Appliance Analysis Findings - Newsletter

August/September 2006

Welcome to the latest edition of the Appliance Analysis Findings.

ALERT - Beware of Indoor Air Pollutants

When working or living in environments with insufficient oxygen or where harmful dusts, mists, fumes, gas, vapors, fogs, smokes or sprays are present you need a respirator. These are all health hazards and may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases or death.

While working a boiler explosion scene (no fire) the dust was so thick in the air, it was like working in a thick fog. I wore my respirator for the three days of digging, yes it does get in the way when trying to get those photographs, but at the end of the day I could still breath very comfortably.

Some of the indoor air pollutants that can cause health problems include:

• Asbestos
• Pesticides
• Volatile Organic Compounds
• Radon and
• Formaldehyde

Case Study: Investigation for an Insurance Company

A two-story home burned. The insurance company investigators were trying to figure out how the furnace could start a fire six feet away from it in the supply air metal ducting. The furnace needed to be “ruled in” or “ruled out” as the cause of this house fire. Follow the link to learn more...