Air Testing: What Is Involved?
Air Testing: What Is Involved?
If you are concerned about the health of your household members, you may want to pay closer attention to issues related to indoor pollution. As the EPA notes, indoor air issues present a serious health concern, and your indoor environment can be up to five times more contaminated than the outside air. Air quality testing is an excellent starting point for gaining practical information for improving issues in your home.
What Is Indoor Air Testing?
A certified HVAC professional can use equipment to measure the air supply in your home for a variety of pollutants. He may test for materials such as:- Carbon monoxide
- Radon
- Asbestos
- Mold
- Mildew
- Allergens
Making Use of Air Sampling Results
Once you know more about the materials in your air supply, you can research their potential impact on your family's health. Additionally, you can work with your HVAC contractor to consider solutions for dealing with indoor pollution. Some options include:- Install carbon monoxide alarms - Low levels of the invisible gas can lead to vague symptoms, and a severe leak can be deadly. Each sleeping area should have its own alarm, and areas near or over attached garages should also be equipped with alarms.
- Updated ventilators - The level of pollution in your home may be decreased through balanced ventilation, a mechanical process that exchanges polluted indoor air for fresh air from outside your home.
- Add an air purifier to your HVAC system - Advanced technology provides for electrostatic removal of fine particulates from your airstream, and weakening or destruction of biomaterials can help those susceptible to the effects of viruses, bacteria and molds.
- Supplement your AC's dehumidification - While your air conditioner may do a good job of controlling indoor moisture at the height of summer heat, less use of the AC can result in poor dehumidification results that require supplemental solutions such as the installation of a dehumidifier.
