Drywall Dust Odor Revisited

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the input, both on and off line. After thinking this through better,

I have a theory to try out on the group to see if anyone has any experience with

this. The attic has blown-in insulation, likely cellulose, but I am unsure of

what insulation is in the walls. The house amazingly has can lights in the

ceiling of every room of the house. When windows are opened, it is possible that

there is a pressure differential between attic and living space that causes

insulation dust to be drawn from the attic. I tried to visualize airflow around

one can light with smoke but it was inconclusive. My question, would sore

throat, lost voice, headache and vomiting be a result of exposure to insulation

dust? I will check out the type of insulation further but some cellulose

insulations have boric acid added and perhaps other chemicals that could elicit

some health responses. Has anyone experienced this?? TIA, JB

F. Beltz, CIH, CSP

CIH Services (www.cih-services.com)

7148 Creekside Lane

Indianapolis, IN 46250

ph (317)797-7768) fax (317)913-1895

________________________________________________________________

The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!

Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!

Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

[Guest guest]

4.

As for pressurization, if you've ever noticed dark rings around the

exterior of rooms or under doorways, it is a sign of something

called

" carpet filtration " or " carpet soiling " or the

like. Having monitored at

one house extensively for this (and having about 2 dozen case studies),

the

pressure differential between spaces associated with these is in the

range

of 3-5 pascals, and certainly over 5 is a problem. This pressure

drives air

under the baseboard (or doors) into the wall cavities while the

particles

get caught (impaction, sedimentation, etc.) in the carpet around the

perimeter of the rooms leaving dark rings(much more prevalent in

central

return houses).

I appreciate Tony taking time to relay his experiences to the list.

I would like to possibly add my experience to a possible cause for the

" sooting " around the base of the walls. I investigated a

similar problem, but linked the sooting to air being pulled into the wall

cavities due to leaking return air ducts in the walls. As typical

of most current home construction, the wall cavity was used as the return

duct without taking any precautions, such as caulking the stud faces, to

prevent air leakage.

Additionally, the joist cavity was used as a return duct in one area,

again without sealing the cavity. In this case, air was pulled

through the carpet and OSB used for flooring. This air leakage

resulted in a 4' x 8' soot outline in the carpet.

******************************************************

If what is written looks too stupid to be written by me, I disclaim

it. On

the other hand, if it is brilliant, then I have no one to blame but

myself.

Otherwise, whether you choose to accept my opinion is up to you.

******************************************************

K. Klein, PE ME, MBA

Indoor Air Quality Solutions, Inc.

PO Box 7

Bethel, OH 45106-0007

VOICE: FAX:

E-mail: mkklein68@...

*******************************************************

Wouldn't it be nice if common sense were really common?

[Guest guest]

1) Leaking ductwork in attics can be a problem as well - someone's previous comments about testing and balancing are appropriate.

2) Yes. A most Hideous practice of using joists and wall cavities as returns (I'm a mechanical and environmenal engineer). Very common in the midwest, outlawed in California. Thanks.

You might add that returns of this nature tend to be mold hot spots - I saw a nice apartment with the return constructed of drywall - overspill from the drip pan created a nice picture.

Thanks again

-----Original Message-----From: Matt Klein Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 8:37 PMTo: iequality Subject: RE: Re: Drywall Dust Odor Revisited

4. As for pressurization, if you've ever noticed dark rings around theexterior of rooms or under doorways, it is a sign of something called"carpet filtration" or "carpet soiling" or the like. Having monitored atone house extensively for this (and having about 2 dozen case studies), thepressure differential between spaces associated with these is in the rangeof 3-5 pascals, and certainly over 5 is a problem. This pressure drives airunder the baseboard (or doors) into the wall cavities while the particlesget caught (impaction, sedimentation, etc.) in the carpet around theperimeter of the rooms leaving dark rings(much more prevalent in centralreturn houses). I appreciate Tony taking time to relay his experiences to the list. I would like to possibly add my experience to a possible cause for the "sooting" around the base of the walls. I investigated a similar problem, but linked the sooting to air being pulled into the wall cavities due to leaking return air ducts in the walls. As typical of most current home construction, the wall cavity was used as the return duct without taking any precautions, such as caulking the stud faces, to prevent air leakage. Additionally, the joist cavity was used as a return duct in one area, again without sealing the cavity. In this case, air was pulled through the carpet and OSB used for flooring. This air leakage resulted in a 4' x 8' soot outline in the carpet.

******************************************************If what is written looks too stupid to be written by me, I disclaim it. Onthe other hand, if it is brilliant, then I have no one to blame but myself. Otherwise, whether you choose to accept my opinion is up to you.****************************************************** K. Klein, PE ME, MBAIndoor Air Quality Solutions, Inc.PO Box 7Bethel, OH 45106-0007VOICE: FAX: E-mail: mkklein68@...*******************************************************Wouldn't it be nice if common sense were really common? FAIR USE NOTICE:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.