The importance of clean air

All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some risks are simply unavoidable. Some we choose to accept because to do otherwise would restrict our ability to lead our lives the way we want. And some are risks we might de to avoid if we had the opportunity to make informed choices. Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about.

Mold is the common name given to filamentous fungi. This and other types of fungi refer to most forms of microbial contamination of HVAC systems. F ungal spores vary in concentrations in both indoor and outdoor environments. This makes it difficult to establish limitations for use in comparative studies and evaluations. The detection of mold in an HVAC system is normal; what makes it a concern in the presence of active colony growth (amplification).

Any initial indoor air quality investigation should include a survey of the ventilation system, especially those areas that are known for potential amplification. These areas include cooling coils, condensate pans, filters and humidification systems. Amplification can also occur on wet ductwork surfaces, including the lining. Sampling for amplification can stop once the source of amplification is isolated. The removal of any contaminated porous material is often sufficient remedial action. Remediation of the contaminants plays a vital role when allergic reactions due to exposure to micro-organisms or an infectious disease has been diagnosed.