If you're concerned about the air quality in your home because you have allergies or just because you want to protect your family and keep them healthy, consider having indoor air testing done. Air testing lets you know what type of pollution is in your indoor air so you can take steps to reduce or eliminate the problem. Here's a look at some things you might want to have your home tested for.
Volatile Organic Compounds And Formaldehyde
Volatile organic compounds are in many building materials, household items, and things like flooring. The materials outgas the chemicals even at room temperatures. These compounds pollute the air in your home, and they can even cause damage to things like the copper coils in your HVAC. Formaldehyde is a similar threat that is commonly found in flooring and other building materials.
When you have indoor air testing, volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde are usually included in the basic tests since these are common indoor pollutants.
Mold
You can also have your home tested for mold since mold spores can lower the air quality in your home. If you have mold, your home may have a musty odor. Even if you can't smell the mold, it may still bother your nose and throat or cause other health problems.
Radon
Radon testing is something you should probably have done at least once so you know if it's present in your home. Radon doesn't have an odor, so the only way to tell if the gas is present is to test for it. Then you'll know if you need to take steps to manage the radon so it doesn't cause health issues.
Carbon Monoxide
Some indoor air testing companies might test for carbon monoxide, too, if you have gas appliances. If your furnace or gas water heater is faulty, they might leak carbon monoxide into your home. While you should also have a carbon monoxide alarm, a quick test by an indoor air testing service can let you know if your appliances have higher readings than they should.
Allergens
If you have allergies and you want to make sure your home isn't triggering your symptoms, you may want tests done for things like dust mites and pollen. If you know your indoor air quality is low due to allergens, you can take steps to clean the air with air purifiers so you can get relief from your symptoms.
Lead Dust
Lead is another health threat that could be present in your home due to old lead paint that has been painted over. Lead is especially dangerous for small children, so you want to know if it's in your home.
Indoor air testing can be comprehensive and include things like measuring the ventilation in your house and testing the temperature and humidity in each room. However, if you want a report that covers most of the common forms of indoor pollution, then getting a test for volatile organic compounds, mold, and formaldehyde may be all that you need.
Contact a company like Sevee & Maher Engineers to learn more.
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