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Many types of meters and devices assess indoor air quality in your home. Some examples include particulate matter meters, CO2 meters, volatile organic compound detectors, and humidity meters.
Have you noticed the air inside your home becoming poor or making you sick? It is estimated that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, especially in the winter months, yet we rarely think about the quality of air that we breathe.
Poor indoor air quality can result in many health issues, from allergies and asthma to more serious long-term conditions like respiratory diseases cognitive defects, and cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency states indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks. Therefore homeowners and renters must understand how to monitor levels inside their homes.
The good news is that testing the air quality inside your home is easier than you may think. With advancements in technology and more people becoming aware, there are now many different methods available to assess and improve the air inside your home.
Indoor air quality measures the cleanliness and purity of air within enclosed spaces, like your home or individual rooms. Different areas within a house or building may have different indoor air quality levels. For example, a bathroom with no windows or ventilation installed may have a different air quality compared to an office space.
Indoor air quality is measured using an Air Quality Index (AQI) that takes into account both airborne hazards and the effectiveness of current air purification methods.
A higher AQI score indicates higher concentrations of pollutants and fewer air-cleaning features, while a lower AQI score suggests cleaner air.
Invisible pollutants such as mold spores, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and particulate matter can accumulate in our homes, silently affecting our health and well-being.
Environmental conditions, both inside and outside a home can significantly impact the indoor air quality in several ways:
High humidity levels can encourage the growth of dust mites and mold, which are common indoor air pollutants. On the other hand, low humidity can lead to an increase in dust and static electricity, which can affect air quality and comfort.
The quality of the air outside directly affects indoors when ventilation occurs. In areas with high pollution levels such as urban centers or during wildfire seasons, opening windows can introduce more pollutants indoors.
If you are a hayfever sufferer, you are already familiar with the allergy attacks during the spring and fall seasons when pollen counts increase. Additionally, winter conditions often lead to decreased ventilation as you are more likely to keep windows closed, potentially trapping pollutants inside your home.
Furthermore, atmospheric pressure changes and wind patterns can affect the movement of air inside your home, influencing the concentration of indoor pollutants.
Daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, and using certain products can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or particulate matter, affecting air quality. The impact of these activities can also be magnified by poor ventilation.
The efficiency and maintenance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems play a crucial role in managing indoor air quality, especially when it comes to outdoor environmental conditions.
Homes built close to industrial areas, high-traffic roads, or construction sites can introduce specific pollutants into indoor spaces.
Typically, older buildings may have materials that off-gas more pollutants, particularly in warmer temperatures. New buildings tend to be more airtight, potentially trapping pollutants if not properly ventilated.
If your home has contaminants and hazards, you’re most likely experiencing poor air quality. Be on the lookout and stay alert to these common signs that suggest ongoing exposure to air quality issues.
Prolonged exposure to poor indoor air quality can negatively impact human (and pet) health. Consider a professional air quality assessment if household members frequently experience any of the following:
These respiratory issues may result from exposure to tobacco and/or cooking smoke, mold and mildew, pet dander (skin cells that shed with fur), pollen, or chemicals like formaldehyde.
While humidity itself isn’t a direct indicator of poor air quality, it can contribute to problems. As mentioned, high humidity can promote mold, and mildew, trap airborne contaminants, and decay building materials.
Lingering smells from food, pets, or mustiness often indicate that contaminants are present in the air. Continuous odors may suggest inadequate ventilation.
Pointing out the obvious, there are many visual signs of indoor air contamination:
If you have noticed any of the above signs of poor air quality inside your home, or your or someone else’s health isn’t improving, testing your home’s air quality is an essential step in ensuring a safe and healthy living environment.
Indoor air quality meters are the most efficient and comprehensive way to continuously track your home’s air quality. These devices use sensors to measure various pollutants and environmental factors.
Key features:
Measuring tips:
The Atlas Scientific USB-powered IAQ-M Indoor Air Quality Meter is ideal for home, factory, office, or school use. The real-time readings and accurate measurement display of humidity, temperature, and CO2 allow proactive management of any indoor environment. The CO2 detection in the IAQ-M is crucial for assessing air quality and ventilation effectiveness. It is also capable of connecting to WiFi and uploading readings to Thingspeak or an MQTT service of your choice for data logging, home automation, or remote monitoring.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, odorless gas that can be produced by malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances. Installing CO detectors is crucial for safety.
Installation tips:
Radon is a radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the ground. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
Types of radon tests:
Measuring tips:
Mold can cause serious allergic reactions and respiratory issues if not treated. While visible mold should be addressed immediately, airborne mold spores can be tested using various methods.
Types of mold tests:
VOCs are emitted from various household products and can have short and long-term health effects.
Measuring tips:
Poor ventilation can lead to the buildup of pollutants. While not a direct test, assessing your home’s ventilation can provide insights into potential air quality issues.
Tools for measuring humidity:
Poor ventilation can lead to the buildup of pollutants. While not a direct test, assessing your home’s ventilation can provide insights into potential air quality issues.
Ways to measure ventilation:
For comprehensive results or if you suspect serious air quality issues, you may want to consider hiring a professional air quality testing service. These professionals can provide detailed analysis and recommendations tailored to your home.
Tips for maintaining good indoor air quality:
While there are many steps you can take to improve your home’s air quality, certain situations require the expertise of a professional.
If you or your family members are experiencing ongoing respiratory problems, allergies, or unexplained health issues that seem to improve when away from the home, it’s crucial to have your air quality professionally assessed. Additionally, households with individuals with compromised immune systems, respiratory conditions, or young children may benefit from regular professional air quality assessments.
While small areas of mold can often be addressed personally, extensive or recurring mold (especially black mold) problems require professional intervention. Mold can be a serious health hazard and may indicate underlying moisture issues.
Following events like flooding, fire, or significant water damage, professional air quality testing is advisable to ensure your home is safe.
If you’ve recently completed major renovations or live in a newly constructed home, consider professional testing to check for off-gassing from new materials and paint.
Persistent strange smells that you cannot identify or eliminate could indicate serious air quality issues requiring professional investigation.
If a home radon test shows elevated levels, consult a radon mitigation specialist immediately.
If you’ve tried various methods to improve air quality without success, it’s time for a professional assessment.
If you have an old or poorly maintained HVAC system, this could significantly impact air quality and may require specialized cleaning or upgrades.
Finally, for peace of mind, if you’re simply concerned about your home’s air quality and want a comprehensive evaluation, a professional can provide detailed insights and tailored solutions.
Indoor air quality measures how pure and clean the air is inside your home. You can purchase an indoor air quality monitor, test for mold in the air, conduct a radon test, and install carbon monoxide alarms. However, while DIY efforts are valuable for maintaining good air quality, professionals have the tools, knowledge, and experience to identify and address complex air quality issues that might not be apparent to you.
If you have any questions regarding indoor air quality or would like to know more about the wide range of measuring tools we have to offer, do not hesitate to contact the world-class team at Atlas Scientific.
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