My House Is Killing Me!, second edition

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 allergen-laden dust. Meanwhile, stinky 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 this thoroughly revised edition of My House Is Killing Me! Jeff and Connie May draw on the dramatic personal stories of their clients' suffering and relief to help readers understand the links between environmental factors and human health. Explaining how air conditioning, finished basements, and other home features affect indoor air quality, the authors offer a step-by-step approach to identifying, controlling, and often eliminating the sources of indoor pollutants and allergens. If we could see this contamination, the Mays observe, the air would look as murky as stagnant water, and we would know not to breathe it.

This new edition includes

• more than 60 color photographs
• expanded coverage on the dangers posed by volatile organic compounds produced by such common items as paint, carpet, and household cleaning products
• a focus on a range of respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD, skin problems, and Legionnaire's disease
• new information about the risks of spray-polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation
• a discussion of recent research which indicates that many cleaning products, including those labeled green or eco-friendly, contribute to indoor and outdoor air pollution to a greater degree than once suspected
• completely new case studies of people who improved their indoor air quality by following the authors' advice
• brand-new chapters, including "Trojan Horse Allergens," "The Three Ps: Pets, Pests, and People," "Indoor Air in a Multi-Unit Building," and "Testing and Remediation."

Reading My House Is Killing Me! lets you see your house the way an expert would. Just as they look at spaces and systems during an indoor air quality investigation, the Mays focus first on the areas of daily life (bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen), then look into attics and basements (including heating and air conditioning), and finally move outside to the garage and the exterior of a home. Along with offering a wealth of practical advice and proven solutions for various problems, they include a glossary of terms and a list of valuable resources. This book is a must for all home occupants as well as perfect for those contemplating moving to or purchasing a property.