Canada Mortgage &
Housing Corporation
Do We Live in a Plastic Bag?
Bill Crawford
CMHC
Research, Technology Transfer
This presentation will cover
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The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
Your House as a System
Managing Moisture
Air Circulation
Tips to Make Your Home Healthier
Why is CMHC concerned with
Indoor Air Quality? (IAQ)
• CMHC is the federal agency responsible for
housing
• CMHC has been doing research on indoor
air quality (IAQ) and mold for the past 20
years.
Why is IAQ important?
• We spend on average 90% of our time inside
• Studies have shown linkages between health
and the indoor environment
• Up to 30% of households in Canada have
humidity problems and possible mold issues
• 20%+ of the population suffer from respiratory
problems (asthma, allergies & sensitivities)
Your house as a system
A home needs to
BREATHE in both
directions
Be aware of
back-drafting
The contaminated cocktail
 Chemical Pollutants
(voc’s)
 Biological Pollutants
(mites, skin dander,
pollen, molds, etc)
Source Control The # 1 Answer
A. discard excess materials
card board boxes, newspapers, carpets & fabrics,
opened paint cans, thinners, household cleaners*
B. use no or low voc products
Install hardwood, ceramic floor coverings
Solid wood furniture and cabinets
Use water based sealants and adhesives
C. seal surfaces emitting voc’s
under surface of counter tops, drawers, shelves, trims,
wall, door and ceilings, baseboards
Good ventilation is
essential
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Removes contaminated air and replace it
with fresh air.
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Reduces humidity levels in your home.
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Better for you to control ventilation, than
have air leaks.
Check kitchen and bathroom fans
• Does your bathroom
fan work? Is it used?
• Try a paper test
• Where is the moisture
ventilated to?
• Clean the grill often.
Full House Ventilation
All HRV’s must be balanced
HRAI
1-800-267-2231
For approved installers call: HRAI
1-800-267-2231
Reducing air particulates
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Don’t allow anyone to smoke
Replace furnace filters regularly
Remove shoes in your home
Select hard surface flooring
Pets are a major source of partculates
We are a dust cloud
Should you be concerned
about mold?
• Mold will grow on almost any surface that
is exposed to moisture.
• A musty odour is also good indication that
your home has mold.
• Mold can make you and your family sick,
usually with flu-like symptoms, and
breathing problems.
Surfaces should be kept warm
Heat all areas of the house
Cold walls and surfaces condense moisture and grow mold
Excess materials should be discarded
Cardboard boxes, newspapers, magazines, carpets and fabrics
provide a food source
Mold requires moisture & nutrients
to grow, remember it is is a
living organism
Soap and water is preferred for
removing mold, (bleach or
vinegar kills on contact, but
harsh)
Reducing moisture eliminates
mold
No or reduced insulation at
ceiling/wall (thermal bridging)
High-heel trusses allow for
increased insulation
High-heel Truss
Why is managing moisture
important?
• 10L to 50L of moisture can be released
everyday in your home
• Dust mites thrive at relative humidity
greater than 55%.
• Moisture causes mold growth
• Moisture leads to wood rot and structural
damage.
Manage moisture inside
• Keep relative humidity low enough to avoid
condensation on the window in winter (usually 30%)
………….Consider purchasing a hygrometer
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Use de-humidifiers when necessary.
Keep basement windows closed in summer
Do not carpet basement & bathroom floors.
Crawlspace or basement dirt floors must be covered
Vent dryer outside
Use bath and kitchen fans often
Fix all leaks
Manage moisture from the
outside
• Repair roof leaks promptly, clean the gutter
and extend downspouts
• Improve the grading so the soil slopes away
from the house.
• Fix leaky outside water taps.
• Do not plant too near to the foundation.
Elbow & extension?
Splash pad?
Poor grading
Window well
Tips to Make Your Home
Healthier
Inside
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Product selection, low VOC’s
Good ventilation
Regulate moisture
Reduce air particulates
Remove cleaning products
and no odourizers
• Change filters often
• Do not use un-vented
appliances
• Remove surplus storage items
Outside
• Soil grading
• Clean eaves troughs & extend
down spouts
• Don’t use pesticides
• Reduce chemical fertilizers
• Don’t allow water to pool
around foundations
• Don’t idle car in garage
LIFESTYLE
CMHC research shows that chemical contaminants from new house
or renovation materials are generally replaced by contaminants
from contents and lifestyle after several years.
DUST MITES 1/25000 IN.
8 LEGS, NO EYES, ….WALKING STOMACH!!
CMHC information that can help
you
Healthy Housing Practical Tips – Free
Clean Air Guide - $5.95
Moisture and Air – Free
Want more information?
To order any CMHC information
related to housing call:
1-800-668-2642
or visit our website at:
www.cmhc.ca