Indoor Air Quality Testing
There are many different steps you need to take to create a safe indoor environment at home. While some of them are obvious, others are often overlooked or are never actually addressed. The quality of the air inside your house is a great example because it can help improve your family’s living standards, but many homeowners let it slide unnoticed.
Airborne pollutants such as mold, solid particles, and other allergens can diminish the air quality in your house. This, in turn, can have a direct impact on your family’s health and can cause recurring complications as long as the air quality is left unchecked.
Why is Indoor Air Quality Important?
Modern house manufacturers put a great deal of attention into creating durable, energy efficient homes. Unfortunately, this also means that the fumes and byproducts floating around your house have nowhere to go.
The biggest health complications associated with mold and similar indoor pollutants are asthma, allergies, respiratory symptoms, and issues with the immune and nervous systems.
This is why monitoring your home’s air quality is critical. Unless properly ventilated, indoor pollutant levels can easily exceed the outside environment. Monitoring and improving your indoor air quality will help your family thrive while ensuring that you’re providing a safe and healthy home in every sense of the word.
Common Indoor Allergens and Pollutants
Every household is unique, but they all share common chemicals or items that release contaminants into the air. Some of the most common allergens found in homes include:
Pollen and Animal Hair
Pollen is an allergen commonly found both indoors and outdoors. These solid particles are also present virtually everywhere, but concentrations vary depending on the season. At the same time, people with pollen sensitivity can experience an array of symptoms even when exposed to relatively small amounts.
Dust Mites and Larger Organisms
Dust mites flourish in areas with high humidity. In certain climates the natural humidity in the air can cause them to propagate. In drier climates, they tend to thrive in bedding, pillows and couches – materials with high localized humidity.
Physical Particles and Aerosol
Your body’s natural reaction to foreign organisms is to fight them to the best of its ability. Inhaling physical particles and aerosol may compromise your immune system, making them just as dangerous as other contaminants.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Known as VOCs, volatile organic compounds are released by an array of products in your home. From paints and stains to cleaning agents and air fresheners, these products’ emissions can negatively impact your indoor air quality.
Cleaning Products and Other Chemicals
Popular cleaning products, candles, plug-in air fresheners, and other common items can also release potentially dangerous chemicals. If left unchecked, these concentrations can increase at an alarming pace and lead to unwanted effects.
Molds and Other Types of Fungi
Molds, mildews, and other types of fungi reproduce by releasing dry spores into the air. Historic water damage, leaking pipes, condensation, and other types of moisture intrusion can create the perfect conditions for the proliferation of mold.
Testing and Fixing Your Indoor Air Quality
Testing your indoor air quality is the only way to ensure you’re providing a safe home for your loved ones. At Environix, we have years of experience in testing, monitoring, and restoring your indoor air quality back to acceptable levels.
Want to know more about our Healthy Home Assessment? Give us a call or check out our Learning Center in order to identify common areas prone to mold growth, understand the health effects of low air quality, and preventing issues in your home.