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Indoor Air Quality...

What Is Your Family Breathing?

What EPA says about Indoor Air Quality:

The US Environmental Protection Agency states that poor Indoor Air Quality is one of the top five environmental threats. So why does the EPA feel so strongly about Indoor Air Quality in homes and workplaces? Well, according to the EPA, indoor air is on average a staggering three to five times more contaminated than the air outdoors, and in some instances as high as seventy times.

So why is indoor air so much worse in our home than outdoor air?

Mouldy Fact: The British navy had more ships destroyed by fungi during the American Revolution than what were lost in combat.

Modern day construction practices mean Homes are being built more air tight in an effort to save energy and the environmentally. Older homes are being re-insulated and getting air tight window upgrades. The result is less drafty and more comfortable home that no longer has natural ventilation to bring in fresh air. This is a benefit, as natural ventilation is uncontrolled, however can lead to Indoor Air Quality Issues.

Normal everyday living provides an ongoing source of airborne contaminants like dust, dander, chemicals and other allergens. In fact, it is estimated that the average 6 room home accumulates over 40 pounds of dust each year!Partly due to this poor ventilation pollutants become trapped in your home and then are re-circulated by your heating and cooling system leading to poor Indoor Air Quality.

Mould Issues?

EPA: A Brief Guide to Mould & Moisture, and Your Home

In Part, Indoor Air Quality can be improved considerably by installing controlled mechanical ventilation. A heat recovery air exchanger replaces natural ventilation, while recovering up to 95% of the heat and reducing air bourne pollutants is a partial solution.

The fact remains, however that a periodic thorough Duct Cleaning will be required. Along with this, many other Indoor Air Quality issues remain, but can be addressed with devices like the one below. A little investment can go a long way to improving the Indoor Air Quality your family lives with.

Exploring the Basics of Indoor Air Quality:

Dust - Respirable Particles

Indoor Air Quality, Ottawa Click for a larger view

Dust and airborne particulates can be irritating to the upper respiratory system and will adversely affect individuals with existing allergies, asthma, and respiratory diseases. Long term exposure to dust and airborne particulate may also pose a risk for people who currently do not experience respiratory symptoms.

Recognize sources of pollution in your home

Air-borne pollutants are either biological (mould, dust mites, pollen, animal dander) or originate from other sources (gases or chemical particles released by furnishings, carpets, construction materials, unvented appliances, renovation activities including dust from lead paint, poorly-maintained heating systems, humidifiers and dehumidifiers).

It is Important to Consider the Effects of Different Size Particles on Your Health

PARTICLES are usually measured in microns: (1 micron=1 millionth of a meter or 1/25,000th inch). The human body has defenses which can protect against particles larger than 10 microns, however particles smaller than 10 microns can enter breathing passages and penetrate deep into the lungs.
PM10 - respirable particles having an aerodynamic diameter <= 10 microns. Particles < 5 microns can penetrate into the lower respiratory tract.
PM2.5 -particles with an aerodynamic diameter <=2.5 microns. PM2.5 particles settle slowly (several hours to several days) - particles can cover hundreds of miles. Particles penetrate deep into lungs.

Types of particles include:

Dust: Organic and Mineral
Bioaerosols: Pollen, Mould, Bacteria, Dust Mite and Roach fecal matter and body parts, Animal Dander and Dried Urine.
Smoke: Cooking, Tobacco, Welding

What you should know about House Dust

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House Dust is a broad terms for an ever-changing and ever-present substance

House Dust is the result of the natural decomposition of the things we have in our homes along with dust that infiltrates from the outside. Wherever it comes from, it is a prime symptom of poor indoor Air Quality and causes a lot of symptoms for the allergic person.

What is in house dust?
The composition of house duct has changed over time and varies from house to house. Generally, you might find textile fibers, decomposing insect parts, pet dander, human and animal hair, food leftovers, pollen grains, mold spores, bacteria, skin flakes, insulation, sand, and the ever present dust mite and its fecal material.

What increases the amount of dust in a house?
Carpets, draperies, ruffled items, knickknacks, books, magazines, pets, upholstered furniture, animals and pillows, and fireplaces are some things that may increase dust levels. Infrequent cleaning or cleaning with a vacuum cleaner without a high efficiency filtering device, high traffic levels, location of the house, type of yard, and their condition of the central air system all contribute to the amount of dust in your home. For example, if you are in a new neighborhood where there is a lot of construction and the yards are not sodden with grass, you will have more dust in your home.

So How can I Protect My Indoor Air Quality?

The Solution to Healthy Indoor Air Quality is a multi-pronged approach.

Live Healthy this Winter with a Clean HVAC System

Mould Issues?

EPA: A Brief Guide to Mould & Moisture, and Your Home

Indoor Air Quality Ottawa - HEPA Filter Ottawa - Media Filter Ottawa - UV Air Purifier Ottawa - IAQ Ottawa Ont.

Ventilate to Reduce Concentrations of Indoor Air Contaminants:

HRV - Heat Recovery Ventilator;

Reduces Concentrations of Indoor Air Pollutants, by Providing Fresh Air Exchange While Recovering up to 95% of the Heat Energy.

More about:
Lennox Air Exchangers

Vanee VentilationVanee Air Exchangers

Maintain high indoor air quality without excessive additional energy costs.

An HRV consists of two separate air-handling systems – one collects and exhausts stale indoor air; the other draws in fresh outdoor air and distributes it throughout the home.

Remove Indoor Air Contaminants Before They Become Airborne Again:

NADCA: Duct Cleaning To A Higher Standard

Provides a Clean Start, by removing Contaminants in your System that can become Air Bourne.

With More NADCA Certified Duct Cleaners on staff than ANY other Company in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario
You can be sure the job is done right with Climate Works, your one stop for HVAC and Indoor Air Quality solutions.- NO Job is too Big or Small.

More About:
Residential & Commercial Duct Cleaning

Indoor Air Quality Ottawa - HEPA Filter Ottawa - Media Filter Ottawa - UV Air Purifier Ottawa - IAQ Ottawa Ont.