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Mold and air circulation

September 19, 2002

Dear Allergy Nurse
Dear Allergy Nurse
About 4 years ago, I had a terrible attack of allergies in the office where I work. My skin was peeling and I was having a hard time seeing because my eyes were always itching and puffy. They were working on repairing the ceiling at certain rooms of the whole building.

I quickly went to my doctor and he gave me medical orders to stay out of the building. Since then, my skin still occasionally flares up, especially when I touch the dust from my office. But it is controlled by steroid creams when I have the flare up.

Now what I just recently notice is that they have started to turn on the air-conditioning unit in the office where I work, because it gets stuffy and so some of the co-workers think the cold air will help. But the past few days, I notice that every time I walk into the office to work, I have a harder time breathing.

Last night was the worst, I was swelling up and tearing up and so congested that I had to take medication to help me be able to work. Is it something from the air conditioning units? -- C.L., California

Guest response
by Mike McMahon
Indoor Air Specialist
Owner of McMahon Air Cleaning Services

Yes, there could be something from the air conditioning unit! After reading the information provided I ask myself these questions:

What might be the age of the building?

How old could the duct system and HVAC (heating ventilating air conditioning) unit be?

The question of humidity level in the building?

Could there be excess humidity coming from the HVAC duct system and or the HVAC unit causing stuffy conditions.

Could these stuffy condition be from lack of fresh outside air coming through the air exchangers or even if there is fresh air being exchanged with the HVAC unit?

Could there be mold or mildew in the carpet areas that become circulated with air movement as the HVAC unit fans turn on.

Have the air ducts ever been cleaned?

Could there be mold growing in the duct system?

What might be the maintenance program with the filters in the HVAC unit? Are there any filters in the unit? Are they quality? How often are they changed? Do they maintain and clean the HVAC unit?

Yes, it is a possibility that the Air Conditioning units are causing some of these irritations! The only way to truly know is to have the complete system inspected by a professional inspector, or to answer the questions above to see if there are any leads for trouble spots.

by Mike McMahon in conjunction with

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