Air Cell refers to an asbestos-containing pipe insulation product. It has alternating layers of plain and corrugated asbestos paper. The term “Air Cell” was used as a product name by Armstrong Contracting and Supply Corporation and others. However, the term “Air Cell” can also be used in a generic manner for various types of similar
What is that terrible odor?
There is an old story that I tell that goes like this. I am sent to a home where the owners have noticed a strange odor that they want us to identify. As soon as I enter the door, I am immediately asked “Can’t you smell it? Can’t you smell it?!!”. After sniffing around
Da Vinci & Mold
Da Vinci died hundreds of years ago, but his creations during his 67 years on earth leave a legacy that stands the test of time. Nature, however, always finds a way to leave it’s mark. This article highlights how Aspergillus halophilicum leaves several marks all over the famous painter’s face. http://www.aspergillus.org.uk/content/da-vincis-self-portrait-damaged-aspergillus
Marvel Comics & Asbestos
In the colorful universe of Marvel Comics, many of its superpowered characters gained their abilities via a science experiment, magic, technology, or other uncanny circumstances. In the late 1940s Marvel (known at the time as Timely Comics) created a character that drew their abilities from a real world material known as asbestos. This character took
Indoor and Outdoor Pollutants in Chicago
Living less than a half mile away from Lake Michigan in Chicago made the Lakefront Trail (LFT) effortlessly accessible. I could quickly warm up with a short walk or jog and almost instantly have access to the beautiful lake and a path designed specifically for pedestrians and bicyclists. The LFT lines the edges of the
Health Effects Associated with Asbestos Exposure
What are the health problems associated with asbestos exposure? In this blog post I will discuss the common routes of exposure for asbestos and its health effects related to exposure. The term asbestos refers to a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which often have a length-width ratio of roughly 1:20. These minerals
D’oh! The Simpsons have Air Quality Problems
With each passing year, the general public becomes more and more aware of indoor air quality (IAQ) issues. I thought it was because of my educational outreach efforts. Come to find out… people are more aware because of The Simpsons! I found over 20 indoor air quality related quotes from Simpsons episodes using the new website Frinkiac.com.
Environmental Inspections During Real Estate Transactions
Now that spring is right around the corner, we have been receiving a lot of phone calls about environmental inspections and testing prior to purchasing a new property. Some people have a general idea of things they want checked out per recommendations of their traditional home inspector. Examples include potential mold in an attic or
Humidity In Winter
With winter now upon us, let’s take a minute to think about humidity in your home. Maintaining proper humidity levels during the cold months is more important than just comfort. Low humidity can cause things from annoying static electricity build up to asthma attacks, but also having high humidity can cause a whole other mess
How Long for Mattress VOCs to Offgas?
In a previous blog post, I established that foam mattresses from Casper and Tuft & Needle had high VOCs in the packaging and that they should be opened outdoors. For good measure, I tested yet another manufacturer’s product… Nest Bedding’s Love Bed. I got the same results as with the other manufacturers: What do
Chemical Emissions from Mattresses
Mattress salespeople have a reputation somewhat equivalent to the iconic used car salesman. To avoid the high-pressure sales environment altogether, many people are opting to buy their mattresses online… me included. I recently bought two foam mattresses online and had them shipped to my Chicago home: a queen-size from Casper and a twin-size from Tuft
Interpretation of Mold Tests
In Chicago and beyond, there are some mold inspectors that don’t really do an inspection at all. They do basic mold testing, such as collecting a few air samples, and neglect to do a visual inspection of the home or evaluate the moisture problems leading to the growth. To make matters worse, these inspectors typically
My Top 10 Air Quality Concerns
Many people keep track of every gram of food going into their body. Yet, the very same people are often totally unaware of what they are breathing in. They would be surprised to find out that we eat about 3 pounds of food a day… and breath in over 30 pounds of air! To help
