According to the CDC, outdoor air quality has improved since the 90’s—which is good news.
But, of course, there are still concerns with regard to general respiratory health in the US, and there are a variety of ways you can track air quality in your city, so you can avoid outdoor activity during periods of high air pollution.
But what about your indoor air quality, the air you breathe 90% of the time? This includes not only your home but your workspace as well. This article will address some questions concerning what creates poor indoor air quality, how you can detect various causes of it, and steps you can take to improve it.
What is Good/Bad Indoor Air Quality?
Let’s start with the basics. What determines good or bad indoor air quality (IAQ)? According to the EPA, there are specific pollutants that are common to many indoor spaces affecting air quality and, as a result, your health.
- Radon: Levels reaching 4 pCi/L or higher are considered at-risk
- Asthma/Allergy Triggers: Second-hand smoke, dust mites, molds, pets, VOCs, pests
- Mold: Toxic molds, mold spores, hidden mold in walls or sub-flooring
- Smoke: Includes second-hand tobacco smoke as well as wood smoke
- Carbon Monoxide: Odorless, colorless, and deadly
Symptoms of Indoor Air Pollution
- Worsening Asthma, Allergies, and Other Respiratory Problems
- Headaches and Nausea
- Shortness of Breath
- Sinus Congestion, Sneezing, and Cough
- Eye, Skin, Nose, and Throat Irritations
How Can I Test My Indoor Air Quality?
To detect Radon or Carbon Monoxide, both colorless and odorless gases that have lethal implications, you need a specific detector to determine if they are present and alert you to potentially toxic levels. There are a variety of monitors that can help you know and track general air quality with regard to particulates, carbon dioxide, temperature, humidity, and other VOCs.
To find out if you have a mold problem or to discover specific allergens that may be present, there are testing kits that use samples from your home forwarded to a laboratory that can determine specific types of mold or allergens.
How do Air Quality Monitors Work?
There is a wide variety of monitors, from simple particle counters to Wi-Fi-enabled monitors that are connected to outside resources for reference purposes. They all use one or more sensors to detect the presence of particles, both large and small, as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), CO, CO2, and other gases. These are a very good way to detect and monitor common particulates that can compromise the quality of your indoor air.
If you simply want to know the particle count that indicates the number of large particles like coarse dust, pollen, plant spores, and larger bacteria, as well as smaller particles like fine dust, bacteria, mold, and smoke, a particle counter will provide these numbers on an ongoing basis. While a particle counter doesn’t provide specifics in terms of the type of pollutants, it provides a great way to track how well an air purifier is actually cleaning your air.
If you want more specifics as to the type of particle or gas present, you need a more sophisticated air quality monitor that identifies both the type and amount of pollutants. Those that are Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled have a web-based network or smartphone app that can be accessed for this information. Most offer the ability to track data over time in order to see trends, and some even provide tips for remediation based on a recognized medical or environmental resource.
How Accurate are Radon and CO Detectors?
Because these 2 gases cannot be detected any other way, since you can’t smell or see them, detectors are required to determine if they are present in your home. Detectors are calibrated by the manufacturer to measure radon in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) and are very accurate.
While there are short-term tests for radon, a detector that provides constant monitoring and audio alerts is the most effective way to keep track of its presence in your home. For more information about radon, you may want to see this article, which provides additional facts about radon, its detection, and remediation.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide in A Home
- Car Left Running in an Attached Garage
- Clogged Chimney
- Corroded or Disconnected Water Heater Vent Pipe
- Gas or Wood-Burning Fireplace
- Cracked or Loose Furnace Exchanger
- Improperly Installed Kitchen Range or Vent
- Portable Kerosene or Gas Heaters
- Operating a Grill Indoors or in the Garage
If you or your family are experiencing dizziness, headaches, nausea, or shortness of breath, you may have one or more of these gases present in your home.
How Do I Discover a Mold Problem?
Mold gives itself away by the musty smell associated with it. If you have a persistent odor that won’t disappear by cleaning with a disinfectant, you may have a hidden mold problem. 
Mold is a type of fungus that reproduces by means of spores, usually microscopic, which are released into the air and land on surfaces in your home. Even mold spores from inside walls will make their way into your home’s air.
You can test for mold or toxic mold using a test kit that will take samples from the air in your home. You then send your sample to a nationally accredited laboratory, which will return a written report of the test findings.
How Effective are Allergy Test Kits?
Allergens not only bring on irritating and annoying symptoms, but for someone with asthma, they can be life-threatening. Depending on how specific you need to be, you can find test kits for general allergens such as pollen, certain types of fibers, insect bio detritus, and dander.
You can also find kits for specific allergy triggers like dust mites, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, and fiberglass. You may want to make your selection based on known allergies or asthma conditions and the symptoms displayed. These test kits use a Bio-Scan tape to collect samples and are then delivered to a laboratory for examination with high-quality equipment.
A written report is returned to you with specific information about the type of allergens discovered. You are also provided with a number to contact the lab directly should you need additional information.
Where Would I Need a Temperature/Humidity Monitor?
Temperature and humidity monitors, also referred to as remote monitoring systems, can be useful in any space that you need to keep an eye on remotely. This can include indoor pools or spas, greenhouses, basements or crawl spaces, and even 2nd homes or rental properties.
Leak and moisture detectors are invaluable in places like your attic or basement, where hot water heaters or large appliances are located, and in bathrooms and laundry rooms where leaks can occur. An unexpected, unauthorized waterfall in your home is not what anyone wants to find. Both of these types of monitors use a water sensor and will either alert you with an audible alarm or via a smart device.
This handy tool from Dri-Eaz allows you to detect moisture in walls, 
ceilings, or floors that registers over 17 percent moisture, a great item to have for use after flooding to help determine how much water damage restoration is needed.
What About Indoor Air Quality at Work?
Let’s face it, of that 90% of time spent indoors, about half of that is spent at work. If you suspect there is a serious issue in your workspace, bring your concerns to the attention of the appropriate person. There are specific OSHA regulations that outline air quality levels in the workspace.
You may just have simple allergy symptoms that seem to increase when you’re at work, but you are certain that there is nothing toxic in the air that should be addressed separately. In that case, a personal air purifier could help mitigate allergy triggers causing the problem.
How do I Improve my Indoor Air Quality?
For improving general air quality and eliminating common allergens, smoke, and some odors, a room or whole-house air purifier is usually the answer. Different air purifiers do some things better than others, such as smoke elimination, particulate matter, or odor control. Depending on your particular air quality problem, you can find the right purifier for your space.
For the discovery of specific gases, a detector is the only option. If you find radon, carbon monoxide, or mold and toxic mold in your home, professional remediation or discovery and elimination of the source is the appropriate action to take.
Final Considerations
Indoor air quality does, in fact, matter. Whether you are interested in understanding what’s in your air at home or suspect a more sinister problem, there are many air quality testing products and detectors that can help you discover whatever allergens and pollutants are there. For additional information on indoor air quality, please see the Indoor Air Quality page on the EPA website.
If you need help in selecting the best IAQ testing product or air purifier for your home, give us a call at 1-800-934-9194, and our helpful customer service folks will be glad to assist you.
