ALLERGENS

Contaminants like dust, dust mites, pet dander, mold, bacteria, and other contaminants are a major concern for most homeowners. Reducing the amount of the allergens circulating through your ventilhation system can help to improve the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of your home.  The following are additional statistics detailing the need and the benefits of having Mr. Duct Air Duct Cleaning address the allergens in your system:

• Children are more likely than adults to be affected by polluted indoor air (Dept. of Consumer Affairs)
• EPA claims indoor air has been found to be up to 70 percent more polluted than outdoor air (EPA)
• The average six room house collects 40 pounds of dust a year (Discover Magazine)
• A build up of 0.42 inches of dirt on a heating or cooling coil can result in a decrease in efficiency of 21% (EPA)
• 9 out of 10 heating, ventilating, air conditioning systems failures are caused by dust and dirt (Louisiana Coop Extension Service)
• As much as 50 percent of all allergies are either caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air. (American College of Allergists)

Call Mr. Duct Air Duct Cleaning today for a free ventilation system cleaning estimate!

The Role They Play in Indoor Air Quality Investigations

By: Thomas E Boecher CHMM, CIEC, Vice President, DeLisle Asocc. LTD.

When maintaining acceptable indoor air quality environments, cleaning and maintenance of buildings and their ventilation systems are vital in minimizing the spread of allergens.

BACKGROUND

The word allergy is derived from Greek words “allos” meaning “other” and “ergon” meaning “work.” Additional literal interpretations from the Greek origins meant “altered reaction or abnormal response.” Allergies have traditionally been categorized as a response or hypersensitivity the body develops to a particular antigen. An antigen is a substance that stimulates cells to produce anti-bodies. Antibodies are a specific c substance produced by cells to fight the antigen. An antigen that stimulates a physiological response from the human body in an excessive or violent manner is called an allergen. There are inherent difficulties with the assessment of indoor air quality complaints where an “allergic reaction” may be part of the problem.

People who are “allergic” to a particular substance will have an immune response to an allergen that most people would not have a reaction to at all. In one type of allergic reaction, the first exposure to an allergen stimulates the body to produce antibodies against that substance, possibly resulting in a sensitization to that substance. The antibodies produced in this response are typically from the Immunoglobulin E group, and when combined with specialized cells in the body called MAST CELLS, they produce histamine and other chemicals. During this process the body’s reaction to the allergen becomes evident.

Typical responses to allergens may include skin irritation, mucous production, muscle spasms, hives, rashes, membrane and tissue swelling, and a variety of other symptoms. Symptoms generally are short-lived in early physiological responses, but in repeated exposure to the allergen responses by the body may become increasingly severe and may require medical attention. Heredity can play a role in allergy development. Many medical professionals attribute an increase in allergies and allergic reactions in children if one or more of the parents possess such allergies. Some studies have indicated that there is a 60-70 % chance of passing the allergy trait to a child in the event that both parents have allergies. Although these children have the tendencies to inherit allergies from their parents, it is possible that the child may never actually inherit them. It is also important to note the environment in which a person lives. Although genetic tendencies are a significant part of allergy development, you must be exposed to an allergen. Exposure typically comes from within the environment where a person spends the majority of their time. Pollution and ambient outdoor air quality, in conjunction with the cleanliness of the indoor environment, play important roles. All of these components must be factored in during an IAQ investigation. Allergies are relatively common in today’s society. Allergens causing reactions can enter the body through inhalation, injection, absorption and ingestion. The exposure each individual receives is unique. It is dependant not only on what they are exposed to in the environment at home, but also the workplace, the public areas that person inhabits, and the places a person visits outside their daily routine. This aspect may complicate an indoor air quality investigation when source allergens are trying to be isolated.

EXAMPLES OF ALLERGENS

Common examples of allergens include airborne particulates such as dust, dust mites, pet dander, mold, bacteria, and pollens. Other allergens may include foods; notable examples would include peanuts, shellfish, eggs, and soy or dairy products. Drug allergens are also common and may include allergies to penicillin, narcotics or vaccines. Plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and Dieffenbachia can traditionally cause allergic reactions in people who have sensitivities to them. Many individuals have allergies to fabrics and other materials, with some individuals allergic to latex, requiring special medical handling procedures.

Accurately assessing symptoms of individual exposure can be difficult in an indoor air quality investigation, as symptoms of acute exposure can be somewhat similar to symptoms related to more chronic exposures of sensitivities and allergies. Allergy symptoms can vary and are dependent upon the agent, the part of the body demonstrating the reaction, and an individual’s sensitivity to that particular allergen. Common symptom examples include:

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology suggests occupational asthma has become the most prevalent work-related lung disease in developed countries. That organization also reported that allergic dermatitis (itchy rash) is the most common skin allergy in children younger than 11 years of age, and that the percentage of children diagnosed with this allergy has increased from 3% in 1960 to 10% in the 1990s. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that an estimated 10% of animal handlers, including veterinarians, researchers, and laboratory and veterinary technicians, have symptoms of animal-induced asthma.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 26.3 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma with a minimum of 8.6 million being children under the age of 18. Most asthma statistics do not address the development of asthma over a period of time; rather they focus on the prevalence of the disease. Asthma, along with other forms of respiratory afflictions, can be exacerbated through exposure to allergens. Avoidance of environmental triggers including pollen, environmental tobacco smoke, and mold is Avery important key to minimizing problems related to asthma. This fact requires environmental, safety and health professionals and companies that have involvement in the indoor air quality industry, to exercise prudence and care when inspecting, assessing and cleaning of buildings or systems supplying air to areas where asthmatics or other allergy sufferers are present. It’s also an important component (pre-dispositions for respiratory distress) in identifying the appropriate allergen in an IAQ investigation.

The Environmental Protection Agency in their guidance document “Building Air Quality, A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers” recommends that contaminant-producing activities be scheduled for during unoccupied periods and the susceptible individuals be notified of upcoming events so theme avoid contact with any allergens being cleaned, and which could potentially remain in the building. Relocation of these individuals is recommended by the EPA only as a last resort.

RECOMMENDATIONSFOR REDUCING ALLERGENS

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends several modify actions to ventilation systems and filtration systems when controlling particulates in indoor air quality environments. Additionally, practicing proper housekeeping and cleaning procedures as well as reducing the fabrics, wall coverings and overstuffed furniture present in an environment that could harbor allergens is a good method to control the amount of airborne particulate.

In order to properly clean a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system in an immuno-compromised (allergic or asthmatic) individual’s home or workplace, strict attention-to-detail is required during indoor air quality projects. This can be accomplished in part through comprehensive cleaning and filtration methods during all cleaning activities. Unfortunately, the potential for releasing once-stationary particulates into the ventilation air stream during cleaning can be a real concern. In livable spaces frequented by allergic or asthmatic persons, effects from this scenario may be realized and would have catastrophic consequences to the immuno-compromised individuals, unless successful and properly performed cleaning is achieved. HVAC system cleaning recommendations include cleaning systems that are placed under negative air pressure with appropriate high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration units during cleaning operations. This is done to control present or future impacts to allergic or asthmatic individuals. The use of these units has benefit in several areas. It serves as a measure to prevent unwanted migration of contaminants out of the system and will also purge the air in the system of particulate levels. In practicing these minimal engineering controls, the goal is to eliminate or reduce any potential for material inside the HVACs stem that was dislodged during the cleaning process to beamed airborne once the system is restarted. The NADCA ACR Standard requires surfaces within the HVAC system to be visibly clean—free from non-adhered substances and debris. In instances where the highest level of cleaning is required, the NADCA Vacuum Test can be applied. To be considered clean by the NADCA Vacuum Test, the net weight of debris collected on the filter media should not exceed 0.75mg/100cm2.

In summary, accurately assessing indoor environmental concerns can be very difficult when allergies sufferers are present. When maintaining acceptable indoor air quality environments, cleaning and maintenance of buildings and their ventilation systems are vital in minimizing the spread of allergens. When considering the origins and prevalence of allergies in today’s society, the indoor air quality professional should be cognizant of the dangers of exacerbating conditions which could affect individuals with allergies. They should understand that their activities may result in human health affects to select individuals in virtually every environment. Allergens can be reduced through consideration, design and control, coupled with temporary engineering controls.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Thomas E. Boecher is Vice President with DeLisle Associates LTD, a Kalamazoo, Michigan environmental, health and safety consulting firm. He is a CHMM, CIE and CMR and has performed industrial hygiene for the past 16 years in commercial and industrial environs. He consistently speaks at conferences and in public arenas on various environmental health and safety issues. He can be reached for consult or presentation at (269) 373-4500 or at www.delisleassociatesltd.com

ABOUT THE MAGAZINE: DucTales Magazine is a bi-monthly publication issued by the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA). NADCA is an organization made of of air duct cleaners dedicated to improving research and techniques in air duct cleaning practices and service. DucTales is available to all members of the National Air Duct Cleaning Association.

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