Re: Re: sick building indicator

[Guest guest]

,

I agree with Jeff and have nothing to add about equipment. What I

will add, however, is an emphasis on his encouragment to read about

possible problems in the home. Even with the best of instruments (and

there aren't many) it is the knowledge gained from experience with

many homes and many individuals that provides the context for

interpreting readings from equipment.

I've had a number of clients who have been successful at improving

their indoor environment who then thought they could be a consultant.

It didn't take long for them to realize that what worked so well for

themselves didn't always work for others, and sometimes made the

situation worse. We are all different in different ways.

One advantage of an experienced professional is (hopefully) they have

seen enough situations with sufficient success to have a better idea

about how to handle the disparity.

For me, however, my client is almost always the best indicator. I

help them understand how to use their experience and how to interpret

the data. An illustration of this is one I talked with a few weeks

ago. I had worked with him off and on for a couple of years starting

about 2002. When he told me he had been doing very well the last

couple of years I asked him what was different now that was so

successful.

His immediate response was, " If I don't like it I get rid of it, or I

leave. I no longer put what people think of me ahead of taking care

of myself in my own way. It's actually very simple. But it took me at

least three years of trial and error, even with lots of help, to

trust myself. "

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

www.habitats.com

-----

> ,

>

> There is no substitute for having a knowledgeable IAQ professional

> investigate a home.

>

> Nonetheless, there are a few tests that you can do.

>

> The AirAdvice system is a box that you can rent which measures several

> parameters: <http://www.airadvice.com/images/pdf/pr_23.pdf>. (There is

> nothing that you can buy though.)

>

> In general, I do not advocate use of AirAdvice since I have seen some of

> the reports and they did not provide much useful information in the

> particular instances in which I was involved.

>

> But the same can be said for settle plates (Petri dishes that you set out).

> Yet some folks have found these useful. So you might get some useful

> information from AirAdvice and settle plates.

>

> If you are concerned about formaldehyde, SKC has a test that is useful (but

> results are only meaningful when the relative humidity is over 50% and the

> temperature is over 70F):

>

> <http://www.skcshopping.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=526-100>

>

> I think that you should probably read up on possible problems in homes as

> well, as this will make it easier for you to find any problems.

>

> C. May, M.A., CIAQP

> May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

> 3 Tolkien Lane

> Tyngsborough, MA 01879

> 617-354-1055

> www.mayindoorair.com

> www.myhouseiskillingme.com

>

> > 1a. sick building indicator

> > Posted by: " jason ng " artformjon@... bigbroco88

> > Date: Sat Nov 17, 2007 4:14 am ((PST))

> >

> > hi guys is there an equipment that you can buy that can tell the level

> > of molds,voc,etc in a particular place? im not from the USA so i dont

> > have the convenience of calling a professional to do it for me. i am

> > knowledgeable in real estate construction so if there are kits or

> > equipments that can only be handled by building contractors i believe

> > i can handle it.

> >

> > thanks in advance.

> >

> >

> >

> > Messages in this topic (7)

> > ________________________________________________________________________

> >

> > 1b. Re: sick building indicator

> > Posted by: " tigerpaw2c " tigerpaw2c@... tigerpaw2c

> > Date: Sat Nov 17, 2007 4:51 am ((PST))

> >

> > Jeff, Carl or any other professional,

> >

> > When you get the chance will you please answer this gentlemen so he

> > gets the proper information without a lot of confusion? I know there

> > is alot of different methods and equipment available to those in your

> > industry.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > KC

>

>

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>

>

>