An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality Testing for Homeowners

Your health depends on the quality of the air you breathe, meaning that the poor quality of indoor air could be ruining your health without you even knowing about it.

Just because mainstream media does not cover the topic as frequently as the air pollution in China, that does not mean the air inside your home and office is good for your health. The air inside your house can be polluted.

Signs You Are Breathing Polluted Air

If you or someone in your family is repeatedly experienced any of these health issues on a regular basis, poor indoor air quality may be to blame.

• Headaches
• Asthma, pneumonia, and other respiratory issues
• Coughing
• Cognitive disorders, such as trouble concentrating
• Dermatological (skin) conditions, such as irritation and rashes
• Infections of the ear and eye

You can hire a professional for air quality testing to be sure.

Sources of Contaminated Air

Contaminated air can seep in from the streets or cause by indoor activities; such as pets, insects, mold, and consumer products, such as gasoline, paint, pesticides, and tobacco.

Here is a longer list:

• Construction materials (VOCs)
• High humidity
• Rotten wood
• Poor ventilation
• Heating oil
• Fossil fuels
• Cleaning chemicals
• HVAC systems
• Carpets
• Bedding
• Sewer gas leaks
• Radon (found in the basement) In the short run, the effects of the pollutants are indiscernible. But spending days in poor ventilation can make you sick.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Three Ways to Improve the Quality of the Air You Breathe

• Hit at the source. Look around your house for the sources of contaminated air and remove them. You can seal the paint can, throw away rotten wood, and deal with other materials as you see fit.
• Plants. Grow plants that have proven ability to clean indoor air. Researchers suggest Garden Mum, Dracaena, Boston Fern, and Bamboo Palm among others.
• Hire an air-quality testing consultant. A consultant can run several tests in your house—from the basement to attic—to find the quality of the air you are breathing and suggest ways to improve it. For more information on your home or office’s air quality and how you can get it tested and improved, consult Green Works. Nothing is more important to us than the health of your family.