Are you aware of the toxic fumes that come from the dryer vents? An air hazard that comes from unmanaged dryer vents is carbon monoxide poisoning. Dryer vent repairs and regular maintenance do not only let you extend the dryer’s shelf life. It also means that the air you breathe at home is safe.
Today’s post discusses what these toxic fumes from dryer vents are. Also, learn how to avoid endangering your health through having dryer vent cleaning and repairs by professionals.
What are the Dryer Exhaust Toxins?
There are practical ways to clean the dryer vent and its exhaust to prevent pollutants it releases into the air. Before that, learn how these toxins get into the vent.
How can you tell if the vent is leaking carbon monoxide? What happens exactly?
When the dryers are in use, steam and water vapor come out. These are not just moist made of pure water. Other chemicals are in it that when they leak in an excessive amount from the exhaust and tube, they can be health hazardous.
Here are toxic fumes that you want to prevent from getting into the air you breathe:
1- Carbon Monoxide
Earlier, you learn that carbon monoxide (CO) is the well-known toxic that the dryer exhaust releases. How did this deadly chemical go to the dryer for cleaning the dirty laundry?
It is important to know what type of dryer appliance is in your home. If it is an electric dryer, then you do not have to worry about CO.
A gas-powered dryer appliance will indeed have CO poisoning. The dryer heats upfield by gas. The machine burns carbon, laundry chemicals, threads, and even furs escaped from the lint filter. Burning these materials with the gas will emit CO.
Seek help from the doctor if you get exposed to CO and experience the following:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Difficulty in breathing
Consider CO as a silent killer. It will not emit a foul odor, unlike burnt gas. But once inhaled, it can bind to your red blood cell and block oxygen flow in your body organs.
CO poisoning stops the RBC from carrying oxygen to your brain, and it can be fatal.
2- Dryer Vent Residue
A heated machine is enough to make you cautious. The moisture and vapor that comes out of the dryer will emit an unpleasant scent. These scents carry a mix of CO, burned metal, or rubber from wiring insulations. It may be as fatal as CO poisoning, but the odor will be enough to make you feel nauseous and may even give you a lingering headache.
3- Fabric Softener Compounds
On the other hand, the scent of fabric softener may make you feel surrounded by flowers in a garden. However, those are synthetic smells made from harsh chemicals. And when it leaks from the vent exhaust, it comes with vapor that can easily bind into the natural air. Those have chemicals that some people may have an allergic reaction to.
Maintenance and Detection
Those are three common toxic fumes that dryer vents and exhaust emit. Now, you might ask, if there is a way to detect early on if these toxins spread danger? How often to clean dryer vent?
Good question. And the answer is through the help of your local dryer vent repair service. Experts will recommend you to install a carbon monoxide detector. But taking an expert’s tips and advice to clean your dryer in and out is a less costly move.
Doing so will allow you to see parts of the exhaust and dryer vents leaking with danger. A professional dryer vent repairs team is just a call away, so get their help and do not delay!
