Germs germs germs
October 5, 2012 12:03 PM Subscribe
Is there a pediatrician in the house? Questions about whole house air filtration and infants.
We are expecting twins in a couple of months and are thinking about installing a Guardian Air REME filtration system in our HVAC unit. We had an HVAC check up recently and the technician identified a substance in one of our ducts that could be mold. I like the idea of eliminating bacteria, mold and odors from the air but I know that infants and toddlers need to be exposed to some germs in order to build up an immunity to them. We aren't planning for them to go to daycare so they won't be exposed to other children except on play dates and the occasional mother's day out morning when they're a little older. Just looking to find the right balance between some cleanliness but not total sterilization.
We are expecting twins in a couple of months and are thinking about installing a Guardian Air REME filtration system in our HVAC unit. We had an HVAC check up recently and the technician identified a substance in one of our ducts that could be mold. I like the idea of eliminating bacteria, mold and odors from the air but I know that infants and toddlers need to be exposed to some germs in order to build up an immunity to them. We aren't planning for them to go to daycare so they won't be exposed to other children except on play dates and the occasional mother's day out morning when they're a little older. Just looking to find the right balance between some cleanliness but not total sterilization.
"the technician identified a substance in one of our ducts that could be mold"
Second opinion?
posted by scottatdrake at 12:39 PM on October 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
Second opinion?
posted by scottatdrake at 12:39 PM on October 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I should mention that we also have a cat and a dog. The cat stays inside but obviously the dog goes out and she is definitely a face licker. So there will be germs coming in the house from her and from us.
posted by Nathanial Hörnblowér at 12:41 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by Nathanial Hörnblowér at 12:41 PM on October 5, 2012
Mold is not the same as "general germs in the world." Extremely healthy adults can be made very sick by mold in their home environment. If it IS mold, you'll need to know what kind of mold it is, and how to get rid of it.
Newborn babies are especially susceptible to various respiratory issues, and preemie babies even more so. Your twins have a high chance of being premature.
From the CDC:
In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould [PDF - 2.52 MB]. Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies, but more research is needed in this regard.
It doesn't mean you have to get insanely nuts about the threat of mold, but I'd certainly want to know what kind of mold it is, the extent of the problem, and likely (if any) issues for human exposure. So I'd recommend you get a second opinion. Certain kinds of mold in your air system are not the same as touching doorknobs, playing in the sandbox, eating at restaurants, patting a dog, etc.
posted by barnone at 12:51 PM on October 5, 2012
Newborn babies are especially susceptible to various respiratory issues, and preemie babies even more so. Your twins have a high chance of being premature.
From the CDC:
In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould [PDF - 2.52 MB]. Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies, but more research is needed in this regard.
It doesn't mean you have to get insanely nuts about the threat of mold, but I'd certainly want to know what kind of mold it is, the extent of the problem, and likely (if any) issues for human exposure. So I'd recommend you get a second opinion. Certain kinds of mold in your air system are not the same as touching doorknobs, playing in the sandbox, eating at restaurants, patting a dog, etc.
posted by barnone at 12:51 PM on October 5, 2012
Mold is definitely a different issue than daily germs and you want to look into that now before you have twins at home and are too busy.
Unless your babies have lung damage or other breathing problems, you don't need anything special, even for preemies. Our doctors okay'd our ancient cat and no air filters for ours. I stopped sterilizing bottles and toys once she started licking the floor/bed/people on her own at about two months adjusted.
Do you know your city's air quality? There's usually a measuring quality for air pollution like the PSI, and some places are worse than others. We're in Singapore and some days the air pollution level gets high enough that you don't go out because of forest burning in Indonesia. If you lived some place like Shanghai, I would definitely get an air filter. If you lived some place with a low index, then it's overkill.
posted by viggorlijah at 5:33 PM on October 5, 2012
Unless your babies have lung damage or other breathing problems, you don't need anything special, even for preemies. Our doctors okay'd our ancient cat and no air filters for ours. I stopped sterilizing bottles and toys once she started licking the floor/bed/people on her own at about two months adjusted.
Do you know your city's air quality? There's usually a measuring quality for air pollution like the PSI, and some places are worse than others. We're in Singapore and some days the air pollution level gets high enough that you don't go out because of forest burning in Indonesia. If you lived some place like Shanghai, I would definitely get an air filter. If you lived some place with a low index, then it's overkill.
posted by viggorlijah at 5:33 PM on October 5, 2012
We had an HVAC check up recently and the technician identified a substance in one of our ducts that could be mold.
"Check up" is technician speak for "find stuff to sell to this customer".
Get your air tested to see what's actually there. THEN decide how to deal with it.
posted by gjc at 5:48 PM on October 5, 2012
"Check up" is technician speak for "find stuff to sell to this customer".
Get your air tested to see what's actually there. THEN decide how to deal with it.
posted by gjc at 5:48 PM on October 5, 2012
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What you don't want to be is one of those parents who doesn't let their kid go to the park because of germs, or who never lets them touch an animal, or who is constantly using wipes and anti-bacterial hand-wash, and crazy stuff like that.
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:37 PM on October 5, 2012