Not many people would be sorry to say goodbye to the insects,
rodents, dust mites, bacteria, mold, pollen, animal dander and other debris trapped in their heating and air conditioning
duct systems. Our customers are always amazed to discover the massive amount of dust and debris that we remove from their
HVAC systems. They are, also, always glad they made the decision to have their ducts cleaned.
Most of us have seen dust
collect in inaccessible places in our homes. If you forget to vacuum under your bed for a few weeks you will find large accumulations
of dust. Can you imagine what you'll find in a ventilation system that hasn't been cleaned in 5, 10 or 20 years?
In addition
to being unpleasant, the dirt found in heating and air conditioning ductwork is often composed of biological contaminants
such as insects, rodents, duct mites, animal hair and dander, pollen, dead skin, cigarette tar, asbestos, fungi and bacteria.
These contaminants can aggravate allergies, asthma, sinus conditions and headaches in sensitive people. In its 1997 booklet,
"The Inside Story, A Guide to Indoor Air Quality," the EPA reports that "People with breathing problems, allergies and lung
diseases are particularly susceptible to disease causing biological agents in the indoor air. Contaminated central air handling
systems can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew and other sources of biological contamination and can distribute these
contaminants through the building."
Although you will be guaranteed to find a massive accumulation of dirt in the ventilation
systems in older homes, you will also find dust and debris in newly constructed homes. In older homes we find blanket like
clumps of dust and dirt, while in newer homes we find wood particles, sawdust and other construction debris and garbage. We
even find food, soda and beer cans, left by the workers in the ducts.
Many of our customers are allergy and asthma sufferers
who were advised to have their ducts cleaned by their doctors. We receive positive feedback from a number of these customers,
who say that the air seems lighter and cleaner since we cleaned their homes. Research by the U.S. EPA has demonstrated that
HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean,
efficient systems are less likely to breakdown, have a longer life span, and generally operate more effectively that dirty
systems.
Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. In the last several years, a growing body
of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the
outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90
percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution
indoors than outdoors. In addition, people who may be exposed to indoor air pollutants for the longest periods of time are
often those most susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. Such groups include the young, the elderly, and the chronically
ill, especially those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular disease. (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldresources) Health
Effects From Biological Contaminants Some biological contaminants trigger allergic reactions, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis,
allergic rhinitis, and some types of asthma. Infectious illnesses, such as influenza, measles, and chicken pox are transmitted
through the air. Molds and mildews release disease-causing toxins. Symptoms of health problems caused by biological pollutants
include sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, fever, and digestive problems. Allergic
reactions occur only after repeated exposure to a specific biological allergen. However, that reaction may occur immediately
upon re-exposure or after multiple exposures over time. As a result, people who have noticed only mild allergic reactions,
or no reactions at all, may suddenly find themselves very sensitive to particular allergens. Some diseases, like humidifier
fever, are associated with exposure to toxins from microorganisms that can grow in large building ventilation systems. However,
these diseases can also be traced to microorganisms that grow in home heating and cooling systems and humidifiers.
Children,
elderly people, and people with breathing problems, allergies, and lung diseases are particularly susceptible to disease-causing
biological agents in the indoor air. Keep the house clean. House dust mites, pollens, animal dander, and other allergy-causing
agents can be reduced, although not eliminated, through duct cleaning.
People who are allergic to these pollutants
should use allergen-proof mattress encasements, wash bedding in hot (130o F) water, and avoid room furnishings that accumulate
dust, especially if they cannot be washed in hot water. Allergic individuals should also leave the house while it is being
vacuumed because vacuuming can actually increase airborne levels of mite allergens and other biological contaminants. Using
central vacuum systems that are vented to the outdoors or vacuums with high efficiency filters may also be of help.
To
learn more about biological pollutants, read http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/bio_1.html, issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission and the American Lung Association. Health and Mold Molds can trigger asthma episodes in sensitive individuals with
asthma (See Asthma Section above); molds can also trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. See: EPA's Asthma web site,
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/index.html EPA's Asthma Brochure, http://www.epa.gov/asthma/asthma.html EPA's Mold page from
Asthma web site, http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/triggers/molds.html
EPA's publication, Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction
for Health Professionals, http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/hpguide.html, assists health professionals (especially the primary care
physician) in diagnosis of patient symptoms that could be related to an indoor air pollution problem. It addresses the health
problems that may be caused by contaminants encountered daily in the home and office. Organized according to pollutant or
pollutant groups such as environmental tobacco smoke, VOCs, biological pollutants, and sick building syndrome, this booklet
lists key signs and symptoms from exposure to these pollutants, provides a diagnostic checklist and quick reference summary,
and includes suggestions for remedial action. Also includes references for information contained in each section. This booklet
was developed by the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
and the EPA. EPA Document Reference Number 402-R-94-007, 1994. Allergic Reactions – Excerpted from Indoor Air Pollution:
“An Introduction for Health Professionals section on: Animal Dander, Molds, Dust Mites, Other Biologicals”, http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/animal%20dander
"A major concern associated with exposure to biological pollutants is allergic reactions, which range from rhinitis, nasal
congestion, conjunctival inflammation, and urticaria to asthma.
Notable triggers for these diseases are allergens
derived from house dust mites; other arthropods, including cockroaches; pets (cats, dogs, birds, rodents); molds; and protein-containing
furnishings, including feathers, kapok, etc. In occupational settings, more unusual allergens (e.g., bacterial enzymes, algae)
have caused asthma epidemics. Probably most proteins of non-human origin can cause asthma in a subset of any appropriately
exposed population." Other Web Sites: Consult the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website http://www.cdc.gov CDC's National
Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) http://www.cdc.gov/nceh has a toll-free telephone number for information and FAXs,
including a list of publications: NCEH Health Line 1-888-232-6789. · CDC's "Molds in the Environment" Factsheet http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold/moldfacts.htm
Be careful of Duct Cleaning “Deals”
Sorry, you cannot have your ducts cleaned properly for $39, $89, $139
or even $239. A thorough job that takes 2 technicians several hours cannot be performed for anywhere close to one hundred
dollars. Many of these companies use bait and switch advertising. Your air ducting system cannot be cleaned for $89.00 anymore
than your carpet can be cleaned for $10.00 per room. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association states that typical duct cleaning
costs range from $450.00 to $800.00 or more. The Environmental Air Force will usually beat that price by at least $100 and
give you more service than any other providers (see out "Duct Cleaning" page for details).
