EPA Form EPA-4U24, October 1997

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

sis* bllBBlHI ‘III Should re the Air Du ts in Your He Cleaned? Sumr arv L l ■ IIB

gjWMsgaiBMM .. ... ... ... ■ ■ ■■ IZ nbwIddge aboirt air duct cleaning is ► Many sections of your heating Y fXin its early stages, so a blanket and cooling system may not be recommendation cannot be offered as to accessible for a visible inspection, whether you should have the air ducts in so ask the service provider to . . your home cleaned.,-The U.S. 2«*you«V"<oM^«y Environmental Protection Agency (ERA) • 7 urges you to read this document in its entirety as it provides important informa­ ► You should be aware that although tion on the subject. a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether px uct cleaning has never been shown it is mold can be made only by an L/to actually prevent health problems. ■Is expert and may require laboratory Neither do studies conclusively demon- analysis for final Confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology 11; strate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in laboratories can tell you whether I. \ homes Increase because of dirty air a substance sent to them on a ducts. This IS because much of the dirt clear strip of sticky household in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces is mold ist something and does not necessarily enter the living Hili tape that rest ‘ ' Space. It is important to keep in mind lllll! that dirty air ducts are only one of many Jf you have insulated air ducts and possible sources of particles that are hhe insulation gets wet or moldy it present in homes. Pollutants that enter should be removed and replaced the home both from outdoors and indoor as it cannot be effectively cleaned. iiais / activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can If the conditions causing the mold cause greater exposure to contaminant: growth in the first place are mot Bis corrected, mold growth will recur. than dirty air ducts. Moreover, there is no evidence that a light amount of Z Ducts are infeste with vermin household dust or other particulate mat (e.g., rodents or ins ;or ter in air ducts poses any risk to your 'Bl Z Ducts are cloc th excessive amounts of dust sbris and/or W OU should consider having the air particles are actuemy ileased imw into I ducts in your home cleaned if: the home from your supply registers.

' Z There is substantial visible mold »W ?! the conditions identified above

ponen.s Bour heating and cooiing '

systern. There are several importarit else.^b^.pfoble/n will likely recuc, .. 1 V, ■•A points to understand concerning mold , y ,^;P,|detection in duct systems: llj" ' l|‘'l/ 11 ' '■ .'.''/Il '".•'••••.•I..:' "/'I Y 1

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