The term 'sick building syndrome' (SBS) was coined in the late 1970's to describe situations where building occupants experience acute health problems. Although these experiences were linked to time spent in a building, no specific illness or cause could be defined. This was the first time national attention was given to indoor air quality as a major health issue.

SBS typically results from poor building design, old malfunctioning HVAC systems, remodeling projects or various occupant activities. Numerous and specific causes have been identified and defined by many organizations in great detail over the last few decades.

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The PowerCost Monitor provides real-time feedback about a home's energy use in dollars or kWh, changes in usage, 30-day energy-use estimates, cumulative information (hourly, daily, weekly, etc.); it also shows the time and outside temperature.

Unlike some home-energy monitors, installation does not require an electrician; it can be set up by anyone within 15 minutes. Here are some frequently asked questions.

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Q: We bought this desk for a home office. How can we deal with the smell it creates?  — asked by Julie Reimers, Mechanicsburg, PA

A: Good questions and a very common problem. Particleboard furniture is often imported from overseas where restrictions on urea formaldehyde are not in place or not enforced well.

Generally speaking, furniture made with Melamine (the white panels) often contains an abundance of formaldehyde which off-gasses into the environment. That's changing, however, and there are some rare suppliers using formaldehyde-free Melamine, especially in California. If you know the furniture came from overseas, it's most likely not subject to the same standards as in the US.

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In spite of the conflicting studies about the extent of mold's harmful effects, some health fears are real, ranging from mild reactions to acute neurological disorders. The problem can be especially serious for allergy sufferers, small children and pets.

Once mold begins to develop it's difficult and almost impossible to remove.  In some cases, the best solution is to burn down the building. With the increase in mold cases and the subsequent press they have received, mold is now considered by many as one of the most dangerous indoor pollutants.

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If you live in an older home or work in a older building, chances are there is mold, mildew, and perhaps many other fungi influencing the quality of air that you breathe.

Everyone has some mold and mildew growing in their basement, in their walls, or in their attic whether they know it or not. Although mold is everywhere, it can be controlled.

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Composting is the natural process of decomposition that can be helped along by providing ideal conditions. These conditions will help your kitchen/garden waste decompose quickly so that you have a constant supply of compost for your garden. A balanced healthy compost depends upon five things:

1. Oxygen
2. Temperature
3. Moisture
4. Surface area
5. Carbon/Nitrogen ratio

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It was Lord Kelvin (William Thomson) who made the famous statement, "If you can not measure it, you can not improve it."

Whether its sports, finance, education, politics or Google AdWords, tracking the numbers helps achieve better performance. Without good metrics, it’s difficult to know how well or how poorly progress is being made. Shaving one second off your previous time, or improving one percentage point above last year's average, can make the difference between winning and losing, between success or failure. Read More