the house can make you sick - portable hepa air filter

Jay ROMANODEC.
1996 this is a digital version of an article from The Times Print Archive, before it starts online in 1996.
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Sore throat, runny nose or watery eyes, itchy?
Are you sneezing, coughing or breathing?
Do you have a headache?
Feeling tired and fidgety?
You may have found a bug from a friend, family member or colleagueworker.
Or you might get sick from home.
"People usually attribute these symptoms to colds or flu," said Andrew Porter, director of indoor air quality at the Environmental Waste Management Association, a consulting firm based in Parsippany, New Jersey. J.
"But in many cases, these symptoms either indicate a problem with their heating, ventilation or air --
The concentration of air pollutants in the air conditioning system or indoor air is increased. ''Mr.
Certified industrial hygienist Port said that since the energy crisis in the 1970s s, more and more people have complained about diseases that appear to be caused by increased indoor air pollution.
"We use as little fuel as possible . "Port said.
"So in the winter, we closed our home as much as we could.
In fact, he said, it has increased the thermal insulation of the roof and walls and shrunk.
The window of the parcel, the door frame of the caulking, and even the insulated power outlet, basically made us prisoners of our own breath.
"It's like walking into a big plastic bag," said Mr. Port said.
"You just breathe the same air over and over again.
"While it seems bad enough for advertising to suck in someone else's carbon dioxide, used breathing is only part of the problem.
"Every chemical you use in the House releases steam," Mr. Port said.
"If you are exposed to low-dose allergens for a long time, you will become more and more sensitive to it.
"Ad Alex Wilson, publisher of environmental architecture news, a professional magazine published in Vt. Brattleboro
While most homeowners are aware of the dangers posed by lead, asbestos and radon, few realize that heating systems that are not properly maintained can cause serious problems, he said, turn seemingly harmless household dust into a breeding ground for harmful mold through moisture, and even press it down with carpets and glue.
"In fact, the carpet may be the biggest source of indoor air quality problems . "
Wilson explained that carpet and carpet adhesives contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, which will slowly evaporate into the air.
He said that when people breathe the same polluted air over and over again in the house, it can be dangerous.
He said that I would recommend the purchase of carpets that meet the low emission standards set by the carpet and carpet Institute.
Wilson said he explained that the institute had established the highest acceptable level of a set of volatile organic compounds ---
Substances that are potentially dangerous-in carpeting.
He said that products that meet the standards will carry the seal of the Institute and the phrase "meet the low VOC emission standards.
Research Institute in Dalton, Georgia.
Can be in (706)278-3176.
Another common source of indoor pollution is improper maintenance or use of heating equipment. Mr.
The Environmental Waste Management Association explained that there may be potential problems with burning heating devices.
Under the best conditions, he saidand gas-
The burning stove should be discharged well enough to prevent dangerous gas from entering the house.
But if a squirrel seeking a warm home accidentally lives in a chimney, dangerous carbon monoxide can penetrate into the house.
"Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colorless gas that will put you to sleep and eventually kill you . "
Port said he added that the only way to know if there is a carbon monoxide build-up in the House is to install a carbon monoxide monitor.
It's worse, sir.
When the heat source is not discharged, Port said.
"Kerosene heaters are a nightmare for the fire department and health professionals . "Port said.
"There is no exhaust system attached to them at all.
If they work properly, there's no problem.
But how do you know if they work properly?
"Advertising Bill Kebel, Atlantic Certified Industrial Hygiene Division, Environmental Consulting, DoverJ.
And even say clean
Burning natural gas can cause problems.
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Gas stoves and ovens produce carbon dioxide, which can lead to asthma in young children, he said.
While it is safe to cook normally using a gas stove, he said, when the gas stove is used for heating in an unventilated house or apartment, the carbon dioxide content increases significantly.
Even efficient gas equipment-
Like a fireplace and a heater. -
High levels of humidity can be generated in the house.
Actually humidity--
Too high or too low--
Could be a problem for many homeowners.
Low humidity, for example, can cause dry skin, nose and throat.
However, attempts to solve the problem by running the humidifier may create more problems than solving the problem. Dr.
Philip Morey, a microbiology in the air quality sciences of Marietta, Georgia.
High levels of humidity, explained--
This could be due to too much cooking, too much shower, and even too many people breathing in a closed, unventilated home ---
It causes condensation inside the wall and under the roof.
This could lead to the growth of mold, he said.
"There are some mold spores on almost every surface of the Earth," the doctor said. Morey said.
"They only need a wet environment to start growing.
"Although mold seems harmless, Dr.
Morey said there may be problems with inhalation.
"We're talking about more than just irritation and headaches," said Dr. Morey said.
"The literature is very clear and there is a clear correlation between moisture, mold growth and chest disease.
When mold is present, it is actually easy to breathe in spores ---
The spores are designed to float around well.
However, it is easier when they grow inside the dust --
Lining pipe works that become damp due to leakage or water seepage.
"When the children are sick, we are usually called in and the doctor asks the parents, when was the last time you cleaned the pipe?
Steven Frank, president of Guardian Power Cleaning, said he is a pipeline Cleaning contractor based in Freehold, New York. J.
Ventilation, sir.
Frank says it provides an efficient way to distribute air throughout the house.
It seems that mold spores are happy to take a ride.
In many cases, Sir.
The cheap filters installed by homeowners can hardly slow the fast-growing spores, Frank said.
"The best filter is the electrostatic air filter . "Frank said.
"It costs more money and needs more maintenance, but it does a better job.
However, a better solution would be to remove any potential breeding ground for mold or bacteria.
"Total source removal is the best way . "
It's clean, Frank explained. -
The average three-month fee is about $300. bedroom house --
The contractor cuts the inlet holes at various points in the system, through which the brush can be inserted, scraping the internal surface before vacuuming the pipe clean.
Finally, experts say it's worth keeping some fresh air from somewhere into the house ---
Even if it costs a few more dollars to heat the fuel. ''A well-
Ventilation basement is the answer to many indoor air quality questions, he said.
Port of industrial sanitary Division
"Remember, you may not even know you have a problem until it's too late.
"A version of this article appears on page 9009003 of the national edition of December 1, 1996, with the title: The House will make you sick.