Exposure to mold can affect your health negatively. Your indoor air quality is affected by mold, cleaning solutions, chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, and other air born compounds. Mold lives virtually in any building, under sinks, in bathrooms, basements, refrigerators, or any damp dark place. Water and building materials offer a fertile breeding ground for mold. Mold normally may not be noticed before it contaminates spores into the air and grows to a visible size, but musty and damp smells can be key in deciding if mold is present. In some cases the mold is not discovered before damage to the building has been done or health problems have arisen affected the health of the occupants. Most cleaning products, organic chemicals (from carpeting, furniture, glues, varnishes and paints, pet dander, etc.) are commonly found in our homes and workplaces. All of these things contribute to the quality of your indoor air.

Mold and mold spores affect indoor air quality (IAQ). Health conscious people or those suffering from the presence of mold in their commercial space need a certain level of knowledge and a lot of effort to clean and keep their environment healthy. Different types of mold - black mold, toxic mold, allergenic mold - are present all the time around us and in the air we breathe. In low levels, molds and mold spores are generally harmless but if their levels increase they can affect people; especially people with allergies, asthma and respiratory conditions or suppressed immune system

The air exchange rate, temperature and humidity are all important to your comfort and your health. Mold needs three things to survive, the appropriate temperature, a food source, and water. All three of these items can be present in a HVAC system. The heating and air conditioning system must be and adjusted for proper operation on a regular schedule. Changing the air filter is also extremely important for the safe operation of the HVAC units and for the health of the occupants. Following the recommended ASHRAE standards is one way to help eliminate the potential for mold growth within your HVAC system.

Airborne particles include smog, bacteria, smoke, household pet dander, mold spores, dust mite debris and pollen. These particles are between 0.3 to 100 microns in size. Considering that the average diameter of a human hair is 50 microns, these particles are so small that most pass through ordinary furnace filters and return to the air in your home or office. Air filtration is an key factor in indoor air quality. Proper air filtration with your HVAC system can dramatically reduce exposure. A HEPA filter is best for persons with respiratory ailments, asthma or allergies. Uses of the HEPA filters are 90-98% efficient at removing mold, pollens and dust particles.

It is crucial to control the humidity inside the indoor environment. That level should be monitored and maintained between 30-50%. Having this provides the perfect living environment for mold to thrive. You can reduce the humidity by properly venting moisture to the outside, make sure that all plumbing and plumbing fixtures are sound and not leaking, look for any stains on ceilings, floors, walls, and under sinks, and fix them immediately, seal all penetrations into the exterior walls, siding, around windows and doors, etc. Eliminate all exterior and interior sources of condensation and moisture that could damage the structure and encourage mold growth.

By doing these simple things you will be that much less likely to have a mold or indoor air quality problem. And you will have a comfortable healthy indoor environment to live and work in.

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