AIRTEK

VIDEO: Mystery Odors

wendy — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:24:31 +0000

The Indoor Air Quality Association released a new video last week about mystery odors in homes and other buildings.

Mystery and nuisance odors can be due to many factors including:

Mold
Off-gassing of building or decorating materials like paint or carpeting
Cleaning products
Tobacco smoke
Car exhaust
Factory processes
Outdoor air pollution getting indoors
Ventilation system contamination

…and others! After all, they are mysterious!

An effective way of treating mystery odors in a building is by performing a structural pasteurization. AirTek and our Environmental Services Division, Alliance Environmental Group, use ThermaPureHeat to target and kill organisms that cause mystery odors in older buildings and in new construction. This special process:

Kills Mold
Kills Bacteria
Kills Viruses
Kills Insect Vectors
Reduces Odors
Reduces Volatile Organic Compounds emitted by materials, paint and cleaning products

If you have a mystery or nuisance odor in your building, we are here to help! Contact AirTek and one of our highly trained professional teams will take care of that annoying smell!

We would like to wish all moms, grandma’s, stepmoms and everyone who nurtures others a very happy belated Mother’s Day!

Wendy Stackhouse is the Online Community Manager for AirTek Indoor Air Solutions and our affiliate Alliance Environmental Group. We welcome your comments! For more news and tips or to ask questions of our experts, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! For updates on environmental services like mold remediation, lead removal and pest control including bed bugs, Like us at Alliance Environmental on Facebook or follow Alliance on Twitter!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! UPDATED

wendy — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:27:00 +0000

Now that the school year is romping to a close–and oh, yes, it is romping! I’ve never been at school this much volunteering even in kindergarten–it is officially time to acknowledge the amazing teachers who touch all of our lives so profoundly.

Thank you, teachers!

My family is lucky to have experienced a year with the 2012 National Teacher of the Year and we dearly hope that when our younger child gets to 7th grade, he will have Rebecca Mieliwocki as well, and the rest of terrific TNT team at Luther Burbank Middle School, Nicholas Lundy and Stephanie Enokian. I’m sure Mrs. Mieliwocki would say that she couldn’t do it without the support of her colleagues, students and parents. In fact, I’ve heard her say so!

Since we are celebrating educators, it is definitely time to talk about the teachers we have at AirTek. Did you know that we offer a training course for insurance adjusters that has been certified by the Department of Insurance?

Our amazing teachers, CEO Joe McLean, Bill Wood and Jeff McLean provide a 5 hour hands-on training course in our own onsite facility on dealing with asbestos, lead and mold issues.

Very soon we will be releasing a video with all the details about training opportunities available at AirTek for any insurance adjuster, whether from an insurance company or an independent adjuster. Please contact us for more information!

And thanks, Joe, Bill and Jeff for helping insurance adjusters all over California continue their path of lifelong learning!

UPDATE: We just found out that our own Carlos Sanguinetti’s wife, Shana Sanguinetti, has been named Teacher of the Year for the San Diego Unified School District! Yay, Shana!! We are surrounded by amazing and creative teachers! Make sure you thank a teacher today!

Another Award? Yep!

wendy — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:03:28 +0000

The City of San Diego’s Historical Resources Board has Alliance Environmental Group as a recipient of a 2012 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award!

We were nominated in the Architectural Rehabilitation category for work performed on the restoration of the David Louis and Susan E. Kretsinger House. The home was built in 1896.

The house was recently named a Historical Resource because it “contributes to the understanding of the citrus orchard economic development of South San Diego”resource is a special element of the San Diego’s citrus orchard agricultural industry” and “embodies the distinctive characteristics through the retention of character defining features of Queen Ann Free Classic and retains a good level of architectural integrity from its 1896 period of significance.” They particularly mentioned the roof gables, dormers, tower, porch, chimneys and widow’s walk.

The Queen Anne Free Classic style is characterized by an asymmetrical interior plan. It may have a “Palladian window in the front gable, a porch with classical columns, and a pediment over the front entry.” The Queen Anne Free Classic style can be thought of as a step between traditional Queen Anne and the Arts & Crafts style.

You can see the porch columns in the above photo. I wish I had a plan of the interior to see the asymmetry, but if I find one, I will post it!

Although we have been officially named as Award Winners, the awards have not yet been presented. The Awards ceremony will be held on May 24th and from May 14-25, we will have a display in the lobby of the City of San Diego Administration Building to showcase our contribution to the restoration project.

Congratulations, Matt Kelly and everyone in our San Diego office on this honor! We look forward to pictures from the Awards Ceremony!

AAA Awards Alliance Environmental Group!

wendy — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:04:55 +0000

We are proud to announce that our Environmental Services Division, Alliance Environmental Group, was recently given an award by the Automobile Association of America (AAA).

I sat down with Orange County Branch Manager Jimmy Nguyen to find out more.

Alliance Environmental Group was one of only four vendors recognized at the recent award ceremony for Outstanding/Legendary Service. Two vendors came from the Los Angeles area and two from the San Diego area.

Usually the AAA awards are reserved for the auto side of AAA insurance and 30 automobile shops from LA to San Diego were also recognized for their outstanding customer service.

2012 also marks the first year that AAA included home owners insurance vendors in their awards. Corporate officers were there to present awards to both auto and home owners insurance vendors.

The award ceremony was held at the Auto Club Fontana Speedway. We were treated to a lovely buffet lunch and then the real fun began! All of the recognized vendors were given the opportunity to drive high performance go carts on an actual race track! Not the NASCAR track, but still!

Alliance Environmental Group and AirTek would like to congratulate fellow award recipients Oakwood Construction (LA), ESN Restoration Services (San Diego), and Triskell Restoration (San Diego) for their Outstanding Service!

Onward and upward!

World Asthma Day–and Asthma Awareness Month!

wendy — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:42:21 +0000

Big day today–May Day and all!

Happy spring!

It is also World Asthma Day and the first day of National Asthma Awareness Month here in the US!

What do you know about Asthma?

The name derives from a Greek word meaning “panting” and that’s a pretty good description! Asthma is a chronic inflammation of your airways and the symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Allergens and contaminants can trigger symptoms of asthma, but there can be genetic factors present as well. Asthma can also be induced by heavy exercise and is often diagnosed in bicycling, long distance running and mountain biking athletes.

Some people can also suffer from workplace-induced asthma: it has been reported that 15-23% of adult-onset asthma is workplace related. Asthma triggers in the workplace include: flour, latex, animal proteins, enzymes and reactive chemicals.

Volatile Organic Compounds (like the chemicals in building materials, carpeting, cleaning products, paint and new furniture) are also an important consideration for people who suffer from asthma, especially children. See our blog about the chemicals in a new baby nursery HERE.

Asthma symptoms can be worse at night and in the early morning hours, causing sleep problems which can exacerbate the asthma and other health issues. See our blog about improving an asthmatic child’s bedroom HERE.

How do you prevent asthma? Well, the only thing there really is to do is to avoid triggers. Stay away from tobacco smoke, use low or non-VOC products, follow the tips we talked about in our blog HERE.

If you suffer from asthma, take good care of yourself and pay attention to your indoor environment. If you work with possible asthma triggering substances, follow all appropriate safety rules.

And don’t smoke!

Here are some great resources about Asthma if you want more information:

American Lung Association about Asthma

Environmental Protection Agency Asthma page

World Asthma Day on Facebook

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

VIDEO: Some People Are More Sensitive to Airborne Contaminants

wendy — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:30:37 +0000

Sorry for the late post! My computer is acting up and I’m going to do this quick before the hamster inside packs it in for the day!

Here is a very informative video from the Indoor Air Quality Association (of which we are a member) about the fact that, even if there is only one person in a building who has health problems due to airborne contaminants, they might just be the only one who is highly sensitive. It doesn’t mean there is nothing there!

Hope to have an easier day tomorrow! But bye for now!

Happy Healthy Schools Day!

wendy — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:34:21 +0000

In a lovely example of synchronicity–for my life anyway–it’s Healthy Schools Day AND my daughter’s English teacher was announced as National Teacher of the Year by President Obama this morning!

As important as creative and talented teachers certainly are, it is also important to provide a healthy environment for learning to all children and their teachers and administrators.

A typical child spends about 1300 hours in school buildings each year and staff spends even longer. Schools are, on average, about 42 years old, which means they were probably built before the materials we know to be toxic today were still being commonly used.

Children have a higher respiratory rate than adults and so are in more danger from contaminants like:

VOC’s from building materials and cleaning products
Mold
Particles and allergens
Bacteria and other biological contaminants
Asbestos dust
Lead dust
Outdoor air pollutants which cannot escape once they get inside

What can we do to improve the indoor air in our school buildings?

Open the windows!
Use unscented or low VOC cleaning products–or better yet soap and water!
Paint with no or low-VOC paint
Provide water-based, unscented markers
Ban air fresheners
Don’t use scented personal care products (being the mother of a 5th grader, however, encouraging the use of unscented deodorant is understandable!)
Repairing any dampness or leaks immediately to inhibit the growth of mold

I read a story this morning about a school in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (where I used to live) where the parents are protesting an asbestos abatement project because they are performing the abatement in the evenings, but during the school year. The parents want them to wait until summer. They have very real concerns about asbestos fibers being released into the school and inhaled by students during the day, even thought the work is being done at night.

I’m glad to hear that people are more aware of asbestos and other contaminants in the air that their children breathe and encourage the New York City school system to 1) be transparent about what they are doing and how they are keeping the children safe; and 2) to make sure that they are indeed safe before doing anything that might make the indoor environment for these children worse than it already is.

Remember, there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.

Happy Healthy Schools Day and if you would like more information about 7th Grade English Teacher Rebecca Mieliwocki from Luther Burbank Middle School, click HERE!

Retrofitting HVAC Systems Saves Money and Improves Air Quality

wendy — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:18:13 +0000

A research study performed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has determined that retrofitting large HVAC systems on the roof of a large commercial building could reduce the cost of heating and cooling from 25-25%. In these days of high energy prices, that is a huge amount of money!

Computer models were used to figure out the difference in cost based on use of capacity controls, demand-controlled ventilation, supply fan speeds and air-side economizers on four types of structures: supermarkets, strip malls, standalone retail stores and small office buildings.

The biggest difference in cost was found in small office buildings, which were projected to attain an energy cost savings of a whopping 46%. And one small office building in San Francisco could reduce its cost by 67%! The milder the climate where the building was located, the higher the level of savings. California, anyone?

There has never been a better time to think about saving money on energy costs for your commercial building. Having a clean ventilation system is an important—and easy—way to reduce the workload and energy use of your HVAC system as well as increase the lifespan of your equipment.

In California, AirTek offers Commercial Duct Cleaning services that can reduce your energy costs as well as improve the indoor air quality in your commercial building. We can send a highly-trained, professional team to your location quickly and efficiently and help you set up a maintenance schedule which will ensure your indoor environment is always clean and healthy and your energy bills are as low as possible!

Albert Rolon Gets a New Certification!

wendy — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:09:57 +0000

We are incredibly proud of our own Albert Rolon on being awarded Certification Credentials from The HVAC Inspection, Restoration & Maintenance Association!

Albert was among a select group of professionals who passed the examination and is awarded the title of “Certified Ventilation System Inspector” or CVI. This distinction recognizes Albert’s knowledge of HVAC components and systems and the proper methods for inspection that meets the NADCA’s standards.

With indoor air quality in the news and more public awareness of the importance of having a clean HVAC system, the demand for certified inspectors and assessments has increased dramatically. This certification ensures that Albert, and AirTek, can offer exceptional inspection and assessment services in California.

Albert is an Indoor Air Quality Operations Manager at AirTek. He brings more than 20 years of experience in air quality control and environmental safety and has managed projects in duct cleaning, lead remediation, kitchen exhaust cleaning maintenance, fire damper inspections, mold remediation with infection control barriers and HVAC air handler replacements. He has also assisted with several firewall penetration installations and inspections of fire stopping in compliance with current fire codes.

Albert also co-created the ECU cube that is widely used in healthcare facilities.

Albert has also led Dust Buster training classes for contractors and vendors to be able to work in healthcare environments, as well as emergency response decontamination training and respirator fit instruction/fitting.

In addition to his latest certification, Albert is certified as an Air System Cleaning Specialist as well as in rescue and assist, respirator fit tested, and dust buster. Albert is also trained in OSHA Construction Safety & Health, American Red Cross CPR and First Aid, California Department of Public Health Lead-Related Construction and as an Asbestos Contractor Supervisor.

AirTek is very proud of Albert’s accomplishments and we are happy to have him as part of our team!

Preparing a Sleeping Area for a Child with Asthma

wendy — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:28:13 +0000

Guest post from Jim Gates, CAFS:

When you are dealing with a child with asthma, it is very important to ensure that you do everything that you can to prevent asthma symptoms from occurring. An asthma attack can be devastating to a young body and severe attacks can result in hospitalization and a significant recovery time.

According to the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma-in-children/AS00034, because asthma can’t be cured, it’s important for parents to have formal a plan to minimize symptoms. One important part of this type of plan lies with making sure that children with asthma have a sleeping area designed to minimize exposure to symptom triggers.

Three Steps to Preparing a Sleeping Area to Minimize Symptoms

In order to prepare a sleeping area for a child with asthma, attention to detail and a high level of cleanliness is necessary for creating an area that will be comfortable for the child to sleep in.

1. Dust Furniture With Dust Capturing Product

The first thing that you should do to prepare a sleeping area for a child with asthma is dust the furniture in the room with a product that captures dust instead of just brushing it off of surfaces. The frame, headboard, and footboard of the bed should be dusted thoroughly to limit the amount of dust that is around the child while he or she is sleeping. If you notice that there seems to be a lot of dust in the sleeping area, you may want to consider installing a high quality air filter into the home’s HVAC system to remove more of the dust from the air inside the home.

2. Cover Mattress And Box Spring With Protective Cover

Dust mites and their offspring live and breed deep within the mattresses and box springs used in sleeping areas across the nation. To protect people with allergies and asthma, some manufacturers have begun making protective coverings for all sizes of mattresses and box springs that prevent allergens from coming through the covering including baby beds and toddler beds. These coverings are used to cover the mattress before the sheets and blankets are put on to provide an additional layer of protection from anything that may be in the mattress.

3. Wash Bedding And Pillows

Before placing a child with asthma in a sleeping area, all of the bedding and pillows should be washed thoroughly using the washing directions the manufacturer has placed on the tags of the items. Washing these items before allowing the child to sleep on them will remove any contaminants or pollutants that may be present on the items that you may not know about. This is especially important for bedding that has been recently purchased as many companies spray their products with chemicals before shipping to protect them from pests, bacteria, and mold. If the child likes to have stuffed toys in their sleeping area, these should be washed thoroughly as well.

About the Author

Jim Gates, CAFS, is the brand manager for Quality Filters, Inc. (http://qualityfilters.com), a leading manufacturer and distributor of high quality home and commercial air filters. The company’s products are available online at BuyFilters.com (http://buyfilters.com).

Great thanks to Jim for his informative post! I will be back on Tuesday with tips on how to Green Your Clean!