The following is adapted from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Source: Unvented kerosene and gas heaters, gas appliances, wood, and gas-burning fireplaces, leaking chimneys and furnaces, tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust in attached garages
Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, impaired lung function and respiratory function in children, bronchitis, lung cancer, flu-like symptoms.
What to do:
Source: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes
Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, pneumonia. Increased risk of respiratory and ear infections in children. Lung cancer and increased risk of heart disease.
What to do:
Source: Pressed wood products (hardwood, plywood wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard) used in buildings and furniture, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, permanent press textiles, glue, ETS, vehicle exhaust, stoves, fireplaces
Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, fatigue, rashes, and allergic reactions. Causes cancer in animals. Death at very high concentration.
What to do:
Source: Paints, solvents, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, cleaners and disinfectants, moth repellents, air fresheners, hobby supplies, and dry-cleaned clothes
Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, damage to kidney and central nervous system. Some cause cancer in animals. Some may cause cancer in humans.
What to do:
Source: Local geology, soil, water
Health Effect: Lung cancer, possibility of stomach cancer
What to do:
Source: Garden and lawn chemicals, poisons for pest control
Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, damage to central nervous system and kidney, cancer
What to do:
Source: Deteriorating or damaged insulation, fireproofing, or acoustical materials
Health Effect: Cancer and lung diseases (smokers at higher risk)
What to do:
Source: Paints, automobiles, tobacco smoke, soil, and dust
Health Effect: Headaches, irritation in mouth, rash, excessive perspiration, kidney damage
What to do:
Source: Humans, pets, moist surfaces, humidifiers, ventilation systems, drip pans, cooling coils in air handling units, plants, outside air
Health Effect: Legionnaires’ disease, humidifier fever, influenza
What to do:
Consider an air purifier, UV lamp, and whole-house duct cleaning to improve your indoor air quality.
Max is an important part of our team. He is more than just a cartoon character. Max represents our commitment to quality work, craftsmanship, pride, and passion to serve our clients and community. We celebrate this mentality through Max because these values drive us to be the area’s most complete and comprehensive home service company. So, now when you see Max, you’ll know the story behind the man with the mustache!
