Whistler Real Estate Co Ltd, #137- 4370 Lorimer Road, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4

A Simplified Approach to Fresh Indoor Air


All homes have some level of indoor air pollution. It is unavoidable. Indoor air can contain pet dander, human dander, dust mites, smoke particles from cooking or tobacco, and chemical residues from cleaning or new furniture or carpets. Outdoor air also makes its way into your home, and this adds a whole other set of pollutants (car exhaust, smog, pollen, and dirt to name a few). While a normal level of air-borne pollutants doesn't bother most people, some are more sensitive to it, and everyone is affected if the level becomes excessive. Unfortunately, most of these pollutants are invisible, so we don't really notice them until we have breathing troubles.


Pollutants
Generally speaking, air pollutants in your house can be divided into two categories - particulates and bioaerosols. Particulates are inorganic pollutants measuring less than 100 microns (for perspective, the human hair is about 50 to 70 microns wide). Pollen, tobacco smoke, dust, ash, dirt, and insulation are all particulates. Bioaerosols are airborne microscopic organisms, and can include bacteria, mold spores, dust mites and dust mite dung, fungi, pet dander, and viruses.


What To Do About It
Unless you have someone in your home who is medically sensitive to common air pollutants, you do not need any special techniques or equipment to keep the air relatively clean (it is impossible to keep it completely clean). Clearing the air involves 3 basic steps: elimination, ventilation, and cleaning.

Elimination
Eliminating pollutants in your home is the first step to cleaner air. Exterior pollutants are the most difficult to eliminate because they come from sources beyond your control. Newer homes are less prone to outside air sneaking in (when doors and windows are closed) than is an older house. To reduce the outdoor pollutants in brand new homes, landscape your yard early. Grass, trees, and shrubs in your yard can act as filters and reduce dust in the immediate area of your home. They will contribute pollen to the air, but only in certain seasons, and they will help control dust year-round. Clean up fallen leaves and other organics around the house to reduce mold spores. Keep gutters clean and free flowing. Families with sensitive members should not live within shouting distance of a major highway.

Indoors, regular house cleaning can eliminate many of the particulates and bioaerosols that can will find their way into your air. Wash all bedding weekly in hot water to eliminate dust mites. Pets are a prime source of dander and need to be brushed and washed regularly. If someone in the family is sensitive to animal dander, you may have to choose between the pet and that person's health. Meanwhile, don't let the animal into sleeping areas, and keep it outside as much as possible.

Mold has recently come into view as a major indoor pollutant. Mold is unavoidable anywhere there is moisture. It will grow on bathtub caulking, cold windows, basements, and even in the attic to some degree. Mold likes dark and damp places such as basements (especially if they were finished a few decades ago) or behind furniture on outside walls. When allowed to grow unchecked it can be hazardous to your family's health. Luckily, mold can be controlled relatively easily in most cases by eliminating moisture.

Moisture in your home comes from bulk water or excessive humidity. Bulk water is the result of leaks: roofs, gutters, plumbing pipes, and windows are common sources. Excessive humidity comes from an absence of ventilation in most cases: make sure the dryer vent is clean and intact; install a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan; have your furnace and humidifier serviced and cleaned at least annually. If you cannot find the moisture source yourself, consult a contractor or inspector for help.

The best tools for checking for mold are a flashlight, your eyes, and your nose. Start in the basement - it is by far the most vulnerable area of your house. Look at and smell the dark corners of your house, especially at exterior walls and ceilings. Pull back the clothes in a closet on an exterior wall and you will likely find mold where there has been little air movement. Place your flashlight against the wall and shine your flashlight beam parallel to the wall. Moldy patches will appear a little fuzzy.

Look for mold - patches of brown, black, white or colored stains on any surface, but especially on paper, cloth, or wood based materials. Look for water stains - brown rings around pale yellow areas, bubbling paint, salty growths on concrete. Mold often smells musty or earthy. If you don't see or smell anything, you don't have a problem. If you do, you will need to clean up the mold, and then find out where the moisture source is, and fix it.

Small areas of mold, less than a few square feet, or not likely indicative of a big problem, and can be cleaned. Soft materials like carpet or drywall that are mold damaged may not be cleanable. For multiple patches or for larger patches, for example larger than 4x8 feet, it is best to get professional help.

And finally, to easily eliminate one source of very dangerous indoor pollution, if you smoke, don't smoke inside. Especially if you have children.