Ashburn Inspections
Proudly Serving the Pittsburgh Area
Your Subtitle text
VOC's -Mold & Indoor Air
New Low Price on VOC testing!!! Call for details.
What Are V.O.C.'s?
Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that are emitted as gases from solids or liquids and easily evaporated into the air at room temperature. Concentrations of these chemicals can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors. Thousands of products, many that we use eery day, or are exposed to every day, emit VOCs into the air while they are being used, and, to some degree, even when they are stored.
These products include:
Paints & varnishes - Moth balls - Solvents - Building materials - Pesticides - Gasoline - Fuel oil - Cooking oils, etc. - Cleaning supplies - Carpeting - Wallpaper - Vinyl flooring - Copiers & printers - Upholstery & fabrics - Glues & adhesives - Permanent markers - Craft materials - Cosmetics - Hair care products - Air fresheners - Disinfectants - Furniture (pressed wood) - Vehicle exhaust - Tobacco smoke
While all VOCs have the potential to be harmful, there are a few common VOCs that can be particularly dangerous, and are emitted from a number of products in our homes. These common VOCs are formaldehyde, benzene, and phenol, and are classified as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For a complete list of all 188 HAPs, click here to visit the EPA website.Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth.
Facts You Should Know
• VOCs are present in many household products and materials
- Furniture, carpeting, dry-cleaning
- Paint, varnishes, candles, air fresheners
- Gasoline, kerosene lamps
- Mold
• Most VOCs can’t be detected by smell
• Asthma prevalence & severity continue to rise
- Outdoor air pollutants continue to decline
- Strongly suggests that poor indoor air quality
plays key contributing role to increase in
asthma illnesses
• Many types of VOCs can exacerbate or trigger asthma symptoms in asthma patients
• Two key classes of indoor air contaminants that contribute to exacerbation of asthma:
- VOCs
- Mold
What Are Molds?
Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth.
What are some of the common indoor molds?
* Cladosporium - * Penicillium - * Alternaria - * Aspergillus
How do molds affect people?
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
Where are molds found?
Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year round. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Outdoors they can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation is decomposing. Indoors they can be found where humidity levels are high, such as basements or showers.
How can people decrease mold exposure?
Sensitive individuals should avoid areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas. Inside homes, mold growth can be slowed by keeping humidity levels between 25% and 35%, and ventilating showers and cooking areas. If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix the water problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:
* Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
* Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
* Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
* If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at
http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.htmlExternal Web Site Icon .
* Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.
Specific Recommendations:
* Keep the humidity level in the house between 40% and 60%.
* Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.
* Be sure the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans.
* Add mold inhibitors to paints before application.
* Clean bathrooms with mold killing products.
* Do not carpet bathrooms and basements.
* Remove or replace previously soaked carpets and upholstery.