Air Quality in the Home

I do certified indoor Air Quality Inspections, Please call me at (419) 956-0440 for more information and a personal quote.

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Quick Facts...

Research has shown that the quality of indoor air can be worse than that of outdoor air. Many homes are built or remodeled more tightly, without regard to the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air. Our homes today contain many furnishings, appliances and products that can affect indoor air quality.

      ·        Indoor air quality can be worse than that of outdoor air.
·        Problems can arise from moisture, insects, pets, appliances, radon, materials used in household products and furnishings, smoke and other sources.
·        Effects range from minor annoyances to major health risks.
·        Remedies include ventilation, cleaning, moisture control, inspections, and following manufacturers' directions when using appliances and products.

Signs of indoor air quality problems include:

·        Unusual and noticeable odors.
·        Stale or stuffy air.
·        Noticeable lack of air movement.
·        Dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment.
·        Damaged flue pipes or chimneys.
·        Unvented combustion air sources for fossil fuel appliances.
·        Excessive humidity.
·        Presence of molds and mildew.
·        Health reaction after remodeling, weatherizing, using new furniture, using household and hobby products, or moving into a new home.

Mold- Literally a growing concern.
We do complete mold inspections and sampling. We use Pro-Lab the nations leading # 1 lab for complete analysis and usually have your report back to you within 3 days of sampling.
Please call our office today for a prescreenimg inspection. 419-956-0440.
National media attention has alerted the public to the destructive and possibly toxic dangers of hidden mold spores that could affect their family's health and their homes.

Immediate effects

Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, mysterious rashes, mood swings, memory lapses,and digestive problems. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person's exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.

The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors. Age and pre-existing medical conditions are two important influences. In other cases, whether a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological pollutants after repeated exposures, and it appears that some people can become sensitized to chemical pollutants as well.

Certain immediate effects are similar to those from colds or other viral diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the time and place symptoms occur. If the symptoms fade or go away when a person is away from home, for example, an effort should be made to identify indoor air sources that may be possible causes. Some effects may be made worse by an inadequate supply of outdoor air or from the heating, cooling, or humidity conditions prevalent in the home.

Long-term effects

Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.

While pollutants commonly found in indoor air are responsible for many harmful effects, there is considerable uncertainty about what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to produce specific health problems. People also react very differently to exposure to indoor air pollutants. Further research is needed to better understand which health effects occur after exposure to the average pollutant concentrations found in homes and which occurs from the higher concentrations that occur for short periods of time.

LINKS OF INTEREST:
www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html

www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/IAQ/GOT_MOLD.html

www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/epimold.shtml

www.aafa.org/display.cfm

Mold Inspections Molds can be found anywhere and virtually grow on any substance. Protect your investment and your health... Call Me Today Why is Mold a problem today? Since the 1970's, when there was a shortage of oil, home construction has changed dramatically. It is now common practice to heavily insulate homes, wrap the exterior with a vapor barrier, and create less ventilation from the outside air. This can cause the potential for mold growth if there is a water event. According to statistics from the Bureau of the Census, 35% of homes are damaged due to water or moisture yearly. With the wood, cellulose, and other organic materials used in buildings, this is now a fertile platform for mold growth. All buildings can be affected by excessive moisture. The source of the water intrusion must be identified and fixed to prevent further mold growth. Suspected visible mold growth can only be determined by Laboratory analysis for positive identification. Identifying mold or mold problems should be done by a trained inspector who is knowledgeable in all factors of mold growth. A thorough inspection by Accuracy Assured Home Inspections will identify all possible causes of mold growth within the premises. I can also take the appropriate samples for laboratory analysis of suspected mold growth. Health and Mold Mold is a fungus. The main purpose of mold is to break down dead materials, like wood and fiber that are used in building materials. There are good molds and bad molds. Some molds are used in making antibiotics, beer, and cheese, for example, while other types of molds can cause serious health effects. Mold growth can start as soon as 24 hours after a water event has occurred. Mold can often be seen in the form of a discoloration or a stain. When molds are present in large quantities, called colonies, they become a health concern. Some people are sensitive to molds. Exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation and can trigger Asthma episodes. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illness, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. Mold growth in a building is often hidden! You may suspect hidden mold if the occupants are reporting health issues or there is a musty odor or history of water intrusion. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of drywall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads. Other areas can be behind walls or above ceiling tiles where moisture has occurred or around windows and inside ductwork. There are many places for mold to "hide" and only a trained Inspector with the proper equipment can find these hiding places. My Mission Committed to providing the most thorough and comprehensive Mold inspection and testing available; using state-of-the-art assessment procedures and equipment to completely evaluate the air quality in your home or business and identify the sources of moisture and water intrusion that may be causing mold growth which can affect the property value and occupants health is my target. I offer both Residential and Commercial Services. I am fully trained and certified in Mold inspection and Assessment. The services provided are efficient, accurate and always completed in a timely and professional manner. Culturable sampling methods are available to provide Health Care Professionals with the speciation of molds found. Once I have inspected your property I will provide you with a full report and laboratory findings.