According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air quality inside your home can be anywhere between two and five times worse than the air outside. However, there have been some reported cases where indoor air quality was as much as 100 times worse, seriously endangering—if not actively damaging—the health of the inhabitants. In order to keep your indoor air quality under control, it’s important to first be aware of problems. Here are four ways to tell if your indoor air quality is healthy:
Mold Testing
If you live in a humid region, especially if your area is subject to regular flooding, then mold can become a serious problem in your home. All molds can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, but some, like black mold, can result in serious illness. If you suspect that you have high levels of mold in your air or if you see evidence of mold growth, it’s strongly recommended to seek mold testing services to determine the extent of its presence.
Filter Checks
If your home has central heating and cooling, or if you use air purifiers, your filters can tell you a lot about the quality of your home’s air. Generally, these filters shouldn’t need changed more than once every three months, but you should inspect them bi-monthly. If the filters are clogged or look dirtier than they should be, this indicates a serious problem with indoor air quality. More frequent replacements, combined with using HEPA-type filters, can help improve it.
Radon Testing
Most people only think of indoor air pollution in terms of pet dander, mold, pollen and dust. However, radon is also an important consideration. Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer and other health problems. If you live in an older home in a region rich in limestone deposits, you should consider having a radon test performed, and if necessary, remediation steps should be taken.
Humidity Monitoring
The best thing you can do to combat mold is to control the humidity levels in your home by monitoring moisture. For a few dollars, you can pick up a humidity gauge, or hygrometer, at many department or home improvement stores. It’s a good idea to place one of these in the biggest problem areas of your home, such as your basement, bathroom or kitchen. If humidity levels are over fifty percent, it’s recommended to purchase a dehumidifier. This machine will pull the excess moisture from the air and collect it in a water reservoir that can then be emptied.
Your home’s air quality is essential to your and your family’s health. By making yourself more aware of the pollution problems in your home, you can empower yourself and make it easier to get the clean air you need.
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