Air Quality & Mold Testing Educational Content
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Poor indoor air quality from gases, particles, and allergens can cause respiratory and other health issues. If you have concerns about the air in your house, an air quality testing firm is a good place to start. Air quality testing identifies the contaminants in the air. From there, an indoor air quality expert can recommend solutions to ensure cleaner air for you and your family. Indoor air pollutants include radon, secondhand smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, molds, pet dander, and dust mites are also common. The best way to improve indoor air quality is to remove the source of the pollutants altogether. The next best thing is to significantly reduce the amount of pollutants spread through the air.
AIR QUALITY TESTING
To test your indoor air quality, an air quality testing contractor will collect samples around your house. Then, they will submit the samples for laboratory testing. Once the lab analysis is complete, the contractor will give you a report explaining the results. They should also offer suggestions for improving air quality. It’s important to have your air tested by a professional to get accurate results. An air quality testing contractor has the expertise and equipment needed to collect samples correctly. These samples are key to getting accurate lab results.
IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Some methods for improving indoor air quality are relatively simple. Opening windows more often can improve ventilation. Changing HVAC system filters more often helps reduce particulates in the air. Air purifiers in bedrooms and living spaces can help clean the air in those rooms. Tackling more serious pollutants, such as radon and mold, involves more complex solutions. You may need a professional to address the issue safely.
MOLD TESTING
If your house has recently had water damage, it’s a good idea to test for mold. Mold exposure can cause serious health problems. Don’t attempt to clean mold by yourself. The professionals have the safety equipment to do the job without putting themselves or anyone else at risk. To test for mold, the technician will take either air samples or surface samples, or both. The samples are then analyzed in a laboratory. If the samples show evidence of mold growth, you’ll need to have mold remediation work done to safely remove it. Contact a mold remediation specialist and stay out of contaminated spaces. The experts will isolate moldy areas to keep the spores from spreading. Once the remediation work is finished, the contractor will come back to check on everything. To make sure the problem has been resolved, they should collect one more set of samples.