Silent Killers - Carbon Monoxide, Radon, and Mold

Silent Killers - Carbon Monoxide, Radon, and Mold
7 min read
07 September 2022
You may not be aware of a few silent murderers lurking in homes and flats. No, we're not talking about the stench of the neighbor's dirty feet; the silent killer is the gas and mold accumulations that might happen in some buildings.

Renting an apartment puts you at risk for exposure to two carcinogenic gases: radon and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is known as the "silent killer" due to the fact that it cannot be detected by sight or smell and requires specialized instruments to be found. Heaters, stoves, car exhaust pipes, and other appliances can all be potential sources of carbon monoxide leaks. Carbon monoxide poisoning is more likely to occur in a well-sealed flat with no windows or other means of ventilation to the outside. Convulsions, dizziness, and headaches are all signs of carbon monoxide poisoning; if you've just moved into a new place or the heat has been switched on for the season, you should seek fresh air immediately. Plugging a carbon monoxide detector into an outlet will alert you to a potentially hazardous situation.

Radon is another radioactive gas that is found in many modern homes and apartments and is extremely dangerous. This odorless, colorless gas is a natural earth formation. In contrast to carbon monoxide poisoning, there are no outward manifestations of radon exposure. A lot of people find out they've been exposed to radon after they get lung cancer. It is important to have your flat or house checked out because there is no easy way to tell if you are in danger. You can purchase low-priced kits and send them into a lab for analysis after you've followed the included instructions. There are more pricey gadgets that may be plugged into the wall and give you a numerical readout of the radon level. Request the findings of any tests that have been done on the rental property. Many jurisdictions mandate radon testing for structures constructed within the last few years, so you might be able to get the data.

Lastly, mold and mildew could be lurking in your flat and killing you slowly. While carbon monoxide and radon poisoning are far more deadly, the issue at hand is far more frequent and can still be a major hassle. As a result of the high humidity, mold and mildew thrive in certain environments. You probably already know that mold has certain health benefits, but the mold and mildew that grows in damp places can make it difficult to breathe. After mold or mildew has begun to grow, it will spread and infest everything in its path, including your furniture, walls, clothes, carpets, and floors, unless you take action to eradicate it. It's going to be necessary to throw away some of these things because they can't be disinfected with bleach and water, while others can be cleaned. Although do-it-yourself solutions exist for minor mold issues, serious ones typically require the assistance of an expert toronto radon removal (or a wrecking ball to knock down the whole building).

Whole House Air Purifiers And Radon Gas - Are Air Purifiers Effective At Getting The Gas Out

Keep in mind that you will be spending a significant portion of your time in the apartment, and therefore spending a significant portion of your time breathing in the air in the unit. If you care about your health, think about the unseen dangers when searching for your next home.

Your home's crawl space or basement may be the entry point for radon gas. Due to being colorless and odorless, it is impossible to know if it is present in your home without doing a test. Various people are being slowly poisoned by it without even knowing it because it occurs naturally in soil and rock in many places of the country. In order to play it safe, you should get in touch with the appropriate department in your area and get a testing kit. They are widely available for no cost in most jurisdictions. In the event that the results are favorable, it is essential that you invest in an air purifier. One of the strongest weapons in the fight against radon is a whole-house air purifier.

A whole-house air purifier is the best solution for removing radon gas from a home. They are out of sight from the main part of your house and are instead situated in a basement or crawlspace. Before the radon-filled air in the basement can spread throughout the rest of the house, a fan forces it outside. The air purifier's blower pushes clean air via metal ducts and out of the house. Sealing any openings through which air could leak in is an additional, worthwhile step. With the help of a high-quality air purifier and some careful sealing, you can effectively get rid of the radon problem.

Having a whole-house unit in the basement has the added benefit of making its operation completely silent. Even while they can be somewhat noisy, this is actually a huge benefit that many potential buyers overlook.

However, radon gas removal isn't the only advantage of installing a whole-house air purifier. They can also solve a wide variety of other problems. Mold spores, dust, pet dander, smoking fumes, and pollen can all be caught and removed with the help of additional filters, such as heap or carbon. A whole-house air purifier is a wise investment if you suffer from allergies, have pets, or simply value clean air.

Comparing whole-house and individual air purifiers

Okay, but what about compact, budget-friendly alternatives? Although, the cost of a whole-house air purifier can be double or triple that of a smaller one. However, if you have issues with air quality throughout your house, cleaning the air in just one area is unlikely to resolve the problem. Therefore, you will need to buy multiple standalone purifiers rather than a single system to adequately cover your home. The question of price is now moot.

A whole-house purifier is installed behind the walls and uses metal ductwork to recirculate the air, so it is virtually invisible. In most cases, standalone purifiers are bulky and unpleasant to look at, so they may not be the best choice for a place where aesthetics are important. Unless your home is quite compact, investing in a whole-house purifier is the best option.

Consider installing a whole-house air purifier system if you have radon issues or any other air quality concerns. In most regions, you can get one and have it set up for under $1000.

In case you have found a mistake in the text, please send a message to the author by selecting the mistake and pressing Ctrl-Enter.
Mark Miller 0
Hi! I'm mark miller, a vlogger and writer with a passion for life. My goal is to inspire you to live your best life and be the best version of yourself, so if y...
Comments (0)

    No comments yet

You must be logged in to comment.

Sign In / Sign Up