Many homeowners live in polluted homes without ever knowing their health is at risk. Many indoor air pollutants are very hard to detect with a simple inspection, while some, like molds, become visible only once the damage is already done. This is why the safest way to find out whether the indoor air is polluted is to get air quality testing....
Most of us, living in the city of Toronto, first think of fossil fuel combustion and industrial pollution as the leading causes of low air quality, but they are only a part of the problem. Even if the outdoor air is clean and fresh, you need to do an indoor air quality test to ensure your home air quality is equally good. Indoor...
Mold is a term that encompasses various species of microscopic fungi that form multicellular thread-like growths (hyphae) and reproduce via spores. This diverse group of tiny fungal organisms plays a very important role in nature, as it decomposes organic matter and enables nutrient cycling. However, even though they are one of the cornerstones of...
Having good air quality at home is an essential component of a healthy life. With changes in seasons and temperatures outside and inside our homes, it can be difficult for us to maintain high air quality throughout the entire year. Summer and winter are the most critical seasons, as we tend to close all windows and amp up the AC....
Good air quality in the home is one of the key elements for a healthy life. When someone mentions air pollution, the first thing that comes to mind to many people is smog, a visible mass of gasses and airborne particles that is usually a result of fossil fuel combustion and industrial activities. However, if you cannot see the pollution it...
Although asbestos is an excellent insulator, widely used in construction due to its lightness and low cost, it is also a very dangerous material that can cause a variety of serious health issues. Asbestos is composed of tiny microfibrils that can become airborne due to damage and abrasion. If the microfibrils get inhaled, they permanently stay in...
Asbestos is a common, naturally occurring mineral composed of thin, thread-like crystals. Each crystal is made of microscopic fibrils that can become airborne if subjected to abrasion and damaging. The Ancient Greek word “asbestos” (ἄσβεστος) translates to “inextinguishable”,...
Poor air quality has been recognized as a global health issue which affects nine out of ten people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Most of the pollution comes from industrial activities and fossil fuel combustion, creating a thick layer of smog over cities and industry-intensive areas. However, many overlook the importance of...
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring silicate mineral, composed of long, fibrous crystals. Each fiber is made up of extremely small fibrils that are prone to becoming airborne because of damage or abrasion. There are six types of asbestos which differ in their colour, structure and amount of contaminants. Because of its favourable insulating...
Poor air quality affects 91% of the world population according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While it is true most of the air pollution comes from industrial activities and fossil fuel combustion, we also have to take into account indoor air quality and air pollutants that are present in residential and commercial buildings. Indoor and...
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that is composed of thread-like crystals. Each crystal fiber consists of tiny, microscopic fibrils that can become airborne due to abrasion or damage. Asbestos was a widely used material in construction for the most of 20th century until it was confirmed that its fibrils cause serious respiratory...
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, made of long, thin, thread-like crystals. Each thread is composed of numerous microscopic fibers that can get released into the air by abrasion or other types of physical damage. Asbestos was widely used as a building material for the most of 20th century. It was often mixed with concrete due to its very...
Late spring and summer are the worst parts of the year for many people who suffer from allergies due to high levels of air pollutants. In order to avoid them, many people with allergies prefer to stay at home during the warm months. However, this might not be the best solution if the air quality of their home isn’t great. Weather conditions...
Now that we are spending more time at home, good indoor air quality has become a crucial factor in maintaining good health. Millions of people die every year from diseases related to indoor air pollution, and the current COVID-19 situation has only accentuated the importance of this issue as individuals are spending much more time inside their...
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction during the previous century. When it became evident that this material causes severe respiratory issues with long-term exposure, many countries banned or limited its use. However, considering that many residential and business buildings in Canada have been constructed...
Asbestos was a widely used building material for most of the 20th century. It was mainly utilized in the manufacture of fire-resistant and insulation materials due to its favourable physical qualities. Asbestos was used for producing floor and ceiling tiles, house siding, plaster, brake pads, heat-resistant fabrics, hot water pipe insulation, etc....
Clean, fresh air is a prerequisite for anyone to feel energized, productive, and efficient. Clean air can improve blood pressure and mood, strengthen the immune system, and ensure better digestion of food. It is one of the key elements for a healthy life. Individuals tend to spend the majority of their time at work. An environment where feeling...
If you have the equipment and know-how to do the work and repairs around the house on your own, you are probably saving a lot of money. Expertise is often expensive and a lot of minor issues in home can be dealt with without professional help, just with the right skills. Nowadays it is very easy to learn those skills, considering that the...
Asbestos abatement is a very serious procedure which requires experience, professional knowledge and great caution, considering how harmful these microscopic fibers can be. If you have a problem with asbestos contamination, it is best to call a professional asbestos abatement company. They are equipped with tools and knowledge to deal with this...
In this day and age, the majority of people work in indoor environments. After the daily work is finished, they usually head to another indoor environment – back home. Just by looking at our habits and places we visit regularly, it is not hard to conclude that we spend the majority of our day inside. This is why indoor air quality plays such...
Do you wake up tired? Does it take you long to fall asleep? If you are having these, or other similar sleep problems, you might want to inspect the air quality in your bedroom. Good quality sleep is essential for good health, good mood, good looks, sharp focus and efficient working performance. If we also take into account that we spend about a...
Poor air quality in your home can have a significant effect on your mood and health. Low air quality has been connected with a number of health issues, such as asthma, fatigue, low energy and lung diseases. There are various factors that affect indoor air quality, including increased air humidity, outside air pollution, building materials that...
Since the surge of cannabis legalization and legal changes in October 2018 many Canadians have seized the given opportunity and started cultivating their own marijuana plants at home. Even though the number of plants per home is limited, indoor cannabis cultivation created increased need for odour removal services and special precautions for...
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature, which enables them to easily evaporate or sublimate and enter the surrounding air. These compounds are numerous, and they can be both natural and man-made. Most VOCs are harmless, but there are some that have harmful qualities that usually...
Whether you are planning to completely renovate your home or just do some smaller maintenance work, renovation is the perfect time to assess your home and land for potentially hazardous substances. This kind of assessment is considered necessary especially when old houses are in question, because they were often constructed with potentially harmful...
Usually when people think of air pollution, they think about the city smog, industrial and agricultural emissions, but very few remember the importance of air quality indoors. Considering how much time we spend in indoor environments today (around 90% on average), indoor air quality has become a very important factor that contributes to overall...
Many homeowners find it difficult to maintain good indoor air quality throughout winter. For those who live in colder climates, much time is spent indoors during the winter, so air quality is even more important. The challenges are common in most residential homes – dryer indoor air; more limited ventilation; and heating sources that are...
Humidity & Mold Growth Summer has officially started in Toronto, and that means sunshine, patio season, and unfortunately, mold growth. The extreme heat results in infrequent, but heavy rainfall that increases the chance of flooding. The large amount of moisture from the rain and humidity create the perfect environment for mold to flourish...
Air quality testing is commonly neglected in homes and offices but it is definitely one of the more critical services to consider. Indoor air pollution can come in many forms and in some cases, is completely odourless. People who live and work in your space could be exposed to polluted air and not even know it! Breathing in bad air on a regular...
Changes in health and lifestyle? You may have mold in your home As a homeowner, mold and your health should be two of your major concerns when it comes to maintaining your residence. Have you noticed slight changes in your lifestyle or general well-being? You may have an air quality problem caused by the presence of toxic mold in your home. Mold...
Summer temperatures are on their way up in Toronto and this season is no exception with record breaking heat and humidity causing air quality and humidity problems for homeowners. Homes with poor insulation or restricted air flow could see the indoor humidity rise along with the outdoor humidity. Excess moisture that cannot be vented can decrease...
Maintaining air quality is one of the biggest challenges for homeowners and using a plant that improves air quality is a natural way to remove various toxins and pollutants from the home’s inside air. Studies have shown that in many cases the inside air quality in residential homes is much worse than the outside air. There are appliances that...
One of your biggest challenges as a homeowner is to control moisture and humidity for safe air quality. Humidity refers to the moisture level in the air and having too much or too little humidity can drastically affect the quality of life for you and the residents who live in the home. Seasonal changes can elevate humidity levels and homes...
You may have invested time and money into the exterior and interior of your home, but have you ever considered the quality of the air you breath while inside the home? It is a well-known fact that indoor air quality in residential homes is sometimes worse than the quality of the air outside. Certain toxins and pollutants have no detectable smell or...
Because we spend so much time indoors (much of it at home), indoor air quality and home humidity is critical for both health and comfort. Humidity is the amount of water vapour in air, and getting the right proportion between air and moisture is more important than many think. Too much home humidity will cause moisture problems. Worse case, it...
It is widely known that air quality inside the home can actually be worse than the air quality outside. Indoor air pollution can be caused by many factors in and outside the home and may not have any telltale odor ,but can have serious effect on the quality of life inside the home. What is indoor air pollution? Pollution refers to impurities...
Poor indoor air quality (at home and at work) accounts for some of the most common of health issues. The average person actually spends close to 90% of the time indoors, so clearly, indoor air quality is important. On the flip side, indoor air pollution can perpetuate undesirable health risks. Indoor air pollution can take on many forms ...
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