It’s Flu and Cold Season – Are You Protected?
Yes it’s that time of year again – temperatures changing, kids back to school, indoor social events … and that means germs circulating from every angle! ACHOO! One line of defense to protect your family’s health, is to ensure your home air is clean and purified. But how do you know if it is or isn’t? Most people are not aware of the germs that reside in our homes because they’re invisible! Not to mention other culprits such as mould, Carbon Monoxide (CO), total volatile organic compounds (tVOCs), and formaldehyde (HCHO). Whoa – that’s scary stuff!
The first step to improving air quality is to test it. Being informed about the causes also helps. Here is some valuable information from David Suzuki – his Foundation does a lot of research in this area. Today we address mould and how it forms in our homes.
Source: David Suzuki Foundation, Contributing Writer Lindsay Coulter
Did you know mould comes in all colours — not just black and white?
I called two companies to ask what was involved in a home indoor air quality test AND the cost. Within a day, a professional showed up to walk through my house with hand-held meters to test for levels of carbon monoxide (CO), total volatile organic compounds (tVOCs), and formaldehyde (HCHO). He also air sample and sent it for laboratory analysis to compare mould spore concentrations inside my home to concentrations outdoors.
The money I spent gave me great peace of mind. Luckily my home did not have dangerous levels of mould that are allergenic, pathogenic or more serious toxigenic species. Everything else checked out safe, too! I also asked about mould prevention. Guess what’s the likeliest culprit in my home (and probably yours)? Drying clothing indoors during winter (you know I like to save energy)!
Tip: If you dry clothing inside, run a fan. Luckily my bathroom fan is the next room over and it’s Energy Star rated. Ventilation is key!
Mould prevention tips:
- Run a fan (that’s vented to the outside) when cooking or showering
- Keep furniture away from exterior walls to allow air to circulate
- Don’t store goods in cardboard boxes (use mould-resistant options like plastic bins)
- Don’t store firewood inside the home
- Own less stuff
See a full list from Health Canada.
If you’re concerned about indoor air quality, contact a professional. You’ll receive an air quality assessment report and prevention or mitigation suggestions.
For more information, contact Comfort Plus ClimateCare at (519) 658-6441. We can assign and book a team expert to come in and assess your air quality.
