Healthy Homes Now

Air Cleaning - IAQ Strategy #3

“If the choice is made to use an air cleaner, the reviewed evidence suggests choosing one that ensures high efficiency over an extended period of time (at least several months) and does not produce ozone levels above 0.05 ppm, either intentionally or as a by-product of its design. If air cleaners are to be used, they should either contain charged or uncharged fibrous media, or they should conform to FDA regulations for medical devices.” American Lung Association

The third strategy, air cleaning, relies on devices that are either incorporated into the mechanical ventilation system or moved from room to room as portable units with an inherent blower to further reduce the concentration of airborne pollutants. Although air cleaners in general are not appropriate single solutions to indoor air quality problems, they can be useful as an adjunct to effective source control and adequate ventilation. Air cleaning alone cannot adequately remove pollutants from all sources typically found in residential environments. For example, some allergens settle out of the air fairly rapidly and are not always amenable to air cleaning. Nor does ventilation effectively remove such particles. Therefore, source control should always be the first choice for air pollution control in residences.

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Ventilation Means Fresh Air

It is not always possible or feasible to control all indoor pollutant sources. Therefore, it is often necessary to reduce the pollutants by diluting them with outside air. This process of ventilation, the second strategy for reducing indoor air pollution, is commonly achieved in residences by opening windows and doors, and turning on kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and mechanical ventilation systems. The reality of the ventilation strategy in residences, however, is that open windows are not always feasible given weather conditions, and kitchen and bathroom exhausts are often noisy, ineffective, and are seldom used as a result.

The problem of exchanging stale air with fresh air has become more serious as houses continue to be constructed with less leaks - and homeowners seal and insulate to conserve energy. Other countries, including Canada, have enacted regulations to require homes to have a mechanical air exchange unit. U.S. codes require air exchanges in buildings, but not in homes. Yet, an increasing number of U.S. homeowners are opting for air exchange units, especially in new and renovated homes, and in homes where air quality is a priority.

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IAQ Strategy #1 Source Control (Radon, CO, Particles, Biological Pollutants)

Examples of source control include servicing combustion appliances regularly to decrease combustion emissions (e.g. carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides), using low emission paints, varnishes, carpets, etc. in indoor environments, eliminating smoking indoors, keeping pets outside, maintaining low humidity, preventing moisture build-up indoors, cleaning surfaces regularly to reduce dust mite concentrations and mold growth, and eliminating excess debris from the inside of heating & AC / ductwork systems. These methods of source control are the primary control tactics for air pollution reduction indoors. Only source control can be totally effective at removing all pollutants from indoor environments.

Many of the above recommendations can be accomplished by the homeowner, e.g. purchasing / testing carbon monoxide detectors, radon kits, thorough house cleaning. 

One of the most basic strategies for source control is effective cleaning of the ventilation system:   Be sure and select company that is certified by the National AIr Duct Cleaners Association