May 12, 2014
By John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a hot topic today as more of us are acquiring allergies. We seem to be inundated with allergy statistics graphs and charts reminding us that we can only expect more of the same. So what can we do to create our own little safe house or sanctuary? We can take control of the Indoor Air of our homes. The outdoor Air Quality will change with the seasons and we will need to adjust to the varying allergens introduced into the air. But when you get home you can relax and enjoy your Indoor Air Quality if you follow a few simple housekeeping suggestions.
We should first understand that Indoor Air Quality is the effect the air inside your home has on you and your family. Good IAQ means the air in your home has no unwanted gases or particulates at concentrations that could negatively affect you and your family. That leaves us with poor IAQ which occurs when gasses or particulates are present at an excessive concentration in your home and affects the satisfaction or health of you and your family.
IAQ isn’t that hard to understand or identify. We can all tell the difference between a cool mountain meadow and a city landfill. Good IAQ, Poor IAQ. Everything else lies somewhere between the two. What separates the good from the bad are 3 basic areas of indoor air pollutants described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Particulates, Bioaerosols and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). What makes up the air in your home are varying amounts of these three pollutants.
The CDC describes the three pollutants as; Particulates are common indoor air particulates including dirt, dust, fibers, tobacco smoke, and fireplace or wood stove soot. These airborne particles can range from 0.1 microns in size to 100 microns in size. Bioaerosols are microorganisms or particles, gases, vapors, or fragments of biological origin (i.e., alive or released from a living organism) that are in the air. Bioaerosols are everywhere in the environment. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) are carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. Some VOC’s have odors other VOC’s have none. Odor does not indicate the level of risk. There are thousands of different VOC’s produced and used in our daily lives.
To take control of these three pollutants that can create poor indoor air quality in your home I have created 4 primary areas that you can address that will have an immediate impact on the homes indoor air quality.
1.Particulates
2.Humidity
3.Filtration
4.House Keeping.
Let’s start with Particulates. Particulates accumulate in the home from both inside and outside sources that can include: Some of the common Indoor Particulate Sources include:
o Pet dander
o Candles
o Incense
o Perfume
o House Plants
o Fungal spores
o Pollen
o Tobacco smoke
These sources can be controlled and or eliminated from a home by controlling the source. That means no smoking in the home. No air fresheners, candles or incense, these introduce particulates to the home and mask air quality issues that should be addressed directly, not hidden by air fresheners. I would minimize house plants including plastic and silk. Live plants live in nice damp soil that is a breeding ground for fungus and mold which can lead to the introduction of spores and plastic and silk plants can hold onto particulate releasing them each time they are disturbed. Unfortunately these plastic and silk plants are rarely cleaned and the amount of particulates they can introduce when disturbed is substantial.
Next you’ll need to keep a healthy level of humidity in your home. Dust mites and mold love moisture so keeping humidity around 30%-50% will help keep dust mites and other allergens under control. The addition of a humidistat and dehumidifier can greatly improve the indoor air quality of your home. The humidistat turns on the homes air conditioning when the humidity reaches the set relative humidity (preferably not higher than 55%rh) just as the thermostat activates the homes air conditioning when the temperature reaches a set temperature (preferably not higher than 76°F).
Maintaining the proper humidity level helps reduce moisture in the indoor air and can effectively control allergens.
High humidity levels in Florida can produce musty odor and/or a clammy feeling to the air in the summer and condensation on windows in the winter.
Often the principal source of higher humidity in a home is a family’s living habits. One person’s breathing produces 1/4 cup of water per hour, cooking for a family of four produces approximately five pints of water in 24 hours, showering puts 1/2 pint of water into the air. Bathing puts 1/8 pint of water into the air. Adding only four to six pints of water to the air raises the relative humidity in a 1,000 square foot home from 15 to 60 percent, assuming the temperature is constant.
Next on our list is Filtration. Each time the air conditioning system cycles air into the home, armies of particulates are propelled through the supply ducts and discharged throughout your home into the air your family breathes. More specifically the air you breathe is filled with the particulates allowed to pass through your air conditioning filter. The filtration you choose has a tremendous affect on your indoor air quality so you should use the highest level of filtration that your system allows.
There are many filters available on the market today. The most common are the one inch filters found in supermarkets, hardware stores and home supply retailers. All these filters guarantee a percentage of effectiveness, but that can be misleading.
Standard throwaway filters are only designed to protect the air handler. And have little or no capability of collecting fine particles. Washable Filters are very restrictive to airflow and are difficult to clean thoroughly and are rarely maintained at the proper level. Electronic Air Cleaners are 95% efficient at .3 microns when new and clean. They reduce in efficiency very quickly as they load with particles and are difficult to clean thoroughly. Many home owners just don’t take the time to properly clean these clean these filters on a regular basis, so they rarely works at the efficiency they were designed for. Large 4 to 5 Inch Media Filters have a large amount of filter surface and allow for good air flow. They can collect a large amount of dust and particles above one micron in size and most don’t have to be replaced for 6 to 12 months. These filters are typically MERV rated at 8 to 11.
So now a I know you are asking Who is Merv and should I trust him with my filter? Well Merv isn’t a “He” MERV is an industry standard. A standard rating system that can be used to compare filters made by different companies. The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of a filter describes the size of the holes in the filter that allow air to pass through. In a nut shell the higher the MERV rating, the smaller the holes in the filter, the higher the efficiency. Residential filters commonly have MERV ratings of 1-11. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is, and the more particles it can filter.
o A MERV rating of 6 means the filter is 35% to 50% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
o A MERV rating of 7 means the filter is 50% to 70% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
o A MERV rating of 8 means the filter is 70% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
o A MERV rating of 11 means the filter is 85% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
Now for the House keeping side of air quality improvement. You first to reduce the humidity in the home by using your range, bathroom and cooking exhaust fans. You should also ensure that they are vented to the outside. You should check your dryer exhaust vent regularly to ensure it isn’t clogged. Reduce the number of plants in the home and/or water them less so they release less water vapor. And you can add a humidistat and mechanical dehumidifier to your air conditioning system. So IAQ is a piece of cake.
Now you need to get rid of those pesky particulates. The key to that is to Collect and Remove. You can collect and remove particles by using a HEPA vacuum. Don’t forget to vacuum all porous surfaces including upholstered furniture. For best results, vacuum two or more times each week and change your HEPA filter regularly. On tile floors you can collect and remove particles by mopping which will collect the dust that your HEPA vacuuming leaves behind. You can skip the soaps and cleaners and just use plain water to capture any lingering dust or allergens. There are also new microfiber mops that reportedly capture more dust and dirt than traditional mops and don’t require any cleaning solutions whatsoever. Okay there may be a bit of an investment here for a HEPA vacuum, but I can assure you it will be worth it.
For the particle dust build up within the home you will need to collect and remove it as well. For most people this means dusting using a simple feather duster, or a cloth of some kind, and some kind of dusting spray. This just relocates the dust particulates and introduces bioaerosols & VOC’s into the air. Remember the key is to collect and remove not relocate. I recommend using the new microfiber dust cloth that can capture more dust and dirt than traditional fibers and don’t require any cleaning solutions whatsoever.
To help prevent the particulates from entering the home, place large floor mats at every door. People track in all sorts of particles via the dirt on their shoes. A door mat reduces the amount of dirt, pesticides, and other pollutants from getting into your home. If the mat is big enough, even those who don’t wipe their shoes will leave most pollutants on the mat — not the floors in the home.
Don’t forget to change your air conditioning filters every 30 days or as prescribed by the Manufacturer. Not maintaining your air conditioning filter is a major source of indoor air problems. Some of the higher MERV rated media filters can be changed as infrequently as every 6 months. While you are changing that filter check you’re A/C drain line and every 3 months flush it with an algae control cleaner to prevent clogging.
Remember to keep your home dry: Control humidity levels between 35% and 50% to prevent dust mites and an indoor environment that can lead to mold growth. Fix any leaks you have in your home as soon as you find them. If you have a flood, take immediate action and dry the area out, including all affected furnishings, within 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
So when asked what you can do about the “Air You Breathe” you will have plenty to say because you know what is in the air you breathe. And you know that Good IAQ for people already suffering from allergies can reduce the symptoms of those allergies, often reduce medications for allergies, and lead to more relaxing sleep. You also know that Good Indoor Air Quality can have a substantial impact on our children by preventing allergies, delaying the occurrence of an allergy, or the reduction of allergy symptoms.
Now you can say “Healthier Air Starts Here!”
To learn more about Mr. Lapotaire or Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC, please visit www.FloridaIAQ.com, email info@FloridaIAQ.com or call (407) 383-9459.
About Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
Since 2001, Florida residents have turned to the indoor environmental experts at Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC. The family owned and operated companies, based in the Orlando area, offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and correcting comfort and indoor air quality problems. Their expert staff utilizes the latest technologies and industry recognized standards to identify and resolve indoor environmental issues.
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
#IAQS
Share this with the #IAQS:
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Commercial IAQ, Residential IAQ | Tagged: #IAQS, activated carbon filter, air quality, ASTM, Car Smell, Car VOC, Chapter 468, ciec, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida DBPR, Florida Indoor AIr Quality, Florida Mold Inspection, Florida Mold Law, Florida Statutes, free mold inspection, HB 4171, HB 5005, HB 5007, healthy home, House Bill 713, IAQ, iaqa, IEQ 3.2, IESO, IICRC, indoor air quality, Indoor Air Quality Association IAQA, Indoor Air Quality Solutions, Indoor Environmental Standard Organization, inspection, john lapotaire, John P. Lapotaire, LEED, microshield, mold, mold inspection, mold pretreatment, mold prevention, mold remediation, mold removal, Mold Scams! Homeowner Beware! (SPF) Insulation, mold testing, Mold-Related Services Licensing Program, new home mold, Nuisance Odor Investigations, Orlando, Orlando IAQ, Orlando Mold Inspection, Part XVI, PCB BCAS 11-01, Repair and Painting Rule, Residential Mold Assessment, SB 1244, Senate Bill 2234, Spray Polyurethane Foam, The EPA RRP Renovation, USGB, Vehicle VOC's | 
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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
May 12, 2014
Mold Remediation is the process of removing mold while protecting unaffected areas of a home or office from unnecessary cross contamination. At no time is it necessary to KILL Mold. Mold must be Removed regardless of its ability to germinate and grow into a colony. The safest way to end the life cycle of mold is to simply eliminate the water source that is allowing the mold to grow. Removing the water source is far safer that using Biocides and you will still need to remove the mold regardless of the molds viability.
Remember ALL Mold Remediation Should be Chemical Free Mold Remediation.
The Florida Department of Health
The goal should be to remove mold growth by cleaning or removing moldy materials. Dead mold can still pose health risks if you are exposed.
Ozone irritates lungs, and is not likely to be effective at addressing an indoor mold problem. No one should expose themselves or others to ozone on purpose. Address the cause of the mold (usually moisture) and then remove the mold by cleaning surfaces or removing moldy materials.
We know that we’ll never be able to eliminate all of the mold from within our home or office. But we can prevent it from growing within our home or office by eliminating the moisture that supports its growth. The sources of moisture that support mold growth include elevations of humidity above 60%, plumbing leaks, and building envelope failure such as roof and window leaks.
If mold is found to be growing in your home or office due to an elevation in humidity, leak, or an unfortunate water loss, you need to first identify the moisture source that is supporting the mold growth to correct and prevent continued mold growth. Then, collect and remove the mold and water damaged building material from the indoor environment.
Mold only needs a few things to grow and multiply:
- Nutrients (food – almost anything)
- A suitable place to grow (almost anywhere)
- Moisture
Eliminating any one will prevent the mold from growing. What you’re left with is the mold that can become airborne and directly affect the occupants. This mold must be collected and removed from your home or office.
We know that there is no shortage of “Quick Fix” Ozone or Chemical using mold remediators out there that will chemically fog your home or office and affordably “Kill” your mold, but guess what? Your mold is still there. Without the moisture you corrected the mold wouldn’t have regrown anyway. Now you have the mold (allergen) covered in a chemical (poisonous both to the mold and humans) and is now a “poisonous allergen” waiting to become airborne and potentially impact the occupants.
There is no need to expose anyone to Ozone, Hydroxyls, Biocides, Disinfectants, Fungicides, Anti-microbials, and Encapsulants during Mold Remediation.
Our Mold Remediation Protocols are written to protect or clients from the dust up of mold during the removal and the unnecessary use of chemicals. Our Protocols are designed to collect and remove the mold from your home or office without the use of chemicals.
Our goal is to protect our Clients from exposure to Ozone, Hydroxyls, Biocides, Disinfectants, Fungicides, Anti-microbials, and Encapsulants during Mold Remediation. The unnecessary use of these products are Forbiden.
All of our Mold Remediation Protocols include the following statement:
Ozone, Hydroxyls, Biocides, Disinfectants, se Fungicides, Anti-microbials, and Encapsulants must not be used unless specified in this protocol. If chemical use is specified in this protocol, the chemicals can only be applied in the specific areas identified in this protocol.
If chemical use is specified in this protocol the chemicals will be used for the purpose of Disinfection of the Category 3 water damaged areas and not for the purpose of Killing or Removing Mold.
If the remediation contractor would like to apply chemicals in any way not specified in this protocol, the Remediator must obtain written permission from the IAQ Solutions IEP.
IICRC S-520
Source removal of mold contamination should always be the primary means of remediation. The Indiscriminant use of antimicrobial products, coatings, sealants, and cleaning chemicals is not recommended.
NYCDH New York City Department of Health
“The use of gaseous, vapor-phase, or aerosolized biocides for remedial purposes is not recommended. The use of biocides in this manner can pose health concerns for people in occupied spaces of the building and for people returning to the treated space if used improperly.
AIHA American Industrial Hygiene Association
The goal of remediation is removal of mold and the moisture source because:
a) biocides do not alter mycotoxins or allergens;
b) it is generally not possible to get 100 percent kill with biocides; and
c) because of (b), the newly deposited spores, re-growth will occur after the biocides if moisture returns
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The use of a biocide, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended as a routine practice during mold remediation, although there may be instances where professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immuno-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area, as a background level of mold spores comparable to the level in outside air will persist. However, the spores in the ambient air will not cause further problems if the moisture level in the building has been corrected. Biocides are toxic to animals and humans, as well as to mold.
U.S. EPA Environmental Protection Agency
“The purpose of mold remediation is to remove the mold to prevent human exposure and damage to building materials and furnishings. It is necessary to clean up mold contamination, not just to kill the mold. Dead mold is still allergenic, and some dead molds are potentially toxic. Whether dead or alive, mold is allergenic, and some molds may be toxic.
To learn more about Mr. Lapotaire or Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC, please visit www.FloridaIAQ.com, email info@FloridaIAQ.com or call (407) 383-9459.
About Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
Since 2001, Florida residents have turned to the indoor environmental experts at Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC. The family owned and operated companies, based in the Orlando area, offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and correcting comfort and indoor air quality problems. Their expert staff utilizes the latest technologies and industry recognized standards to identify and resolve indoor environmental issues.
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
#IAQS
Share this with the #IAQS:
1 Comment | Commercial IAQ, Residential IAQ | Tagged: #IAQS, activated carbon filter, air quality, ASTM, Car Smell, Car VOC, Chapter 468, ciec, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida DBPR, Florida Indoor AIr Quality, Florida Mold Inspection, Florida Mold Law, Florida Statutes, free mold inspection, HB 4171, HB 5005, HB 5007, healthy home, House Bill 713, IAQ, iaqa, IEQ 3.2, IESO, IICRC, indoor air quality, Indoor Air Quality Association IAQA, Indoor Air Quality Solutions, Indoor Environmental Standard Organization, inspection, john lapotaire, John P. Lapotaire, LEED, microshield, mold, mold inspection, mold pretreatment, mold prevention, mold remediation, mold removal, Mold Scams! Homeowner Beware! (SPF) Insulation, mold testing, Mold-Related Services Licensing Program, new home mold, Nuisance Odor Investigations, Orlando, Orlando Mold Inspection, Orlando Mold Remediation, Part XVI, PCB BCAS 11-01, Repair and Painting Rule, Residential Mold Assessment, SB 1244, Senate Bill 2234, Spray Polyurethane Foam, The EPA RRP Renovation, USGB, Vehicle VOC's | Permalink
Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
May 12, 2014
Mold Remediation is the process of removing mold while protecting unaffected areas of a home or office from unnecessary cross contamination. At no time is it necessary to KILL Mold. Mold must be Removed regardless of its ability to germinate and grow into a colony. The safest way to end the life cycle of mold is to simply eliminate the water source that is allowing the mold to grow. Removing the water source is far safer that using Biocides and you will still need to remove the mold regardless of the molds viability.
So Remember ALL Mold Remediation Should be Chemical Free Mold Remediation.
The Florida Department of Health
The goal should be to remove mold growth by cleaning or removing moldy materials. Dead mold can still pose health risks if you are exposed.
Ozone irritates lungs, and is not likely to be effective at addressing an indoor mold problem. No one should expose themselves or others to ozone on purpose. Address the cause of the mold (usually moisture) and then remove the mold by cleaning surfaces or removing moldy materials.
We know that we’ll never be able to eliminate all of the mold from within our home or office. But we can prevent it from growing within our home or office by eliminating the moisture that supports its growth. The sources of moisture that support mold growth include elevations of humidity above 60%, plumbing leaks, and building envelope failure such as roof and window leaks.
If mold is found to be growing in your home or office due to an elevation in humidity, leak, or an unfortunate water loss, you need to first identify the moisture source that is supporting the mold growth to correct and prevent continued mold growth. Then, collect and remove the mold and water damaged building material from the indoor environment.
Mold only needs a few things to grow and multiply:
Nutrients (food – almost anything)
A suitable place to grow (almost anywhere)
Moisture
Eliminating any one will prevent the mold from growing. What you’re left with is the mold that can become airborne and directly affect the occupants. This mold must be collected and removed from your home or office.
We know that there is no shortage of “Quick Fix” Ozone or Chemical using mold remediators out there that will chemically fog your home or office and affordably “Kill” your mold, but guess what? Your mold is still there. Without the moisture you corrected the mold wouldn’t have regrown anyway. Now you have the mold (allergen) covered in a chemical (poisonous both to the mold and humans) and is now a “poisonous allergen” waiting to become airborne and potentially impact the occupants.
There is no need to expose anyone to Ozone, Hydroxyls, Biocides, Disinfectants, Fungicides, Anti-microbials, and Encapsulants during Mold Remediation.
Our Mold Remediation Protocols are written to protect or clients from the dust up of mold during the removal and the unnecessary use of chemicals. Our Protocols are designed to collect and remove the mold from your home or office without the use of chemicals.
Our goal is to protect our Clients from exposure to Ozone, Hydroxyls, Biocides, Disinfectants, Fungicides, Anti-microbials, and Encapsulants during Mold Remediation. The unnecessary use of these products are Forbiden.
All of our Mold Remeiation Protocols include the following statement:
Ozone, Hydroxyls, Biocides, Disinfectants, se Fungicides, Anti-microbials, and Encapsulants must not be used unless specified in this protocol. If chemical use is specified in this protocol, the chemicals can only be applied in the specific areas identified in this protocol.
If chemical use is specified in this protocol the chemicals will be used for the purpose of Disinfection of the Category 3 water damaged areas and not for the purpose of Killing or Removing Mold.
If the remediation contractor would like to apply chemicals in any way not specified in this protocol, the Remediator must obtain written permission from the IAQ Solutions IEP.
IICRC S-520
Source removal of mold contamination should always be the primary means of remediation. The Indiscriminant use of antimicrobial products, coatings, sealants, and cleaning chemicals is not recommended.
NYCDH New York City Department of Health
“The use of gaseous, vapor-phase, or aerosolized biocides for remedial purposes is not recommended. The use of biocides in this manner can pose health concerns for people in occupied spaces of the building and for people returning to the treated space if used improperly.
AIHA American Industrial Hygiene Association
The goal of remediation is removal of mold and the moisture source because:
- biocides do not alter mycotoxins or allergens;
- it is generally not possible to get 100 percent kill with biocides; and
- the newly deposited spores, re-growth will occur after the biocides if moisture returns
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The use of a biocide, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended as a routine practice during mold remediation, although there may be instances where professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immuno-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area, as a background level of mold spores comparable to the level in outside air will persist. However, the spores in the ambient air will not cause further problems if the moisture level in the building has been corrected. Biocides are toxic to animals and humans, as well as to mold.
U.S. EPA Environmental Protection Agency
“The purpose of mold remediation is to remove the mold to prevent human exposure and damage to building materials and furnishings. It is necessary to clean up mold contamination, not just to kill the mold. Dead mold is still allergenic, and some dead molds are potentially toxic. Whether dead or alive, mold is allergenic, and some molds may be toxic.
For more information about the Indoor Air Quality Association, please visit www.IAQA.org.
To learn more about Mr. Lapotaire or Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC, please visit www.FloridaIAQ.com, email info@FloridaIAQ.com or call (407) 383-9459.
About Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
Since 2001, Florida residents have turned to the indoor environmental experts at Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC. The family owned and operated companies, based in the Orlando area, offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and correcting comfort and indoor air quality problems. Their expert staff utilizes the latest technologies and industry recognized standards to identify and resolve indoor environmental issues.
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
#IAQS
Share this with the #IAQS:
Leave a Comment » | Commercial IAQ, Residential IAQ | Tagged: #IAQS, activated carbon filter, air quality, ASTM, Car Smell, Car VOC, Chapter 468, ciec, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida DBPR, Florida Indoor AIr Quality, Florida Mold Inspection, Florida Mold Law, Florida Statutes, free mold inspection, HB 4171, HB 5005, HB 5007, healthy home, House Bill 713, IAQ, iaqa, IEQ 3.2, IESO, IICRC, Indoor Air Quaity Solutions, indoor air quality, Indoor Air Quality Association IAQA, Indoor Air Quality Solutions, Indoor Environmental Standard Organization, inspection, john lapotaire, John P. Lapotaire, LEED, microshield, mold, mold inspection, mold pretreatment, mold prevention, mold remediation, mold removal, Mold Scams! Homeowner Beware! (SPF) Insulation, mold testing, Mold-Related Services Licensing Program, new home mold, Nuisance Odor Investigations, Orlando, Orlando Mold Inspection, Orlando Mold Remediation, Part XVI, PCB BCAS 11-01, Repair and Painting Rule, Residential Mold Assessment, SB 1244, Senate Bill 2234, Spray Polyurethane Foam, The EPA RRP Renovation, USGB, Vehicle VOC's | Permalink
Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
March 23, 2014
by Christopher Lampton
Most people seem to enjoy the smell of a new automobile. But is it possible that the fresh-off-the-dealer’s-lot odor could also make you sick? Dr. Heinz Linke
We all know what “new car smell” is, right? It’s the smell of the interior of, well, a new car. Most people like it and some people like it so much that they buy new-car-smell sprays and air fresheners that make the interiors of their cars smell new until they’re old enough to be towed off to the junkyard. But is it possible that new car smell could also make you sick?
A lot of people think so. There have been studies suggesting that at least a few of the chemicals that give a car that fresh-off-the-dealer’s-lot odor may be toxic and not all of them go away as the car gets older. But before we can answer the question of whether new car smell is or isn’t toxic, we have a more important question to answer: What exactly is new car smell made of, anyway?
That’s a tough question to answer. We can start by asking just what it is that we think we’re smelling when we climb into a brand new car interior. Some people think it smells like leather, but only luxury car interiors contain much in the way of actual leather and new car smell can even be found in economy cars. Other people think it smells a bit like plastic, but good plastic, not the cheap kind that $1.99 toys are made out of. Some people think it smells like … well, a whole lot of different chemicals.
That last group is closest to the mark. There really are a whole lot of chemicals making up the interior of a car and some of them release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the car’s interior, a process that has the somewhat unpleasant-sounding name “outgassing.” It’s these VOCs that produce new car smell, though some of them produce no odor at all. Some of these volatile chemicals, like ethyl benzene and formaldehyde, are also found in paints and glues, and they can cause problems like dizziness, headache, allergies or even cancer when inhaled in large enough quantities or for long enough periods of time. Some people have compared inhaling new car smell to glue sniffing or even sick-building syndrome.
But are there enough of these compounds in new car smell to make a fresh car interior truly unhealthy or would they require more exposure than the average driver is likely to get to them? The best way to find out is — you guessed it — to do a scientific study. Let’s talk about a couple of the studies that have been done and what they’ve found out.
Putting “New Car Smell” Under the Microscope
Questions about the toxicity of new car smell aren’t new. Neither are studies aimed at determining whether it’s a problem you should be seriously worried about. Probably the most recent of these studies was conducted in February of 2012 by a non-profit group called the Ecology Center. Their “Model Year 2011/2012 Guide to New Vehicles” (which you can download in PDF format here) is unequivocal on the issue: “[T]hese chemicals [in new car smell] can be harmful when inhaled or ingested and may lead to severe health impacts such as birth defects, learning disabilities and cancer. Since the average American spends more than 1.5 hours in a car every day, toxic chemical exposure inside vehicles is becoming a major source of potential indoor air pollution.” Whoa! That’s enough to make you want to wear a gas mask until your car’s old enough for the warranty to expire! But before you decide to buy only used cars for the rest of your driving life, they add that “some cars are better than others. Toxic chemicals are not required to make indoor auto parts, and some manufacturers have begun to phase them out.”
Okay, guys, let’s name some names. Which cars does the Ecology Center believe have the healthiest interiors? Their top five picks, starting with the healthiest, are the 2012 Honda Civic, 2011 Toyota Prius, the 2011 Honda CR-Z, the 2011 Nissan Cube and the 2012 Acura RDX. Check their PDF to see the rest of the top ten. The two cars with the least healthy interiors, according to the Ecology Center, are the 2011 Chrysler 200 S and, in last place, the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Honda wins as having the line of cars with the healthiest interiors overall. The report concentrates on the presence of bromine (used in flame retardants), chlorine, and lead, grouping other volatile organic chemicals in a single category in their rankings. The report includes a list of hundreds of popular cars manufactured from 2006 to the present and lists the amount of each of these substances present in each car’s interior.
Fortunately, a lot of the volatile chemicals in a car’s interior go away over time — that’s why they call it “new car smell” — but they don’t go away completely and they can come back on hot days when the higher temperatures increase the rate of outgassing. One thing you can do to combat this process on hot days is to roll down the windows rather than using the air conditioner, letting fresh air circulate into the car and releasing the volatile compounds into the air outside (which isn’t necessarily good for the air outside, but it’s certainly better than being closed up in a car full of toxic fumes). You can also park your car in the shade, so it will stay reasonably cool.
Not all studies done over the years have agreed that new car smell is a danger to automobile occupants. A 2007 study conducted at the Technical University of Munich in Germany concluded that the chemical compounds released inside a car might at worst exacerbate allergies, but don’t pose any other significant threats to human health. The study was conducted by collecting air samples from the interiors of new cars and three-year-old cars placed under 14,000 watts of lights, which generated interior temperatures up to 150-degree Fahrenheit (65.6-degree Celsius), a lot hotter than the average car is likely to become under ordinary conditions. They then exposed human, mouse and hamster cells to these samples to look for toxic effects. None were found. The researchers concluded that new car smell isn’t toxic. However, the researchers also admitted that if the air inside an office building were found to have the same chemical content as the air samples found in the cars, the building would be declared to have sick-building syndrome and the workers would be sent home until it had been cured.
So in a sense both studies agree: Automobile interiors contain poisonous chemicals. But the Ecology Center feels that these chemicals represent a health threat to occupants and the German researchers do not. In the end, you’ll just have to choose which study you want to take seriously. And maybe roll down your windows a bit more than you usually do to let the bad air out.
Lots More Information
Author’s Note: Is “new car smell” toxic?
If I ever put together a list of my five favorite odors nobody would ever name a perfume after, I think new car smell would easily make the top five, right after freshly ground coffee beans and way ahead of wet paint. So it’s rather distressing to discover that it might be hazardous to my health. Given that researchers disagree on just how much of a danger the volatile chemicals in an automobile interior represent, you might not want to start wearing that gas mask quite yet. But I’ll confess that it made me feel a lot better to see that my own car, a 2011 Toyota Prius, was determined to have the second healthiest interior by the Ecology Center. Car buyers shopping for a healthy car would do well to look at the health rankings in their report.
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
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Leave a Comment » | Commercial IAQ, Residential IAQ | Tagged: #IAQS, activated carbon filter, air quality, ASTM, Car Smell, Car VOC, Chapter 468, ciec, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida DBPR, Florida Indoor AIr Quality, Florida Mold Inspection, Florida Mold Law, Florida Statutes, free mold inspection, HB 4171, HB 5005, HB 5007, healthy home, House Bill 713, IAQ, iaqa, IEQ 3.2, IESO, IICRC, indoor air quality, Indoor Air Quality Association IAQA, Indoor Air Quality Solutions, Indoor Environmental Standard Organization, inspection, john lapotaire, John P. Lapotaire, LEED, microshield, mold, mold inspection, mold pretreatment, mold prevention, mold remediation, mold removal, Mold Scams! Homeowner Beware! (SPF) Insulation, mold testing, Mold-Related Services Licensing Program, new home mold, Nuisance Odor Investigations, Orlando, Orlando Mold Inspection, Part XVI, PCB BCAS 11-01, Repair and Painting Rule, Residential Mold Assessment, SB 1244, Senate Bill 2234, Spray Polyurethane Foam, The EPA RRP Renovation, USGB, Vehicle VOC's | Permalink
Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
March 23, 2014
By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY
Ever wonder about that “new car” smell? In a report Wednesday that tests more than 200 vehicles, an environmental group says this off-gassing of chemicals is notably lower in some cars such as the Honda Civic ,Toyota Prius and Honda CR-Z.
Overall, there’s good news. Cars are reducing their use of chemicals, and the best have eliminated hazardous flame retardants and PVC (polyvinyl chloride), according to the fourth consumer guide on the topic by the non-profit, Ann Arbor-Mich. based Ecology Center.
Today, the guide finds that 17% of new vehicles have PVC-free interiors and 60% are made without brominated flame retardants. Some of these chemicals — found on the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests and seats — have been linked to numerous health problems including allergies, impaired learning and liver toxicity.
“Vehicle interiors contain a unique cocktail of hundreds of toxic chemicals that off-gas in small, confined spaces,” said Jeff Gearhart, research director at the Ecology Center, in announcing the findings.
The Vinyl Institute, an industry group, objected to the report. Allen Blakey, its vice president of government affairs, said PVC is widely used in consumer and construction products and is not a “toxic” chemical. He said many of its products are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“The Ecology Center likes to issue scary reports about materials in cars and homes, but in fact they have no data showing actual injuries, and, in fact, no data showing exposures that would suggest harm,” Blakey said in a statement. ” It is not even certain that their analyses are correct, since X-ray fluorescence devices are sensitive tools that must be carefully calibrated.”
Gearhart said cars are particularly harsh environments for plastics, because high temperatures can increase the concentration of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and break other chemicals down into more toxic substances. “Automobiles function as chemical reactors, creating one of the most hazardous environments we spend time in,” he added.
The scorecard gave tops honors to the Honda Civic, because it said the car has no bromine-based flame retardants in interior components, uses PVC-free interior fabrics and interior trim and has low levels of heavy metals and other metal allergens.
In contrast, it gave the lowest overall score to the Mitsubishi Outlander, which it said contained bromine and antimony-based flame retardants in the seating and center console; chromium treated leather on several components; and over 400 parts per million lead in seating materials.
The findings, posted on the HealthyStuff.org website, include:
- Most improved automakers in terms of the average ratings for their 2011/2012 vehicles — compared to their 2009/20120 models — are Volkswagen (+42%), Mitsubishi (+38%) and Ford (+30%.)
- Two automakers had overall declining average scores: Daimler AG (-29%) and Volvo (-13%.)
- In recent years, automakers have begun replacing PVC with polyurethanes and polyolefins, which contain fewer harmful additives and are easier to recycle.
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
March 22, 2014
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC, has been elected to a six-year term on the Indoor Air Quality Association’s (IAQA) Board of Directors.
Orlando, FL, March 24th, 2014
Last week, the Indoor Air Quality Association concluded their 17th Annual Meeting & Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The event is the indoor air quality (IAQ) industry’s premier conference and brings together professionals from across the globe.
During the annual meeting, elections were held for a number of important leadership positions within IAQA. They included positions for both Officers and Directors that provide critical direction for IAQA’s continued growth and mission. John P. Lapotaire, one of Florida’s most recognized indoor air quality experts, was elected by the association to serve a 6-year term as a member of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Lapotaire is the Founder and President of Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC. The Orlando-based companies provide indoor air quality consulting services that include healthy building performance, home and office assessments, IAQ inspections, mold inspections and building envelop consulting services. Mr. Lapotaire is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor, Radon Measurement Technician and Radon Mitigation Specialist. He is also a Council-certified Environmental Thermography Consultant (CETC) and a Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC). In his many years of providing IAQ related services, Mr. Lapotaire has been called upon to perform thousands of investigations in everything from residential and commercial properties to schools and other institutional settings.
Mr. Lapotaire has been active in a number of industry associations including:
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
- Indoor Environmental Standards Organization (IESO)
- American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC)
- Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC)
- Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
“It is a privilege and honor to serve on the Board of Directors for the IAQA, an organization I have supported since joining back in 2001,” said Mr. Lapotaire. “Indoor air quality issues impact so many people and I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences in helping to continue to strengthen IAQA’s mission to bring together practitioners of this profession to prevent and solve indoor environmental problems for the benefit of the public.”
For more information about the Indoor Air Quality Association, please visit www.IAQA.org.
To learn more about Mr. Lapotaire or Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC, please visit www.FloridaIAQ.com, email info@FloridaIAQ.com or call (407) 383-9459.
About Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
Since 2001, Florida residents have turned to the indoor environmental experts at Indoor Air Quality Solutions & Microshield Environmental Services, LLC. The family owned and operated companies, based in the Orlando area, offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and correcting comfort and indoor air quality problems. Their expert staff utilizes the latest technologies and industry recognized standards to identify and resolve indoor environmental issues.
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
December 15, 2013
The goal of mold remediation is to remove or clean mold contaminated materials in a way that prevents the emission of mold and dust contaminated with mold from leaving a work area and entering an occupied or non-remediation area, while protecting the health of workers performing the mold remediation. The goal is not to kill the mold it’s to collect and remove it.
The first step in solving an indoor mold problem is stopping the source of moisture. Next is to remove the mold growth. Next is the proper cleaning and removal of mold contaminated personal property and building material. The proper method is the collection and removal of the mold. Improper methods for cleaning mold include the application of fungicides and biocides to kill mold. These methods may render the mold non-viable (dead or incapable of growth); however, the mold and its by-products can still elicit negative health effects. The mold is still and allergen in your home until its removed.
A mold spore is an allergen that may or may not have the presence of mycotoxins. Some of these mold spores have the ability to germinate and may eventually grow to be a colony. To prevent this we correct the moisture that was supporting the mold growth and wala the mold will not have the available moisture to grow. Now all we have to do is collect the remaining allergens (aka mold spores) and remove them from the home.
If we simply apply fungicides or biocides to kill the mold so it won’t grow we still have the mold spore or allergen that may or may not have the presence of mycotoxins. But…the mold spores are still in your home, still an allergen, still have the potential of containing mycotoxins, and are now completely covered in a poison, just Wonderful. And the poisonous mold still needs to be removed.
New York City Department of Health NYCDH
“The use of gaseous, vapor-phase, or aerosolized biocides for remedial purposes is not recommended. The use of biocides in this manner can pose health concerns for people in occupied spaces of the building and for people returning to the treated space if used improperly.
American Industrial Hygiene Association AIHA
The goal of remediation is removal of mold and the moisture source because: a) biocides do not alter mycotoxins or allergens; b) it is generally not possible to get 100 percent kill with biocides; and c) because of (b), the newly deposited spores, re-growth will occur after the biocides if moisture returns.
North American Air Duct Cleaning Association NADCA position on Sanitizing Ductwork
The EPA has not registered any products for sanitizing or disinfecting ductwork. Further, no fungicides are registered for use in ductwork. It is a violation of federal law to use a product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. For antimicrobials, this law is the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Therefore, any claims of sanitizing or disinfecting ductwork would require the use of a product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling, which is a violation of FIFRA.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA
“The purpose of mold remediation is to remove the mold to prevent human exposure and damage to building materials and furnishings. It is necessary to clean up mold contamination, not just to kill the mold. Dead mold is still allergenic, and some dead molds are potentially toxic.
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
December 9, 2013
Humidity control was the problem that originally spurred the need for air conditioning. Lack of humidity control in hot, humid climates, in particular, can lead to mold growth and other moisture-related problems. High indoor humidities can lead to health and comfort problems.
Modern air conditioners dehumidify as they cool; you can see that by the water that drains away, but this dehumidification is incidental to their main job of controlling temperature. They cannot independently control both temperature and humidity.
In hot, humid climates the incidental dehumidification that occurs may not always be enough to keep the indoor humidity conditions acceptable. (ASHRAE recommends roughly a 60% relative humidity maximum at 78F.) The maximum dehumidification happens not at the hot times of the year—when the air conditioner is running a lot—but at mild times of the year when the air conditioner runs very little.
Although there are some leading edge air conditioning systems that promise to independently control humidity, conventional systems may not be able to sufficiently control the problem and can cause comfort or mold problems in certain situations. Some current high-end systems have enhanced dehumidification, but when the existing system cannot sufficiently dehumidify, it may be necessary to buy a stand-alone dehumidifier. There are things that consumers can do to lessen the need for dehumidification:
Do not set your thermostat to the “fan on” position. In this position the fan blows air all the time whether your cooling system is running or not and one key impact is that a lot of the moisture your system just took out of the air, will be blown back into the house before it can drain way.
Use exhaust fans during moisture-producing activities. Cooking, bathing, washing, and similar activities produce a lot of moisture inside the home. Exhaust that moisture directly outdoors using a fan. Similarly, avoid drying clothes indoors except with a clothes dryer that is exhausted directly outdoors.
Do not open windows or use ventilative cooling when it is too humid outside
Full Story at ASHRAE https://www.ashrae.org/resources–publications/free-resources/top-ten-things-about-air-conditioning
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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
October 26, 2013
The newly published ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2013, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, sets minimum ventilation rates and other requirements for commercial and institutional buildings.
The 2013 standard combines the 2010 standard and 10 published addenda to that edition. Specific information on the contents of each addendum and approval dates for each addendum are included in Informative Appendix J at the end of the standard.
“The 2013 version of Standard 62.1 continues the trend of increasing clarity while adding flexibility,” Roger Hedrick, Standard 62.1 committee chair, said. “These changes will allow designers and building operators to meet the requirements of the standard and provide adequate ventilation airflow to occupants while reducing excess ventilation and the associated energy consumption. “
The 2013 edition of the standard revises and improves the standard in several ways. A number of changes remove inconsistencies within the standard in an effort to improve clarity.
Significant changes include: ·
Table 6-2, Zone Air Distribution Effectiveness is modified to increase the ventilation effectiveness of underfloor air distribution systems that meet certain conditions;
· Requirements for the quality of water used in humidification systems are modified and clarified;
· Building level pressurization requirements were clarified, including adding a definition of “exfiltration;”
· A performance alternative to the prescriptive exhaust rates is added.
This approach differs from the Indoor Air Quality Procedure, the existing performance-based method for setting supply ventilation rates, in that monitoring of the concentrations of contaminants of concern is required and provides the basis for control of exhaust flow rates;
· Some changes to the ventilation rates and space types in Table 6-1 are made.
These add refrigerated warehouses and change the ventilation rate for sports related spaces to include a per occupant component which then allows the use of demand controlled ventilation in these spaces; · The filtration requirement on air entering wetted cooling coils has been modified to change the MERV rating from 6 to 8. This change will reduce potential for particulate deposition on the coils that could lead to biological or other contamination on the coils; and · Toilet exhaust air that is cleaned to Class 1 may be recirculated.
The cost of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2013, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, is $79 ($67 for ASHRAE members). To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Contact Center at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide), fax 678-539-2129, or visit http://www.ashrae.org/bookstore. –
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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
October 26, 2013
Use the redline to instantly identify updates in the 2013 revision of Standard 90.1.
This expanded document compares the 2013 edition to 2010, ensuring you know exactly what changes have been made from one edition to the next. It’s an indispensable reference for engineers and other professionals involved in the design of buildings and building systems. Select the redline upgrade in print or digital format to receive two documents; the clean, active version of the standard and the redline version.
About Standard 90.1-2013: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings (ANSI approved; IES co-sponsored) provides the minimum requirements for energy-efficient design of most buildings. Learn more
About Redlines: A redline document is a quick, easy way to compare all the changes between the active standard and the previous version. Redlines allow users to instantly identify additions, deletions, and other formatting and content changes. Learn more
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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
By John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
Indoor Air Quality Solutions, IAQS 