Indoor Air Quality: What's in the Air?

Indoor Air Quality, or IAQ for short, is becoming increasingly important in the design of today's HVAC systems simply because buildings built today are tighter in construction. Indoor Air Quality, or IAQ for short, is becoming increasingly important in the design of todays HVAC systems because the buildings built today are tighter. This means that there is less infiltration and exfiltration air which enters or exits the building or dwelling. This means that everything in the building will remain inside that building unless proper ventilation is used. Everything from furniture to carpet to people emit volatile compounds which can affect our health if it is not properly ventilated. It has also been proven that in some geographical areas the earth emits some volatile gases. Radon is an example of this and it can seep through foundations and eventually find its way into the structure through infiltration. Studies have shown that radon is a known carcinogen. To name a few volatile organic compounds (VOC's) which can be found in the air, there is also asbestos, mold, and viruses. Aside from that, it is always important that all responsible parties implement a good indoor air quality program including monitoring and filtering the air we breath. Everyone will be healthier and more comfortable which will make us feel better and be more productive.

In the Air We Breathe Indoors

Aside from dust there are many things in the air which we breathe everyday. Our filters are responsible for filtering the air but many filters including the regular filter does not filter many volatile organic compounds contained in the air in our homes and work places. The following is a list of things which can be contained in the air which we rely on for life:

• Pollen
• Lint
• Mildew
• Mold
• Fungi
• Virus's
• Spores
• Dirt
• Pet Odors
• Dust
• Dander
• Dust Mites
• Smoke
• Cooking Odors
• Formaldehyde
• Bathroom Odors
• Chemical Smells
• Tobacco Odors
• Many Other Volatile Organic Compounds

There are methods used to filter and eliminate these things from the air in our living and work places. High Performance Indoor Air Quality pages will offer you information which help you maintain and implement a good indoor air quality program. It will also help you define limits and solve problems like "Sick Building Syndrome". There are many different definitions for Sick Building Syndrome but it is basically when many people who work in en enclosed space in a building become ill. Sometimes these illnesses are mysterious and sometimes these illnesses are because of common seasonal viruses which are easily spread from indirect contact. Regardless, illness can be reduced to minimal standards by implementing a good indoor air quality program. High Performance Indoor Air Quality pages will help you with a good program.

See below for a video demonstration of some of the things that can get into your ductwork.

Cleaning the ductwork video with no audio

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