Monthly Archives: March 2026

Dander from animals may worsen your asthma. Pets produce dander that can put asthmatics at risk. These pets include dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and rodents. Pet dander is the protein in skin flakes, urine, feces, saliva, and hair, and it can trigger asthma symptoms. These proteins are tiny, and they travel through the air and can land on a body part. They can then easily be transferred to the nose or the mouth and thus inhaled. Symptoms may occur immediately, or they may not develop until 8 to 12 hours later.

What is asbestos? Asbestos is a long thin flexible silky fibrous magnesium silicate material which is toxic. It is strong enough to resist high temperatures, chemical attack and wear. A poor conductor, it insulates well against heat and electricity. It is mined from the ground. Asbestos exposure becomes a health concern when high concentrations of asbestos fibers are inhaled over a long time period. Asbestos exposure is primarily dangerous when the fibers become airborne and are inhaled. Asbestos fibers are usually released in asbestos-containing materials that are damaged or otherwise compromised. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illness –…

What is Asthma? Asthma is a lung disease that causes difficulty in breathing and can sometimes lead to death. In the US, around 20 million people are affected by asthma, many of whom are children. When asthma is under control, the airways are clear and open. When asthma is not under control, the muscles around the airways inside the lungs tighten and the airways fill with mucus. This causes people with asthma to wheeze, cough, and suffer from a shortness of breath. Many things can trigger an asthma attack – several of them can commonly be found in the home. Pet hair and fur, second-hand smoke, mold and mildew, roach and rodent droppings and excessive dust can all trigger asthma episodes (attacks). While asthma has no cure, it is treatable. Effective medications, paired with environmental modifications to reduce exposure to common triggers, can enable most people living with asthma to lead normal, active lives. The home is an important front in the battle to control a person’s asthma.

Bed bugs are small and wingless insects that feed upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. Hatchling bed bugs are the size of a sesame seed, while adults are around a quarter of an inch long. Bed bugs are oval in shape and flat. Bed bugs can range from white to tan to brown to burnt orange. They are not known to carry any diseases. Bed bugs feed at night when their hosts (animals and humans) are asleep. When they feed, they inject a tiny amount of saliva into the skin, which can cause allergies or desensitization over time. If you are bitten by a bed bug, refrain from scratching the area, which can lead to greater irritation or infection...

Infrared Explained Infrared can be described as light we can’t see. This is because infrared light waves have longer wavelengths than those of visible light. Visible light we can see with our eyes, but infrared light waves need to be detected and processed with the advanced technology found in infrared cameras known as a bolometer. An infrared camera processes infrared light waves, unlike our eyes, and produces a thermal (heat) image of an object from the infrared. All objects that produce a heat signature are measurable and we use an infrared camera to capture its thermal image. This thermal image…

Outdoor air pollution in cities is a major health problem. A great deal of effort and money are spent cleaning outdoor air pollution. Air pollution can be a problem where you least expect it, in the place you may have thought was safest — your home. Ordinary daily activities, like: cooking, heating, cooling, cleaning, and decorating, can release pollutants in your home. Studies have shown that indoor air can be even more polluted than outdoor air. Many Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Breathing clean indoor air can have an major impact on your health. People who…

Carbon dioxide (chemical formula CO2) is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. It is a colorless odorless incombustible gas present in the atmosphere, CO2, formed during respiration, combustion, and organic decomposition and is used in food refrigeration, carbonated beverages, inert atmospheres, fire extinguishers, and aerosols. It is also responsible for global warming. Measuring CO2 concentration is one of the most practical investigative tools available to a practitioner for determining that specific occupied spaces are adequately ventilated. Building design may provide for appropriate ventilation on paper, but in the real world…

Energy efficient buildings require less energy to operate than buildings that are not energy efficient. In todays homes and businesses there are numerous things that can be done to improve the efficiency of the building. These translate to cost savings! The Facts Seventy-two percent of all energy consumed in the United States is consumed by buildings. This tells us that our buildings are NOT very efficient and that are many things we need and can do to improve this. Simply consider the energy loss from leaky buildings. If you seal around windows and doors, electric outlets and switches, outside penetrations…

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, pungent-smelling gas, disinfectant, preservative, and a common chemical used in manufacturing. Formaldehyde is an intermediate in the oxidation (or combustion) of methane as well as other carbon compounds. SOURCES OF FORMALDEHYDE Indoor sources of formaldehyde include fuel-burning appliances, tobacco smoke, glues and adhesives; permanent-press fabrics, paper product coatings, other textiles such as carpets, upholstery, drapery material; urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, particleboard (used as sub-flooring and shelving and in cabinetry and furniture); hardwood plywood paneling (used for decorative wall covering and used in cabinets and furniture); and medium density fiberboard (used for drawer fronts, cabinets, and furniture…

What is it? Indoor air quality is defined by the health and comfort of the occupants. If the people in the building have fresh air circulating through out the building and it is between 68-72 degrees with approximately 35-55% relative humidity, most people would be quite comfortable, but when a shift in either the temperature, humidity, amount of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) within the building occurs that is when the comfort level and the health of the air can change. If you have strange odors from new flooring, paneling, wallcovering, painting, and decorating, ie: new furniture, then you might…

Indoor air quality is important, but often worse than you might expect. There are things that can be done to improve it. The quality of indoor air can be worse than that of outdoor air. Today many homes are built or remodeled without regard to the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air. Our homes today are built more tightly, contain many furnishings, appliances and products that can and do affect indoor air quality. Signs of Indoor Air Quality Problems Include: asthma and allergy symtoms unusual and musty odors stale or stuffy air a noticeable lack of air dirty…

Starting at the foundation Examine for cracks, damage to footing, undermining, trip hazards, raising/settling, slippage, etc… Proper grading and drainage – What type of soil does the house sit on? Does water drain away from the foundation or are there drains in the yard? Do they work? Check the eves, the walls: stucco/wood siding/stone or masonry cladding for cracks, moisture intrusion, staining or damage. Examine all windows, sills, and flashings; door casings, doors and weather stripping. What types of windows are there? Do the windows operate? Any damage or broken seals? Water stains or blistering noted? Do all exterior doors…