Home Air Quality Test Kits: The First Step to Cleaner Air

Many things in the air can make us sick. This includes allergen such as dust and mold, but also chemicals, and gases. The symptom caused by these particles can trigger in include watery eyes, itchy skin, and scratchy throat. They can trigger asthma and allergies but also lead to more serious respiratory ailments. Knowing which allergen affects the health of you and your family is the first step in solving the problem. First, get one or more home air quality test kits and determine which allergens are affecting your home.

Easy To Use Home Air Quality Test Kits

IAQ screen checks are available to test for allergens such as dust, dust mites, pollen, bacteria, fungi, and mycotoxins as well as lead, fiberglass, and formaldehyde. The current COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for environmental testing for viruses too. Kits are available to test for the coronavirus as well Legionella and E. Coli.

Common Household Allergens

Home air quality test kits screen for common household allergens like the following:

Dust

Dust is everywhere and it’s difficult to control. These tiny particles include sold matter such as dead skin cells, clothing fibers, plastics, and even dead insects. When solid matter breaks down into smaller particles it becomes dust which also travels through the air inside the home. It is impossible to prevent dust from occurring, but knowing what is in household dust is important to maintaining healthy indoor air quality. For those with called allergic rhinitis or dust allergy, symptoms include:

• Stuffed up nose
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Scratchy throat and skin
• Runny nose, and sneezing

Fungi, Mold, and Mycotoxins

Fungi, which include molds are common in nature. They perform a valuable service breaking down dead organic material but in the home, they can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. Mold is a type of fungi that thrives in warm humid areas. You may see mold around windows or under sinks, but it may be hidden behind baseboards and drywall. Screening for mold in the home can identify hundreds of mold types as well as their concentrations. Mycotoxins pose a threat to indoor air quality too. These are the toxic compounds made by fungi.

Smoke

If someone in your home smokes cigarettes, cigars, or pipes this affects the quality of air inside the home. As well, if you have a fireplace in your home that you use for heat, this can also affect your respiratory symptoms. Smoke from wildfires burning thousands of miles away can also enter the home. A home air quality test kit lets you know for sure. 

Dangerous Contaminants

Chemicals commonly found in the home also affect the health of people who live there. This includes volatile organic compounds found in paints, cleaners, and building materials. Radon may be present in the home as well. This natural gas enters the foundation through cracks. Because it is odorless and colorless testing is needed to determine its presence. 

How to Use Home Air Quality Test Kits

Order a DIY home air quality test kit online and read the instructions before your use it. Locate a spot to test. For mold, fungi, and bacteria this could be discolored spots on walls, under sinks, and in the basement. For dust, collect samples from a hard surface in a room you’ve closed off for 24 hours. This increases the amount you can collect.

Use the Bioscan collection strip that is included in the kit then place it in its case. Fill out the chain of custody form, then mail the sample to the environmental lab using the postage-paid envelope. You’ll receive an email including a detailed report within 3-5 days.

After Testing with a Home Air Quality Test Kit

After testing, make sure you have proper ventilation in your home. Have your HVAC system inspected and serviced and change the filter as needed. It’s also important to maintain proper temperature and humidity levels. As humidity levels rise building materials begin releasing chemicals at a higher rate. Regulating the temperature can help. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommend maintaining winter temperatures inside the home between 68.5 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In summer, between 75 and 80.5 degrees. As well, relative humidity should be at or below 65 percent.

Using air purifiers to remove particles from the air also helps people breathe easier in their homes. These devices trap allergens and remove them from circulation. For example, the Dyson TP04 Pure Cool Link Tower uses Air Multiplier technology to produce over 77 gallons of airflow every second. It captures particles in a sealed HEPA-activated carbon filter.

Get A Home Allergen Test Kit Today

Stops suffering from allergy symptoms. Find the source of the problem with a home air quality test kit then take steps toward remediation. Order online now or call us at 727-572-4550 with questions.