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You are here: Experts > Science > Environmental Issues > Environmental Education > Soot--Indoor Air Quality Concerns
Expert: Dr. Jesse LaPrade - 6/14/2009
Question
QUESTION: Dr. LaPrade,
I didn't know until today that soot was a problem indoors. I have had HVAC people out to my condo twice to investigate black stains around my vents and on various household items. I was worried that it might be mold spores. They both said that it didn't look like mold and that they wouldn't worry about it.
Now that I have done some reading on soot. I am 99.9% sure that soot is exactly what's in my home. It is on my air filter every time I change it. It is throughout ALL of my duct work.
Is there an immediate health risk? What is my next step? If this was caused by candles, will it be covered by my home warranty? What's the first step for me?
I realize that you may not be able to answer all of that, but any insight would help.
Thank you.
ANSWER: Shane:
Two items come to mind about your situation and your question:
1. Do you burn candles in your home?
2. Did the HVAC technicians check your evaporator coil when they came
and looked at your problem?
These are some of the facts about soot,candles and mold in your air conditioning system:
If you do burn candles on a regular basis it could be at least a part of your problem. When candles burn they need and use a considerable quantity of oxygen in the air. If they do not get all of the Oxygen they need to bur cleanly they can give off copious quanties of soot. You may not be able to see the soot from the candle but it will appear where ever the flow of air in your home takes it.
Air Conditioning techs.Don't often check evaporator coils for mold build up unless the flow of air has been compromised. Most air conditioning technicians are not capable of diagnosing mold problems. If your air flow appears to be less than some time ago through your A.C. ducts you could reasonably suspect mold on your evaporator coils.
Mold on the coils is usually black and is often mistaken for soot.
The evaporator coils of your A.C. unit will be in the structure of your home and not outside. The outside unit is the compressor and will have nothing to do with contamination in your home. You change your A.C. filter on a regular basis to prevent mold and dust from collecting on the coils. Since you are in a rental unit it could be that the prior occupant was a bit lax on changing the filter.
Check these things out and get back to me and I will assist you further.
The question is my primary specialty although I get questions about everything environmental. I do appreciate your question since I can answer it more accurately than most questions that I get!
Regards,
Jesse
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Dr. Laprade,
Thank you for the prompt response. Sorry that it took me so long to get back to you.
Yes. Many candles have been burned in my home. Not in the past few weeks though--since I heard about this soot problem and realized that it's probably the cause of my problem.
The last AC Tech that came out to my home seemed very knowledgeable. And, yes he did check the coils and throughout the inside of the handler. I also got down and took a look up at the coils. They look almost brand new. No build-up at all.
I spoke to an "Indoor Air Quality Expert" with the EPA in Atlanta, GA about this as well. He said that if it is soot, there's nothing that I can do except eliminate the source (stop letting my wife burn candles) and clean up what I can. He said that it wasn't anything to worry about.
Does that sound right to you?
Respectfully,
Shane Campbell
Answer
Wow, sorry for the long delay in answering your question follow-up! It did not show up on my computer until I just received another question today.
The answer is yes, that is very good advice from your A.C tech. You do know that there are candle substitutes, a flickering flame powered by a battery or house Alternating current? There are also fragrances available that are disseminated by soft wood sticks that dip into the fragrance.
I do apologize for my ignorance in not realizing that I needed to respond to your follow-up question. I believe that this is the very first time for having that situation arise.
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