Join Brian Tinker of Tinker Homes as he shares his expertise on how to build a healthy home from the ground up. Brian’s knowledge is rooted in personal experience, having taught himself the intricacies of building a mold-safe home amidst his family’s battle with mold-induced Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). Brian shares valuable insights as he compares and contrasts various home ventilation systems such as ERVs, HRVs, and Fresh Air Intakes, describing which system may best align with your climate and home dynamics. Discover how current building codes can inadvertently jeopardize your home’s indoor air quality, while learning the often-overlooked risks associated with crawl spaces and techniques to mitigate humidity levels. Learn how to spot red flags in roofing and window installations, and the critical role of air gaps, outdoor drainage systems, and home elevation. 

Whether you are embarking on a new home build or undergoing extensive renovations, this interview is brimming with savvy tips and expert advice to ensure your home will be a sanctuary of health and well-being.

Episode Highlights: 

• Brian shares his family’s experience with mold-induced Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), and how it led to a shift in his home building business. (00:58)
  
  
• How Brian ensured his home was a healthy environment for his family. (6:14)
  
  
• What are some improper roof installation practices that can lead to mold? (7:34)
  
  
• Why is it important to elevate your home? (8:58)
  
  
•  How do air gaps help prevent moisture accumulation? (10:56)
  
  
• How do some current building codes contribute to poor indoor air quality? (13:54)
  
  
• How can an ERV system improve your indoor air quality? (17:33)
  
  
•  Would an ERV or an HRV be the best choice for your home? (19:30)
  
  
• How important is source removal to improve air quality? (21:51)
  
  
• What are the differences between a Fresh Air Intake and an ERV? (24:18)
  
  
• What are some of the risks with crawl spaces? (27:23)
  
  
• What should be done to keep humidity low in a crawl space? (31:01)
  
  
• What should we know about drainage systems for foundations? (33:44)
  
  
•  What should we look out for to ensure proper window installation? (35:25)
  
  
• How do current building codes affect the best choice in ventilation systems? (38:05)
  
  
• How do current building codes and proper code execution affect your home? (44:02)
  
  
• What key steps should you begin with when building a new home or extensively remodeling a home? (48:04)

Links Mentioned In Interview:

https://changetheairfoundation.org/understanding-air-cleaners-purifiers-with-carl-grimes/

About Our Guest:

Brian Tinker has been building custom homes in Colorado for the last 20 years. During this time, Brian has seen many changes in building science, and oftentimes the changes within building codes have not been based on what's best for the people that live in the homes. This became very real for Brian, when his family discovered that his wife and son both had mold illness. Living in a 1931 house with plenty of water damage became an immediate issue. Tinker Homes had already begun changing the way they were building to make homes healthier, but this new information rapidly increased the building science changes in his company. Brian is now working with several organizations and groups to increase awareness about building new homes with better building practices to change the quality of the air inside the homes.

Get In Touch With Our Guest:

Brain Tinker

http://www.tinkerhomes.com/

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Katherine Carvlin, a naturopathic physician and president of the National Association of Environmental Medicine. She explores four categories of indoor air contaminants and discusses the populations that are most vulnerable to health effects posed by poor indoor air quality.

Dr. Carvlin shares her expertise on the health impacts of gas appliances and carbon monoxide, while providing solutions to reduce exposures. She also explains the growing threat from EMFs and wildfire smoke, as well as how to protect yourself from their effects. Walk away with proactive steps you can take today to protect your home and family from indoor air contamination.

Episode Highlights:

·       What are four categories of air contaminants? (1:50)

·       Who is at risk of harm posed by air contaminants?  (6:00)

·       How do gas appliances impact our indoor air quality? (9:10)

·       How can you reduce indoor carbon monoxide exposure? (13:06)

·       How do Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) affect us? (16:09)

·       What are some tips to protect yourself from EMFs? (21:23)

·       What are the health effects of wildfire smoke? (24:20)

·       What are some tips to mitigate the effects of wildfire smoke? (29:23)

·       What are some steps Dr. Carvlin personally takes to improve indoor air quality? (35:23)

Links Mentioned in This Interview:

1. EPA local air quality data: www.airnow.gov
2. EPA fire map: https://fire.airnow.gov
3. Community network of air pollution monitors: https://map.purpleair.com
4. NAEM’s wildfire smoke resources: https://envmedicine.com/wildfire-smoke/
 

Get In Touch With Our Guest:

 www.drkatherinecarvlin.com

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

https://changetheairfoundation.org/

 Sign up for our newsletter: 

https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/

Donate: 

https://changetheair-bloom.kindful.com/

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have. 

Have you ever wondered if recovery from severe mold illness is possible? If so, this is the interview for you! Jodie Hunter candidly recounts her family’s harrowing journey through physical illness, autism, bipolar disorder, and PANS/PANDAS, detailing the hard-earned healing her family achieved after discovering hidden mold was at play. This story of determination and resilience will inspire you to have hope that healing is possible for you and your family as well!

“Our life turned into (my son) needing to be restrained or sedated several hours a day. I had holes in the walls, I had broken furniture, my younger kids were not safe around (my son). Looking back, this was all because he was becoming toxic from toxic mold in our home.” – Jodie Hunter

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

https://changetheairfoundation.org/

Sign up for our newsletter: 

https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/

Donate: 

https://changetheair-bloom.kindful.com/

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have. 

Attention, renters: this episode is especially for you! We’ve brought back Corey Levy, one of our favorite mold inspectors, to divulge his top tips and tricks on navigating indoor air quality issues as a renter. Get the inside scoop on finding a safe rental, effectively communicating with your landlord, breaking a lease for health reasons, and everything in between. This episode is sure to teach you something new and make you a more confident, savvy renter.

Episode Highlights:

·       What age building is safest to rent health-wise? (4:39)

·       What type of building is safest to rent health-wise? (7:03)  

·       How does ventilation influence the health of the rented building? (10:08)

·       How can you astutely investigate rentals for health hazards before signing a lease? (11:42)

·       Should you be upfront with a potential landlord about what you’re looking for health-wise in a home? (17:27)

·       What are your options if you’re living in a rental and you suspect or know that your rental has a mold problem? (20:29)

·       What are some of the rights you have as a tenant if you discover mold in your rental? (31:44)

·       How can a tenant know if those that have been hired to inspect and remediate their rental are truly qualified? (35:53)

·       What can you do if your landlord claims that you just have dirt or mildew instead of problematic mold growth? (39:56)

·       What can you do if your landlord wants to paint over or bleach the mold? (43:09)

·       What can you do if your landlord claims that since the mold is in uninhabitable parts of the home like attics or crawlspaces, it can be ignored? (45:56) 

·       What can you do if you need to break a lease due to indoor health hazards? (48:40)

Links mentioned in interview:

We Inspect's 5 Signs of Hidden Mold Growth

We Inspect's How to Find Mold When Buying or Renting a Home

www.changetheairfoundation.org/sdm_downloads/questions-to-ask-when-hiring-an-indoor-environmental-professional-iep/

www.changetheairfoundation.org/sdm_downloads/questions-to-ask-when-hiring-a-remediation-company/

Get in touch with our guest:

yesweinspect.com

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

https://changetheairfoundation.org/

Sign up for our newsletter: 

https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/

Donate: 

https://changetheair-bloom.kindful.com/

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not inten

We’ve all experienced the stickiness of a swelteringly humid day, or the discomfort of cracked skin during a dry winter. But when it comes to our indoor environment, humidity is more than just a matter of comfort--it can fuel indoor mold growth!

Join us as indoor air quality whiz Carl Grimes explains the interplay of humidity, temperature, and condensation and how they all affect indoor air quality. Learn why closets, toilet tanks, and windows sometimes form condensation and mold and what you can do to prevent it. Gain insight into common HVAC scenarios and find out how to prevent mold growth within your system.

It’s time to kick indoor humidity problems to the curb as we tackle five common indoor humidity problems!

Episode Highlights:

·       How do humidity and temperature interact? (1:50)

·       What is a Psychrometric Chart and how can it help us understand humidity? (2:58 )

·       What is the effect of high humidity on materials? (8:10)

·       PROBLEM #1: Why does condensation form on the outside of some toilet tanks, and how can it be prevented? (13:30)

·       PROBLEM #2: Why does condensation form on the inside of windows, and what can be done to prevent it? (21:01)

·       PROBLEM #3: Why do HVAC ducts form condensation, and what can be done about it? (27:08)

·       PROBLEM #4: Why do some closets grow mold, and how can it be prevented? (33:14)

·       What is the new recommendation on preventing summer mold growth within school buildings? (38:28)

·       PROBLEM #5: What can be done to prevent mold growth if your HVAC system fails? (41:25)

·       Would installing a UV light within your HVAC system help to prevent mold growth? (47:04)

Get in touch with our guest:

[email protected]

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

https://changetheairfoundation.org/

Sign up for our newsletter: 

https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/

Donate: 

https://changetheair-bloom.kindful.com/

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have. 

Embark on an emotional journey with singer Christina Perri as she candidly shares her family’s heartbreaking story of infant loss, the surprising discovery of hidden mold, and the medical conditions caused by indoor environmental toxin exposure. Discover how her curious tenacity, active pursuit of healing, and proper remediation ultimately restored joy to her life with the birth of a second child. Gain inspiration from Christina’s resilience and her determination to transform tragedy into advocacy for fertility health.

Episode Highlights:

·       Singer Christina Perri shares her story of infant loss caused by medical conditions that developed due to mold exposure.

·       How pursuit of healing and proper remediation resulted in the birth of a second child.

·      
Gain inspiration from Christina’s resilience and determination to
transform tragedy into advocacy.

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

https://changetheairfoundation.org/

Watch all Change the Air Summit Interviews:

https://www.changetheairsummit.org/

Sign up for our newsletter: 

https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/

Donate: 

https://changetheair-bloom.kindful.com/

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have. 

When mysterious symptoms wouldn’t budge, Gwyneth Paltrow was determined to find answers. What she didn’t expect to discover was sinister mold lurking in her home and body. After well-meaning doctors and contractors failed to help, she finally found healing through functional medicine and properly performed mold remediation. 
 

Episode Highlights:

·       Chronic symptoms that were dismissed by doctors, and how functional medicine saved Gwyneth’s health.

·       The two-year process it took to discover, remediate, and heal from mold.

·       One of the scariest moments of Gwyneth’s life, and the biggest challenge Gwyneth overcame in her journey with mold.

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

https://changetheairfoundation.org/

Watch all Change the Air Summit Interviews:

https://www.changetheairsummit.org/

Sign up for our newsletter: 

https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/

Donate: 

https://changetheair-bloom.kindful.com/

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have. 

In this episode, we delve deep into the fascinating (and sometimes grotesque) world of indoor pathogenic bacteria and mold with Larry Schwartz, an indoor environmental medical engineer and the founder of Safestart Environmental.

Larry explains the what, where, why, and how of indoor bacteria…covering what it is, where it hides, why it affects our health, and how we can test for and safely remove it.

This interview offers helpful analogies and ends with practical strategies we can all follow to effectively reduce the bacteria and mold levels within our own indoor environments.

Episode Highlights:

·       What are the causes, symptoms, and types of tests best suited for people who are affected medically by indoor environmental toxins? (2:30)

·       How long does it take for indoor bacteria to grow, what role does it play in your home and health, and how can it be tested for? (13:30)

·       What are endotoxins? (18:20)

·       Does killing bacteria and mold, and using chemicals to do so, create any health risks? What about the use of surfactants? (20:05)

·       What are Actinomycetes and how do you interpret lab reports about their presence in your home? (22:45)

·       Where does bacteria in your home come from? (26:23)

·       What is “stack effect”? (27:24)

·       Where are bacteria mainly found within your home, and can mold or bacteria in non-livable spaces, like your crawl space or basement, affect you? (31:08)

·       How do air and toxins move throughout your home, and where is the highest concentration of bacteria and Actinomycetes in a home? (32:45)

·       How can you interpret tests that measure levels of bacteria in a building? (36:42)

·       How can air purification and ventilation keep your home’s air healthy? (44:17)

·       Why do toxins affect you more when you’re indoors than when you’re outside? (58:26)

·       What are some simple ways you can conduct your own source removal? (1:00:23)

Get in touch with our guest:

https://safestartiaq.com/

Links mentioned in interview:

Sources of Actinomycetes Environmental Bacteria in Homes and Methods of Controlling Their Proliferation and Levels by Larry Schwartz

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

https://changetheairfoundation.org/

Sign up for our newsletter: 

https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/

Donate: 

https://changetheair-bloom.kindful.com/

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have. 

Please join us for an eye-opening interview with Beth Lambert where we talk about the escalating rates of childhood chronic conditions. Beth is an author, educator, and former healthcare consultant, who founded and runs Epidemic Answers, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to reestablishing vibrant health in our children.

Beth was fueled by the question, “What is different about the way we are living today that might be impacting this generation of kids?” As she points out, our kids are the canaries in the coal mine and we need to start listening to what their declining health is telling us.

This interview is filled with steps you can take to reduce the toxic burden that has come as a result of modern living. Above all, Beth wants you to know there is hope and many of these health conditions can be reduced and reversed.

Episode Highlights:

·       How did Beth become passionate about the escalating rates of childhood chronic conditions? (1:30)

·       What conditions are rising in children and what are some of the factors contributing to this drastic increase?  (6:40)

·       What role does our microbiome play in overall health and what impact do antibiotics play on it? (14:53)

·       What is “total load”? What do parents need to know? (22:42)

·       What are a few things people can start doing today to reduce total load? (28:40)

·       What research is Epidemic Answers doing? (33:49)

·       What message does Beth have for someone who are just starting out? (44:06)

·        

Get in touch with our guest:

Beth Lambert

https://epidemicanswers.org/

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

https://changetheairfoundation.org/

Sign up for our newsletter: 

https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/

Donate: 

https://changetheair-bloom.kindful.com/

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have. 

Join us as we talk with Sotirios Papathanasiou about what’s in the air! Our outdoor and indoor air is filled with particulate matter (PM) that consists of tiny solid and liquid particles that are often invisible to the naked eye. But just because we can’t always see these particles doesn’t mean they aren’t there and negatively affecting our health. In fact, the tinier the particle, the deeper into our bodies it can go! The good news is there are steps you can take to improve your indoor air quality.

Be sure to check out this interview to learn more about how everything from your cleaning products to your humidifier can be contributing to poor indoor air quality and how you can take steps today to improve the air inside your home!

Episode Highlight:

·       How did Sotirios become interested in air quality? 

·       What’s in our indoor air and what is particulate matter? 

·       What is PM10 and PM2.5? 

·       What are examples of particulate matter in our indoor air? 

·       How do these particles enter the body? 

·       Does air pollution kill? 

·       How do you reduce particulate matter in your indoor environment? 

·       How do humidifiers add particulate matter to your air? 

·       Can particulate matter be removed through vacuuming and cleaning?  

·       What are some tradeoffs with energy efficient and tightly built homes? 

·       Final thoughts.

Links mentioned in interview:

https://seetheair.org/2022/05/16/particulate-matter-pm2-5-mega-guide/

Get in touch with our guest:

Sotirios Papathanasiou

https://seetheair.org/

Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  

https://changetheairfoundation.org/

Sign up for our newsletter: 

https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/

Donate: 

https://changetheair-bloom.kindful.com/

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have.