Synopsis
It's a world we barely see, but it is teeming with life. In the dust of a typical house, carpet beetles, mites, silverfish, spiders and other creatures live and die, producing new generations every few months. Mould, bacteria and yeast lurk undetected in heating and cooling systems. Debris dispersed into the air from these creatures can cause runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing, headaches and breathing difficulties. Some people, especially those made highly sensitive by allergies, suffer from devastating health problems and the worry that, as one such sufferer lamented, "My house is killing me!" Scrutinizing house dust and air samples with a microscope, indoor air quality expert Jeffrey May has spent his career helping people identify what's causing their chronic health problems. In this text he draws on dramatic personal stories of suffering and relief to help readers understand the links between environmental factors and problems like allergies and asthma. Explaining how air conditioning, finished basements, and other home features affect air quality, he offers a step-by-step approach to identifying, controlling, and often eliminating the sources of indoor pollutants and allergens.
If we could see this contamination, May observes, the air would look as murky as stagnant water and we would know not to breathe it. Just as he looks at spaces and systems during an indoor air quality investigation, May focuses first on the areas of daily life (bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen), then moves into attics and basements (including heating and air conditioning), and finally outside to the garage and the exterior of a home. Along with offering a wealth of practical advice and proven solutions for various problems, he includes a glossary of terms and a list of valuable resources.
