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Submetering for Condos Newsletter - Issue #1What causes indoor air pollution?• Dust: Many allergens and toxins can be found in dust - mould, bacteria, dust mites, pet dander, particle matter, and pesticides. Keeping your condo clean doesn't get at the source. Ductwork and ineffective furnace filters, as well as carpeting and dust-catching furnishings can contribute to an unhealthy level of dust in condos. • Bacteria, moulds, viruses and radon: Organisms such as bacteria, moulds and viruses breed in poorly maintained cooling coils, condensate pans, and wet insulation inside heaters and air conditioners. A humidifier with stagnant water, wet carpeting, and water-damaged walls also mean trouble. Poor ventilation, high humidity levels, roof leaks, basement floods and plumbing problems can cause serious mould growth indoors. Radon is a gas found in soil or rocks containing uranium. It can infiltrate basements and crawl spaces if homes or buildings are built on these deposits. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, but the only way to detect it is through special testing. • Toxic gases: Natural gas, propane and sewer (methane) gas, combustion gases and carbon monoxide can be an indoor danger. Sewer gas can rise up from an unused drain, and can escape from faulty toilets or vent stacks. • Household chemicals: Chemicals used in household items like paints, varnishes, glues, aerosols, air fresheners, dry cleaning, furniture, cleaning products, building materials, home office equipment, and fuels can all contribute to poor indoor air quality. • Humidity and temperature: High humidity levels and heat can cause the growth of mould, bacteria, viruses, and dust mites. • Poor ventilation: The more people in a room or building, the higher the amount of carbon dioxide. If carbon dioxide levels are too high, it could be due to poor ventilation. • Cigarette smoke: If you're breathing in cigarette smoke, you're also absorbing nearly 5,000 toxins into your body. It doesn't matter whether you're the one smoking or someone else is. Children whose parents smoke have higher rates of asthma. Cigarette smoke also causes pneumonia, bronchitis, wheezing, coughing, excess phlegm, and ear infections in young children. |
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