| The air quality of a home or workplace can have | | | | infections, headaches, and fatigue have been |
| significant effects and can directly relate to the | | | | know to be linked to some forms of pollutants |
| health and comfort of the inhabitants, whether it | | | | found in poorly ventilated areas. Economically, |
| is positive or negative. The quality of the air inside | | | | these allergens can even have an adverse effect |
| enclosed spaces where people work and live has | | | | on the attendance and productivity of your staff, |
| become an ever worsening dilemma in places | | | | and some pollutants even quicken the |
| where proper ventilation is not used. Proper | | | | deterioration of buildings. |
| ventilation systems can lower levels of harmful | | | | With the obvious downfalls of an improperly |
| contaminants through filtration and circulation and | | | | ventilated space, it is important to know some |
| is a key part of making sure you are not causing | | | | tips to cut down and eliminate some of these |
| problems for you loved ones or employees. | | | | risks. The simplest is to provide plenty of natural |
| Some common pollutants include mold, carbon | | | | and mechanical ventilation in accord with the size |
| dioxide, asbestos, carbon monoxide, and some | | | | of the indoor space. Natural ventilation is simply |
| forms of organic compounds. If not properly | | | | fresh air being driven into the building by the wind |
| monitored and maintained, areas such as | | | | through areas such as open windows. Mechanical |
| bathrooms and break rooms can add to levels of | | | | ventilation is composed of a system built to drive |
| mold caused by moisture that is not quickly | | | | outdoor air inside through a series of ducts and |
| removed. Stagnant water left in buckets or sinks | | | | fans, and recycles indoor air through filters. A |
| can add to microorganism breeding and | | | | combined system using both these forms will |
| multiplication, and is a common form of pollutants, | | | | ensure enough 'fresh' air is inside the building to |
| so be sure to clean up spills quickly and | | | | dilute any potential pollutants released by humans, |
| effectively. If your building is an older one you | | | | equipment, or building materials. An important thing |
| must be aware of the dangers of asbestos, often | | | | to remember is that proper maintenance is key in |
| used in older construction as a form of insulation. | | | | order to maintain an effective system, so be sure |
| Adverse conditions within a workplace can lead to | | | | to change those filters! |
| health, economic, and even legal issues. In some | | | | Keep in mind that regular professional |
| cases; a building could be known to have | | | | maintenance, especially for a business, is key to |
| "sick-building-syndrome" (or SBS), in which illnesses | | | | ensuring a system functions at its maximum |
| affecting workers in an office or other enclosed | | | | potential. If you have questions call your local |
| space are linked to indoor pollutants caused by | | | | HVAC company as most will be more than happy |
| inadequate ventilation. Short and long term health | | | | to discuss options and issues with you and can |
| issues such as asthma, respiratory tract | | | | offer expert advice and tips. |