What exactly is a “sick” building?
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Some homes may have poor indoor air or contain airborne substances called allergens. These conditions can set off asthma and other allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them. They also can cause “sick building syndrome.” People with this condition are usually only affected when they are in the “sick” building.
How can you tell if your home is making you sick?
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If anyone in your family coughs or wheezes a lot—and they don't have a cold or other illness—it may be a sign that your home is making them sick. Another sign is whether symptoms tend to subside away from home. Other symptoms: dark circles under the eyes, headache, eye, nose, and throat irritation, tiredness.
What contributes to a sick home?
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Homes with high indoor humidity levels have higher levels of two common allergens: house-dust mites and mold. Dampness and mold lurk in 20 to 50% of modern homes. Cockroaches, pet dander, and chemicals from building and furnishing materials are other culprits. Some allergens are visible to the eye, such as water-damaged walls and furniture. But, in some cases, the problem substances are invisible.
These include:
airborne lead fumes from fireplaces and gas or kerosene stoves
radon
tobacco smoke
pollen
chemicals released from some cleaning supplies and from new carpet, draperies, and upholstered furniture.
Can you smell it?
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Yes, and no. Even the pros must rely on sophisticated equipment. But to a degree, the nose knows. Newly introduced VOCs, especially in carpet, can easily be detected by the odor they give off. They smell "new." Open up a cupboard door and smell. If it smells "funny," formaldehyde may be present. If you see discolored walls, it may be mold.
More on mold
What do I do if "sick building syndrome" is suspected?
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The fastest, most effective way to change the whole environment inside your workplace or home is to filter molecules to microns in the central air supply circulating within the building using the BON-AIRE ALLERGEN filter. Beyond particulates (dust, dust mites, animal dander) and biological contaminants (mold, bacteria), gasses and VOC's are filtered in the third stage. The advanced 3rd stage filtering has provided severe allergy and asthma sufferers more relief since gasses and VOC's are present in many buildings, including newer homes.
Severe allergy and asthma sufferers may obtain more relief using the BON-AIRE PURASORB 3-stage filter that adsorbs and controls airborne gasses (odors from cleaning and other fumes) in addition to VOC's.
Finding the sources of building related illiness
Microbrial Pollutants
Mitigation and prevention strategies
Microbial mitigation and prevention strategies