Minimize Asthma and Allergy Triggers Within the Built Environment

Buildings are havens for asthma and allergy triggers. This article will take a look at how to identify and minimize their impact to occupants.

Everybody knows how outdoor air affects seasonal allergies. But what about indoor air quality? Even with the most rigorous housekeeping allergy triggers still thrive indoors. Asthma and allergies affect more than 60 million people in the United States. Allergy triggers cause symptoms like irritated eyes, runny noses and headaches to full blown asthma attacks in those who are sensitive. Let’s explore some common allergens and where to find them.

Asthma & Allergy Triggers

There are many different kinds of allergens. It’s important to have knowledge of their origin and prevalence to reduce their impact.

Common Indoor Allergens

• Pollen Grains
• Plant Fibers
• Mold Spores
• Nuisance Dust
• Skin Cells
• Animal Hair/Dander
• Insect Detritus
• Synthetic Fibers/Fiberglass
• Chemicals/Dyes

There are two basic sources of indoor allergens: Airborne and Surface. Surface materials that are actively growing mold are a serious concern. Let’s take a closer look at how they get in and where they are most prevalent.

Allergy Triggers & The Building Envelope

The building envelope is the physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building. Infiltration to a building allows outside air in. In other words, gaps in roofs, walls, windows and doors all bring allergy triggers into a building.

Allergy Triggers & The HVAC System

There is little question that the HVAC system can distribute allergens in a building. This is especially true if it’s not always maintained. The HVAC system controls temperature and humidity in a building. So, indoor air quality suffers when either of these parameters goes out of balance. Ductwork harbors allergy triggers as well. It becomes problematic when dust blows through the vents and into the occupied space.

How to Minimize Allergy Triggers

Now that we covered where to find allergy triggers, let’s discuss how to get rid of them! First you need to know what you’re dealing with. Both from an allergen perspective and from a building one too! Therefore, it’s recommended to test the building envelope and the HVAC system. Two methods Pure Air Control Services provides are a Building Health Check and HVAC Hygiene Assessment. Both offer visibility into the baseline conditions of the indoor environment and indoor air quality. Insights reported make recommendations on how to restore the situation to optimal conditions.

Regular building and HVAC maintenance is the key to success! Pure Air Control Services in an indoor air quality focused company with engineered solutions that mitigate asthma and allergy triggers.

PURE-Duct is a hygienic cleaning service for HVAC ductwork. It is IAQ driven and emphasizes containment while the service is being performed.

PURE-Steam air handling unit and coil cleaning is a proprietary process to disinfect HVAC equipment. It’s not only effective in reducing microbes and allergen triggers, but also vastly improves energy efficiency.

Asthma and Allergy triggers can never be completely eradicated from a building. But the risk is minimized with baseline IAQ testing and preventative maintenance by HVAC system cleaning.

For more information or to get started with these services please call 1-800-422-7873 or contact us here.