If you own or are looking to buy an older Halifax house, there may be some air quality issues you need to research. In fact, even with a clean report from the home inspector, there may be air pollutants in any age home so be sure to check them out thoroughly.
"You can have different kinds of pollutants, but any home of any age can become contaminated," says Virginia Solares, a senior researcher with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
She says older homes may be more likely to have mold problems because of leaky basements, but new homes are increasingly airtight, often with insufficient ventilation, and may be constructed with building materials that can produce noxious emissions.
It's a fact that Canadians spend about 70% of their time in their homes, regardless of the age of the home, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the more common biological and chemical air pollutants that can have an impact on your health.
The air quality in your home is directly related to any respiratory problems you or your family may have; including allergies. Read on to find out what to watch for in your own home and the homes that you may be looking to buy.
Learn Your Irritants
According to the CMHC, indoor air pollutants range from minor irritants, such as dust or animal dander, to serious irritants such as molds or chemical vapours. The most common indoor air contaminants are mold, tobacco smoke and combustion gases.
Molds can live in your home without you even knowing it. They thrive in damp environments created by poor ventilation, flooding or leaks. However, they can also be found in your humidifiers, air conditioners, carpets and bathroom surfaces. Mold can make your pre-existing allergies or asthma worse. Large concentrations of mold can even cause eye irritation, nasal congestion, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Without a thorough investigation, you may spend years in your home not relating these symptoms to a mold problem. Worse yet, you may purchase a home with mold spores without even knowing it.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of any material containing carbon. This can be found in common heat sources such as natural gas, propane and oil. There is testing that can be done to see if it's present in the home. Carbon monoxide in the home is usually a result of faulty or improperly vented furnaces and appliances. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: tiredness, headaches, impaired motor skills and even death at high concentrations.
Another gas to look out for is nitrogen oxide. It's a reddish-brown gas which has a pungent odour and is found in homes with improperly vented combustion appliances and gas stoves, ranges or water heaters. Long-term exposure may contribute to an increased risk of developing a respiratory disease.
Obviously you know if tobacco smoke is present in your own home, but if you are looking to buy a home, this is an important question to ask. Tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of more than 4,000 chemical compounds. At least 50 of these said compounds are believed to have adverse health effects such as cancer and emphysema. Even second-hand smoke can irritate your eyes, nose and throat, and cause headaches and nausea.
Toxic Problems to be on the Lookout For
Asbestos is a mineral fibre once used for heat and noise insulation as well as fireproofing. Many older homes may still have asbestos-containing material on their pipes, boilers or walls, but it's only risky when the fibres are disturbed and released into the air. If you are looking to buy an older home, you need to make sure asbestos is not present or have the owners replace any asbestos before you purchase the home. Since the lungs cannot expel inhaled fibres, you can develop cancer or lung damage from continued exposure.
Formaldehyde is a colourless, pungent gas that can be found in pressed-wood products such as particleboard or medium-density fibreboard such as old insulation. This is referred to as UFFI and was used in many homes as insulation in the 1970's and early 80's. Formaldehyde exposure can cause skin rashes and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.
VOCS, or volatile organic compounds, are chemicals that easily emit vapours at room temperature. Some of the best known VOCs are petroleum-based products such as formaldehyde, acetone and motor fuel. According to the Canadian Health Network, these can leak from construction materials such as foam insulation, paint, carpets, linoleum and floorboards. They can cause eye, respiratory and digestive tract irritations, headaches and nausea.
As you can see, there are many things to be aware of either in your own Halifax home or one that you are looking to buy. Stay tuned for more on how to improve your home's air quality and toxic levels.
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