Did you know that indoor air pollution causes the death of up to 3.8 million people every year? The effect is more prevalent among children. Given that we spend about 90% of our time indoors, it would be best to consider improving air quality in our homes. here you can also read about how to prevent rush damage to windows in your home.
You might want to consider a home air quality inspection to understand your indoor air quality level. A home air quality test is the first step towards achieving the ideal airflow within your house.
Here are some of the reasons you need to consider air quality inspection for your home.
1. Mold Growth
Mold is arguably one of the primary concerns on the issue of home air quality. It refers to the fungus that grows and thrives in wet and warm areas. Any porous surface exposed to moisture becomes a potential breeding ground for mold.
The substantial growth of mold in a home can become a health concern. It can lead to respiratory diseases for the occupants. Some of the common symptoms related to mold exposure include wheezing, itchy eyes, or a stuffy nose.
It’s possible to have a mold infestation in your home without knowing. A home air quality inspection can detect the presence of mold spores in your house. The home air quality test will help you know the mold issue’s extent, which will guide you in their elimination.
You need to consider eliminating any sources of moisture within your home. If there are leaks, consult with a professional plumber as the issue might escalate. The inspection can therefore help you address more issues that manifest through mold formation.
2. Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) refer to emitted gases from certain liquids or solids. The VOCs often include a range of chemicals. Most of these chemicals, especially when in high concentration, have adverse health impacts on people.
The typical organic chemicals used as the main ingredients in everyday household products can impede indoor air quality. The wax, varnishes, and paints contain organic chemicals. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that the level of organic pollutants inside a home is two to five times higher than the outdoor pollutants.
In some cases, you might never smell these products emitting VOCs. Yet, they are present in almost all homes. The VOCs often cause short-term health effects that might include nausea and headaches. Long-term effects can be notable with extended exposure.
With the right home air quality test kit, you can identify VOCs. It detects some of the hazardous VOCs like formaldehyde. This type of carcinogen is common in fabrics, wood, combustion appliances, and tobacco smoke.
One of the challenges with this home air quality test is the lack of a standard way to interpret the results. However, knowing the state of your home’s air quality is good enough. It is a great place to start in ensuring that your house and its occupant are safe from hazardous gases.
3. Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide can leak and go undetected. It is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. The gas is one of the most common since it results from incomplete combustion of things like natural gas, kerosene, propane, and heating oil.
Accidental CO poisoning in the U.S. is quite prevalent. It is crucial to check out these carbon monoxide leaks before they can cause accidents. A home air quality inspection will help you know if your home has CO buildup.
You can opt to get an air quality meter for your home to assist you to monitor the air more often. It is also crucial to have CO alarms to alert you in case there’s a buildup. Ensure that your home has proper ventilation to prevent possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
4. Pest Droppings
Dust, pest droppings, and other contaminants can ultimately cause air filters to malfunction. You might need to change the air filters your indoor air quality is poor. With pest droppings, the problem might go beyond messing up the air filters.
Insects such as cockroaches and dust mites tend to leave droppings everywhere they infest. These droppings can have adverse health impacts on the occupants of a house. Elderly persons and children are more prone to respiratory problems when exposed to droppings.
An air quality meter for the home can detect pests. It further notices pest droppings. With these inspections, it is easier to put measures to eliminate the pests and droppings.
5. Radon
Radon is one of the primary contaminants that can affect your indoor air quality. It is an odorless, colorless, and dense gas. The gas occurs naturally in the soil due to radium’s radioactive decay. It is a product formed after the decay of thorium and uranium.
Radon causes thousands of deaths each year. The entry of radon into the lungs leads to decay within the organ. This gas is one of the primary causes of lung cancer, even for non-smokers.
The best part is that you can test radon levels through different approaches. The home air quality inspection test is ideal, although it’s not as straightforward. It wouldn’t be surprising to wait for about three months to get accurate recordings of radon levels in your home.
6. Pesticides
Pests can be a nuisance. Most homeowners use several pesticides to eradicate vermin and insects in your home. The pesticide sorts one issue, but it can cause poor air quality in your home.
Your home air quality test kit will check the level of pesticide in your indoor air. From the inspection, it will be easier to establish if to discontinue the pesticide use. You can know the measures to take once you understand the state of your home.
A Home Air Quality Inspection Is Crucial for Homeowners
Poor indoor air quality can have adverse health impacts on your family. Homeowners need to consider home air quality inspection to know the extent of the issue and ideal prevention measures. It would be best to consult with a professional to ensure you don’t miss a sign during the inspection.
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