An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality-Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

Should You Have the Air Ducts In Your Home Cleaned?

Knowledge about air duct cleaning is in its early stages, so a blanket recommendation cannot be offered as to whether you should have your air ducts in your home cleaned.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges you to read this document in it entirety as it provides important information on the subject.

Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.  This is because much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space.  It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes.  Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts.  Moreover, there is no evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate mater in air ducts poses any risk to your health. More information

UV Index

The ozone layer shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Ozone depletion, as well as seasonal and weather variations, cause different amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth at any given time. The UV Index, developed by the National Weather Service and EPA, indicates the strength of solar UV radiation on a scale from 1 (low) to 11+ (extremely high).

Every day the National Weather Service calculates the predicted UV Index for the next day in each area of the U.S. This UV Index forecast is published in mid-afternoon (Eastern time zone) at the EPA Web site. If the level of solar UV radiation is predicted to be unusually high, and consequently the risk of overexposure is greater than normal, the forecast includes a UV Alert. (You can sign up below to receive e-mail notification of UV Alerts for your community.)

UV Index forecast map

The forecast map shows contour lines of predicted UV Index values during the solar noon hour. The map is created daily from National Weather Service forecast data. Click the buttons for Day 2, Day 3, or Day 4 to see the UV Index forecast for following days. You may notice a brief delay as each map loads. (To find the time of solar noon at your location, use the sunrise-sunset-solar noon calculator at the NOAA Web
More information

Ozone

Ozone is an extremely reactive gas comprised of three atoms of oxygen. Ozone exists naturally in the Earth's upper atmosphere, the stratosphere, where it shields the Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. However, ozone found close to the Earth's surface, called ground-level ozone, is a component of smog and a harmful pollutant.

Ground-level ozone is not emitted directly from a source, but forms through a series of omplex chemical reactions between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight. Sources of manmade VOCs and NOx include: 1) automobiles, trucks, and buses; 2) gasoline storage and transfer; 3) large combustion and industry sources such as utilities; 4) industrial use of solvents and degreasers; 5) consumer products such as paints and cleaners; and 6) off-road engines such as aircraft, locomotives, boats, construction equipment, and lawn and garden equipment. VOC's are also produced naturally by certain types of vegetation.

Natural ground level ozone occurs in low concentrations (less than .05 ppm) due to natural physical and chemical phenomena. Occasionally, unique meteorological conditions can result in natural levels between .05 and .10 ppm.

The highest ozone levels generally occur during summer afternoons when the high temperatures and strong sunlight promote photochemical reactions. Stagnant weather may cause smog to remain in an area for several days. The winds may also transport ozone many miles outside of the urban environment. For example, it is estimated that a significant portion of the ozone in the State of Maine is transported into the State from sources located outside the State. A much smaller amount of the ozone is naturally occurring background concentrations, part of which is also transported into the State. In addition, pollutants released into the atmosphere from sources within the State contribute to the formation of ozone. Because of long-range transport, local control of emissions by itself may not solve the ozone problem. An effective national program may be necessary to achieve national compliance.

Scientists have been studying the effects of ground-level ozone on human health for years. Their studies have found that ozone causes several types of health effects in the lungs. These health effects include irritation of the respiratory system, reduced lung function, aggravation of asthma, and inflammation and damage to the lining of the lungs. Symptoms associated with exposure to higher concentrations of ozone are shortness of breath, pain when inhaling deeply, wheezing, and coughing. Children, active adults, people with respiratory disease, and people with an unusual susceptibility to ozone are most sensitive to the effects of ozone.

Vegetation, such as white pine, soybeans, and alfalfa, are extremely sensitive to ozone. In addition, ozone is known to weaken materials, such as rubber and fabrics.

History of the various ozone standards (pdf file)

Ground-level ozone concentrations tend to be especially high during the summer months when the weather is hot and sunny and the ozone season runs from April 1st through September 30 th . However, ozone is no longer the only pollutant which is forecast. Maine DEP staff meteorologists now issue air quality forecasts every day of the year instead of only during the ozone season. They retrieve and review monitored pollution data and weather forecast information. Staff meteorologists then develop air quality forecasts for the following day. The forecasts use the color coded Air Quality Index categories. As required by Title 38, Chapter 4, § 584-F of Maine's statutes, whenever air quality is forecast to be above the 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard, the Department sends out an Air Quality Alert press release. The Department also issues a press release for forecasts above the 24-hour PM 2.5 NAAQS. In addition to the press release, the forecast is sent to the National Weather Service. The forecast is made available to the public on a daily basis in the following ways:

•  24-hour toll free Air Quality Hotline: 1-800-223-1196

•  Internet /World Wide Web: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/ or www.mainedep.com click on ‘Maine Air Quality Forecast'.
•  EPA's AIRNOW web site: http://cfpub.epa.gov/airnow/index.cfm?action=airnow.main
•  Enviroflash e-mail system: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/enviroflash.htm (user defined alert levels)
•  Local Media
•  National Weather Service websites http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/gyx/ and http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/car/ (only for Air Quality Alert forecasts)
•  National Weather Service All Hazards Radio (only for Air Quality Alert forecasts)
Ozone was monitored by Maine DEP staff in the following areas of Maine during the 2007 ozone season using continuous monitoring equipment:
Coastal Sites: Kittery, Kennebunkport, Cape Elizabeth, Portland, Georgetown, Port Clyde, Castine, McFarland Hill in Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park and Jonesport.
Inland Sites: West Buxton , Durham , Gardiner, Holden and North Lovell.
Data from all of the state sites as well as two EPA operated sites in the towns of Ashland and Howland as part of the CASTNet program can be viewed on the air quality web site. Data from two Tribal sites operated in Perry and Old Town can also be viewed on the air quality web site. The sites operated in Kittery , Georgetown and Castine were terminated at the end of the 2007 season. Two new sites are expected to be in operation for the 2008 season to replace the Kittery and Georgetown sites.

Historical data as well as a number of trends in ozone concentrations and days of exceedances can be viewed in the latest annual air quality report .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home

U.S Environmental Protection Agency publication

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

Read An Introduction to Mold. 

Pure Indoor 1000 Hybrid 6 Stage HEPA Air Purifiers

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