Most of the breaths you take every day are inside your house, but can you be sure you’re breathing healthy air? Today, heightened consciousness about the importance of healthy air along with convenient, accurate testing options allow you to take control of your indoor air quality and make improvements. Here are some examples of the options you have:
Home Monitors
Advanced technology now delivers accurate home-monitoring units at reasonable prices. Air-quality testers are compact, electronic units that continuously sample the air for specific, designated pollutants. Some units test for toxins with electrochemical sensors; others may calculate the level of airborne particulate matter using a laser detector.
Toxic pollutants that may be detected by home-monitoring units include carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Consumers may choose certain units that detect specific pollutants that are particularly prominent in a certain locale. Even high indoor humidity can have health consequences. Testing monitors can continuously sample and record humidity readings.
Mold Detectors
Toxic mold is present virtually everywhere. However, microscopic, airborne reproductive spores released by mold growth inside an enclosed structure can accumulate to very high levels. Inhaling a high volume of spores may trigger physical symptoms in susceptible individuals.
Accurately evaluating the extent of mold contamination inside a house, as well as tracking the original source of spores, requires a variety of available options. Home-testing options may include:
- Swabs and tape-strip test kits that capture mold spores present on surfaces and can almost immediately indicate that mold is present.
- Air pumps take air samples which can be sent to laboratories to identify the type and estimate the extent of airborne contamination.
- Petri dish test kits include organic matter that supports mold growth. The opened dish is exposed to indoor air for an hour to gather airborne spores, then sealed. After 48 hours, the test dish is sent to a laboratory to confirm the presence of active, growing mold and estimate the extent of contamination.
Healthy air is a vital part of a comfortable home environment. Contact Jackson & Sons for more options that support indoor air quality and healthy air.
