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FAQ's are list below:
Indoor Air Quality FAQ
Does duct cleaning prevent health problems?
What is the meaning of the MERV rating I see listed on some air filters?
Should chemical biocides or ozone be sprayed into air ducts?
Do sealants prevent the release of dust and dirt particles into the air?
Do houseplants clean the air?
My air cleaner has an EPA number on it. Does that mean it is EPA approved?
Is there an air quality standard for mold?
Where can I get more information about dealing with mold in my child’s school?
What does Relative Humidity have to do with Indoor Air Quality?
How can I Identifying Air Quality Problems?
However, a properly maintained heating or cooing system maintenance routine must include regular cleaning of drain pans, use of Pan Treatment Tablets during the cooling system and at least annual cleaning of the furnace heat exchanger and A/C evaporator coils, regular (at least monthly) filter changes using PuraClean® and annual inspections of both the furnace and cooling system prior to the beginning of a new heating or cooling season. The furnace inspection should include a heat exchanger leak test, using QwikDetector ND for Natural Draft Furnaces or QwikDetector HE for furnaces with a combustion blower, that is 80% or 90% efficient furnaces.
Both the EPA and Mainstream recommend the removal of any wet or moldy duct board or fiberglass insulation. It is also recommend to treat any replacement duct board or insulation and the surrounding fiber board and insulation with the QwikTreat® Porous Duct Sealant with Biocide. When using this duct sealant, is not necessary to treat the entire duct systems, but rather to spot treat and seal problem areas.
Some manufacturers propose to introduce ozone to kill biological contaminants. Ozone is a highly reactive gas, meaning it is a highly corrosive gas that is regulated in the outside air as a lung irritant. It is not recommended to purposely introduce ozone into the air due to the corrosive and toxic properties of this gas. There are many components of the air handling system that would be adversely affected by a corrosive gas. There is no logical reason for the widespread introduction of either chemical biocides or ozone into the duct work. The following are among the possible problems with biocide and ozone application in air ducts:
EPA regulates chemical biocides under federal pesticide laws. EPA must register a product for a specific use before it can be legally used for that purpose. The specific use(s) must appear on the pesticide (e.g., biocide) label, along with other important information. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide product in any manner inconsistent with the label directions.
EPA currently registers a small number of products specifically for use on the inside of bare sheet metal air ducts. A number of products, such as QwikTreat® MoldStop™ Hard Surface Disinfectant , are registered for use as sanitizers on hard surfaces, which includes the interior of bare sheet metal ducts. While many such products may be used legally inside of unlined non porous ducts if all label directions are followed, some of the directions on the label may be inappropriate for use in ducts and therefore those products should not be used inside air ducts. For example, if the directions indicate, “rinse with water”, the added moisture could stimulate mold growth. There are no products currently registered by the EPA for cleaning fibrous (porous) air ducts, porous flexible ducts or metal ducts with internal fiberglass insulation, even though some manufacturers may claim otherwise. This is partly because the EPA currently has no approved method to test the safety and effectiveness of such products.
Before using any product claimed to be EPA registered, check with the EPA. Also, if the product is registered, it is only to be used according to the instructions printed on the can because it has been tested and deemed safe only for that method of use. Some companies have offered flyers or pamphlets that offer instructions that are substantially different from the labeled instructions.
The state of California has adopted mold-related legislation, New York City has developed guidelines for indoor mold assessment and remediation, and Canada has prepared a comprehensive guide to recognition and management of fungal contamination in public buildings. In addition, microbiological research on the health effects of mold is under way in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden. Your family physician and the state and local health departments could be additional sources of information.
Relative humidity is the ratio of the current humidity to the highest possible humidity (which depends on the current air temperature). A reading of 100 percent relative humidity means that the air is totally saturated with water vapor and cannot hold any more water vapor.
Individuals are very sensitive to humidity; the body relies on the evaporation of sweat to provide cooling for the body. The process of sweating is the body's attempt to keep cool and maintain its current temperature. If the air is at 100-percent relative humidity, sweat will not evaporate into the air. As a result, a person may feel much hotter than the actual temperature when the relative humidity is high. If the relative humidity is low, we feel much cooler than the actual temperature because our sweat evaporates easily and cools us off.
People tend to feel most comfortable at a relative humidity of about 45%. To avoid any mold problems, the indoor humidity should always be maintained below 55% percent (ideally between 30% and 50%) relative humidity is recommended.
Another way to judge whether a building has or could develop indoor air problems is to identify potential sources of indoor air pollution. Although the presence of such sources does not necessarily mean that there is an indoor air quality problem, being aware of the type and number of potential sources is an important step toward assessing the air quality in a building.
A third way to decide whether an environment may have poor indoor air quality is to evaluate all the activities occurring in the location. Human activities can be significant sources of indoor air pollution. Also, look for signs of problems with the ventilation. Check for under-ventilation caused by obstructed vents, faulty dampers or other HVAC system malfunctions, or from problems within occupied space. Furniture, papers, or other materials can interfere with air movement around thermostats or block airflow from wall or floor-mounted registers. Signs that can indicate inadequate or improper ventilation include moisture condensation on windows or walls, smelly or stuffy air, dirty central heating and air conditioning equipment, and areas where books, shoes, or other items become moldy.
What is the meaning of the MERV rating I see listed on some air filters?
Should chemical biocides or ozone be sprayed into air ducts?
Do sealants prevent the release of dust and dirt particles into the air?
Do houseplants clean the air?
My air cleaner has an EPA number on it. Does that mean it is EPA approved?
Is there an air quality standard for mold?
Where can I get more information about dealing with mold in my child’s school?
What does Relative Humidity have to do with Indoor Air Quality?
How can I Identifying Air Quality Problems?
Does duct cleaning prevent health problems?
The bottom line is: no one knows. There are examples of ducts that have become badly contaminated with a variety of materials that may pose risks to one’s health. In these cases, the duct system can serve as a means to distribute these contaminants throughout a building. Obviously, in these cases, duct cleaning makes sense. However, a light amount of dust in the air ducts is normal. It is also normal for the air return register to become dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through it. The register should be cleaned periodically. However, duct cleaning is not considered to be a necessary part of yearly maintenance of a properly maintained heating or cooling system. Research continues in an effort to evaluate the potential benefits of air duct cleaning.However, a properly maintained heating or cooing system maintenance routine must include regular cleaning of drain pans, use of Pan Treatment Tablets during the cooling system and at least annual cleaning of the furnace heat exchanger and A/C evaporator coils, regular (at least monthly) filter changes using PuraClean® and annual inspections of both the furnace and cooling system prior to the beginning of a new heating or cooling season. The furnace inspection should include a heat exchanger leak test, using QwikDetector ND for Natural Draft Furnaces or QwikDetector HE for furnaces with a combustion blower, that is 80% or 90% efficient furnaces.
What is the meaning of the MERV rating I see listed on some air filters?
The only true measure of a filter’s effectiveness is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). Most filters are labeled with a MERV rating number, which measures a filter's ability to trap particles ranging in size from 3.0 microns to 10.0 microns. Residential filters commonly have MERV ratings of 1-12. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is and the more particles it can filter.| • | A MERV rating of 6 means the filter is 35% to 50% minimum efficient at capturing the measured particles. |
| • | A MERV rating of 8 means the filter is 70% to 85% minimum efficient at capturing the measured particles. |
| • | A MERV rating of 11 means the filter is 85% to 95% minimum efficient at capturing the measured particles. |
| • | MERV is an industry standard rating, so it can be used to compare filters made by different companies. |
Should chemical biocides or ozone be sprayed into air ducts?
Some chemical companies try to sell products for air duct cleaning that claim a chemical biocide should be applied to the entire inside surface of the air ducts to kill bacteria (germs), and fungi (mold) and prevent future biological growth. Typically, anything that kills living organisms like bacteria and fungi is also not healthy for humans, so the widespread spraying of such compounds into the air is not a good idea, unless the building is unoccupied for a substantial period of time after the spraying (and even then these killing compounds could be distributed on eating surfaces and food supplies). Exposure in this case is even more of a problem for pregnant or nursing women and small children. It is exactly because of the unknown variables that the EPA has not approved any substance for this type of application. There are always ample mold spores and bacteria in the air, therefore, a one-time killing of the bacteria and mold will not prevent a recurring problem because new bacteria and mold spores will simply start re-growing in the water and dirt remaining in the duct work. The removal of the source of water and dirt (the food supply) is the only real solution to preventing recurring problems.Both the EPA and Mainstream recommend the removal of any wet or moldy duct board or fiberglass insulation. It is also recommend to treat any replacement duct board or insulation and the surrounding fiber board and insulation with the QwikTreat® Porous Duct Sealant with Biocide. When using this duct sealant, is not necessary to treat the entire duct systems, but rather to spot treat and seal problem areas.
Some manufacturers propose to introduce ozone to kill biological contaminants. Ozone is a highly reactive gas, meaning it is a highly corrosive gas that is regulated in the outside air as a lung irritant. It is not recommended to purposely introduce ozone into the air due to the corrosive and toxic properties of this gas. There are many components of the air handling system that would be adversely affected by a corrosive gas. There is no logical reason for the widespread introduction of either chemical biocides or ozone into the duct work. The following are among the possible problems with biocide and ozone application in air ducts:
| • | Little research has been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of most biocides and ozone when used inside ducts. Simply spraying or otherwise introducing these materials into the operating duct system may cause much of the material to be transported through the system and released into other living areas of the structure. |
| • | Some people may react negatively to the biocide or ozone, causing adverse health reactions. |
EPA regulates chemical biocides under federal pesticide laws. EPA must register a product for a specific use before it can be legally used for that purpose. The specific use(s) must appear on the pesticide (e.g., biocide) label, along with other important information. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide product in any manner inconsistent with the label directions.
EPA currently registers a small number of products specifically for use on the inside of bare sheet metal air ducts. A number of products, such as QwikTreat® MoldStop™ Hard Surface Disinfectant , are registered for use as sanitizers on hard surfaces, which includes the interior of bare sheet metal ducts. While many such products may be used legally inside of unlined non porous ducts if all label directions are followed, some of the directions on the label may be inappropriate for use in ducts and therefore those products should not be used inside air ducts. For example, if the directions indicate, “rinse with water”, the added moisture could stimulate mold growth. There are no products currently registered by the EPA for cleaning fibrous (porous) air ducts, porous flexible ducts or metal ducts with internal fiberglass insulation, even though some manufacturers may claim otherwise. This is partly because the EPA currently has no approved method to test the safety and effectiveness of such products.
Before using any product claimed to be EPA registered, check with the EPA. Also, if the product is registered, it is only to be used according to the instructions printed on the can because it has been tested and deemed safe only for that method of use. Some companies have offered flyers or pamphlets that offer instructions that are substantially different from the labeled instructions.
Do sealants prevent the release of dust and dirt particles into the air?
Manufacturers of products marketed to coat and encapsulate duct surfaces claim that they prevent dust and dirt particles inside air ducts from being released into the air. Actually, any duct surface should be thoroughly cleaned before any sealant is applied. The use of sealants to coat the duct surfaces is appropriate for the repair of damaged fiberglass insulation or when combating fire damage within ducts. Sealants should never be used on wet or dirty ducts either to cover actively growing mold, or to cover debris in the ducts. Sealants should only be applied after replacement of wet or moldy sections and system cleaning. Mainstream's QwikTreat® Porous Duct Sealant with biocide is a duct sealant combined with a biocide to help prevent recurrence and is designed to spot treat and seal problem areas. It should not be indiscriminately sprayed into entire duct systems, since the vapors are harmful to breathe. Follow all label directions.Do houseplants clean the air?
Over the past few years, there has been some publicity suggesting that houseplants have been shown to reduce levels of some chemicals in laboratory experiments. There is currently no evidence, however, that a reasonable number of houseplants remove significant quantities of pollutants in buildings and offices. Indoor houseplants should not be over-watered because overly damp soil may promote the growth of microorganisms that may affect allergic individuals.My air cleaner has an EPA number on it. Does that mean it is EPA approved?
Several brands of ozone generators have an EPA “establishment number” on their packaging. This number helps EPA identify the specific facility that produces the product. To quote the EPA from their website: “The display of this number does not imply an EPA endorsement or suggest in any way that the EPA has found the product to be either safe or effective.”Is there an air quality standard for mold?
Standards or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores have not been set. Although U.S. EPA has no regulations or health standards for airborne mold contaminants, in June 2002, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan introduced H.R. 5040 to Congress, which is called the United States Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act of 2002, or the “Melina Bill.” Title I of this legislation directs U.S. EPA, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to jointly study the health effects of indoor mold growth to determine, among other things, “minimum levels of exposure at which indoor mold growth is harmful to human health.” In addition, U.S. EPA has prepared numerous guidance documents on the topics of indoor air quality and mold in buildings of all sizes. Visit the EPA website for additional information.The state of California has adopted mold-related legislation, New York City has developed guidelines for indoor mold assessment and remediation, and Canada has prepared a comprehensive guide to recognition and management of fungal contamination in public buildings. In addition, microbiological research on the health effects of mold is under way in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden. Your family physician and the state and local health departments could be additional sources of information.
Where can I get more information about dealing with mold in my child’s school?
For information on investigating IAQ and remediation in schools, refer to the U.S. EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools kit and the asthma companion piece for the IAQ Tools for Schools kit, titled Managing Asthma in the School Environment.What does Relative Humidity have to do with Indoor Air Quality?
Humidity is something we hear about daily in weather reports. Humidity is to blame for that muggy, steam-room feeling experienced on certain summer days. Humidity can be measured in several ways, but relative humidity is the most common.Relative humidity is the ratio of the current humidity to the highest possible humidity (which depends on the current air temperature). A reading of 100 percent relative humidity means that the air is totally saturated with water vapor and cannot hold any more water vapor.
Individuals are very sensitive to humidity; the body relies on the evaporation of sweat to provide cooling for the body. The process of sweating is the body's attempt to keep cool and maintain its current temperature. If the air is at 100-percent relative humidity, sweat will not evaporate into the air. As a result, a person may feel much hotter than the actual temperature when the relative humidity is high. If the relative humidity is low, we feel much cooler than the actual temperature because our sweat evaporates easily and cools us off.
People tend to feel most comfortable at a relative humidity of about 45%. To avoid any mold problems, the indoor humidity should always be maintained below 55% percent (ideally between 30% and 50%) relative humidity is recommended.
How can I Identifying Air Quality Problems?
Some health effects can be useful indicators of an indoor air quality problem, especially if they appear after a person moves to a new residence, remodels or refurnishes a building, or treats a building with pesticides. If occupants have symptoms that may be related to their indoor environment, they should discuss these symptoms with their doctor or the local health department to see if they could be caused by indoor air pollution. They may also want to consult a board-certified allergist for answers to their questions.Another way to judge whether a building has or could develop indoor air problems is to identify potential sources of indoor air pollution. Although the presence of such sources does not necessarily mean that there is an indoor air quality problem, being aware of the type and number of potential sources is an important step toward assessing the air quality in a building.
A third way to decide whether an environment may have poor indoor air quality is to evaluate all the activities occurring in the location. Human activities can be significant sources of indoor air pollution. Also, look for signs of problems with the ventilation. Check for under-ventilation caused by obstructed vents, faulty dampers or other HVAC system malfunctions, or from problems within occupied space. Furniture, papers, or other materials can interfere with air movement around thermostats or block airflow from wall or floor-mounted registers. Signs that can indicate inadequate or improper ventilation include moisture condensation on windows or walls, smelly or stuffy air, dirty central heating and air conditioning equipment, and areas where books, shoes, or other items become moldy.
