Fires, whether wildfires, controlled burns, or residential incidents, have a profound impact on air quality. The smoke produced by these fires contains a complex mixture of gases and fine particles that pose significant health risks. Understanding how fire and smoke affect air quality is crucial for both public health and environmental management. This blog post delves into the components of smoke, the effects on air quality, and the measures one can take to mitigate these impacts. Components of Smoke and Their Impact on Air Quality Smoke is composed of a variety of pollutants, each with specific properties and effects: Particulate Matter (PM) : Fine Particles (PM2.5) : These particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter and can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. PM2.5 is particularly harmful as it can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Coarse Particles (PM10) : Larger particles that can still cause respiratory problems but are genera...

Employers or employees, we sometimes forget that half our lives are being spent in a workspace that is enclosed, and without any exposure to the outside environment. In short, employers and employees are breathing office air for eight hours or more during the day. And when that indoor air is poor quality, health is impacted. Allergy symptoms can be aggravated, worker performance can be diminished, and sick days can start to rise. For all kinds of reasons, it makes good business sense to keep employees healthy in their work environment with excellent quality indoor air. Air quality professionals often pinpoint poor ventilation as a major problem in the workplace. It simply means that fresh outside air isn’t circulating properly throughout a given space. Even worse, a poorly performing HVAC system might be circulating air pollutants instead of cleaning the air, as it should be doing. Optimum air ventilation in any living space is critical in providing fresh air, while reducing the p...

As our kids (big and small) return back to the hallowed halls of academia, pulling on backpacks and sharpening pencils, the indoor air quality of their learning environment certainly isn’t on their minds. A school both new and old can have harmful indoor air quality that may be affecting your child’s ability to learn as well as their health. Most people know that outdoor air pollution is bad for our health, but in indoor environments, pollutants that affect indoor air quality can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. Since we all spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors, making sure that the indoor air quality of our schools is beneficial to both our children and their teachers. Poor indoor air quality in school buildings can be caused by many things. Many old schools are plagued by mold growth, which happens when moisture and poor air circulation meet organic materials, like insulation, the grout in bathrooms, or even school books and other paper materials. Mold can be haz...

Asbestosis is a debilitating condition that requires immediate medical attention. However, due to the fact that many of the symptoms of asbestosis are associated with other respiratory problems, many sufferers do not receive the urgent medical attention that they need. To help you recognize the warning signs of asbestosis, we have created the following list of warning symptoms, for which you should be on the lookout: 1 – Shortness of breath This is one of the primary symptoms of asbestosis and occurs as a direct result of inhaling asbestos fibres over a prolonged period of time. These toxic fibres can constrict lung movement and can cause sufferers to become increasingly tired and fatigued. 2 – Swelling Inhaled asbestos fibres can also induce increased blood pressure and cause sufferers to accumulate fluid around their heart and lungs. These symptoms present themselves as swellings around the neck and face. 3 – Bloated abdomen Once a person has inha...

We often wonder about the indoor air quality in our homes, But has it actually crossed your mind that the air you are breathing in your car could be even more toxic than the air you breath at home?  Is The Air You Breathe Inside Your Car Toxic? It is true we all require clean indoor air quality in our homes, but have you thought about the effect of the air quality you breathe in your car.Lungs in our bodies are the primary filters we have. When they become filled, our health suffers. Most of the people in North America drive 100km a day between home and office, then add to that, driving to after school activities for the kids and then our own after hour activities, and you could easily be spending 2 to 4 hours inside your car. Many cars, trucks, and especially RV’s also have tiny leaks that allow moisture to get into the vehicle, which allows sinus infection causing agents to thrive. RV’s are troublesome as they tend to have more seams that leak, which allows mold to grow, ...

No matter how much of a clean freak you tend to be, the stenches and odors of everyday life are unavoidable. But don't let that get you down — there's often an easy, homemade way to dispel stink from every area in your home.   Here are 15 smelly issues that may occur in your home and solutions we've used or got from our customers over the years! 1. Stinky trash Wash indoor and outdoor trash cans with hot soapy water to remove smelly bits and debris. Leave a couple of used fabric softener sheets in the bottom of your kitchen trash can and compactor to absorb odors. 2. A burnt-on food spill If food from a casserole dish bubbles over onto the stove top or oven floor, sprinkle salt on the drips to absorb the burned smell (this will also make it easier to clean up later). 3. A musty freezer Place a clean sock filled with dry coffee grounds inside to deodorize this pesky spot in your kitchen. 4. A smelly microwave The awful stench of burnt popcorn seems to hang ...

While the risk of asbestos in home construction has been long recognized and action taken to stop it, a less well-known recent threat is the use of an extremely toxic drywall that was imported from China during the U.S. housing boom of 2004-2007 to satisfy the drywall shortage, and in response to natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. Many thousands of homes in the U.S. have been irreparably damaged by this substance, and the homeowners sickened, leading to extensive lawsuits. Although there was no similar shortage in Canada, the defective drywall found its way into the country through Vancouver and has reportedly spread to the Prairies and eastward to Toronto. By 2009, many homeowners in British Columbia had reported illnesses linked to its use. The full extent of the toxic drywall crisis in Canada has yet to be revealed. The effects of “Chinese drywall” are devastating The devastating effects of this drywall are caused by the toxic sulphide gas it emits. When the gas come...

Each year, Canadians spend millions of dollars on household cleaning products. Even though they are a common sight in homes and properties, most household cleaners and chemicals are dangerously toxic. To avoid serious accidents, any chemical product should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and stored safely, especially if there are children or pets living in the home.  Here are a number of common household chemicals that can cause severe health problems: 1. Antifreeze Swallowing antifreeze (ethylene glycol) may cause damage to the heart, brain, kidney and other internal organs. Inhaling antifreeze is not as dangerous, but may cause dizziness. 2. Bleach Being a strong corrosive substance, bleach can affect the respiratory system if inhaled. Bleach can also irritate or burn the skin and eyes. Ingesting bleach can cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma. Wearing rubber gloves and a dust mask when using bleach is strongly recommended. 3. Drain Clea...

WHY DO THIS? If you’re using store-bought aerosol fresheners at home, you’re likely spraying two toxic chemicals in the air: benzene and formaldehyde. By making your own air fresheners, you’ll avoid these harmful chemicals and the health problems that can come along with them. Here are a 5 easy and quick ways to improve the air and make it smell good! HOW TO: 1. Spicy potpourri. In a Ziploc bag, mix one ounce of cinnamon sticks, a small container of whole cloves and a small container of allspice. Give the bag a good shake! Take one teaspoon of the spice blend and mix it with one cup of water. Pour the blend into a saucepan on your stove, bring to a boil, and then let it simmer to create a potpourri with some kick! 2. Vanilla spritzer. Combine a few drops of vanilla extract with a cup of water. Add this mixture to a spray bottle. Use this all-purpose air freshener anywhere in the house to dispel funky odors. Tip: Spray this in your empty vacuum bags – it will freshen up y...

Imagine you’ve just finished cleaning your home…what does it smell like? Fresh and clean or bleachy and toxic? Did you know that the cleaner your home, the more toxic it may actually be? Harmful chemicals in common household cleaners wreak havoc on your respiratory system and some even contain carcinogens. These chemicals are then washed down your drain and make their way into our ground water, wildlife and eventually back into our homes via the food we consume. Using green cleaning products is the best and safest method to keeping your home safe and allergen-free. What is green cleaning you ask? Green cleaning refers to the practice of using environmentally friendly products and procedures which help preserve human health and environmental quality. Using products with ingredients that are naturally occurring and non-harmful to the environment will go a long way in protecting your loved ones, and also the world we live in. With the increase in awareness of the harmful ingredients i...

In the winter, the risk for carbon monoxide poisoning is at its highest, because it’s almost always related to the heating systems.  Although some governments in Canada have taken regulatory actions on carbon monoxide, fatal accidents still occur, that is why it is extremely important to understand some facts about carbon monoxide (CO). CO is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. Breathing it can poison people and animals in these spaces. Because CO is basically undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever).  They include:  headache, fat...

Even though it is well known that mould is harmful to humans, not many people realize that toxic mould can also pose health risks to pets, such as cats and dogs. While only a handful of mould species are toxic to people and pets, the most common type - toxic black mould - can bring serious illnesses and even death to people and pets. Mould spores enter pets’ bodies by inhalation in areas where mould is present. In most cases, mould develops in damp, warm and dark places, usually after a flood occurred. It may be visible (on the exterior of walls), but it can also hide behind walls and underneath floors, where it’s difficult to detect or remove. If a home has experienced flooding, it is best to call in a mould remediation company to inspect and eliminate any traces of mould if there are any. When exposed to mould, pets can exhibit symptoms such as: Respiratory difficulties and illnesses: wheezing, coughing and struggling to breathe Pulmonary hemorrhage Bleeding from the nose ...

Tips to clear the air  and find your way to better health Animal dander, dust mites, mould, pollen—it’s all right there in the air, not to mention your bath towels, bedding, and furniture. These particles can exacerbate respiratory symptoms, bronchitis, and asthma for people with such conditions. It’s no wonder that of respondents to a 2016 survey by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies who reported having healthy-home concerns; almost 70 percent cited indoor air quality as their top worry. There’s no silver-bullet solution, but these do-it-yourself measures will go a long way toward easier breathing. Control Moisture Use an air conditioner (with a clean filter) or a dehumidifier to help keep things dry in the basement and other damp spaces, where mites and mold tend to thrive. Air It Out Open windows when weather permits and turn on exhaust fans at other times to remove indoor pollutants. You can also use portable or whole-house air purifiers that have a clean-air deliver...