Breathe, breathe in the air

February 9, 2011

Microshield IAQ

Microshield IAQ

By MARK SALERNO

Our homes can contain many chemical contaminants. While some of these chemicals are relatively harmless, others may affect the indoor air quality of your home. Taking steps to improve your home’s indoor air quality is important since most Canadians spend almost 90% of their time indoors.

There are some easy ways to reduce your exposure to chemical contaminants in the home. Avoid smoking or burning candles indoors. The use of unscented and less toxic household and laundry cleaning products can also help keep contaminants to a minimum. Minimize the use of bleach and aerosol sprays, which can give off noxious fumes and have a negative impact on the environment. In addition, avoid tracking dust and contaminants into your home by not wearing outdoor footwear inside.

If you are painting or renovating, choose your paint and building materials wisely. Choose low-emission or low-odour building materials and select low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints. If you are using a product you are not familiar with, you may be able to obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the supplier or manufacturer. The MSDS will tell you whether the product has hazardous ingredients.

USE YOUR SENSE(S)

Generally, your sense of smell may be able to serve you as a guide to uncover the presence of contaminants in your home. However, while odours may indicate the presence of emissions, the absence of odour does not mean chemical contaminants are not present. The concentration may be lower than you can detect, and some pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and radon, have no odour.

Noting how you feel when you are at home in comparison with how you feel when you leave your house for an extended period may also help you identify whether or not your home has an indoor air quality problem.

If you are interested in hiring a trained Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) investigator to look into indoor air problems in your home, consult the Yellow Pages, print or online, under Indoor Air Quality, Consultants. Confirm that the investigator has knowledge of and experience with residential indoor air quality, and check their references if possible.

You can learn more about how to improve the air quality in your home from CMHC’s “Clean Air Guide” ($5.95) or from a wide range of free About Your House fact sheets, including “Reducing Chemical Contaminants in Your Home.” To order yours, visit http://www.cmhc.caor call 1-800-668-2642.

Mark Salerno is district manager for the Greater Toronto Area at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. You can reach him at 416-218- 3479 or at msalerno@cmhc.ca.


Air Duct Cleaning Scammers Exposed by Dateline NBC– January 31, 2011.

February 4, 2011

Is air duct cleaning worth it?

By Paul F. P. Pogue

 

Linda Wetzel of Shaker Heights, Ohio, says she was skeptical about air duct cleaning until a friend told her it had improved her allergies. “I figured common sense said, if there’s dust on the table, there has to be dust in the vents,” Wetzel says. Reprinted with permission from Angie’s List Magazine.

 

Click here to download Scammers Exposed.
Click here to read the full article.

 

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
www.Microshield-ES.com


The International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate ISIAQ, Indoor Air 2011 (Austin, TX, Jun 05, 2011 to Jun 10, 2011)

February 4, 2011

Indoor Air 2011 will be a unique technical program that focuses on major challenges facing the indoor air community. Indoor Air 2011 will highlight future challenges that will reach beyond the traditional scope of indoor research. Examples: indoor air quality and climate change, the long-term implications of green building design on indoor air quality, indoor air chemistry and health, connections between local and regional outdoor air quality and the indoor environment, and emerging contaminants.

Read about the planning of Indoor Air 2011, now underway.

Download Conference Information and Preliminary Call for Abstracts

Important Dates:

Abstract submission:  August 1 – October 8, 2010

Paper submission deadline:  January 15, 2011

Final paper submission deadline:  March 1, 2011

Registration open:  December, 2010

Read about Student Opportunities.

More information about this event…

 

ISIAQ is an international, independent, multidisciplinary,scientific, non-profit organization whose purpose is to support thecreation of healthy, comfortable and productive indoor environments. Westrongly believe this is achievable by advancing the science andtechnology of indoor air quality and climate as it relates to indoorenvironmental design, construction, operation and maintenance, airquality measurement and health sciences.

As a Society, our major role is to facilitate internationaland interdisciplinary communication and information exchange bypublishing and fostering publication on indoor air quality and climate.We organize, sponsor and support initiatives such as meetings,conferences, and seminars on indoor air quality and climate; and wedevelop, adapt and maintain guidelines for theimprovement of indoor air quality and climate. We also cooperatewith government and other agencies and societies with interests in theindoor environment and climate.

To find out more about us, please click here.

New Web Site – Differences to note

 

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
www.Microshield-ES.com


RIA’s 2011 LEADERSHIP SUMMIT & INDUSTRY EXPO

February 4, 2011

WE MADE IT BETTER!

RIA’s 2011 Annual Convention has been given a facelift, maximizing your learning and networking opportunities.

Thanks to the efforts of the Convention Planning Task Force, this new structure provides attendees with the opportunity to participate in more interactive and extended 90-minute sessions, allowing presenters and attendees to move beyond the simple ABC’s of topics and get into the heart of matters, bringing the concept of networking to a new level.

Click here to download a Registration Form.

Click here for a copy of the 2011 Convention Brochure.


NADCA 22nd Annual Meeting & Exposition

February 4, 2011

March 21- March 24, 2011
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

NADCA’s Annual Meeting & Exposition represents the most productive and efficient opportunity for members of the HVAC system cleaning industry to connect – all in one place, all at one time. Annual Meeting attendees include the decision makers for our industry, and they play a central role in the purchasing process for their companies.

As the main event in the global HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Industry, NADCA’s 2011 Annual Meeting & Exposition is a the best opportunity to gain knowledge in your field and meet with other members of the Association.

We hope you will join us in Las Vegas, Nevada, 2011 for this cutting-edge event!

Come and experience the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s reputation for being one of the best hotspots in Sin City. The property’s signature party attitude along with a jolt of sexy sophistication can be felt the moment you walk through the door. A boutique-style hotel according to Vegas standards, the Hard Rock offers a fabulous casino, poker lounge, numerous cocktail lounges, Rock Spa Fitness Center and various restaurants.

During your stay, dance the night away in Vanity or catch a show at The Joint. Dine at Nobu, recognized for its groundbreaking modern and authentic Japanese cuisine or at Rare 120 for a fabulous steak. For the more budget-conscience, stop by Mr. Lucky’s for standard diner fair, Johnny Smalls for small plates and shareable dishes or Pink Taco for traditional Mexican dishes with a California spin. In your free time, lounge by pool, a tropical paradise, home of the famous Rehab pool party. Browse the retail stores for that special souvenir of your stay at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Fly into McCarran International Airport (LAS). The hotel is 10-15 minutes from the airport and cab fare is approximately $10.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Reservations can be made by contacting the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino directly at (702) 693-5000, toll free (800) 473-7625. When making your room reservations, please be sure to identify yourself as attending the NADCA 2011 Annual Meeting & Exposition to receive the discounted group rate. Rooms are located in the Paradise Tower, one of the hotel’s newest towers.

$126 single/double – NOTE: Room rate includes resort fee.


This Week on IAQ Radio

February 4, 2011

Buck Sheppard, ASCS

NADCA President on Dateline Duct Cleaning Expose


This week HVAC cleaning veteran Buck Sheppard will discuss HVAC cleaning issues and the recent Dateline NBC expose on duct cleaning bait and switch scams.  The news release from NADCA states “NADCA participated in an undercover investigation by Chris Hanson and Dateline NBC to expose companies that use bait and switch tactics to take advantage of consumers.  The investigation culminated in a segment that aired January 30, 2011, featuring NADCA President Buck Sheppard as the industry expert.  After witnessing one of the scam operators in action, Sheppard was taken aback.”

Join IAQ Radio every Friday at noon to LEARN MORE about HVAC cleaning, bait and switch scams, what can be done to stop them and more on IAQ Radio!

Join Now

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
www.Microshield-ES.com


Mold-Related Services Licensing Program

February 4, 2011

What can I do now to prepare myself for licensure?

Because Chapter  468, Part XVI, Florida Statutes providing for licensure and grandfathering  did not go into effect until July 1, 2010, the department did not have  authority  to approve any courses or examinations prior to that  date. We have approved the Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) exams and are now   accepting course applications. To access the applications, click this APPLY link (or use the APPLY button on the navigation menu above).

To avoid the time and expense involved with taking  a potentially unapproved course, it is recommended that persons wishing  to become licensed should wait for the  department’s approval of course applications before taking any steps toward licensing.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
www.Microshield-ES.com


Mold-Related Services Licensing Program

February 4, 2011

What can I do now to prepare myself for licensure?

Because Chapter  468, Part XVI, Florida Statutes providing for licensure and grandfathering  did not go into effect until July 1, 2010, the department did not have  authority  to approve any courses or examinations prior to that  date. We have approved the Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) exams and are now   accepting course applications. To access the applications, click this APPLY link (or use the APPLY button on the navigation menu above).

To avoid the time and expense involved with taking  a potentially unapproved course, it is recommended that persons wishing  to become licensed should wait for the  department’s approval of course applications before taking any steps toward licensing.


IESO 3210/Standard Guide for the Inspection of an Educational Facility for Moisture Intrusion and Mold Growth

February 4, 2011

DESCRIPTION:
The purpose is to provide standardized procedures to be used for the investigation of educational structures for readily observable mold or conditions associated with mold amplification. The initial investigative process includes, but is not limited to, initial information gathering, documentation of relevant historical events and observations from an on-site walk-through. There are four potential outcomes: Neither mold nor associated conditions were readily observable. Mold was not readily observable but associated conditions were. Mold was readily observed but no associated conditions were. Readily observed mold and conditions. Outcomes 2, 3 or 4 may warrant additional investigation by a qualified professional.


•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
www.Microshield-ES.com



IESO Working on a Standard Guide for the Inspection of an Educational Facility for Moisture Intrusion and Mold Growth

February 4, 2011

ANSI/Pin Date: October 29, 2007
Estimated Completion Date: Fall 2010           STATUS: In Development

DESCRIPTION:
The purpose is to provide standardized procedures to be used for the investigation of educational structures for readily observable mold or conditions associated with mold amplification. The initial investigative process includes, but is not limited to, initial information gathering, documentation of relevant historical events and observations from an on-site walk-through. There are four potential outcomes: Neither mold nor associated conditions were readily observable. Mold was not readily observable but associated conditions were. Mold was readily observed but no associated conditions were. Readily observed mold and conditions. Outcomes 2, 3 or 4 may warrant additional investigation by a qualified professional.