Page 3 - Summer2011

The information supplied in this journal is for informational

purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is not meant to replace services of a physician. We do offer professional advice on mold and radon testing in homes. We offer common sense solution with dealing with indoor air pollution.

Summertime. A dreamy, sun-soaked time of year when many of us put our responsibilities on hold and instead fill our heads with carefree thoughts, the smell of freshly-cut grass, ice cream trucks, and trips to the beach. But as fun as these lazy days are, it’s important to keep in mind some of the negative health

consequences that summertime can have on you and your home.

Allergies are usually associated with springtime, but many of the same allergic triggers that we experience in the spring continue into summer. Trees are generally done pollinating by late spring, which leaves grasses and weeds as the biggest contributors to summer allergies. Some examples of the worst allergy offenders are ragweed, cockleweed, pigweed, sagebrush, tumbleweed, as well as many grasses such as bermuda, orchard, red top, sweet vernal, and blue grasses.

Allergy-sufferers are especially prone to experiencing symptoms because of the added heat, humidity and air pollution. Also, because of the increase in humidity during the summertime, another thing to be aware of is an increased risk of moisture developing within your home. Moisture and water leaks can lead to mold growth, which can cause respiratory problems among inhabitants of the home. Dust mites also thrive in humid weather, and can cause asthma, particularly in children. These are all just a few things to keep in mind as summer quickly

approaches. Within this newsletter, we will provide some basic information and resources to educate you more about the health concerns mentioned above and how to prevent them from becoming a problem for you and your family. We will help you make sure to take the necessary precautions so that things like allergy triggers, indoor air pollution and mold don’t get in the way of all the great things that make summer summer.

Included in this issue are articles about what spring cleaning, health articles about the effects of mold and Radon in your home, educational information about building science and how to reduce moisture, radon testing devices and reduction of radon in your home, new technology for inspecting for mold and using houseplant to reduce air pollution.