Is it Spring Allergies or Indoor Air Quality Issues Causing Running Noses and Itchy Eyes across Texas?

Last week ushered in the official start of the spring season. After a long and chilly winter in many parts of Texas and the Gulf Coast, people are beginning to enjoy outdoor activities and open doors and windows that have been kept shut for months.

During this time of year, trees and plants begin to bloom and release large amounts of pollen into the air. Moist weather and warming temperatures can also result in elevated levels of mold in the outdoor air. Pollen and mold spores can travel great distances, especially during windy spring days. This also means that people who suffer from allergies to pollen and mold are beginning to showing signs of sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes.

These air quality contaminants can be a concern to both people enjoying the outdoor weather and even those indoors as outdoor allergens can often enter a building through open doors and windows and even on people’s clothes.

“In many cases, it’s not just outdoor pollen and mold causing allergy sufferers’ reactions this time of year,” said Hollis L. Horner, President, Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc. “The spring thaw and seasonal rains also cause moisture issues in many homes and buildings. In structures with roof leaks or wet basements and crawl spaces, this can quickly result in the growth of indoor mold and even elevated levels of dust mites. Any of these, at elevated concentrations in an indoor environment, can cause an allergic reaction in some people or trigger an asthma attack in those who are sensitive to exposure and have the condition.”

The indoor air quality (IAQ) experts at IEC offer air testing, inspection and consulting services to identify a wide range of indoor allergens, pollutants and their sources. If air sampling identifies a problem, it can then be addressed to help those who suffer breathe easier.

To learn more about IEC’s allergen and IAQ testing and consulting services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.

About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.
IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience. The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings. Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail