EPA Form EPA-4U24, October 1997

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

What is Air Duct Cleaning? any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although standards have K jl qst people are how aware that been established by industry associa­ IVI indoor air pollution Is an issue of tions concerned with air duct cleaning. growing concern and increased visibility. Typically, a service provider will use Many companies are marketing prod­ specialized tools to dislodge dirt and ucts and services Intended to improve other debris in ducts, then vacuum the quality of your indoor air. You have , them out with a high-powered vacuum probably seen an advertisement, f cleaner; • ■' > ' ■ //f received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offer­ In addition, the^rvice provider may ing to clean your air ducts as a means propose applying chemical biocides, de­ of improving your home’s indoor air signed to kill microbiological contami­ quality. These services typically — but nants, to the inside of the duct work and not always — range in cost from $450 to other System components. Some to $1000 per heating and cooling sys­ service providers may also suggest tem, depending on the services offered, applying chemical treatments (sealants the size of the system to be cleaned, or other encapsulants) to seal or cover system accessibility, climatic region, the inside surfaces of the air ducts and and level of contamination. equipment housings because they believe the sealant will control mold cleaning gensBly refers tc the growth or prevent the release of dirt cleaning of various heating and cooling garticles or fibers from ducts. system components of forced air sys­ These practices have yet to be fully tems, including the supply and return air researched and you should be fully ducts and registers, grilles and informed before deciding to permit the dWuserS) heMt exchangers, heating and use of biocides CT sealant in your air cooling coils, condensate drain pans ducts. They should only be applied, if at (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, all, after the system has been properly and roe air handling unit housing (See . /cleaned^ ©Tall visible dust br debris. diagram, page 5). , .if notgropedy;Installed, maintained, and operated, thlse components may beCi^e contaminated with particles of ...dust, pollen, .or other debris.' if moisture ■■ ■: is present, the potential for microbiologi- If you decide to have your heating and dat growth (e.g., mold) is Increased, and cooling system cleaned, it is important to spores from such growth may be released into the home’s living space. ^ - ^"rhake suredhe service provider agrees to Some of these contaminants may cause clean all components of the system and is : allergic reactions or other symptoms In • ^^alified to do .//r people if they are exposed to them. W you decide to have your heating and cooling.system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure ' toxieai d component of. a GOntaminat- f ed system can result in re-contamina­ tion of the entire system, thus negating

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NYC-WTC_000142824