Rodent and pest infestation is all too often an issue with duct systems, leaving behind droppings, fur, or even mold spores in ductwork and potentially harming its structure.
Dirty Air duct cleaning can be an incubator of bacteria, mold, mildew and volatile organic compounds – the presence of which has been linked with asthma attacks, allergy flare-ups and even hastening the aging process. Breathing these contaminants may result in asthmatic symptoms as well as allergy attacks – making breathing in these contaminants potentially hazardous to one’s health and hastening the process of aging.
Dust
Many people mistakenly believe that dust accumulating in their home is harmless, yet dust contains harmful chemicals and microbes that may trigger allergic reactions or create other respiratory issues. Why is duct cleaning important?
VOCs such as toluene, styrene, xylenes and trichloroethylene released by dry-cleaned clothes, paints, varnishes, adhesive removers, furniture polishes cleaners and disinfectants may also pollute indoor environments and may pose health hazards including cancer, endocrine disruption and nervous system damage.
Dust air duct cleaning Charleston may contain asbestos, known to lead to lung disease and other medical conditions. Furthermore, dust contains many biological pollutants including mold spores, bacteria, viruses, animal dander and cockroaches – which all exacerbate health conditions and adversely impact quality of life.
Pollen
Pollen, produced by flowering plants and spread through the wind, can trigger symptoms in people with allergies such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes.
Ethanol extracts derived from pollen have been shown to exhibit ant oxidative and immunomodulation activities, and have also shown the ability to accelerate wound epithelialization. Furthermore, their antimicrobial and hepatoprotective properties help prevent any potential liver toxicity issues from emerging.
Studies also demonstrated that pollen ethanol extracts exhibited hypolipidemic activity by decreasing plasma total lipids and triacylglycerol’s content. These results indicate pollen’s beneficial impact on cardiovascular disease as well as brain circulation.
Pet Dander
Pet dander refers to the tiny bits of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers – this allergen may lead to allergic reactions for those who have an overly sensitive immune system.
These dead skin particles float freely through the air, attaching themselves to furniture and fabric with ease, before landing in your eye or nose membranes and even making their way into your lungs, where they cause inflammation and congestion.
Allergy sufferers can reduce their exposure to pet dander by having their air ducts professionally cleaned on an ongoing basis. Doing this will remove allergens from the home and redistribute them throughout by way of normal air circulation.
Mold & Mildew Spores
Molds are microscopic fungi found everywhere, playing an essential role in breaking down dead organic matter that accumulates within ecosystems. But unfortunately, mold can also pose health threats inside homes.
Mold spores can be found floating through the air and traveling throughout our homes, eventually landing on surfaces where they thrive and spread. They thrive best near wet cellulose materials and produce an unpleasant musty odor when growing.
Stachybotrys and Aspergillus molds produce mycotoxins, which can pose serious health concerns in those highly sensitive. Common symptoms of mold exposure include watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, respiratory issues and headaches.
Bacteria
Bacteria are an integral part of life and travel through the air and land on surfaces to cause health issues from allergies to lung infections. Salmonella and Campylobacter are found in our food while other bacteria and Chlamydia trachomatis can spread via sexual contact.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as toluene, styrene, xylenes and trichloroethylene are harmful toxins which pollute indoor air via off-gassing from aerosol products such as paint strippers, varnishes, art supplies, dry-cleaned clothing spot removers floor waxes polishes degreasers etc. They convert to cancer-causing toxins in our bodies; further contributing to what’s known as “sick Building Syndrome.”
Viruses
Microorganisms found in dirty air ducts have been linked with serious health effects, including respiratory conditions such as sneezing, watery eyes, coughing and sinus infections. Furthermore, these organisms introduce foul smells into your home as well as damage the ductwork itself.
Medical experiments have demonstrated that viruses can survive under lower temperatures; as temperatures rise, however, their survival becomes compromised as droplet concentration processes evaporating onto surfaces as well as acid-base imbalances weaken their survival rate.
Conclusion
Filthy air ducts emit poor quality air that triggers and worsens respiratory allergies in those suffering from respiratory ailments. Regularly cleaning and sanitizing the ductwork is one way to lessen these symptoms and bring relief.