Dallas AC: Is Leaky Ductwork Crashing Youth Livers?

By Franklin Everett Shaw

January 11, 2026

The air in your Dallas home might be silently harming your child’s liver. It’s a scary thought, but the connection between indoor air quality and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children is becoming increasingly clear. Dallas, with its older housing stock and unique environmental challenges, presents a particularly concerning scenario. Let’s dive into why this is happening and, more importantly, what you can do about it.

NAFLD is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver of someone who drinks little to no alcohol. In Dallas, like many urban areas, childhood obesity and related metabolic issues are on the rise, contributing to higher NAFLD rates. But what’s often overlooked is the role of environmental factors, specifically the air we breathe indoors.

Leaky AC ductwork is a major culprit. Dallas’s hot and humid climate demands near-constant AC use, putting immense strain on duct systems. Over time, these ducts can develop cracks and leaks, drawing in dust, mold, allergens, and even insulation fibers from attics and crawl spaces. This contaminated air circulates throughout your home, exposing your family to a cocktail of harmful particles.

These particles, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), trigger inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is a key driver of NAFLD. When children are constantly exposed to these pollutants, their livers work overtime to filter out the toxins, leading to fat accumulation and potentially liver damage.

Dallas County Health and Human Services doesn’t specifically track NAFLD rates, making precise local data difficult to obtain. However, national studies show a clear correlation between air pollution and liver disease. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that children living in areas with higher levels of air pollution had a significantly increased risk of developing NAFLD. While this study wasn’t conducted in Dallas, the principles apply. Dallas’s air quality, particularly in older neighborhoods with aging infrastructure, often exceeds EPA recommendations for particulate matter.

So, what can you do to protect your child’s liver and improve your home’s air quality? The first step is to identify and repair leaky AC ducts.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Visual Inspection: Start by visually inspecting your ductwork, especially in the attic and crawl spaces. Look for obvious signs of damage, such as tears, cracks, or disconnected sections. Pay close attention to joints and seams.
The Hand Test: With your AC running, hold your hand near duct joints and seams. If you feel air blowing out, that’s a leak.
The Smoke Test: Light an incense stick or use a smoke pen near ductwork. If the smoke is drawn towards a specific area, it indicates a leak.
Professional Duct Leakage Test: For a more accurate assessment, hire a qualified HVAC technician to perform a duct leakage test. They use specialized equipment to measure the amount of air escaping from your duct system. Companies like Berkeys Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical and Baker Brothers Plumbing & Air Conditioning offer these services in the Dallas area.

Once you’ve identified the leaks, it’s time to seal them. Small leaks can often be repaired with duct tape (use foil-backed duct tape, not cloth duct tape) or mastic sealant. For larger leaks or extensive damage, it’s best to hire a professional HVAC contractor to repair or replace the ductwork.

Another crucial step is to improve your home’s air filtration. A high-quality air filter can remove a significant amount of particulate matter from the air, reducing the burden on your child’s liver.

Here’s how to choose the right air filter for your Dallas home:

MERV Rating: Look for filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 11 or higher. These filters are effective at capturing smaller particles, including PM2.5.
Filter Type: Consider using pleated filters, which have a larger surface area and can capture more particles than flat filters.
Filter Replacement: Replace your air filter regularly, typically every 1-3 months, depending on the filter type and the level of air pollution in your area. During peak allergy seasons in Dallas (spring and fall), you might need to replace them more frequently.
Consider a HEPA Filter: For individuals with allergies or respiratory issues, a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter can provide even better air purification. Standalone HEPA air purifiers are available for individual rooms.

Common mistakes developers face when dealing with air filtration include:

Ignoring the MERV Rating: Using a filter with a low MERV rating is like using a sieve to catch sand. It simply won’t capture the harmful particles.
Forgetting to Replace Filters: A dirty filter is an ineffective filter. It can also restrict airflow, putting strain on your HVAC system.
Choosing the Wrong Size: Make sure you choose the correct filter size for your HVAC system. An improperly sized filter can allow air to bypass it, rendering it useless.

Beyond duct repair and air filtration, there are other steps you can take to improve your home’s air quality:

Control Humidity: High humidity can promote mold growth, which can exacerbate respiratory problems and contribute to NAFLD. Use a dehumidifier to keep indoor humidity levels below 50%.
Ventilate Your Home: Open windows and doors regularly to allow fresh air to circulate. This is especially important after cooking or cleaning.
Avoid Smoking Indoors: Smoking indoors releases harmful chemicals into the air, which can damage the liver and other organs.
Use Low-VOC Cleaning Products: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that can evaporate into the air and cause respiratory problems. Choose cleaning products that are labeled as low-VOC or VOC-free.

The link between leaky AC ducts, poor air quality, and NAFLD in Dallas children is a serious concern. By taking proactive steps to improve your home’s air quality, you can protect your child’s liver and promote their overall health. Don’t wait until symptoms appear; take action today to create a healthier home environment for your family. Contact local Dallas HVAC professionals for duct testing and repair, and invest in high-quality air filtration systems. Your child’s health is worth it.