Jan 15
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WHAT IS RADON & SHOULD I REALLY BE WORRIED?

By | Indoor Air Quality | No Comments

Radon is a radioactive gas that cannot be smelled, seen, or heard.  It moves up through the ground to the air above and into our buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation.  Buildings then trap the radon gas inside where it can build up.

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the US is estimated to have elevated radon levels.  Elevated levels of radon have been found in buildings in every US State.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Start by testing.  It’s quick, easy, inexpensive, and can save the lives of your building occupants.

To learn more or to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, visit baxtergroupinc.com.  Request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book.

Jan 13
0

HIDDEN SOURCES OF HOUSEHOLD ALLERGENS

By | Indoor Environmental Quality | No Comments
  • Mattresses and bed pillows that are not washed regularly.
  • Carpeting that contains an accumulation of particulate.
  • Damp basements.
  • Dog beds.
  • Fish tank covers.
  • Bird feathers that escape the cage.
  • Jar candles that produce soot particles.
  • Laundry areas.
  • Front-loading washing machines.
  • Refrigerator drip pans.
  • Kitchen cabinet kick spaces.
  • Damp bathrooms.
  • Sink cabinets.

To learn more or to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, visit baxtergroupinc.com.  Request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book.

 

Jan 11
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Four Considerations When Purchasing an Air Purifiers

By | Indoor Air Quality | No Comments

 

Four Considerations When Purchasing an Air Purifiers:

  1. Cost of replacement filters: typically filters will need cleaned or replaced every 6-12 months.
  2.  Certifications:
    • The Energy Star certified purifiers are 40% more energy-efficient than standard models.
    • AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) Verified which provides clean air delivery rates and room size guidelines on the seal.
  3. Room size: if in doubt, size up.
  4. Noise: test to make sure you can live with it.

To get the most out of your Air Purifier:

  1.  Clean or replace filters regularly.
  2. Establish its location wisely.
  3. Keep the air purifier running 24/7.

To learn more or to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, visit baxtergroupinc.com.  Request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book.

 

Jan 10
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Nine Tips for Reducing Indoor Air Pollution

By | Indoor Air Quality, Indoor Environmental Quality | No Comments
  1. Install energy efficient windows and doors.
  2. Establish air purifiers/sanitizers in heavily used rooms.
  3. Change the filters in the HVAC unit as soon as they appear dirty.
  4. Vacuum regularly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum.
  5. Confirm all exhaust fans are exhausting the air to the outdoors.
  6. Use the kitchen exhaust fan while cooking.
  7. Use the bathroom exhaust fan while showering, and then for an additional 20 minutes.
  8. Do not smoke indoors.
  9. When using chemicals, ventilate till vapors and gases have been diluted or exhausted.

To learn more or to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, visit baxtergroupinc.com.  Request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book.

Jan 06
0

Let me tell you a Radon Story for NATIONAL RADON ACTION Month!

By | Indoor Air Quality | No Comments

Over the Summer Pete and Sue had the neighborhood over for a huge barbeque.  The neighbors to the east of them brought potato salad and chips.  The neighbors to the west of them brought burgers and hot dogs.  The neighbors to the north of them brought chicken and fries.  And the neighbors to the south of them brought an assortment of desserts.  Everyone had a great time.  Little did Pete and Sue know that the neighbors to the east of them would save their lives!

Pete and Sue mentioned that they were considering getting a radon test taken in their basement.

  • The neighbors to the south thought it was just a waste of money . . . another thing to get homeowners to spend their hard-earned dollars.
  • The neighbors to the north said that they had a relative that was diagnosed with lung cancer, and the doctor had said it was directly related to exposure to radon. They had their home tested and the radon levels were very low.
  • The neighbors to the west said they too had a test done about a year ago and the levels were very low.
  • The neighbors to the east said their radon test showed high levels of radon, and they had a system put in very economically. They strongly recommended that everyone have their home tested.  For a little bit of money and time, lives could be saved by testing and taking action if appropriate.

Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless radioactive gas that currently penetrates one out of every 15 homes in the United States.  Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in our country today.

Now it is January, Pete and Sue get up from the news to fix a drink.  When they return, they hear a commercial about January being NATIONAL RADON ACTION month.  Pete looks at Sue and says, “Let’s do it.”

Shocked to see that the radon levels in their home were extremely high, they spent a total of $1,500 to have a radon mitigation system installed.  By February, their radon levels were very low, and they had peace of mind.

To learn more or to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, visit baxtergroupinc.com.  Request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book.

Jan 05
0

EIGHT TIPS TO PREVENT “SICK BUILDING SYNDROME”

By | Indoor Air Quality, Indoor Environmental Quality | No Comments

Sick Building Syndrome is a situation in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.

1. Check out the EPA’s AirCompare tool. Learn about the outdoor air quality in your area and the times of the year that may be unhealthy to leave doors and windows open.
2. Make your building as air tight as possible and follow-up by taking control of your indoor air and environment.
3. Establish your ventilation system to ensure that fresh air gets brought in and properly filtered. By doing so, any allergens, VOCs, or indoor air pollution is now being filtered and diluted.
4. When possible, use chemical-free, toxin-free products indoors. When chemicals have to be used indoors, properly exhaust and ventilate during and immediately after use.
5. Clean with damp clothes and a HEPA-filtered vacuum. Avoid dry-sweeping and dry dusting since this practice stirs dust and pollutants that can linger in the air for hours.
6. Test for radon. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless natural-occurring radioactive gas that seeps into our buildings from the uranium in the soil. The only way to know if it is infiltrating your building is to test.
7. Install carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, fatal gas that is produced any time fuel is burned.
8. Connect with Nature! Studies show that the more time we spend outdoors and with nature, the better our wellbeing is. Consider ways to bring nature into your living space.

Dec 21
0

All I Want for Christmas is to be Healthy!

By | Indoor Environmental Quality | No Comments

All I Want for Christmas is to be Healthy!

Having battled Lyme Disease since 2011, I can relate to those who suffer with chronic diseases and ongoing health issues.  This is why we created our BREATHE HEALTHY INITIATIVE!  So, as we enter into our Christmas Week . . . I want to send a message:

  • To Veronica, who suffers with fatigue every afternoon and evening after a long-term exposure to mold in her crawlspace. I wish for you that all the toxins be removed from your blood and lungs, and your body begins to heal and rejoice.
  • To Susan, who suffers from multiple health issues including respiratory and heart problems due to exposure to indoor environmental contaminants. I wish for you that all the toxins be removed from your body, and your body begins to heal and rejoice.
  • To Fred, who suffers from lung cancer related to an asbestos exposure. I wish for you that all the scarring be removed from your lungs, and that your body begins to heal and rejoice.
  • To 8-year old Samantha, who suffers from nervous system issues after a contamination of lead in her blood. I wish for you that your blood be purified, and your body begins to heal and rejoice.
  • To Tim, who just found a lake of water in his crawlspace and who is in the midst of addressing it. I wish for you the joy of seeing your household staying healthy because you acted immediately.
  • To all Facilities Managers, Property Managers, Real Estate Agents, and Homeowners that take seriously the health of OUR INDOOR GENERATION . . . thank you. I wish for you the recognition that you MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

To learn more, to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, or to request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book, visit baxtergroupinc.com.

Dec 18
0

TIPS FOR PREVENTING INDOOR AIR POLLUTION OVER THE HOLIDAYS

By | Indoor Environmental Quality | No Comments

December’s Breathe Healthy Initiative Topic: Our Indoor Generation

REDUCING INDOOR AIR POLLUTION THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

It’s a wonderful time of the year for OUR INDOOR GENERATION.  With it comes risks to our indoor environmental health and its impact on the health of OUR INDOOR GENERATION!

Some tips for preventing indoor air pollution over the Holidays:

  • Avoid scented candles and air fresheners. Many scented candles contain paraffin, which releases carcinogens when burned.  Air fresheners tend to contain phthalates and other VOCs.  Instead, consider simmering herbs or fruit in a pot or diffusing essential oils.
  • Ventilate when cooking. Stove-top cooking can release particulates into the air and produce humidity.  Using the exhaust fan can reduce the exposure to contaminants and reduce the humidity that it creates.
  • Remove shoes when entering a home. This prevents dirt and dust particulates from entering the shared indoor space.
  • Provide an exterior and an interior mat at the entrance. This reduces the volume of pollutants entering your home or building.
  • Ventilate when using household cleaners.
  • When weather permits, open a window to dilute any buildup of toxins in the air.
  • And, HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY!

 To learn more, to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, or to request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book, visit baxtergroupinc.com.

Dec 16
0

December’s Breathe Healthy Initiative Topic: Our Indoor Generation

By | Indoor Environmental Quality | No Comments

IS IT TIME FOR A HEALTHY BUILDINGS CHECKUP?

A Healthy Building Checkup is one of the greatest measures to protect our indoor generation.  Here are a few suggestions to make it efficient and comprehensive:

  • Schedule a walk-through with relevant and knowledgeable parties.
  • Make notes of problems, issues, or ideas for enhancements.
  • Compile the notes and create a plan.
  • Establish time-frames or goals to complete relevant repairs.
  • Hire experts to inspect building systems wherein your knowledge base is limited, i.e., electrical, plumbing, HVAC.

Our facilities and homes are a significant financial investment.  As a member of Our Indoor Generation, we know our buildings can also impact our health.  With buildings being constructed to conserve energy, the air-tight envelope can trap contaminants.  Issues, such as moisture and humidity, if not addressed, can cause structural damage and can impact our health and the health of Our Indoor Generation.

To learn more, to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, or to request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book, visit baxtergroupinc.com.

 

Dec 14
0

December’s Breathe Healthy Initiative Topic: Our Indoor Generation

By | Indoor Environmental Quality | No Comments

The Nine Foundations of a Healthy Building recently published by Harvard’s School of Public Health confirms the fundamentals that all of us responsible for OUR INDOOR GENERATION should embrace.  Take care of these and our environment will take care of us!

  • Ventilation
  • Air quality
  • Thermal health
  • Moisture
  • Dust & pests
  • Safety & security
  • Water quality
  • Noise
  • Lighting & views.

For the detailed report, download the document at https://forhealth.org/9_Foundations_of_a_Healthy_Building.February_2017.pdf.

To learn more, to join our BREATHE HEALTHY Initiative, or to request a copy of our BREATHE HEALTHY e-book, visit baxtergroupinc.com.