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Air-Quality Testing Methods

Different microorganisms hiding in your home can seriously pollute the indoor air and cause various health risks. Headaches, sneezing and coughing are the least dangerous symptoms that you can have due to poor air quality. Some pollutants can cause diseases like asthma and different types of cancer, so it is important to keep your air clean.

  1. Prior to Testing

    • You should conduct a thorough inspection of your house before you start quality testing the indoor air, in order to identify the main sources of air pollution. After the survey, you can conclude whether you need to continue testing for special agents. This inspection can show you whether there are any structural, mechanical, environmental or occupant behavior issue that can be causing the poor quality of air.

    Mold Test

    • Mold exists in moist areas. Aside from damaging your floors and walls, it can cause health problems. The first step to kill mold is to eliminate the source of the moisture. There is a variety of do-it-yourself home testing kits that you can choose from. Using these kits, you can test the air you are breathing and determine whether the mold is an allergenic, pathogenic or toxigenic organism. You can also hire a qualified certified inspector to find out what is causing the mold. He will conduct an air-quality test with a specialized vacuum pump and an air-sampling cassette. The air sample will be sent to a laboratory and you will have the results in a day or two.

    Allergen Test

    • Although mold is one of the most common causes of poor air quality, other microorganisms can cause it as well. Allergens like dust mites, cockroach parts and feces, animal dander or cat saliva can cause different allergies and health risks if you do not remove them. If you are not sure whether you have allergens polluting your home, you can use one of the home test kits to determine it. These tests collect biological and nonbiological allergens that you need to send to a specific laboratory. You can also ask for a free consultation with an authorized indoor-air-quality evaluator. If you want a professional to conduct a test, she will take a sample of dust with special equipment and send it to a lab for an analysis.

    Asbestos Test

    • Asbestos is a resistant type of fibrous mineral that is very dangerous to inhale. If you disturb a product that contains asbestos, it can release small, dangerous fibers. Numerous environmental services offer asbestos inspection and removal. The removal will be performed according to the regulations of your state. There are companies that sell home test kits, but if you decide to collect asbestos samples by yourself, you should wear a face mask.

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