Making your home hypoallergenic is not so easy. Indoor
airborne mould spores, dust mites and pollen have complex sources and have
been extremely difficult to reduce.
Happy Homes Indoor Environments has put together these notes to inform you
about indoor environmental problems and their practical solutions. Your use
of these hints, along with proper medical care, will clearly reduce the
sources of pollutants in your home and improve you and your family's ability
to cope with all of the stresses that affect your health and well-being.
Mould Indoors Can Be Worse Than Outdoors
Avoiding exposure to mould spores outdoors is difficult because outdoor air
is often laden with mould. This is particularly true around houses in
heavily wooded areas and during warm months and wet seasons. Even raking
leaves can stir up mould. In fact, a single teaspoon of dirt can contain as
many as a billion spores of mould.
 People
who are not allergic to mould are often skeptical and unsympathetic because
they have no reaction to airborne mould. They can't see the organisms and
they can inhale them with no allergic reactions.
Unfortunately, the problem doesn't stop outdoors. Much of this airborne
mould and mould spores comes into a home through doors and windows or on
clothing, shoes and pets. Inside it finds an ideal environment to settle and
reproduce.
In fact, research microbiologists and indoor air quality experts have found
that indoor levels of airborne mould are frequently higher than levels found
outdoors. And it's not as simple as just courting the number of moulds. Very
often, in our indoor environments, certain types of microorganisms will
begin to dominate specific areas.
Carpet Is Often The Culprit
 Surprisingly,
the greatest reservoir and contribution to airborne mould in the home is the
carpet and often other soft fabrics. Researchers have confirmed that carpets
provide a fertile environment for non-visible microorganisms (mould, fungi
and bacteria) to settle and grow. Even though the carpet may appear clean,
it rapidly becomes heavily contaminated and a major reservoir of these
microscopic organisms. Carpet in often-damp basements is particularly
troublesome. Pets also contribute microorganisms that settle on the carpet
and cause familiar pet odours.
Normal activity easily disturbs these organisms and releases the allergens
into the air where they remain airborne for hours before settling back on
the carpet.
Why Conventional Cleaning Doesn't Work
Vacuuming carpet removes dirt but spreads the tiny organisms around. Steam
cleaning is equally inefficient. In fact, the added moisture causes spores
to germinate and multiply, making matters worse.
Carpet remains in place for years, accumulating and breeding billions of
non-visible microorganisms. Doctors typically recommend the removal of as
much carpet as possible. However, most patients elect to keep their carpet
because of other benefits. Removing carpeting is therefore not always the
best answer.
You Could Be Breathing Air From Your Crawlspace
 All
crawlspaces and cellars become mouldy over time because of the presence of
dirt and moisture. This can cause deterioration of floor joists and
equipment stored there. If the furnace and ductwork are located in mouldy
crawlspaces or basements, contaminated air can get drawn into the system
through improperly sealed seams and then be disturbed throughout the house.
Leaky ductwork exists in many houses. Openings in the floor around floor
registers, pipes and wires often lack caulking, allowing more mould laden
crawlspace or basement air to seep into the house.
A large percentage of the air you are breathing in your home may originate
from the mouldy crawlspace or basement.
Helping Your Home Fight Back
By now you may be somewhat overwhelmed by all these complex sources of
indoor allergens. Maybe you are tempted to "throw in the towel" and continue
living with them. Is there really any hope of effective control?
There are no simple answers, but Happy Homes Indoor Environments can help
you focus on potential problem areas in your home.
We know how to help! Call Today (902) 468-7251.
|
 |
|
|
|
