save more lives annually than ending all the motor vehicle related deaths in the entire two regions.  Illustrating the point, the study that was the basis for this story, says the California Highway Patrol counted 2,521 vehicular deaths in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast Air basin in 2006 compared to 3,812 deaths attributed to respiratory illness caused by particulate pollution. 

The Cal State Fullerton study indicates that "if pollution levels were to improve to federal standards, the study says residents of the two air basins would suffer 3,860 fewer premature deaths, 3,780 fewer nonfatal heart attacks and would miss 470,000 fewer days of work annually. School children would miss more than 1.2 million fewer days of school, a savings of $112 million in caregiver costs. There also would be more than 2 million fewer cases of upper respiratory problems."

What the story does not tell is that the EPA and CDC have pointed out that indoor pollution in areas like these can be 10 to 100 times worse than outside.  The reasons are that the heavily polluted outside air enters the home and becomes trapped creating a more hostile environment inside that lead to respiratory related problems like asthma as well as cardiovascular problems.

Because one can't see the pollution, it is ignored as we feel safe inside the home, away from the particulate pollution that storms outside.  But the particulate pollution may be a lot worse inside and without proper ventilation, filtering of the air, and the use of an air purification system, it can contribute to the exacerbation of respiratory illnesses.

Mechanical ventilation that circulates the air, expels the "bad" air to the outside along with properly filtering the air by installing a MERV 8 or higher filter as well as investigating the addition of a air purification system such as a ultraviolet lamp system that is now being recommended in all government installations will reduce the particulate contaminants in the home.  Without properly and intelligently addressing the air quality inside the home, the deaths attributed to poor air quality in this region in California will not see much reduction. 

Investigating what works and what doesn't is critical as there is a considerable amount of hype surrounding air purification devices.  Ozone generating devices which have been touted as effective only contribute to the homes indoor air pollution problems and should be shied away from when looking for a solution.  Contacting a company focused on smart solutions that have a track record of success is recommended.

Tips For A Mold Free Home

Fall is the time to think about sealing the home for the winter.  But in doing so, it's healthy to think about what you might be trapping inside your home to keep you company all winter long.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, mold growth can exist almost anywhere and can enter the home almost anywhere and once inside the home, the spores can grow on practically anything.  Once there, it can release clouds of potentially harmful spores that once airborne can take the shortest path to your lungs.

Mold needs moisture to grow and moisture in many homes tends to accumulate in the lower level --- the basement and/or crawl space.   There are some things a homeowner can do to minimize the potential for mold in their homes.

• Control Humidity ---Keep humidity level below 50% in the basements and/or crawl space.  Improve outside grading and drainage by keeping gutters clean and soil around home sloping away.  Cover dirt crawl spaces with a non porous covering to reduce moisture.
• Store Smart --- Keep all storage items several inches off the concrete floor and away from wall which is important for organic materials like cardboard which can absorb moisture.  Use metal or plastic shelving vs wood. 
• Ventilate --- Poor ventilation in moisture prone areas can lead to mold growth.  This is especially true in crawl spaces where ventilation in some cases is non existent.  Mold cannot grow where the air is continually being recirculated and vented to the outside.  And in homes sealed tight for the winter, maintaining healthy air exchanges is especially important to minimize air borne contaminants that can become trapped inside.
• Filter the Air --- Homes with forced air should be using a top quality air filter.  Pleated filters with MERV rating of 8 - 11 are good but there are anti-microbial filters that are available that actually trap airborne contaminants and provide a tighter seal in the return.  There are also ultraviolet lamps that can be installed in the duct work that can reduce and eliminate the airborne contaminants that contribute to respiratory ailments.  UV can also destroy mold spores as well as airborne viruses, bacteria, and odors. 

Being conscious of proper ventilation and control of indoor humidity will contribute to helping the homeowner successfully mitigate the potential for mold activity within their home. 

 

Indoor Air Pollution

With a background of working with respiratory disorders, I have found that issues within the persons home can aggravate their particular problem.  Often overlooked because it can't be seen is the quality of air within the home. 

The EPA has said that a "growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.  Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors."

Reasons for increased levels of pollution within the home come from "iinadequate ventilation by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home.  High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants."

Sources for indoor pollution come from combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.

"If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort problems. Unless they are built with special mechanical means of ventilation, homes that are designed and constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air that can "leak" into and out of the home may have higher pollutant levels than other homes."

"There are a number of mechanical ventilation devices, from outdoor-vented fans that intermittently remove air from a single room, such as bathrooms and kitchen, to air handling systems that use fans and duct work to continuously remove indoor air and distribute filtered and conditioned outdoor air to strategic points throughout the house. The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is described as the air exchange rate. When there is little infiltration, natural ventilation, or mechanical ventilation, the air exchange rate is low and pollutant levels can increase."

 

And as polluted air is often heavier than room air it tends to fall and accumulate in the lowest area of the home;  the basement or crawl space.  And most basements and crawl spaces are the least well ventilated areas in the home.  To improve the air exchange rate in the basement or crawl space, some form of mechanical ventilation should be considered to expel the pollutants to the outside.  Mechanical ventilation will improve not only the air quality but the quality of life for the homeowner.

UltraViolet (UV) Light Tutorial

Air quality issues abound in every indoor environment and it is becoming a concern in homes where a statistic from the EPA states that indoor air quality can be more polluted than outdoor air.  There are a lot of issues and hype about the benefit or lack of benefit from UV light.  The following is a brief tutorial on UV that I found helpful when doing research on the subject.

• The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends the use of ultraviolet light.  EPA has stated that indoor air can be as much as a 100 times more polluted than outdoor air.  Bad air becomes “trapped” inside.
• The U.S.government now specifies that UV light should be used in air handling units to improve indoor air quality in government buildings, by controlling airborne and surface microbial growth.
• The Air Institute of Respiratory Education suggests UV lights be used in buildings for indoor air quality purposes, and states that may be the final line of defense against those diseases that have developed resistance to drugs, such as tuberculosis and others.
• According to the Aerobiological Engineering Dept. at Penn State University, the ultraviolet component of sunlight is the main reason microbes die in the outdoor air. The die-off rate in the outdoors varies from one pathogen to another, but can be anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes for a 90-99% kill of viruses or contagious bacteria.
• The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends UV lights in homeless shelters to prevent the spread of disease, particularly TB (tuberculosis).
• A study by Air & Waste Management Association found the combination of a HEPA air filter and germicidal UV lamp reduced bacteria by 80% in a 3072 cubic foot chamber.

The reduction of airborne microorganisms helps control the spread of colds and other illnesses that are transmitted through the air.  The EPA says that indoor air is one of the top five environmental health risks of our time…while the Centers for Disease Control offer guidelines for using UV in hospitals to reduce the spread of tuberculosis… Ultraviolet light is well known to be germicidal (at certain frequencies). It is used widely to keep food and liquids germ-free during processing and packaging, and has been built into aircraft ventilation systems to help prevent infections.

 

UV air disinfection equipment “floods” areas of an HVAC system with UV light. As air circulates through the system, it is disinfected, resulting in a dramatic reduction of airborne bacteria and viruses.

 

Mold is one of the top five allergens… As an air conditioning system draws air, mold spores are drawn into the system, which accumulate and grow on the wet AC coil. UV works to keep mold from growing on the coil, which helps prevent mold and mold spores from being distributed by the system. The constant re-circulation of air through the HVAC system helps keep mold growth throughout the home or building in check.

 

UV saves money, too! Bio-contaminant build-up on an AC coil acts as an insulator. This causes the system to work harder to cool the air, wasting energy and increasing wear and tear on fans, compressors, motors and other components.  Having UV in the duct system can reduce the build up of bio-contaminants on the AC coil.