Serious Air Quality Dangers to Oklahoma Homes and Businesses

Of course, smoke detectors and fire alarms are essential to protecting Oklahoma families and companies, but there are other threats to our life safety in these buildings that we also must be on the lookout for.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. One person died and two dozen other people were sent to the hospital in February after a faulty water heater flue pipe caused a carbon monoxide leak in a New York restaurant. Emergency personnel found the restaurant manager unresponsive in the basement and he later died from the carbon monoxide fumes.

“Berkowitz [president and CEO of the restaurant] said the carbon monoxide leak was a ‘wakeup call for commercial businesses’ and that monitors should be in all businesses,” the Associated Press said.

The restaurant did not have a carbon monoxide detector and was not required to have one by law in that state.

Many commercial properties in Oklahoma are also not required to have carbon monoxide detectors except those where people sleep such as child care and skilled nursing facilities. New one and two family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories are also required to have CO detectors.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is colorless and odorless. It can cause abrupt illness and death. Carbon monoxide is formed by the incomplete burning of fuels such as wood, charcoal, coal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. Thus, CO can be produced by lanterns, furnaces, stoves, water heaters, gas ranges, vehicles, heating systems, and small gas engines.

Symptoms of CO poisoning consist of headache, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, confusion, chest pain, loss of muscular coordination and consciousness. Frequently, CO poisoning in residential dwellings can be mistaken for the flu.

To avoid CO poisoning, the heating system as well as any oil, gas, or coal burning appliances in your facility should be professionally inspected and serviced annually. Fireplaces and stoves should always be appropriately ventilated, and the vents for dryers, furnaces, and other appliances cleared of any blockage. Never use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors.

You can purchase combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for your home or standalone carbon monoxide detectors that work much like smoke detectors. Mac Systems in Tulsa and OKC offers a full line of commercial gas detection systems for a variety of applications.
 
Biological Pollutants. Mold, fungi, mildew, and bacteria can considerably disturb the air quality in your home or office and cause substantial health problems. These biological pollutants usually grow in damp or humid conditions often because of leaking pipes, excessive moisture in a foundation, wet insulation in walls, flooding, or excessive humidity, the CDC noted.

“Office buildings, schools, and other non-industrial buildings may develop moisture and dampness problems from roof and window leaks, high indoor humidity, and flooding events,” the CDC said. “This can lead to the growth of mold, fungi, and bacteria; the release of volatile organic compounds; and the breakdown of building materials.”

Extended contact with these biological pollutants can cause asthma, respiratory infections, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, and allergies.

Detecting mold odors and conducting regular inspections for areas of dampness or water damage can help to thwart and correct any mold problems. Consistent inspection and professional service of HVAC systems can help to prevent high indoor humidity.

Radon. Another danger to air quality is radon, which is an odorless and colorless radioactive gas. It occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rocks, and groundwater, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) noted. Radon is actually the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It can seep into buildings through gaps in service pipes and in suspended floors, construction joints, cracks in solid floors and walls, and the water supply, the CDC reported.

“Since it is difficult to identify any immediate symptoms related to radon exposure, it may take years before health problems appear,” the CDC said. “So, whether in the workplace, in homes, or in schools, understanding radon is important.”

Having your office or home tested, the CDC said, is the only effective way to determine your risk of exposure.
 
So, in addition to having smoke detectors and fire alarms in your OKC or Tulsa business, make sure you're protected from these other, very serious, dangers.