EPA Form EPA-4G2-K-97-002, October 1997

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

rA thA Air □uc.= lSWirHo4c,eSd7;S q/ immaru'YY- Mglcti V I Y Knowledge about air duct cleaning is • ► Many sections of your heating _ ___

whether you should have the air ducts in - ask the service provider . your home cleaned. The U.S. .<show you any mold they say; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exists. urges you to read this document in its entirety as it provides important informa- ► Vbu should be aware that although • tion on the subject. a substance may look like mold, a ■ - s.ra.e.ha.par.icMe.9..dusoUlsin^^^,i-X^«~™^^ hornes mcrease because of dirty air W ,, substance sent to them on a ducte This IS because much oHhe dirt A:,clear strip of sticky household in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces tape is mold or just something " and does not necessarily enter the living that resembles it. resembles-It space. It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many I W you have insulated air ducts aridlllfeSt' ? possible sources of particles that are the insulation gets wet or moldy ' present in homes. Pollutants that enter should be removed and replaced : the home both from outdoors and indoor : as it cannot be effectively cleaned.>S;f ; activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can ’ If the conditions causing the mold - " growth in the first place are not cause greater exposure to contaminants i ; than dirty air ducts. Moreover, there is corrected, mold growth will recur. no evidence that a light amount of ; ' / Ducts are infested with vermin ■ I■1 household dust or other particulate mat- ter in air ducts poses any risk to your (e.g., rodents or Insects); or A ,

health. ;.■. /;0uct8 are clogged with excessive • v/; amounts of dust and debris and/or >■-' JOt'i r Vou should consider having the air particles are actually released into I ducts in your home cleaned if: the home from your supply registers.

/ There is substantial Visible mold If any of the conditions identified above ■growth present In hard surface (e.g., exists, it usually suggests one or more underlying causes. Prior to any cleaning, sheet metal) ducts or on other com­ retrofitting, or replacing of your ducts, the ponents of your heating and cooling cause or causes must be corrected or system. There are several important else the problem will likely recur. points to understand concerning mold detection in duct systems:

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