Unveiling the Hidden Threat: Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease

Welcome to another enlightening blog post from Healthy Building Science about Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease! We’re your trusted source for understanding the intricate world of indoor environmental quality. In this edition, we’re tackling a topic that might not be on your radar but should definitely be in your knowledge arsenal – Legionella and the potentially
Read more
No Comments

The Benefits of Building Green in Sonoma & Marin County

Green building refers to designing and constructing structures that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout their life-cycle, from planning to demolition. In Marin County, green building construction promotes the use of eco-friendly materials, efficient water and waste management systems, and the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It also prioritizes promoting indoor air
Read more
No Comments

Mitigating Potential COVID-19 Exposure with HVAC Systems

How HVAC Systems Help Reduce Potential COVID-19 Exposure: As the economy begins to reopen and we return to our buildings, what role do building ventilation systems play in reducing our risks of infection? Infection via inhalation or contact with droplets is well understood at this point. Another potential exposure route being discussed is exposure via
Read more
1 Comment

Healthy Building Science taking care of our community

growing concern for the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-10)
With growing concern about the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we at HBS (Healthy Building Science) want our clients and community to know we are taking precautionary measures to ensure their safety, health, and well-being as a top priority.  In addition to our standard Health and Safety Program at HBS, our staff has been instructed to
Read more
No Comments

Maintaining Healthy Indoor Air Quality During Fire Season

I’ve lived in California for over 30 years. Most of that time I never really thought about wildfires; their destructive flames seemed only possible in the movies. That has changed, not just for me, but for most Californians, who have become brutally aware of the very real threat wildfire poses. While fire itself is by
Read more
No Comments

Air Quality Index (AQI) and You

Air Quality Index (AQI) and You During the 2018 Paradise Fire smoke wave, many in the Bay Area obsessively checked online for air quality information and updates. Here is an overview of a handful of real-time air quality websites I found helpful and how they compare. Keep in mind that climate change plus newer and cheaper
Read more
2 Comments

DIY Box Fan Filter – MERV 13 versus HEPA Air Purifier

Air flow of fan filter on intake side. Wildfire smoke and air quality
DIY Box Fan Filter & Air Quality Experiment Here in San Francisco and surrounding areas kids are stuck indoors during this smoke wave caused by our wild fires with little or no air filtration. In San Francisco the school buildings are older and are not setup to have building wide air filtration. Nor can cash-strapped
Read more
12 Comments

Cleaning Up a Cannabis Grow Operation

How to Clean Up a Weed Grow Operation
With the legalization of marijuana, some black-market growers are abandoning their illegal cannabis grow operations. Grow ops, often set up in rented properties, can leave a mess for landlords to clean up. Many of these properties are put up for sale and then become the responsibility of the home buyer. Identifying a grow op is 
Read more
No Comments

Home Renovation: Tips for How Avoiding Lead Dust When Doing Repairs Yourself

How To Avoid Lead Dust For DIY Home Renovations
How To Avoid Lead Dust During Home Renovations Containment, Wet Methods, HEPA Vacuum and Prompt Clean-up are the main work practices to follow in order to reduce exposure to lead dust during renovation. Sticking to these concepts will help avoid most common pathways of exposing your family to lead dust. Whether or not the paint
Read more
No Comments

Bay Area Air Quality Among Worst In Nation

Bay Area Air Quality Among Worst In Nation As an industrial hygienist it came as a surprise that the American Lung Association recently ranked Bay Area air quality among the worst in nation for air pollution and particulates. Unhealthy levels of pollution were found in numerous parts of the country, but the San Francisco Bay
Read more
No Comments