Can cleaning ducts stir up air quality problems?
Gail writes from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: “We just had our heating ducts cleaned and were told that two of the returns (one in my bedroom) had insulation in them which they did not feel was supposed to be there. Apparently they vacuumed/cleaned/pulled out the insulation with their vacuum equipment (that lead outside the house). Is there any risk to our family/children in terms of air quality? I woke up with a headache the last two days (although no one else did). Would the process of ‘cleaning’ stirred up anything? What is insulation? Is it fiberglass?” Answer: Your duct cleaner was referring to the insulation I am known for advertising – PINK FIBERGLAS™ insulation. Yes, it is fiber glass insulation. Since I cannot see the insulation he removed I am not sure it is ours, but if it is PINK in color it is Owens Corning and it is fiberglass. I am not sure why you would have insulation inside a metal duct, assuming it is a metal duct. In some cases metal ducts are lined with fiberglass duc
