What is in Your Air?
 Mold –
Mold is the #1 threat to the indoor environment. All mold is allergenic and
some can be toxic. According to the EPA, mycotoxins, produced by mold during
metabolic phases and as a defense mechanism, can cause illnesses ranging
from an allergic reaction to cancer.
 Dust Mites
– Dust mites are the #1 allergen-producing organism in the home. Dust mites
are microscopic spiders that feed off dead skin cells. A standard mattress
can contain 1 to 2 million dust mites. Dust mites are not airborne so they
cannot be filtered out of the air.
 Pet Dander – Animal dander is dead skin cells, hair
follicles, dried saliva and urine. Most animals produce a protein,
glycoprotein, to which many people are allergic.
 Bioaerosols – Any pollutant in the air which is created by a plant or
animal is considered a bioaerosol. Pollen, rag weed, mold and fungi are all
bioaerosols. Bacteria and viruses are also within this classification.
 VOC –
Volatile organic compounds are vapors or gases that are carbon based. There
are hundreds of volatile organic compounds in indoor and outdoor air, many
of which have adverse impacts on human health.
Carbon Monoxide – CO is a colorless, odorless and
tasteless gas byproduct of inefficient combustion and/or vent backdrafting
of fuel burning appliances. CO inhibits the blood’s ability to absorb and
distribute oxygen. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, nausea, flue-like
symptoms and death
Why is Healthy Air Important?
According to the American Lung Association more than
one-third of Americans have an allergic sensitivity to at least one common
substance. They go on to say that asthma rates in the United States have
increased 75% over the past twenty years and asthma among children has risen
160%.
Although the causes of allergies and asthma are largely
unknown, the triggers are easily identified and, with the proper attention,
can be controlled. Beyond eliminating specific sources of contamination,
acceptable indoor air quality has three key components – ventilation,
humidity control and filtration.
VENTILATION
Energy saving construction techniques may cause
contaminants to be trapped in the home and become concentrated. Ventilation
is required to dilute these pollutants. According to ASHRAE, the nation’s
most recognized authority for ventilation and air conditioning, the air in
your home should be exchanged a minimum of 8 times per day. In our climate,
however, the humidity brought in with that outside air must also be
considered.
HUMIDITY CONTROL
 Dust mites, the most common allergy producing organism
found in the home, and mold, the greatest health risk in the home, can be
restricted through humidity control. High humidity not only supports dust
mites and mold, but can also increase the release of VOC’s from building
materials. As you can see from the chart below, a humidity level between 40%
and 50% is the ideal range to control allergy producing organisms in the
home.
FILTRATION
Major advances have been made in the area of filtration,
both media-type and electronic. Combined with humidity control and fresh air
ventilation, high efficiency filtration is the third key element to improved
indoor air quality. Those with allergies, asthma or other respiratory
concerns should be particularly aware of the benefits of high efficiency
filtration.
 Caution should be used, however, when using products such as
pleated filters. Readily available and marketed to improve air quality,
pleated filters can actually make things worse if the duct system is in poor
condition. Since air will take the path of least resistance, more air is
pulled in through duct leaks with a pleated filter. If the duct system is
located in an unconditioned attic, or worse, a crawl space, "bad" air being
pulled into the house can actually increased.
Breathe Easy
If you suffer from asthma or sensitivities to allergens
(such as mold) or other irritants, Air Plus can help you breathe a little
easier. Your doctor will agree that the most effective way to limit your
symptoms is to limit your exposure.
"Once an allergy has been identified, the next step is to
decrease or eliminate exposure to the allergen. This is called environmental
control. Evidence shows that allergy and asthma symptoms may improve over
time if the recommended environmental control changes are made."
National Jewish Medical & Research Center
Simply put, most homes in the Lowcountry are not capable
of maintaining acceptable indoor air quality†. Many have
moisture-related problems unique to the region and/or have deficient air
conditioning systems; most, however, were simply designed without regard to
indoor air quality and do not provide the fresh air ventilation, filtration
and humidity control necessary for sensitive occupants.
 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American
Lung Association and the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and
Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) agree that proper ventilation, humidity
control and air filtration are vital for healthy indoor air. Properly
designed and installed systems address each of these important issues.
If you are serious about the quality of the air in your
home, Air Plus is here to help. After discussing your individual
sensitivities and concerns, we will conduct a diagnostic assessment of your
home to determine if there are any site-specific, building or system issues
contributing to poor air quality. We will then develop a strategy to address
point-source contaminants and improve overall air quality in your home via
building envelope improvements, moisture management, proper ventilation,
filtration and humidity control.
† ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) defines acceptable indoor air
quality as: air toward which a substantial majority of occupants express no
dissatisfaction with respect to odor and sensory irritation and in which
there are not likely to be contaminants at concentrations that are known to
pose a health risk.
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