Is your home making you sick? Martine Davis says it's possible.
The president of Indoor Environmental Testing Inc., Davis started feeling headaches, fatigue, sinus infections and other symptoms months after she and her family moved into a home in a small community outside of Springfield. After starting to work from home, she experienced dizziness, tremors and hair and memory loss.
"Other members of the family experienced similar symptoms but to a lesser extent, possibly because they spent a lot less time in the house," Davis wrote in an e-mail.
She sought answers from doctors for five or six years, and noticed she felt better when she traveled and was away from the house. Davis finally suspected that her house might be to blame.
In between rounds of illness, Davis took classes to learn about testing houses for toxins. She learned several things were polluting her house, including toxic molds, high levels of radon and high levels of pesticides.
Davis's experience with indoor air pollution and the information she learned inspired her to start her own company to help others who might find themselves in similar situations.
According to studies done by the Environmental Protection Agency, "levels of air pollution inside the home are often two to five times higher than outdoor levels." The EPA defines "sick building syndrome" as a situation in which a person feels effects on their health linked to buildings where they spend time, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.
Davis said she seldom hears from people unless they are experiencing symptoms. Often, they don't know their home is the problem.
"Sometimes it takes the person going out of town for a while, getting well and coming home only to get sick all over again. That's when the light bulb goes off," she says.
To help avoid this, consider these issues that may affect where you live and your health.
Mold
Jim Barnes of Occupational Environmental Health Solutions Inc., in Chatham, calls mold "ubiquitous" because all it needs to start growing is water, a food source (such as wood or drywall) and the right temperature.
If there are undetected water leaks in your home or office, or areas of your house are prone to moisture, this can lead to mold growth. Mold spores are what typically trigger allergic reactions, and they can make you sick even when they're dead.
If you have a problem with mold, Barnes suggests getting professional help.
"Cleaning the mold is not something the homeowner should do themselves, because they have to control the area to keep the spores from moving to other areas. The spores need to be contained," he says.
Cleaning the area with bleach isn't going to get rid of mold, either. Bleach "may kill the top layer, but it's not going to penetrate," Barnes says.
If you have an area contaminated with mold, such as drywall, you either need to:
Davis says mold "is not always visible, and its odor is not always perceptible. Sometimes only a qualified professional and a lab test can confirm the presence of high levels of mold."
Tightly sealed homes
Many people tightly seal their homes to save energy - a tight seal in the winter means less hot air escapes and less cold air gets in.
However, you're also keeping in pet dander, mold spores, cigarette smoke, dust and chemicals from cleaning agents and deodorizers.
Barnes says molds and their associated allergens are usually present in homes and offices. But if no fresh air gets inside, the mold and allergens never get diluted. And that can lead to any number of health complaints.
The EPA says the most effective way of keeping good-quality indoor air is by controlling the source of contaminants.
Davis says installing a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) on the furnace can also create ventilation in a tightly sealed home.
"They use the stale air to condition the fresh air coming in, saving energy in the process. The fresh air coming in is filtered so pollen and molds are taken out," Davis says. Some of her clients notice their symptoms go away when they introduce fresh air into the heating and cooling system.
Air filters
Many people invest in air filtration systems to help improve the quality of air inside their homes. Barnes suggests investing in machines with a HEPA filter to ensure the best results - particularly for mold spores, which are very small.
"If they don't have a HEPA filter, then they (the buyers) are wasting their time," Barnes said.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) refers to the EPA recommendations for reducing indoor air pollution: controlling pollution sources, adequate ventilation and cleaning indoor air.
The AAFA recommends devices with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) seal and "a statement of the FDA's Class II approval."
The AAFA and the EPA warn against using ozone generators as air cleaners because the generators produce unacceptable levels of ozone and have not been approved by any federal agency for use in occupied spaces.
Davis says a pleated filter on a furnace - installed properly - "will reduce particulate counts in the air tremendously." When you are not using the furnace, turn on the fan on your thermostat to keep the air filtrating.
Lead
Barnes says surveys by the EPA show lead-based paint was common in homes built before 1980 and is present in roughly 86 percent of U.S. homes now.
So how do you find out if you have lead-based paint?
Barnes said the only way is to have a home tested by an inspector licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. He says lead kits sold at retail stores are not reliable.
Remediation or removal is the best way of dealing with lead-based paint, Barnes said, and should be done by a company licensed by IDPH.
Starting in April, EPA requires that contractors doing projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, schools and child-care facilities must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that occurs when oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal are burned. Large amounts of it can kill a person quickly.
The EPA recommends having all fuel-burning appliances checked by a professional at the beginning of each heating season.
Other recommendations:
Low carbon monoxide levels can lead to shortness of breath, mild headaches and nausea. Larger amounts can lead to severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and mental confusion.
If you suspect you have carbon monoxide, leave the area and get fresh air immediately. If you go to the emergency room, tell the doctors you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. A blood test can confirm exposure.
Photo: Martine Davis is the president of Indoor Environmental Testing, Inc., a company that can analyze indoor air quality. Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register.
