Designed for people concerned about the air quality in their home, this step-by-step guide covers the nooks and crannies of indoor air pollution -- from what to look for to how to fix it. Jeffrey May and his wife, Connie May, draw from their professional expertise and previous books -- My House Is Killing Me!, My Office Is Killing Me!, and The Mold Survival Guide -- to create a friendly, easy-to-use workbook complete with mini-case studies, diagnostic exercises, illustrations, and recommendations.

The Mays describe the health problems that can be caused or exacerbated by such airborne contaminants as fungi, mold, mildew, moisture, and odor. Their warmth, humor, and conversational banter are welcome antidotes to the scare tactics of unsavory remediators; Jeff and Connie give people the knowledge they need to address serious problems without getting ripped off.

Readers can check visual symptoms of their home's problems using the book's illustrations and photographs; get easy-to-follow instructions in diagnosing, addressing, and monitoring problems; find out whether professional help is needed; get advice on choosing the right professional; and consult thorough resource sections for further information and assistance.

From waterproofing basements to checking home heating and cooling systems for leaks and contaminants, Jeff May's Healthy Home Tips helps renters and homeowners alike make sure that their homes are clean and healthy places to live.

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It's a world we barely see, but it is teeming with life. In the dust of a typical house, carpet beetles, mites, silverfish, and other creatures live and die, producing new generations every few months. Mold, bacteria, and yeast lurk undetected in heating and cooling systems. Debris dispersed into the air from these organisms can cause runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing, headaches, and breathing difficulties. Some people, especially those made highly sensitive by allergies, suffer from devastating health problems and the worry that, as one such sufferer lamented, "My house is killing me!"

Scrutinizing house dust and air samples with a microscope, indoor air quality expert Jeffrey C. May has spent his career helping people identify what's causing their chronic health problems. In My House Is Killing Me! he draws on the dramatic personal stories of his clients' suffering and relief to help readers understand the links between environmental factors and problems like allergies and asthma. Explaining how air conditioning, finished basements, and other home features affect air quality, he offers a step-by-step approach to identifying, controlling, and often eliminating the sources of indoor pollutants and allergens. If we could see this contamination, May observes, the air would look as murky as stagnant water, and we would know not to breathe it.

Reading My House Is Killing Me! lets you see your house the way an expert would. Just as he looks at spaces and systems during an indoor air quality investigation, May focuses first on the areas of daily life (bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen), then looks into attics and basements (including heating and air conditioning), and finally moves outside to the garage and the exterior of a home. Along with offering a wealth of practical advice and proven solutions for various problems, he includes a glossary of terms and a list of valuable resources.

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The image was shocking: a couple wearing protective suits and masks in their own home! The accompanying USA Weekend story documented the mold-related headaches, fatigue, and respiratory problems that forced Melinda Ballard and Ron Allison to abandon their dream house, leaving all their possessions behind. Another family was so terrified that they had their mold-filled house torn down.

Mold growth threatens property managers and builders, as well as home owners and renters. Legal settlements in some mold cases have reached the millions, and home insurance rates are skyrocketing. Some people argue that mold concerns are exaggerated; others are convinced that mold growth is destroying their health.

In The Mold Survival Guide, a prominent indoor air quality professional teams up with a writing specialist to describe mold, to explain where and why it flourishes in homes, and to offer advice on how to eradicate mold while minimizing health risks. The book includes a chapter by two physicians who explain how exposure to mold can affect health.

With clear scientific explanations and expert advice, The Mold Survival Guide is a valuable resource for anyone worried about a common household problem that can have serious consequences....