Methods and criteria for cleaning contaminated ducts and air-handling equipment

The purpose of this literature survey is to address the subject of nonroutine cleaning of ducts and other components of HVAC systems. The means used to identify particulate and odor contamination in HVAC systems, including problems associated with the identification process, are discussed. A description of the types of ductwork and HVAC components and systems that are most susceptible to particulate and odor contamination and the methods used to clean these components are reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of various cleaning methods in terms of the types of equipment, long-term effectiveness, cost, short- and long-term hazards to people and the environment, and methods available for evaluating decontamination are described.