How’s your indoor air quality? You probably know that the air inside our homes is usually more polluted than outdoor air. But how do you know if your indoor air quality is poor? There are ways to do an air quality test for a variety of airborne pollutants.
Symptoms of Polluted Air in Your Home
These are typical symptoms of polluted air:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing. sneezing, and congested sinuses
- Eye, nose, throat, and skin irritations
- Headaches
- Worsening of asthma and other respiratory problems
Clues as to the sources of the discomforts are the presence of pets that shed dander, hair or feathers; fuel-burning appliances that may be leaking carbon monoxide; the suspected presence of radon invading the home from the ground underneath; and the presence of furnishings and products that may be emitting volatile organic compounds or VOCs.
How to Perform an Air Quality Test of Your Home’s Air
Indoor air quality monitors are sold that monitor certain types of airborne pollutants, including carbon monoxide and VOCs, including formaldehyde. that are emitted from particle board products, paint, carpets, and other furnishings.
You can also affect an air quality test by installing simple carbon monoxide monitors to test for low levels of CO emitted by your combustion-powered appliances, such as gas-powered water heaters and the HVAC system. Low levels of CO are not usually a problem except for the very young or very old.
Another typical pollutant is mold, which is usually caused by dampness from plumbing leaks or leaks from the roof. There are mold tests, but you don’t really need them. You can easily detect mold by physical observation of damp, black, or green spots on drywall, tiles, wood, or the floor. A rank, moldy smell is also indicative of mold.
There are radon tests that are helpful in detecting this odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas. Radon is not dangerous in the short term but can cause cancer after long exposure. If you find high levels of radon, it’s best to engage professional services to deal with it.
For more on ways that an air quality test might be helpful, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area