How to Test for Air Quality

Many things keep us up at night. The health and safety of our families rank high on that list. Our homes are our sanctuaries, the one place where we feel safe. However, many risks exist inside the home. In fact, the quality of the air we breathe indoors is often more polluted than the air outside. Mold, dust, insects, gases, and chemicals present risks to our respiratory health. Those risks increase for allergy and asthma sufferers. Therefore, to keep everyone safe inside, it’s important to know how to test for air quality.

What Are the Most Common Household Allergens?

Over 50 million people in the United States experience allergies in a given year. Allergies are also the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the US. This list includes the most common household allergens. An allergy test kit helps identify them. Once you understand how to test for air quality, it’s time to take action to eliminate them. 

Fungi

Fungi include mold and are a major problem in many households. Mold acts as a trigger for allergy symptoms. It’s possible to see mold. You may in fact spot discolored areas around windows, doors, and baseboards, but much may be hidden. Mold occurs in areas of high moisture and humidity such as bathrooms. A mold test kit tests for the presence and concentration levels of mold. Molds also produce mycotoxins which affect air quality. Knowing how to test for air quality limits the risks of exposure.

Radon, Smoke, & Chemicals

Radon is a gas. It enters homes through drains, windows, doors, and foundation cracks. It is impossible to detect by sight or smell. Smoke from tobacco and wildfires also impacts air quality. Chemicals released by cleaning products, furniture, and building materials also pose a threat. Therefore, knowing how to test for air quality is necessary. 

Dust

Dust is a common household allergen that consists of fibers, bits of plastic, dead skin cells, as well as dead insects. While dust is a fact of life, knowing what’s in the dust is important and a DIY testing kit provides information on what allergens exist in household dust.

How to Test for Air Quality Based on Allergy Symptoms

If you experience any of the following symptoms, knowing how to test for air quality is the first step. Symptoms include:

• Eye irritation
• Coughing and sneezing
• Headache
• Lethargy and fatigue
• Tightness in the chest
• Dizziness
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Scratchy throat and skin

Understanding How to Test for Air Quality

If you’ve experienced any of the symptoms above, allergens may be the cause. Therefore, testing is the answer. Once you understand how to test for air quality, the next step is remediation. Once the problem is eliminated, you and your family will breathe easier. 

Testing for household allergens is easy, however, you first must purchase an allergen test kit. They’re affordable and easy to use. Test kits are available for: 

• Household Dust
• Dust Mites
• Bed Bugs
• Bacteria
• Formaldehyde
• Radon
• Mycotoxin
• Fiberglass
• Mold
• VOCs (volatile organic compounds
• And more

Once you’ve received your DIY home air quality test kit, read the instructions. Take a sample from a spot where you suspect allergens exist. For mold, this could be on walls with excess moisture. When testing for dust, close off the room you wish to test for 24 hours. This prevents airflow from shifting the dust and gives you a better sample area. The test kit includes a Bioscan collection strip to place the sample. After collection, fill out the chain of custody form and mail the kit to the environmental lab. The DIY home test kit includes a postage-paid envelope. Once the lab receives the sample, you get a detailed report within 3-5 days. Once you have the results, it’s time to act.

Evalu-Aire Test Kits

Individual test kits are an effective way to determine the presence of allergens, however, a more efficient way to test your home for a variety of allergens is with an Evalu-aire test kit. The Evalu-aire® 2000 is for testing a single zone of between 800 and 2500 square feet while the Evalu-aire® 4000 allows you to collect samples in a home or facility in two zones between 2,500 and 5,000 square feet. The Evalu-aire® 5000 allows for collection in five zones of 5000 to 7500 square feet and is an easy-to-use test kit for sampling air quality in facilities or homes. These kits include a mini-pump that allows operation by one person.

How to Test for Air Quality? — Get Your Home Allergen Test Kit!

Now that you know how to test for air quality, it’s time to order a test kit. Order online now. You can also call us at 727-572-4550.