We take more than 20,000 breaths every day. But are they safe? As concern for pollutants continues to rise, the question is how many of those pollutants are making it into your home or office?
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality in built structures like your home, office and the other places you and your family spend time. Poor IAQ can compromise your comfort, and more importantly, it can contribute to serious health issues if it is not identified and corrected. Indoor air pollutants’ negative health effects may be experienced soon after exposure or years later after long-term exposure. The effects range from allergy-like symptoms, fatigue and headaches to more severe respiratory conditions.
Understanding and controlling common indoor pollutants can help reduce your risk of health issues and vastly improve your comfort level. But identifying problems related to IAQ can be challenging. A typical inspection prior to purchasing a home does not include an indoor air quality assessment. Expert assistance is needed.
There are companies that specialize in testing air quality. If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home or office, or if you’re looking to move into a new home or office, it may be worth looking into having a comprehensive test done. This is especially important if you, or someone that will be spending time in the building has any type of respiratory condition. Test results can give you the knowledge you need to solve any indoor air quality issues. Below are some of the more common indoor air pollutants that can be identified with an air quality assessment.
Mold
Mold reproduces by emitting tiny, transient spores that readily enter your home through vents and heating and air systems. Mold thrives in the indoor environment, growing in dust, paints, wallpaper insulation, drywall, carpet and upholstery, according to the CDC. Exposure to mold contributes to irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and it can cause asthma attacks in certain people with asthma.
Indoor Allergens
Common house dust can contain many different allergens, causing watery eyes, allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion and asthma symptoms. Some of the most common indoor allergens and asthma triggers include: dust mites, mold, cockroaches and other pests, household pets, and wood or secondhand smoke.
Radon Gas
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is a dangerous air and water contaminant, and it causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. Radon levels are directly related to the underlying rock type and vary throughout the state. The EPA has established radon limits for air and drinking water, but these levels may be exceeded in homes and offices, putting inhabitants at risk. Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, and it can only be detected with a certified radon gas air test and or radon water test performed by a certified lab.
Water Contaminants
The EPA sets limits on over 90 contaminants for drinking water, many of which are commonly found in homes and offices, including lead, microbes, pesticides, radon and uranium. The only way to determine the presence of many risky contaminates is to have a certified lab test a water sample from your water source.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs include more than 50 different chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. According to the EPA, concentrations of many VOCs are consistently up to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. The most common VOCs are widely used as ingredients in household products like paints, varnishes and waxes, and they continue to be released long after application. Many are also commonly found in cleaning, cosmetic and hobby products, and even fuels used in and around the home and office. Common health effects include headaches, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination, and eye, nose and throat irritation and long-term exposure at high levels can increase your risk for cancer.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a widely used industrial chemical used to manufacture building materials and many common household products, and it is often found in high concentrations both indoors and outdoors. Low-level exposure can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat, while higher levels may cause some types of cancer. People with respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, or who are pregnant can be at higher risk.
IAQ assessments involve a thorough inspection and advanced testing, focused on identifying indoor air pollutants and their sources.
You may want to consider testing under any of the following conditions:
You are buying or moving into a new home or building.
You see visible mold growth.
The home or building has water standing in the crawl space or basement.
You notice water damage, such as stains in the ceiling, walls or floors.
You have identified or noticed a water leak in the plumbing, or the outside envelope of the building, where moisture intrusion is occurring.
You are experiencing an increase in asthma symptoms when you are at home or at the office.
You are experiencing an increase in allergy symptoms like wheezing, rash, watery eyes, runny nose, itchy or reddened eyes, or coughing.
The home or building feels noticeably damp inside.
The home or building has a musty or moldy odor.
The home or building has a strong chemical odor.
Not every home or building needs an IAQ assessment, but it’s important to know that it’s something that’s locally available, and can help you determine if the air you breathe is as clean as you feel it should be.
Ryan Bumpass works for Eastern Technical Associates and is a member of Indoor Air Quality Association. ETA is a local to Southwest Wake, and is a top rated company on Home Advisor.
