Re: Need help with Soot on my walls??

May 9, 2005

Hi,

You didn't say what type of heat you had. A leaky oil furnace with forced

air ventilation can put all kinds of soot on your walls. Soot coming from

the vents suggests other combustion products are also present, such as

carbon monoxide. Such a heater should be replaced. But you mention of

baseboards suggests you have baseboard heat of some kind, either electric or

hot water. If so, and your stains are heaviest near the heat source, this is

fairly common, and is not mold. It is simply dust particles which pick up an

electrostatic charge as convection carries them over the hot heat pipe. The

charge causes the particles to cling tightly to the walls. It should be able

to be cleaned partially with a common household cleaner, such as Mr. Clean,

Fantastic, or Simple Green, whatever you can tolerate. It probably won't

clean completely. HEPA Air filters can help prevent this problem. However,

if the stain is more evenly widespread, and particularly if it is heavier

farther away from the baseboard heaters, and if a humidifier is used during

the winter, mold is a likely culprit, due to moisture condensing on and in

cold exterior walls.

Date: Mon, 09 May 2005 00:56:01 -0000

From: " dovz122 " <dovz122@...>

Subject: Need help with Soot on my walls??

Hello, I am new to this board. I don't really know where to turn with

problem, and have been surfing for some info on the net. I have

CFS/FMS, and formerly had MCS(I am still 'chemical sensitive, but is

now more like allergys now). I am having problems with black 'soot like

matter above my baseboards(heat) in my apt. Now this black sooty

substance in on the ceiling, walls, and my carpet. I am beside myself.

2 years ago, when I moved in here, I had this place cleaned by

an 'envirnmentally safe cleaner'. And they cleaned the bed and

furniture too. Old carpets were ripped up too. So my place WAS

envirnmentally safe, because of the fact that I do suffer from

CFS/FMS..this is very crutial to my health(which has improved ALOT

over the years) I am soo scared that this black stuff will put me in

bed for good, again!! I have called 3 different oil burner men, 1

chimney sweep man, and asked the workers at home depot, and KNOWONE

seems to know what this black stuff is..I dont' know where else to

turn, or how to begin to clean up(without knowing the source of the

problem first. Any suggestions, or help would be appreciated..Or any

similar instances ..thank you..PS> I live about my dad, and he will

NOT fix or aknowledge the problem(I have to live here, because of my

illness....lost everything.Sorry so long..Dovz122

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