The NOT so sweet 'New Car Smell'
Blog #10
1) How does indoor air quality contribute to health outcomes?
I actually have first hand experience with this. I was renting a condo in Monterey located on a maurine layer belt. Almost every evening the maurine layer would come up from the ocean and we would be engulfed- such a cool experience and it smells so amazing! But these condos were built some years ago and refinished, but not properly. The condo was located on a ledge and the underneath side of the condo was not properly insulated. As a result years (before I moved there) salt water exposure lead to a break down in the structure. For three year I lived in damp, cold and mold; but my views were just incredible. It was common for us to see circular black mold patterns on the frames of our sliding doors, our towels and clothes never dried and everything had a stale, musty smell. It was challenging to keep under control, but after two de-humidifiers and running our heater consistently we were mostly on top of it.
Although I did not suffer any effects from this, my sister and mother did have flare ups in their asthma and frequently had respiratory issues. Just as in the video we had Danger Level IV microbial growths. We had inadequate ventilation and moisture intrusion, which lead to symptoms my family experiences.
a) What is the air quality like in your home or your local health clinics? Hospitals?
In my new home, the air quality is so much better. We have new construction,
double pain windows, proper insulation and ventilation. I am also no longer located
on a maurine layer belt, so the air is more dry- yea for dry towels! In my hospital,
we have have no issues. We have frequent inspections on the unit of our filters, we
have rolling Hepa filters that can be moved into rooms with suspected
containments.
2) Are there concerns about formaldehyde or carpets in your area?
Reading an article by Dr. Mercola, I couldn't agree more that the 'new car smell' is something that I love; but had no clue that it is classified as a VOC. In the article is states that VOC's from new carpeting are released within the first 72hrs after it has been installed in the home; but low levels continue to be emitted for years. With the backing, adhesive and padding, asthma, and exacerbation of respiratory symptoms. Currently in my home we have area rugs, but nothing installed. I would assume like all carpets, these area rugs are releasing VOC's. In the article it mentions having greener options, and we do have hardwood floors, but there is nothing like a warm, fluffy carpet to step onto in the morning especially when Monterey is a chilly 30 degrees!
3) If applicable, do you educate your patients and communities about indoor cooking risks and ensuring air flow?
This is not applicable at my current workplace, but an idea I have; what if relators and mortgage brokers offered information on these hazards- especially for first time home buyers. This would be a perfect way to get information out, and to protect/educate people. As the median age for first time home buyers increases, these risks may be unknown and foreign.
In the News:
In a recent article post 03/05/2019 they are relating chemicals found in household with carpets both male domestic pets and men had lower sperm counts when compared to others. In their study it found that chemical pollutants found in the sperm of adult dogs had a detrimental effect on sperm functions and the concentration. In the same study adult sperm counts were also found to be poor in terms of motility and found that DNA damage was increased. I found this interesting that researchers chose to look at canines as well as humans. I would like to learn more about the effects on persons with new carpets in the home, compared to others that move in with carpets that have been in place for years. Do the chemicals used to clean carpets also have the same effect?
1) How does indoor air quality contribute to health outcomes?
I actually have first hand experience with this. I was renting a condo in Monterey located on a maurine layer belt. Almost every evening the maurine layer would come up from the ocean and we would be engulfed- such a cool experience and it smells so amazing! But these condos were built some years ago and refinished, but not properly. The condo was located on a ledge and the underneath side of the condo was not properly insulated. As a result years (before I moved there) salt water exposure lead to a break down in the structure. For three year I lived in damp, cold and mold; but my views were just incredible. It was common for us to see circular black mold patterns on the frames of our sliding doors, our towels and clothes never dried and everything had a stale, musty smell. It was challenging to keep under control, but after two de-humidifiers and running our heater consistently we were mostly on top of it.
Although I did not suffer any effects from this, my sister and mother did have flare ups in their asthma and frequently had respiratory issues. Just as in the video we had Danger Level IV microbial growths. We had inadequate ventilation and moisture intrusion, which lead to symptoms my family experiences.
a) What is the air quality like in your home or your local health clinics? Hospitals?
In my new home, the air quality is so much better. We have new construction,
double pain windows, proper insulation and ventilation. I am also no longer located
on a maurine layer belt, so the air is more dry- yea for dry towels! In my hospital,
we have have no issues. We have frequent inspections on the unit of our filters, we
have rolling Hepa filters that can be moved into rooms with suspected
containments.
2) Are there concerns about formaldehyde or carpets in your area?
Reading an article by Dr. Mercola, I couldn't agree more that the 'new car smell' is something that I love; but had no clue that it is classified as a VOC. In the article is states that VOC's from new carpeting are released within the first 72hrs after it has been installed in the home; but low levels continue to be emitted for years. With the backing, adhesive and padding, asthma, and exacerbation of respiratory symptoms. Currently in my home we have area rugs, but nothing installed. I would assume like all carpets, these area rugs are releasing VOC's. In the article it mentions having greener options, and we do have hardwood floors, but there is nothing like a warm, fluffy carpet to step onto in the morning especially when Monterey is a chilly 30 degrees!
3) If applicable, do you educate your patients and communities about indoor cooking risks and ensuring air flow?
This is not applicable at my current workplace, but an idea I have; what if relators and mortgage brokers offered information on these hazards- especially for first time home buyers. This would be a perfect way to get information out, and to protect/educate people. As the median age for first time home buyers increases, these risks may be unknown and foreign.
In the News:
In a recent article post 03/05/2019 they are relating chemicals found in household with carpets both male domestic pets and men had lower sperm counts when compared to others. In their study it found that chemical pollutants found in the sperm of adult dogs had a detrimental effect on sperm functions and the concentration. In the same study adult sperm counts were also found to be poor in terms of motility and found that DNA damage was increased. I found this interesting that researchers chose to look at canines as well as humans. I would like to learn more about the effects on persons with new carpets in the home, compared to others that move in with carpets that have been in place for years. Do the chemicals used to clean carpets also have the same effect?
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