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Is indoor air causing my child’s allergy?
An allergic reaction in people is a complex issue, but the indoor environment can play an extremely important role in triggering new allergies, or aggravating existing ones. A building creates an envelope
of air around the occupant that changing very little in composition compared to the outdoors. Consequently, any allergen source within the building tends to create an escalating level of contamination
that can trigger a reaction or lead to hypersensitivity. Take pet dander for instance. Outdoors, dander would break down from the effects of ultra-violet light, water and microbial action. No such mechanism
exist indoors, hence levels climb to the trigger point.
Can poor indoor air really worsen asthma?
Yes. Bronchial tubes of the asthmatic are very sensitive to irritants, often triggering the spasms and contractions known as an asthma attack. Common lung irritants and asthmatic triggers are usually
found in higher concentrations indoors than outdoors, even in highly industrialized urban areas. The constant production of gases, particles, and bio-aerosols (ie mould) indoors, coupled with inadequate
ventilation, can lead to levels of indoor contaminants four times that of the outdoors. For more information, see "Inspections" and "Testing".
What is a problem mould?
Potentially, any mould could be a problem if an individual is sensitive to it. However, when we think of problem moulds, we are usually talking about a small number of indoor moulds that have been
positively linked to health effects in a larger proportion of the population. Moulds like stachybotris, aspergillus, alternaria, and some penicilliums are known to flourish in buildings with excess moisture
levels or water damage. Generally speaking, light patches of mould on window frames and around bathtubs, although undesirable, are not a significant problem. Many buff gray coloured surface moulds are
cladisporiums, a common outdoor mould that only presents a problem for most people when present in very large quantities. For more information, see "Mould Facts".
To test or not to test?
That is the question; but might be answered with two more questions. What am I trying to find out? What will I do with this information? The answer to the first question might seem obvious. You want
to know if you have a toxin (or elevated levels) present in your building. The answer to the second question is not as obvious. Without the means or intent to change your situation, testing can just
be an academic exercise. However, when done as part of overall plan, testing can answer such questions as:
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Is the air “acceptable” according to accepted guidelines or regulations?
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Is there a particular source of the problem?
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Did our changes make enough of a difference?
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Is our clean-up done?
Remember that testing is only a snapshot of the indoor environment at that time and place. Conditions can change from minute to minute, so multiple tests over a period of time might be required to
accurately characterize the true indoor conditions. For more information, see "Testing".
Can I test my own air?
Yes, to an extent. The equipment we use to test and sample indoor air is not available to most building owners, however samples can be collected and sent to us for analysis. For more information on
self-tests, see "Lab Services".
Who is responsible for IAQ at work?
According to the Workers’ Compensation Board, the employer is responsible. This does not mean the employer must test the air, however he/she must appoint someone to look into the situation (usually
a complaint), and document the results. This can be as simple as having a maintenance person or HVAC technician examine the air system. In many cases, the employer chooses a third party IAQ specialist
to investigate the complaint. Using an independent specialist does not use up valuable company resources, restores employee confidence, and provides a liaison to the local WCB office if necessary. See
also "IAQ Audits".
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