Condensation: An Enormous Issue In Buildings

by | air pollution, building biology, buildings and health, condensation, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, mold, mould, water, water damage

Condensation: an Enormous Issue in Buildings

Condensation is an enormous issues in buildings, whether they be older buildings with single glazed windows and/or no insulation OR brand new buildings that are built to be energy efficient.

“My Building Is New, There is No Mould”

So I am told by many people when they call about at assessment of their home.

“I have NO MOULD, Everything is Dry Now…“

Others tell me. And I even hear:

“There is No Mould in My House… but There is a Musty Smell”

Mmmmm.

<<Picture me rubbing my chin and nodding slowly>>

All three of these cases do not preclude the presence of mould. The other thing to remember is that you cannot always smell mould when it is present.

Here is a video I did to explain about buildings built to code:

So why are we talking about mould when we started with condensation?

Mould has very basic needs: food and moisture.

Food is everywhere. Moisture can be controlled.

Condensation – Why is it an Issue? What is it? How Does it Form? Where Can it Occur?

It is an issue because it forms whenever a building material, or air, reaches dew point. What this means is that the material becomes cold enough to condense water out of the air – which is when droplets form… condensation. Condensation forms on the warm side of the material… Think about a bottle of cold water. The droplets of condensation form on the outside of the bottle.

In winter, a house that is warmed could have condensation forming under the metal roof or in the walls on the inner side of the sarking. As well, it often occurs on the inside of windows.

In summer, a house that is cooled could have condensation forming on the outside of windows, on the outer side of sarking and even within the building envelope where there are changes in temperatures.

This is a problem because it can result in building materials becoming wet enough to support the proliferation of mould (aka mould growth).

This can occur in roof spaces, wall cavities, window frames, and so on.

Research done by Dewsbury, et al, found that buildings built to code may be water damaged and mouldy within their first winter.

This is a big deal.

Condensation can be a large contributing factor to the mould burden in a building – so do take it seriously.

Are you affected by mould and want to learn more?
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References:

Dewsbury, Dr M, Law, Dr T, Henderson, Dr A (17 Feb 2016) Investigation of Destructive Condensation in Australian Cool Temperate Buildings Building Standards and Occupational Licensing, Department of Justice Tasmania, Tasmania

“Bake Outs,” Ozone and Our Indoor Air

by | building biology, buildings and health, chemicals, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, VOCs

I want to share some information about ozone, VOCs and our indoor air.

From here, I will share my stance on “bake outs,” so let's start at the end to make sure it all makes sense.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

The best example of VOCs is the smell of the cleaning aisle in the supermarket.

That smell – the waft get when you are approaching the cleaning aisle… You know the one?

That is the VOCs being released from the cleaning products.

What is a “Bake Out”?

A “bake out” is a process that utilises the notion that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released at a higher rate where there is an increase in temperature. To carry out this technique, you would close up a room or building, crank the heating, and bake out the VOCs. But wait!

BUT, where do they go?

Some can be absorbed by building materials (eg plasterboard) and furnishings (eg curtains, couches, carpet) and much remains in the air.

AND, what happens?

That is part of what I wanted to talk about today.

What is Ozone?

Ozone, is a pale blue gas that is a natural part of our atmosphere. At ground level, ozone can cause damage to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The US EPA have created a guide relating to the risks it can pose, as well as offering a proactive approach to protecting health. You can read it here.

Ozone can be introduced to our indoor air via some “air purifiers” – namely ones that deliberately produce ozone, and as a byproduct of ionisers (Britigan, et al, 2006). This can result in levels being well in excess of exposure standards.

Indoor Air Concerns

Ozone, apart from its known health risks, can be very problematic in the indoor environment.

Due to it's molecular structure, ozone readily interacts with other gases (particularly VOCs) to form byproducts – some known, some unknown.

Summary: In a Nutshell

  • Avoid doing bake outs
  • Avoid anything that produces ozone, including ionising air purifiers
  • Introduce more plants in and around your home

And…

Open your doors and windows several times a day to exchange the air and reduce the build up of VOCs and other indoor air contaminants.

Join our Healthy (and Safe) Living Group to discover more
References

  • Britigan, N,  Alshawa, A, and Nozkordoc, SA (May 2006) Quantification of Ozone Levels in Indoor Environments Generated by Ionization and Ozonolysis Air Purifiers J Air Waste Manag Assoc (Online) available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16739796
  • US EPA (August 2015) Air Quality Guide for Ozone (Online) available at https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/ozone/air-quality-guide_ozone_2015.pdf (3 November 2017)

#ozone #airpurifiers #bakeouts #indoorairquality

ELF AC Magnetic Fields

by | building biology, buildings and health, ehs, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, indoor environmental health

Magnetic Fields (MF)

Magnetic fields – can they be harmful?

Did you know? In 2002, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified ELF AC magnetic fields as category 2B. 

What that means is that they recognised the potentially carcinogenic effects for humans (risk of causing cancer) of the MF associated with household wiring, appliances, and power lines.

These fields are one of the most researched areas of EMF – and one of the least controversial. Wertheimer and Leeper's research in the 1970's linked these fields to increased incidences of childhood leukaemia.

ELF AC MF exist wherever an appliance is in use.

What to do?

Magnetic Fields are only PART of the EMF picture.

There are four types of EMF assessed by Eco Health Solutions:

  1. ELF AC magnetic fields
  2. ELF AC electric fields
  3. radiofrequency EMF
  4. dirty electricity

There are a great many people that conduct EMF assessments which include #1 and #3, only.

Because I understand this area more deeply, I see that doing half the job is completely inadequate (check out this post). I have been to many homes and workplaces where the greatest problems are found with the electric field readings and that of dirty electricity.

A thorough assessment is the only way to ensure that all bases are covered in order to provide you with an accurate picture of what is occurring in your home or workplace.

Want to know how to reduce the levels in your place?
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Avoiding Sick Building Syndrome in the Workplace

by | building biology, buildings and health, chemical sensitivities, chemically sensitive, chemicals, cleaning products, environmental sensitivities, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health

Sick Building Syndrome – Avoid this in the Workplace

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) incorporates many facets of the built environment.

Focus on Indoor Air Quality

When it comes to air pollution, we tend to think about it in terms of the outdoors. We worry about factories’ smokestacks, traffic jams and other factors that pump pollutants into the air.

Yet air pollution isn’t just an outdoor problem.

The air indoors also can be toxic for us to breathe. This is especially in an industrial facility where hazardous materials may be used. In fact, the air quality inside buildings can be so harmful that it can cause illnesses. This phenomenon, known as “SBS,” can create symptoms in people without an easily identifiable cause.

Further, people with sick building syndrome may experience respiratory issues such as shortness of breath and coughing, as well as more generalised symptoms such as fever and muscle aches.

SBS – What Does it Mean for the Workplace?

These illnesses can lead to decreased productivity and employees taking excessive time off. As a result, it’s important for industrial and commercial facilities to understand sick building syndrome and how to avoid it.

SBS can be caused by a variety of factors, all of them related to a building’s indoor air quality.

Often, sick building syndrome is a result of poor ventilation, which prevents indoor pollutants from being circulated out of the air.

Many times, contaminants such as motor vehicle exhaust or fumes from volatile chemicals used in industrial processes get trapped inside the building. Bacteria, mould and pollen from outside also can contribute to sick building syndrome.

Avoiding Sick Building Syndrome

Avoiding SBS starts with improving air flow throughout the building, such as with large fans.

From here, other measures to improve indoor air quality include:

  • selecting less toxic cleaning products and methods,
  • avoiding “air fresheners,”
  • creating a “fragrance-free” workplace,
  • choosing real wood furniture (instead of “was wood” composite woods),
  • selecting furnishings made locally that are low in volatile organic compounds, and
  • ensuring that any leaks are fixed promptly and that there is no mould in the workplace.

Improving indoor air quality and avoiding SBS are tasks that should be at the top of most managers’ priority lists.

Not only can it boost the health and well-being of employees, but it also can increase productivity and reduce health care liabilities for the facility owner.

This infographic from Go Fan Yourself provides some great tips on improving indoor air quality quality and reducing the risk of SBS.

sick building

Created by Go Fan Yourself

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#Sickbuildingsyndrome #OHS #WHS

References:

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-08/documents/sick_building_factsheet.pdf

Don’t be Guttered!

by | building biology, buildings and health, environmental sensitivities, indoor environmental health, mold, mould

Gutters – They Can Play a Large Role in the Health of Our Buildings

Gutters collect the water that come off the roof.

The roof is like a rain hat of our home.

Hidden Mould

I have been to so many homes that have water damage and mould because of poorly maintained gutters – and this is easy enough to avoid.

What happens when gutters are not maintained?

Generally, they overflow.

But not always.

In some cases, the water can run towards the house and end up in wall cavities! This is one cause of “hidden mould” and it can still affect your health – even if you can’t see or smell it.

This is situation where it is often hard to detect what the problem is. Often there are no obvious signs – to an unskilled eye.

eco-health-solutions-gudget

So, what to do?

Simple – create a regular maintenance schedule.

How frequently this needs doing will depend on where you live.

Factors such as the amount and type of trees, how close they are, do they drop their leaves each autumn, and so on can all help to determine how often you should be cleaning the gutters.

I recommend starting with a quarterly/seasonal clean… and then during autumn/fall more often.

How Can I Tell If My Gutters Need Cleaning?

The most reliable way is to get up on a ladder and have a look.

Another way is to look for any signs of plant growth… I call this the “gutter garden.” When there is enough dirt and debris in the gutters, plants will begin to grow. It is pretty severely blocked at this point.

One final way is to observe what happens when it rains. Do you see water cascading over the sides? This shows that your gutters aren't coping with the rain. Often this will occur when they are blocked. It can also occur in extremely heavy rain, especially when there is hail.

So keep an eye out. Observing is a wonderful skill.

Find out if you have an issue –
book a Virtual Indoor Environmental Health Assessment here. >>

Close Your Windows During Peak Hour

by | air pollution, building biology, buildings and health, health, indoor environmental health, traffic related air pollution

Avoid Traffic-Related Air Pollution: Close Your Windows in Peak Hours

When there's traffic, I want you to close your windows!

If you have been following me for a while, I am sure you will have heard me carry on about opening your windows and exchanging the air.

While I 100% stand by this, I do want to put a caveat on it.

If you live near a busy road OR you live close to a school OR you get heavy traffic around your home at certain times, then please don’t open your windows.

I know that sounds obvious… but sometimes the obvious needs to be stated.

There are many noxious gases in exhaust fumes, including the deadly carbon monoxide.

So, if there is a busy time for traffic near your home, be sure to close the windows to keep these fumes out.

Interested in reading more about Traffic-Related Air Pollutants and how they affect us? >Click here

traffic related air pollution

 Are You One of those Lucky People Who has a Garage?

Ahh, a garage…

The convenience of unloading the shopping and taking it from the garage into the house is bliss.

Not having to race from the house to the car in the rain because of the door in between… priceless!

But, the pollutants from our cars are vast.

There are the deadly fumes, the particulate matter (airborne particles) and then there is lead from our old leaded petrol.

Although the door between the house and the garage is luxurious, I am going to encourage you NOT to use it – and instead create an airtight seal around it to prevent contaminating your home.

Unless it is airtight, it is vital that you NEVER, not ever, idle the car in the garage.

Take care – lives are worth gambling.

Book a Hidden Hazards Hotline call to discuss your situation
and work out what to do next. Book here >>

Diffusers and Mould

by | air fresheners, air pollution, building biology, buildings and health, essential oils, health, humidity, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, scents, water damage

Diffusers and Mould

Many of the homes I assess have essential oil diffusers.

Whilst I love that more people are using essential oils, I have concerns about the essential oil diffusers that harbour mould… and then potentially spread it throughout your home.

So, let me share with you ways to avoid mould – and fragrant oils!

Some key points about essential oil diffusers that require water:

  • they add moisture to your indoor air
  • the water inside them is infrequently changed
  • the tubes within them are impossible to dry out – and this is where I see the most mould – and they are equally impossible to clean!

Options:

  • use an electric oil diffuser – such as this one that requires no water at all
  • put essential oils on a cotton ball or tissue
  • grow fresh herbs and enjoy their aroma

Why we Don't Want to Add Moisture to the Indoor Air

Mould spores are everywhere. They are an important part of our world. We just don't want them growing in our homes.

Mould requires food and moisture to flourish. Usually the spores are sitting on food. So the thing that we CAN control is moisture.

When there is enough moisture (high humidity levels or a material is wet for 48+ hours) mould can proliferate. This sets off a chain of events, which for those who are sensitive or sensitised can be extremely problematic. Mould can be detrimental to our health as well as to the structure of the building.

Taking steps to reduce moisture levels is ideal – and avoiding adding it is even better!

Want to talk about this? Book a Hidden Hazards Hotline call.

How is Your Wi-Fi Router Like Your Oven?

by | building biology, buildings and health, ehs, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, environmental sensitivities, happiness, health, indoor environmental health, radiofrequencies

Wi-Fi – we are surrounded by wi-fi all the time. But there is something that you can do that can significantly minimise your exposure… and it is free!

Why would you want to? There are risks associated with using this technology. This is “radiofrequency EMF” and has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as a “category 2B” which means that they recognise it as being potentially carcinogenic to humans.

Apart from cancer, there are other associated risks – including sleep disturbance, grinding teeth, muscle tension, as well as reactions that happen on a cellular level (voltage-gated calcium channels, reactions of blood cells…).

I want to share with you a simple tip that can make a big difference.

From today onwards, I want you to think of your wi-fi router like you do your oven.

HUH?????

Yup!
Your wi-fi router is like your oven.

From now on:

  1. When you want to use it, turn it on.
  2. Let it warm up.
  3. Use it.
  4. Turn it off again.

Simply by doing this, you can greatly reduce your exposure and begin to create new patterns around its use.

When you are ready, I highly recommend changing over to an ethernet-only router – and there ARE many choices.

Contact me – this is one of the many EMF problems I love to tackle.