Joe, you are right on the money. In case someone is interested here is one of the links:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080575/

Posted By joe.ami on 16 Nov 2010 07:33 AM
As you all know I am among the less learned here, but it has occurred to me that mold, asthma and the like occured less in grandma's leaky scarcily insulated, poorly glazed single pane windowed house full of smokers.....
j

Anyone reaching the conclusion that smoking protects against mold and asthma are mistaken.

Sir Bedevere:  So, logically...
Peasant 1:  If she weighed the same as a duck... she's made of wood.
Sir Bedevere:  And therefore...
Peasant 2:  ...A witch!

Some time ago, I read about homes in europe that are super insulated,
and a pair of blowers and a heat pump will bring in fresh air, taking
all the heat from the air being exhausted.

I would think that would reduce risk of mold.

Posted By geome on 16 Nov 2010 01:29 PM

Posted By joe.ami on 16 Nov 2010 07:33 AM
As you all know I am among the less learned here, but it has occurred to me that mold, asthma and the like occured less in grandma's leaky scarcily insulated, poorly glazed single pane windowed house full of smokers.....
j

Anyone reaching the conclusion that smoking protects against mold and asthma are mistaken.

Sir Bedevere:  So, logically...
Peasant 1:  If she weighed the same as a duck... she's made of wood.
Sir Bedevere:  And therefore...
Peasant 2:  ...A witch!

To be correct, Smoking has nothing to do with asthma, and smoking does not prevent against molds. As a matter of fact, smoking is bad for everything else related to your respiratory system. What Joe was referring to (I think) was the leaky building, especially the fresh air intrusion, which reduces CO2, temperature and accumulated spore counts in the air.

Posted By pachai on 16 Nov 2010 02:02 PM

Some time ago, I read about homes in europe that are super insulated,
and a pair of blowers and a heat pump will bring in fresh air, taking
all the heat from the air being exhausted.

I would think that would reduce risk of mold.

What you are referring to are heat recovery systems in order to ensure appropriate ventilation without too much heatloss. Mold growth depends mainly on 3 things: 1) Humidity 2) Temperature 3) CO2 So if you are in that house, and you take a breath, what do you do to that air you now exhale? You added humidity, temperature and Co2 to it. Many of the old buildings in Europe became tighter with new windows, doors, other upgrades, but most people were not running new ventilation systems through older houses. Even most new buildings don't have them, but they are very airtight. So overall, the air-exchange is significantly reduced, resulting in warmer (which is the purpose from an HVAC standpoint), more humid and Co2 enriched air.

Posted By docjenser on 16 Nov 2010 04:18 PM
What Joe was referring to (I think) was the leaky building, especially the fresh air intrusion, which reduces CO2, temperature and accumulated spore counts in the air.

Hi Doc.  I think he was too.  I was making a joke about flawed logic and included something for the Monty Python fans out there.

Posted By geome on 16 Nov 2010 04:45 PM

Posted By docjenser on 16 Nov 2010 04:18 PM
What Joe was referring to (I think) was the leaky building, especially the fresh air intrusion, which reduces CO2, temperature and accumulated spore counts in the air.

Hi Doc.  I think he was too.  I was making a joke about flawed logic and included something for the Monty Python fans out there.

I was just trying to make sure that not a single guy out there miss understood things.

You all mis-understand. I was advocating the use of poorly glazed single pane windows!

j