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According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average person spends about 90% of their time indoors, and that number is even higher for children and the elderly. This process of exchanging dirty air with clean air can happen anywhere between 4-6 times per hour. As the unit continues to run, the cleaner the air becomes inside the room. This type of kit will assist you in determining if your home has harmful concentrations of it. If you want to test for fiberglass or dust mites specifically, there are special kits made for that purpose.
Asthma Triggers:
Consult the labels of your air fresheners, candles, cleaning products, and other home chemicals. Combustion pollutants are gases and particles emitted from burning fuels, such as wood, coal, oil, natural gas, or kerosene. The major source of these combustion pollutants in homes is unvented or improperly vented fuel-burning applications such as woodstoves, gas stoves, space heaters, dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, and more. Using a specific test for mold is an important step in improving the air quality of your home. If toxic mold is discovered, it is crucial that you take immediate steps to eradicate the problem. Combustion pollutants are familiar to most individuals as it comes in the form of tobacco smoke and carbon monoxide.
Steps
But Rohde recommended checking the air filter every month, even if it’s rated for 90 days. Every home is at risk of biological growth developing on their HVAC system over time, but Rohde said people who live in more humid environments have a higher susceptibility of encountering biological growth. Boothe’s Heating & Air sales manager John Winters said systems can provide an ideal environment for such organisms because of moisture and darkness. A home with a lot of carpet, pets or people also can contribute to the dirt or biological pollutants that accumulate in an HVAC, Winters said. At One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating, the standard price for a deep cleaning is usually $340 but could be lower if you’re a club member. Formaldehyde is a common volatile organic compound, or VOC — one of many harmful gasses sometimes emitted by common household items.
Sources of indoor air pollution and how to reduce exposure
Other potentially higher-risk heating options include heating systems with older furnaces and gas-fueled heating appliances. An air purifier with a HEPA filter can even help remove flu virus particles from your air. Comprehensive at-home tests generally cost up to $200, but you may need to spend more when checking for more pollutants.
For starters, a dehumidifier will help control the amount of humidity in the air, thus preventing mold and mildew growth. If the dehumidifier comes with air filters, it can help trap air pollutants such as dust, allergens, and more. Chemicals like VOCs can cause adverse health effects, so it’s important to reduce their levels as much as possible. One way to do this is by using natural cleaning products instead of chemical-based cleaners. The cost of professional testing will vary depending on the size of your home, the type of tests being performed, and the number of samples being collected.
At the very least, keep your doors and windows closed as much as you can. In the case of radon pollution, the EPA recommends sealing cracks in the foundation and installing vents and fans. Professional testing is often more accurate than DIY testing because professional tests take into account factors like temperature, humidity, and ventilation rate — all of which can affect IAQ. Professionals have access to more sophisticated equipment and can provide a detailed report of their findings. They may also be able to make recommendations for improving the air quality in your home.
Stacey L. Nash has written for BobVila.com since 2020 and more widely for the past 6 years about home products, home decor, and general home improvement. Diving into research is one of her favorite parts of writing, but she especially enjoys hands-on testing to get a feel for how products really function in everyday life. Depending on the type of radon test you use, the testing process may require installing detection sheets or other materials in an area suggested by the manufacturer.
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Does a Dehumidifier Clean the Air?
Home air quality tests are worth it for the peace of mind they provide. You can address dangers that can lead to chronic health conditions by regularly testing your home’s air supply. Once you have a baseline understanding of your home’s air quality, take steps to improve it. Clean surfaces that host contaminants, take steps to improve ventilation, and alert professionals about unsafe living conditions.
Long-term tests are used for at least three months and can help you understand your home’s year-round radon levels. The kinds of symptoms you’re experiencing may also provide clues about the source of the problem. Nausea and confusion track more closely to symptoms of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in the home. A scratchy throat or watery eyes are more often signs of an allergic reaction to potential pollutants.
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In many cases, especially where there has been a water intrusion or other catastrophe, it is very difficult for people to determine whether their home is safe without outside help. We spend most of our time indoors, and, as a result, our indoor air quality (IAQ) can have a significant impact on our health. Poor IAQ can cause several adverse health effects, such as respiratory problems, headaches, and fatigue. That’s why it’s important to test your home’s IAQ regularly and take steps to improve the air quality if necessary. The best indoor air quality monitors on the market can detect a variety of substances, including allergens, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, ozone, mold spores, PM2.5, radon, VOCs, and more. Check your house for toxins by installing carbon monoxide detectors and a continuous air quality monitor.
Radon gas naturally occurs as a byproduct of the breakdown of the uranium found in certain rocks and soil. The gas can seep its way into a home through the foundation until it reaches harmful levels. Radon can enter your home through cracks in your floors, foundation, walls, or areas around pipes. Because radon gas forms from the breakdown of natural uranium deposits in the soil, it usually enters at the lowest levels of your home and concentrates there. You should schedule one of these tests if you believe for any reason you may have a mold issue but aren't sure since you haven't seen any.
It is widely regarded as one of the most harmful pollutants to human health for its prevalence at dangerous levels. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to health effects such as heart disease, respiratory illness, and premature death. To improve your indoor air quality, make your home smoke-free by banning all use of tobacco products indoors.
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