Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine February 2018

impaired judgment, memory and coordination.” (9) The EPA went on to say, “CO is called the "silent killer" because if the early signs are ignored, a person may lose consciousness and be unable to escape the danger.” ( 9) The elderly and the unborn are among the first to suffer and there can be long term neurological issues such as learning and memory impairments. (9) It is also more common among Hispanics and African Americans. I assume because of poorer housing conditions, use of unventilated appliances, and lack of service on central heating systems. (That is my assumption.) While CO poisoning is obviously dangerous, HVAC contractors also deal with mold and mildew. Regretfully, this is an often ignored health risk. Appendix C of the EPA , Building Air Quality, a Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers ,pages 141 – 146, goes into great detail about methodology for reducing humidity and thereby reducing the likelihood of mold and mildew problems. (10) A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home states, “…moisture control is the key to mold control.” (11) “Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity.” (11) Maintaining proper humidity is the job of the HVAC HVAC contractors also deal with mold and mildew.

need for license, let’s look at a few facts that may underscore the need for HVACR licensing. Heating contractors install heat pumps, electric heat, and gas and propane furnaces. Gas and propane furnaces give off varying degrees of carbon monoxide, a natural result of incomplete combustion of a carbon fuel; i.e., natural gas and propane. We all know that even minimal parts of carbon monoxide is dangerous. It is frequently called the silent killer. Why, because it is colorless, odorless and tasteless. The EPA stated that “carbon monoxide (CO) is the most common cause of poisoning death in the United States? Unintentional CO poisonings are responsible for about 500 deaths and 15,000 visits to emergency rooms annually. (9) Even though carbon monoxide poisoning may seem rare because you do not know anyone that died from it, many, perhaps even you, have experienced non-lethal CO poisoning and never knew it. “…the first signs of exposure to low concentrations of CO include mild headache and breathlessness upon moderate exercise. Continued or acute exposure can lead to flu-like symptoms including more severe headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, confusion, irritability, and CO poisonings are responsible for about 500 deaths and 15,000 visits to emergency rooms annually. (9) Environmental Protection Agency