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3 Odors That are Hazardous to Your Health

Posted by Andre & Erika Lacroix on

3 Odors That are Hazardous to Your Health

Every home has a smell. Many of us try to ensure our homes smell fresh by keeping them clean and using air fresheners and scent diffusers. However, sometimes odors in the home are much more than simple odors. They can be an indication of hazards in your home that could cause a health problem. These odors are an indication of poor indoor air quality and should be addressed as soon as possible.

1. Paint smells

The smell of fresh paint can be exhilarating for some people. However, this odor is an indication of poor indoor air quality and could affect your health in the long term if not addressed. The odor is a result of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the air as the paint dries. VOCs have been linkedindoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-1 to the development of various forms of cancer.

It is important to ensure proper ventilation in your home while painting. Be sure to leave the windows and doors open. Proper ventilation is important even when only a small area has been painted.

2. Musty smells

Musty or dusty smells are common in humid environments such as kitchens, basements, bathrooms, and even in cupboards that aren’t open often. This odor is often an indication of a mold or mildew infestation. Mold and mildew are hazardous to human health. Mold spores are distributed in the air and can cause severe allergies as well as respiratory problems. Black mold is especially hazardous to your health.

If you notice a musty smell, it is important to contact a mold remediation contractor to have your home inspected as soon as possible. Invest in mold remediation to get rid of mold and address the issues that caused the infestation in the first place. These may include leaky pipes or poorindoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-2 circulation in your home leading to the accumulation of moisture.

3. Pickle odors

Does your home have a strong pickle odor? This may be an indication of formaldehyde in the air. Formaldehyde is present in many products used in the manufacture of household products, such as disinfectants, resins, fixatives, preservatives, and adhesives. Formaldehyde is therefore, present in building and flooding products, paneling, carpeting, pressed wood furniture, upholstery, and many other products around the home.

Formaldehyde is a VOC and is considered carcinogenic. It is important to ensure that your home is well ventilated to reduce exposure to this carcinogen.

Investing in an EZ breathe whole home ventilation system will help to improve indoor air quality and reduce your exposure to hazards to your health.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Today! 866-822-7328

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Types of Dehumidifiers

Posted by Andre & Erika Lacroix on

Types of Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers play a vital role in maintaining good indoor air quality. A dehumidifier will help you control indoor humidity levels and prevent the growth of mold and mildew in your home. There are various factors you will need to consider when choosing a dehumidifier for your home. Amongst these factors is the type of dehumidifier to use for your space.  The following are some types of dehumidifiers to consider.

  • Refrigerator style dehumidifiers

These dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air by cooling it down to a temperature where the moisture condenses out of the air. The dehumidifiers have a filter unit through which air is passed to remove dirt, dust, and allergens. The air then passes over a set of coils that cool it down enough to condense moisture. The water is collected in a collectiondehumidifiers-ez-breathe-1 tank, and the dry air is exhausted into the room.

These dehumidifiers are great for warm and humid climates. The collection tank must be emptied regularly, especially if you live in an area with high humidity. They come with a humidistat which can help you set the humidity levels you want to maintain in your space.

  • Desiccant dehumidifiers

These are ideal for those living in cool and humid climates. Like refrigerator-style dehumidifiers, the air is passed through a filter to get rid of particulates. It is then passed over a desiccant. This is a chemical agent that absorbs moisture from the air. The dry air is then exhausted back into the room.

These types of dehumidifiers are more common in commercial settings. They are also a good choice for those in colder climates where the coils in a refrigerator-dehumidifiers-ez-breathe-2style dehumidifier would end up freezing.

  • Heat pump dehumidifiers

These work in a similar way as refrigerator-style dehumidifiers. However, these units have a heating unit. The air is drawn into the dehumidifier by a fan. It is filtered and passed over cold coils to condense the moisture out. The dry air is then passed over hot coils to warm it before it is exhausted back into the room.

These dehumidifiers are ideal for maintaining warm and comfortable temperatures in the space. They ensure that you maintain the temperature in your space.  

  • Whole house dehumidifiers

These work much the same way as an air conditioner. They help to get rid of excess moisture in air in the entire house. They are connected to existing HVAC systems ductwork. However, there are some units that work as standalone units.

Talk to a professional to determine the best type of dehumidifier for your space.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Today! 866-822-7328

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Indoor Air Quality – Questions to Ask to Choose the Best Placement for Your Dehumidifier in Your Crawlspace

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Indoor Air Quality – Questions to Ask to Choose the Best Placement for Your Dehumidifier in Your Crawlspace

Investing in a dehumidifier is a necessity for a healthy crawlspace as well as for good indoor air quality. It is a well-known fact that the conditions in the crawlspace will have a direct impact on the quality of the air in the living space above. Dehumidifiers help to remove excess moisture from the air in the crawlspace. They play a key role in keeping the crawlspace dry and mold free. Dehumidifiers therefore help in maintaining good indoor air quality in the home.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-ventilation-system-1

For many homeowners, the placement of the dehumidifier in the crawlspace simply isn’t that important. They believe that simply placing the unit anywhere in the crawlspace will do. However, where you locate the unit is actually quite important.

The problem with poor placement

Many homeowners don’t realize that dehumidifiers produce a sound when operating. This sound can be loud depending on where the unit is located and the time of day. For example, if the unit is located under your bedroom, the noise is likely to disrupt your sleep when the unit is operating at night.

It is also important to note that dehumidifiers are generally inexpensive to run. However, their location within the crawlspace will have an impact on their efficiency. A unit that runs constantly will have a big impact on your power bill.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-ventilation-system-2

Choosing the best placement for your dehumidifier

There are several questions you should ask when locating a dehumidifier in the crawlspace.

  1. Will anything obstruct the dehumidifier? Place the dehumidifier in a location that is free of obstacles. There should be no piers or walls blocking air flow. This will ensure more efficient operation of the dehumidifier.
  2. Which rooms are above the dehumidifier? It is important to consider how the dehumidifier will affect the activities in the room above the space. It is best to avoid locating the dehumidifier below bedrooms to avoid disrupting sleep when the unit is working at night.
  3. Is there level ground? The unit should be installed on level and solid ground. This will have an impact on the level of noise produced by the unit during operation. A unit installed on uneven ground will also not function as efficiently.

Work with a crawlspace waterproofing expert to ensure that you place your dehumidifier in the best location. A well placed dehumidifier will mean better indoor air quality and lower energy bills.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Ventilation System Today! 866-822-7328

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Ways in Which Poor Indoor Air Quality is Affecting Your Health

Posted by Andre & Erika Lacroix on

Ways in Which Poor Indoor Air Quality is Affecting Your Health

Is the air your breathing causing you harm? Many Americans are in danger of suffering lasting health effects because of the air in their homes. This is because the indoor air quality of their homes is actually quite poor. Considering that most people spend 90 percent of their time inside buildings, the state of the indoor air quality of these buildings is important.

There are various toxins in air including airborne particles, ozone, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde as well as odors and various gases. These pollutants come from cleaning products, paint and solvent fumes, building materials, furnishings and other household items.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-1

Health effects of poor indoor air quality

Air pollutants can have lasting effects on our health. Poor air quality can cause:

  1. Weight gain

Are you eating healthy and still packing on pounds? Is calorie counting not working for you? Your fluctuations in weight could be the result of indoor air pollution. When our bodies’ natural pathways are overloaded with toxins, our bodies react by gaining weight.

  1. Asthma

According to the World Health Organization, up to 30 percent of respiratory diseases are caused by exposure to poor indoor air. This is understandable since inhalation is the most common pathways of pollutants and other agents that cause respiratory diseases. You can protect your household by ensuring that the air in your home is free of pollutants and disease causing agents.

  1. Depression

While depression is often associated with genetics or events in a person’s life, it can also be the result of toxins in the air. Studies have shown a correlation between long term exposure to toxins in the air and depression. You can reduce the severity of your depression by getting rid of the pollutants in the air.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-2

  1. Allergies

More people in America suffer from allergies today than in the past. One of the main reasons for this is the higher levels of toxins in indoor air. These pollutants trigger allergic reactions such as sneezing, headaches, skin rashes, swelling, fatigue and a runny nose.

Getting rid of these allergens will help to protect your household from developing allergies.

Ensuring clean indoor air

While you may rely on your HVAC to filter out particulates in the air, it is not adequate for getting rid of gases as well as microscopic agents. It is best to invest in a system that will help to cycle air in your home to ensure fresh air in the house.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Today! 866-822-7328

 

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How To Make Sure Your Indoor Air Is Healthy 

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How To Make Sure Your Indoor Air Is Healthy 

The average American spends 90 percent of their time indoors. That means that you spend most of your time breathing indoor air. According to a study by the Environment Protection Agency (US EPA), indoor air quality for the average home is much worse than outdoor air quality. The EP reports that the levels of pollutants in homes are 2 to 5 times higher than that in outdoor air. Some pollutants recorded high levels of 100 times more indoors than outdoors.

While spending more time outdoors is a great idea for our overall health, it doesn’t solve the problem of high levels of pollutants in our homes. The good news is that you can improve your indoor air quality with the following easy steps.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-1

1. Keep your home ventilated

One of the easiest ways to reduce the levels of pollutants in the air within your home is to open your windows and doors. This will allow air to circulate into and out of your home. Good exchange of air will promote healthy air indoors.

2. Smoke outdoors

If you or a member of your household likes to indulge in cigarette smoking every once in a while, restrict the activity to the outdoors. Cigarette smoking is not only bad for your health as a smoker but also for the other members of your household. Secondhand smoke has been attributed as the cause of up to 3000 deaths a year as a result of developing lung cancer.

3. Maintain healthy humidity levels

Dust mites and mold love moisture. Mold spores and dust mites are known to cause allergies or increase allergy episodes. Keeping humidity levels low will help to reduce the levels of mold and dust mites in your home. Consider investing in a dehumidifier for those parts of your home that are especially humid, such as the basement or crawlspace.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-2

4. Bring in plants

Plants offer an easy and inexpensive way to purify your air. These natural air purifiers take in stale indoor air that is full of chemicals and release fresh, oxygen-rich air into your home. Placing a large number of plants in your home will help to ensure your indoor air is cleaner. Be sure to look for plants that are known for air purification, such as spider plants, Aloe Vera, and mother-in-law’s tongue.

Are you looking for ways to improve indoor air quality? Try the tips above to get started right away.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Today! 866-822-7328

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Main Causes Of Indoor Air Pollution

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Main Causes Of Indoor Air Pollution

The quality of indoor air inside offices, schools, and other workplaces is important not only for workers’ comfort but also for their health. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Also, some specific diseases have been linked to specific air contaminants or indoor environments, like asthma in damp indoor environments. In addition, some exposures, such as asbestos and radon, do not cause immediate symptoms but can lead to cancer after many years.

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Many factors affect IAQ. These factors include poor ventilation (lack of outside air), problems controlling temperature, high or low humidity, recent remodeling, and other activities in or near a building that can affect the fresh air coming into the building. Sometimes, specific contaminants like dust from construction or renovation, mold, cleaning supplies, pesticides, or other airborne chemicals (including small amounts of chemicals released as a gas over time) may cause poor IAQ.

The right ventilation and building care can prevent and fix IAQ problems. Although OSHA does not have IAQ standards, it does have standards about ventilation and standards on some of the air contaminants that can be involved in IAQ problems. OSHA responds to questions about standards with letters of interpretation. OSHA’s letters of interpretation specifically addressing IAQ issues can be found in Other Resources. The General Duty Clause of the OSH Act (the law that created OSHA) requires employers to provide workers with a safe workplace that does not have any known hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury.indoor-air-pollution-ez-breathe-2

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a concern in many schools due in part to the age and poor condition of a number of school buildings. School IAQ is particularly important as it may affect the health, performance and comfort of school staff and students.

Managing IAQ in schools presents unique challenges. Unlike managing other buildings, managing schools involves the responsibility for public funds and child safety issues. In addition, occupants are close together. Typical schools have approximately four times as many occupants as office buildings with the same amount of floor space. Schools frequently have a large number of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment, which places added strain on maintenance staff. As schools add space, the operation and maintenance of each addition are often different. Schools sometimes use rooms, portable classrooms, or buildings that were not originally designed to service the unique requirements of schools.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Today! 866-822-7328

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Cooking And Its Impact On Your Indoor Air

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Cooking And Its Impact On Your Indoor Air

Organic aerosols — such as those released in cooking — may stay in the atmosphere for several days, because of nanostructures formed by fatty acids as they are released into the air.

By identifying the processes which control how these aerosols are transformed in the atmosphere, scientists will be able to better understand and predict their impact on the environment and the climate.indoor-air-ez-breathe-1

Experts at the Universities of Birmingham and Bath have used instruments at the Diamond Light Source and the Central Laser Facility, both based at the Harwell Campus in Oxford, to probe the behavior of thin films of oleic acid — an unsaturated fatty acid commonly released when cooking.

In the study, published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, they were able to analyze the particular molecular properties that control how rapidly aerosol emissions can be broken down in the atmosphere.

Then, using a theoretical model combined with experimental data the team was able to predict the amount of time aerosols generated from cooking may hang around in the environment.

These types of aerosols have long been associated with poor air quality in urban areas, but their impact on human-made climate change is hard to gauge. That’s because of the diverse range of molecules found within aerosols, and their varying interactions with the environment.indoor-air-ez-breathe-2

By identifying the nanostructure of molecules emitted during cooking that slows down the break-up of organic aerosols, it becomes possible to model how they are transported and dispersed into the atmosphere.

Lead author Dr Christian Pfrang, of the University of Birmingham’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, said: “Cooking aerosols account for up to 10 per cent of particulate matter (PM) emissions in the UK. Finding accurate ways to predict their behavior will give us much more precise ways to also assess their contribution to climate change.”

Co-author Dr Adam Squires, of the University of Bath, said: “We’re increasingly finding out how molecules like these fatty acids from cooking can organise themselves into bilayers and other regular shapes and stacks within aerosol droplets that float in the air, and how this completely changes how fast they degrade, how long they persist in the atmosphere, and how they affect pollution and weather.”

The research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Today! 866-822-7328

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Indoor Air Quality: 4 Benefits of a Good Ventilation System

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Indoor Air Quality: 4 Benefits of a Good Ventilation System

Ventilation is the process of intentionally introducing outdoor air into spaces such as houses or rooms while removing stale air. The aim of ventilation is to regulate indoor air quality by displacing and diluting indoor pollutants. A good ventilation system should therefore be able to remove or dilute any indoor pollutants and distribute fresh air in your house.

Ventilation systems also play numerous roles that improve the quality of indoor air. Below are four benefits of a good ventilation system.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-1

  1. Controls air impurities

It is important for every home or building to have good circulation of indoor air in order to constantly get a supply of fresh air. A constant supply of fresh air into a building reduces the risk of indoor air pollution. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 4.3 million people across the world die annually as a result of poor indoor air quality.

A good ventilation system helps improve indoor air quality by expelling different types of pollutants including bacteria, moisture, musty odors and dust.

  1. Stops condensation

Another benefit of a good ventilation system is that it stops condensation in any indoor space. Condensation occurs as a result of a buildup of moisture. The moisture condenses on various sources to form water droplets.

Condensation can lead to the growth of mold on various surfaces including drywall, walls, and floors. Another problem that stems from condensation is wood decay, which occurs when wooden items have a moisture content that exceeds 20%. 

By removing moisture, a ventilation system helps stop problems such as condensation and the growth of mold, thus improving indoor air quality.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-2

  1. Regulates air

Unless you have installed a good ventilation system, you are not able to control the movement of air in your home. Too much cold air coming in may mean high energy costs due to heating. A good ventilation system controls the amount of air that enters a building and ensures that your indoor air is of the right quality and has the right temperature.

  1. Controls air temperature

The ability to control air temperature is a notable benefit of a good ventilation system. Room temperatures change due to factors such as weather, the location of the room, the number and size of windows, and the number of people in a room.

A good ventilation system adjusts the temperature accordingly so that your indoor space does not become hot and stuffy when there are many people or when the incoming air becomes hotter.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Today! 866-822-7328

Important Facts about Your Indoor Air Quality and Dehumidifiers

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Important Facts about Your Indoor Air Quality and Dehumidifiers

Indoor air quality is a major health concern. According to the World Health Organization, 4.3 million people globally die every year because of indoor air pollution. One of the factors that exacerbate the risk of indoor air pollution is high humidity. Usually, the human body functions best when humidity is within the range of 20 to 60%.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-1

The recommended mean relative humidity when you are indoors is between 30 and 60%. When the indoor relative humidity exceeds 60%, mold and mildew start to grow, and this can cause serious health issues.

This problem is particularly common if your home has a basement or a crawlspace that is not well ventilated. A dehumidifier can help you solve the problem of high indoor relative humidity.

What is a dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from the air. You can use a dehumidifier for comfort or health reasons. A dehumidifier also helps eliminate musty odors, which are common in humid indoor spaces.

Signs that you need a dehumidifier

You can tell that you need a dehumidifier if your home has any of the following signs:

  • The indoor environment has a musty odor and feels clammy
  • You have a feeling of excess moisture
  • Mold patches are visible
  • Windows show signs of condensation
  • You see wet or moist areas on the ceiling or walls.

How a dehumidifier improves indoor air quality

A dehumidifier improves indoor air quality by doing the following things:

  1. Removing excess moisture

As pointed out above, excess moisture is one of the factors that increase the risk of indoor air pollution. This is because a high level of moisture in the air makes the air dense and stagnant.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-2

Humid air is also able to carry more harmful compounds like nitrogen dioxide and allergens such as mold spores. By reducing the moisture in the air to acceptable levels, a dehumidifier makes indoor air healthier to breathe.

  1. Preventing the growth of mold and mildew

Mold and mildew grow in humid conditions. Therefore, by removing moisture in areas in which mold and mildew are likely to grow, you also prevent the growth of these harmful fungi. And with that, you will have addressed the issue of musty odors.

  1. Helping get rid of dust mites and allergens in the air

Dust mites and allergens are a common occurrence when the air has a lot of moisture. If you install a dehumidifier in your home, you will have eliminated this problem.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Today! 866-822-7328

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5 Sources of VOCs in the Home That You May Not Be Aware Of

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5 Sources of VOCs in the Home That You May Not Be Aware Of

How is the indoor air quality of your home? If you’re like many people, you probably think that as long as your home smells fresh, the air quality within your home must be good. However, this isn’t true. Not many people are aware that their homes contain high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-1

Exposure to VOCs has been shown to result in both short and long-term health problems including the development of various forms of cancer. Understanding the sources of VOCs in the home is the first step to protecting your health and that of your household.

  1. Manufactured furniture

Many people are investing in ready-to-assemble furniture as it is convenient. You simply order online and have it delivered to your home where it can be assembled in a matter of minutes. This furniture often features formaldehyde, a VOC that is carcinogenic. Formaldehyde is present in resins, preservatives, and sealants used in pressed wood products such as desks, cabinetry, beds, and bookshelves.

  1. Nail polish remover

Getting ready for a day of self-care? This may involve various activities including doing your nails. That bottle of nail polish remover may be efficient at getting rid of the nail polish from your nails but will expose you to acetone, a VOC. Acetone is also present in various types of furniture as it is used as furniture polish.

  1. Mothballs

Mothballs come in very handy when you want to protect your clothes and other precious items from the destruction that moths and other insects can cause. However, mothballs can be the cause of health problems. These balls contain dichlorobenzene which is VOC. This VOC is a common ingredient in other deodorizers too.indoor-air-quality-ez-breathe-2

  1. Your clothes

There’s nothing quite as refreshing as the smell of clothes that have just come from the laundry. Having clothes dry-cleaned will help to preserve them for longer. However, it will also expose you to perchloroethylene, a VOC. It is responsible for the strong odor that dry-cleaned clothes have.

  1. Your carpets

Carpets and the padding beneath the carpets are a source of VOCs in the home. Not only do carpets feature VOCs in the preservatives and fixatives used in their manufacture but also in the adhesives used to fix them in place during installation.

Many products within the home are known to emit VOCs. The best way to protect your health and improve indoor air quality is by improving the ventilation of your home. EZ breathe provides an easy and efficient way to ventilate your home and reduce your exposure to VOCs.  

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Today! 866-822-7328