Air Date: 7-13-2012| Episode: 251
Since 1978, Dan Stradford has been the chief executive officer of Action Duct Cleaning Company, based in the Los Angeles area…
Full Description:
Since 1978, Dan Stradford has been the chief executive officer of Action Duct Cleaning Company, based in the Los Angeles area. Action Duct has serviced clients in more than 15 states across the U.S. They service city, county, state, and federal clients, Fortune 500 companies, and a large residential base. Celebrity clients, which they service regularly, have included Tom Cruise, Stephen Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Roseanne Barr, Don Rickles, Buddy Hackett, Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Vin Scully, and many others. He is on the Board of Directors of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and has been a NADCA member for 20 years. He has published more than 250 articles and was the chairman of the task force that created NADCA’s Position Paper on The Use of Chemical Products in HVAC Systems. He is also the author of the recently-released book, The Men’s Code of Honor: 66 Principles That Make a Man.
Z-Man’s Blog:
Use of Chemicals in HVAC Systems -NADCA Position Paper
Dan Stradford, owner of Action Duct Cleaning in Los Angeles, CA was today’s guest on IAQradio. Dan is “duct cleaner to the stars” counting many celebrities as clients.
Dan chaired the NADCA’s committee which drafted “Using Chemical Products in HVAC Systems: NADCA Provides Guidance”. Dan led a team comprised of experienced HVAC systems cleaners, chemical manufacturers, attorney David Governo and Tracy Lantz (from the EPA’s Antimicrobials Division, Office of Pesticide Program)s. According to Dan, the guidance document is a response by NADCA to non-NADCA member firms who engage in false and misleading advertising regarding the sanitizing and disinfection of HVAC systems. Unfortunately, profitable add-on sale has often been the primary motivation for some use of antimicrobials within HVAC systems.
The EPA’s Antimicrobial Division receives phone calls from consumers concerned the use of chemicals within their HVAC systems. The EPA requires pesticide manufacturers to report adverse health effects from the use of their products. Tracy Lantz is concerned about the use of antimicrobials and other chemicals within HVAC systems. Tracy has presented EPA’s position on antimicrobial use within HVAC systems at NADCA and other indoor air quality events.
I opine that particulate released during HVAC cleaning operations and invisible to consumers is likely the cause for a significant number of the complaints the EPA receives which are attributed to chemicals. While it’s understandable that during an HVAC cleaning operation that when a consumer smelled something unusual and then sneezed, coughed or had eye irritation that they would attribute their symptom to what they smelled, it is inaccurate and unscientific not to consider coincidence and other likely causes.
I opined that with the cons numerically outnumbering pros in most discussion categories that the document was biased against the use of chemicals within
HVAC systems. Dan responded that the committee hadn’t counted and that sometimes the cost savings or other benefits might be huge. Dan, fair enough!
The document recognizes differences of opinion.
While the EPA required that their definitions of antimicrobials be used committee members did have the courage to express dissenting opinions.
The document doesn’t recommend the use of chemicals within HVAC unless they provide a benefit.
Visible soiling on supply diffusers and adjacent ceilings doesn’t necessarily indicate the HVAC system needs cleaning.
Today’s Music:“Chemical Overload” by the All Ways.
Z-Man signing off
