(MENAFNEditorial)
By Jeffrey Bradley
IndoorDoctor LLC
800-466-1522
Are you planning on renovating your home? Even small indoor renovations or repairs will severely degrade the air you and your family breathe to a very unhealthy level. The exponential release of tiny microscopic particles from sanding paints ultrafine dusts fiberglass silicates mold spores and a whole host of toxins that enter the air space will penetrate deep into your lungs. These particles are so small that they can bypass your lungs filtration system and enter into the blood stream. Furthermore your home will likely be filled with toxic fumes called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the application of newly applied primers lacquers furniture and paints. Children asthmatics immunocompromised and the elderly are most vulnerable. Hopefully you and your family are able to relocate during renovations but sometimes that is not feasible. Here are ways to improve the air quality in your home during renovations.
1) Containment: Properly fix thick plastic barriers (at least 8mil) around all openings of the work space to include doors. We recommend a double containment zipper system to prevent particulate release during exiting and entering the containment zone.
2) Filtration: Rent a commercial grade air scrubber. Many remediation companies will set up the containment and rent these units for you. These are large capacity air purifiers where you can change the filter easily after it clogs with construction dust. Place one air scrubber inside the containment zone and one outside the containment zone. If this is not feasible then buy a few quality air purifiers realizing that you will need to regularly change the filters during the renovations. Leave the air scrubbers or purifiers running on at all times until the renovations are complete.
3) Negative Air: Establish a means of creating negative air pressure. Often air scrubbers are equipped to vent outside enabling negative air pressure. Fans and ducted tubing exiting a window will create negative pressure to ensure the construction dust and toxins remain out of the clean space. This is most practical in a basement setting.
4) Purify: Run quality air purifiers in the bedrooms. You’ll be sleeping here for at least 5 hours so ensure the air space is clean by running quality air purifiers on a high setting throughout the renovation project.
5) HEPA Vac: Conduct detailed HEPA vacuuming during and at the end of each day’s renovation efforts to minimize accumulated dust toxins that can become airborne with activity. Be sure to change the internal filter of your vacuum after the renovation project.
6) VOC Free: Use NO VOC and NO Odor paints. These paints will not off gas the amount of harmful toxins found in traditional paints.
7) Cover Air Vents: Properly cover air supply and returns if using a forced air system. No need to bring all the pollution from the work space to the rest of the home.
8) Open Windows: Nothing beats fresh air to dilute polluted air.
If hiring a contractor talk with them about your indoor air quality concerns. Make the implementation of the necessary control measures part of the work scope. Take photos of any breaches in the containment suspend the work and immediately contact the general contractor to correct the deficiencies before proceeding. Your family’s health and the contractors paycheck depends on it!
These steps are also critical if you live in an apartment duplex or condo where renovations are going on outside your home. Renovation activities in other units can directly impact your air quality. Speak up and voice your concerns. You have a right to breathe good air!
About IndoorDoctor
IndoorDoctor provides superior onsite environmental consulting and testing services for indoor environments using sound engineering principles. The company offers advanced diagnostics featuring infrared imagery laser particle scanners chemical sensing wands multi-gas meters sanitization monitors and cutting edge testing equipment to ensure your home or work space is as healthy as possible. Visit www.indoordoctor.com for more information. You may contact the author Jeff Bradley at jeff.bradley@indoordoctor.com http://www.indoordoctor.com
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.