Basement air quality

[skace]

Does anyone know of a way I can test the air quality in my basement to see if it would be bad to run in for extended periods of time? And if it is, what I could do to make it better? Any possible web pages for this?

A brief history:
I used to run in my unfinished basement. Stopped while it was being finished. Basement is now partially finished, but looked good enough that I figured I could start again. Tried running and basically felt like I couldn't breath, coughed for ~4 hours after I stopped running.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[paulxcook]

Something like this, perhaps?

 

[skace]

That looks interesting, but I was looking for something more basic. What amount of dust in the air would be considered unsafe for working out (drywall dust). Can fiberglass be airborn? I don't know. I used to run down here without a problem so I think it has something to do with the recent work.

 

[paulxcook]

Depending on allergies I would think any appreciable amount of drywall dust would be bad to breathe in, especially when exercising. A humidifier would probably help, but beyond that I would either try to use a fan to air out the basement, or wait til the work is done. I dunno if fiberglass can go airborne, but that sounds more dangerous than just dust. Micro-lacerations of the lungs, anyone?

 

[dakels]

It's probably a combination of humidity and mold. I doubt fiberglass will be an issue. While it can be airborne to a very slight degree. To my knowledge you really have to be working with it for a significant amount of airborne particulates. Most likely, though not certainly, your irritation/coughing came from mold. Most people's response to running in a moldy environment would be bronchial irritation and constriction, especially if they are allergic.

There's a lot of resources online to deal with mold and most likely for a basement, you need a DEhumidifier, not a humidifier. You want to take moisture out.
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/hip-basement.html

For basements, it's generally good to test for mold, radon, and CO (carbon monoxide). You can google mold tester, radon tester, etc. It would probably be good to get a fan/air purifier with a HEPA filter as well.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I would watch out for mold spores and radon primarily.

For around $120 you can get a good radon tester. It takes a few days to get a good reading.

In any event, if you're going to be working out there, I recommend making sure the area is well vented as that will help reduce levels of radon. Changing the air will also help reduce mold.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Depending on allergies I would think any appreciable amount of drywall dust would be bad to breathe in, especially when exercising. A humidifier would probably help, but beyond that I would either try to use a fan to air out the basement, or wait til the work is done. I dunno if fiberglass can go airborne, but that sounds more dangerous than just dust. Micro-lacerations of the lungs, anyone?

Hell yeah fiberglass can go airborne. I found that out while insulating our hallway that we built. Also I have a friend who works in the construction industry as an insulator. That stuff can mess you up in a mere couple years and do what it would take cigs a few decades to do. Cigs will clog up your lungs but that fiberglass stuff scars up your lungs something awful after just being a couple years in it.

Don't chance it, make sure ALL that stuff is cleaned up before habitating it, especially for exercising.

I will also say that those glass fibers stab into your lungs and act like grit in ball bearings. Everytime you breathe those things can become dislodged and relodge somewhere else, scarring a new place in the process.

Just don't chance that crap. It can mess you up in a hurry.

 

[wwswimming]

A brief history:
I used to run in my unfinished basement. Stopped while it was being finished. Basement is now partially finished, but looked good enough that I figured I could start again. Tried running and basically felt like I couldn't breath, coughed for ~4 hours after I stopped running.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

i would say, stop working out in your basement.
there's some crap in the air. you don't need to
know the details, if it's fiberglass or airborne mold
spores, or both.

 

[skace]

Woa, checked back on this thread, good info, I don't see why we would have mold, but I'm going to test for it. I did feel very constricted, couldn't take full breaths. Anyway, didn't run down there since it occured so I don't think I'm in any trouble. I'll just get it tested, thanks again.

 

[dakels]

Mold and mildew is very common. It and the moisture which makes it thrive is what generally causes that "basement smell". Dangerous molds can also pretty much be unnoticeable to the regular joe. It can be behind drywalls or insulation, wood, stone, show very little color (sometimes whitish or greenish tinge), and many carry no odor yet cause an inflammatory response to your respiratory system.

A basement should at the least be tested for Radon, Mold, and CO, especially if you plan on occupying it. Some areas (often depends on state and town laws and type of usage of space) it's mandatory to have those tests done before a space is deemed safe for occupancy, like a basement bedroom or living space. Many to most areas won't make it mandatory but it's safe practice to test. Doesn't cost much for non professional test. I'd just do more then 1 cheap tester tho.

 

[IGBT]

..Im hearing a lot of bad news about fiberglass insulation. Some say it may be as bad as asbestos. Has similar character. Gets caught in lung tissue and causes constant irritation because it doesn't break down.

 

[dakels]

Fiberglass generally needs to be handled a lot to produce a significant airborne risk. Sitting inside a wall as insulation does not pose any notable inhalation risk as far as I have read. If you are working with it, that is different. The agitation of the fiberglass does produce small microfibers which can become airborne and inhaled. It's generally good practice to wear protective garments, gloves, goggles, and light mask when handling fiberglass.
Overall I wouldn't be overly concerned unless I was either working with fiberglass, or in an environment with exposed fiberglass for long periods of time. I do not know of any large scale directly proven correlation between fiberglass and a disease such as asbestos and mesothelioma. Not to say fiberglass isn't dangerous, it is, but it depends on how you are exposed to it and for how long.

 

[skace]

The ceilings almost fully up now, lights are being installed, so I'll be able to go back down there soon . An air test will also be bought shortly as well just to be on the safe side.

 

[glhallas]

I am new to this site and realize this is in response to a very old posting, but I felt it was too important to let go.

Another thing to consider is black damp. If you live in an area where coal mines are located, it is a real possibility.

Last September, this Susquehanna river flooded here. The flood waters filled the old mine tunnels, forcing mine gases into the basements of some homes. The gas is heavier than air and displaces oxygen.

We didn't realize what was going on until the pilot light on the water heater went out. We called the gas company, thinking they had shut the gas off because of the flood.

The technician came out and said the gas was on. He then explained that he thought it was black damp and showed us how to check.... light a match and hold it down close to the floor. If it won't burn, there isn't enough oxygen to support combustion.

That also means there isn't enough oxygen to support life.

It follows the canary in the coal mine theory.

Since our apartment is in the basement, I've continued to read up on this. It can also occur during good, dry weather, as low atmospheric pressure can "suck" the gases out of the mines, as well.

And don't think it's just older homes, either. This house is approximately 10 years old, in a new development in Wilkes-Barre, PA. When we found out what was happening, my father-in-law (it's his house) said it happened a few years before when they had less severe floods. Wish he'd told us about it before we moved in.

The symptoms we experienced included shortness of breath, dizziness, eyes burning, nose burning, just feeling tired and lousy.

We run fans almost constantly, but it doesn't really help.

 

[glhallas]

Almost forgot to mention - there were deaths associated with black damp during the 2011 flood here in Plains/Wilkes-Barre. Yet you read very little about it and the news coverage was minimal.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I would watch out for mold spores and radon primarily.

For around $120 you can get a good radon tester. It takes a few days to get a good reading.

In any event, if you're going to be working out there, I recommend making sure the area is well vented as that will help reduce levels of radon. Changing the air will also help reduce mold.

Radon would not effect you immediately. It's effects are long term.

I have a box fan in my basement to help cool me off when i exercise. I always wanted to put an old sheet behind it or even a real air filter to clean the air whenever i exercise.

 

[lokiju]

I have a bonus room above my garage that didn't get touched for a long time and was used as just storage after moving in for a few years.

Fast forward to 2 years ago when my wife and I finally decided to clean the room up and make it useable.

It's now my home office/exercise room.

We have 2 ellipticals in there that we do our cardio on.

After the first few long term stays up there I was having chest/breathing tightness and knew my allergies were to blame.

I got a 20"x20" standard white box fan and then the highest filtration AC filter I could from the hardware store that was also 20"x20" then a cheap-o 20"x20" AC filter as well.

Took bungie cords and affixed the cheap filter on the back side to act as a pre-filter to get the big crap then the expensive good one on the front side.

I dusted and vacuumed the room top to bottom then ran that box fan on high day and night for a few days.

Now it's no longer an issue.

I've since used this same set up when doing drywall work or even sanding wood, helps to grab any particles in the air and it's a pretty cheap solution vs any store bought filter solution.

I do have a proper hepa filter in my master bedroom though since my allergies are over the top bad, helps me not wake up with feeling like I can hardly breath and for me since I need something like that long term, it's actually cheaper since the hepa filter is washable.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

loki,

that's what I want to do.

have you looked for a HEPA filter for the box fan?