Improving Health and Comfort: Why a Home Air Quality Test is Essential
Why Do Home Air Quality Tests Matter?
Testing the air quality in your home isn't just about comfort; it's a matter of safety. You may be inhaling harmful pollutants and allergens that are invisible to the naked eye and you won't recognize the symptoms until it's too late.
These contaminants can pose serious health risks to you and your family if left unchecked. Living in a confined space that has bad air quality can be 2-5 times worse for you than breathing in polluted air from a city.
Certain toxic gases like radon and carbon monoxide are odorless and colorless, making them undetectable without proper residential air quality testing. Radon, for instance, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Detecting these gases early on can save you and your family's lives but you can only do so by checking the air quality of your home.
How to Tell If You Need Air Quality Tests
Even though there are harmful gases that can't be seen or smelled, there are still symptoms you can look for to tell if you have bad air quality. Below are some of the more common side effects of polluted air inside your home.
Health Issues
Bad air quality poses serious threats to your health but there are small symptoms that you can watch for to determine if your home air quality may be causing problems.
One of the most common health effects of poor air quality is respiratory distress. If you or your family members often experience symptoms like coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, or a persistent feeling of congestion, it might be due to the air in your home.
People with asthma or allergies will suffer significantly more under these circumstances. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and heart disease have all been linked to long-term exposure to air pollutants.
Bad Ventilation
Poor ventilation can turn your home sanctuary into a trap for pollutants and toxins. Without ventilation blowing and dispersing the pollutants, the air inside your home will remain stagnant and continue to harm you and your family.
A blocked or broken HVAC system is a common cause of bad ventilation in your home. These systems circulate the air and filter out certain allergens and dander. If these systems are not properly installed or maintained, they could circulate pollutants instead of filtering them out.
Unusual Smells
It's hard to describe exactly what bad air quality smells like but it's akin to a wet dog or dirty laundry that has been sitting around too long. It's unpleasant and should immediately tip you off that something isn't right about the air in your home.
Often, these "off" smells are the result of excess moisture in your home. This dampness can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which emit that distinct, unpleasant smell.
Mold causes a disagreeable odor and poses significant health risks, including respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
What Contributes to Bad Air Quality?
Now you know what to look for when there might be bad air quality in your home but what leads to these problems in the first place? Below are some of the most common reasons for bad air quality in your home.
Pets
In the U.S. alone, 66% of all households own a pet. Your furry friends are undoubtedly a source of joy and companionship but they're also a big contributor to your poor air quality.
Pets, particularly dogs and cats, generate dander, which is microscopic flecks of skin shed along with their hair or feathers. Invisible to the naked eye, pet dander can stay suspended in the air for long periods and is easily inhaled.
They bring in a slew of other pollutants from outdoors too. Pollen, dust, and even chemicals can cling to your pet's fur and paws, entering your home unknowingly. Over time, these pollutants can accumulate and degrade your indoor air quality.
Low Maintenance
Home maintenance is a key factor contributing to indoor air quality. Neglecting filter changes or deep cleaning your home leads to a buildup of pollutants and allergens.
Dust and other debris get into the fibers of your carpets and furniture. They sneak down into cracks and crevices that require detailed cleanings to remove. If you're not keeping up with regular cleanings, your home will stay covered in pollutants and allergens.
Air filters in your HVAC systems play a crucial role in maintaining good air quality. These filters trap particles and pollutants, preventing them from circulating in your home. The wrong size filters can have a significant impact on your ability to get rid of pollutants. Filterking has air filters of any size and even offers custom-sized filters to fit your HVAC system properly.
Smoking
It's no secret that smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer because of the carcinogenic agents that are released from the vapors. When someone smokes indoors these particles don't disappear, they linger in the air and settle onto surfaces.
These residual particles, often referred to as third-hand smoke, can cling to furniture, carpets, curtains, and other items in your home. They can even become embedded in walls and ceilings. Over time, these particles can be released back into the air, contributing to poor indoor air quality.
Mold
It's unlikely you'll see mold before you inhale it. This hidden menace lurks in your vents and walls and can degrade your air quality without your knowledge.
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp and poorly ventilated areas. It reproduces by releasing spores into the air, settling on various surfaces in your home. When these spores find a hospitable environment — typically a moist and dark place — they multiply and grow.
Mold spores in the air can cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues, especially in individuals with asthma or allergies. In some cases, exposure to certain types of molds can lead to more serious health problems.
Building Materials
Older homes bring a certain charm that modern homes lack, however, it's important to be aware that these vintage properties can sometimes harbor materials that negatively impact your indoor air quality.
Asbestos was widely used in construction until the late 20th century due to its fire-resistant properties. Since that time, it's been proven that asbestos is a cause of lung cancer. When disturbed, asbestos fibers become airborne and can be inhaled, leading to serious health issues.
How to Test Home Air Quality
The best way to test the air quality of your home is with a professional service that uses commercial tools to gather as much information as possible. However, there are some DIY indoor air quality tests you can use if you have an idea of what pollutants are in your air.
Perform an Air Audit
Depending on the type of lifestyle you live and the city you live in, the air quality will be different from one home to another. The Air Quality Index gives you an overlook of what kind of pollutants and allergens are specific to your community. It can provide a good first step in understanding what you need to watch out for.
Follow up your Air Quality Index with a quick audit of your home. Did you recently have any renovations? Have you owned pets for years? Do you consistently use the fireplace?
The answers to these questions will help guide your decisions on which home air quality test to buy since they all specialize in different pollutants.
Test for Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. Poorly maintained or poorly ventilated appliances like fireplaces or water heaters can cause an excess amount of CO production.
A carbon monoxide test measures the levels of CO in your home's air. High levels of CO can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and confusion. Prolonged exposure to high levels of CO can be fatal.
Test for Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced from the decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation
Exposure to high levels of radon over time can lead to lung cancer, making it a silent yet deadly threat. At-home radon tests are available and easy to use. These home air quality tests should be placed in the lowest lived-in level of the home, such as the basement. After a specified period, usually a few days, the test is sent to a lab for analysis.
Test for Mold
Testing for mold is an essential task that helps ensure the health and safety of your home's inhabitants. Mold tests identify the presence and type of mold spores in your home's air.
At-home mold testing kits typically involve taking air samples with a device that traps airborne mold spores on a petri dish. After the sample is taken, you'll seal the petri dish and let it incubate for a set time period, usually around one to two weeks.
Mold tests are tricky because they often just inform you of the presence of mold but won't tell you how much mold you have. You'll need a professional service for more thorough testing.
Test for Allergens
The best way to test for allergens inside your home is to buy an Air Quality Monitor. These convenient kits test for everything from dust and pollen to other irritating allergens.
The kit looks just like a small thermostat and will display essential information on an LED screen. All the readings are real-time and give you a comprehensive view of your home's air quality.
You can also purchase test strips that test for specific allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. These kits are easy to use and provide results in just a few minutes.
Tips to Improve Air Quality
A simple but effective way to improve air quality is by purchasing an air purifier. These machines constantly circulate the air in your home and trap harmful pollutants with the filters. They work best for homes with pets or those that have poor insulation and let lots of pollutants inside.
Regularly changing out air filters in your HVAC system is another effective way to maintain high air quality. Over time, these filters can become clogged with pollutants, reducing their effectiveness and potentially circulating contaminants around your home. Services like Filterking make it easy to find what you need by letting you search by filter size, brand, or part number.
If you feel the issue is above your level of understanding, the best move is to hire a professional service with expertise working with homes in your area. They will have a ton of experience with common pollutants and should be able to identify any air quality issues.
