Here’s how to determine the quality of the air inside your home and protect your health!
The Coronavirus pandemic has seen the majority of us spending more time at home than ever before, inspiring many people to pursue DIY projects aimed at making their living spaces as comfortable and beautiful as possible. But beyond revamping your interior design, you should consider taking on a project that can actually boost your overall wellness and quality of life – improving the indoor air quality in your home.
Poor indoor air quality: a hidden danger
As part of your home maintenance, you probably check that the locks on the doors and windows are secure. Maybe you’ve even invested in a home security system to make sure that you and your family are safe. But although you can’t see it, there’s a major hazard lurking inside your home which could potentially endanger you and your loved ones — the quality of the air you’re breathing.
According to the EPA, ailments linked to poor indoor air include:
- Headaches and dizziness
- Irritated nose, eyes, and throat
- Exacerbation of asthma and allergy symptoms
- Respiratory diseases
- Heart disease
- Cancer
But don’t fret! Indoor air quality testing can help you gauge the level of contaminants you’re dealing with in your home and determine the best options to improve the air you’re breathing.
What’s your starting point?
If you’re wondering how to test for indoor air quality, the first thing you should consider is what air pollutants are likely present in your home. If you’re a smoker, own pets, or frequently use aerosol sprays for cleaning, there’s a good chance that particles contaminated with dander, tobacco, and other chemicals are suspended in your indoor air, worsening its quality.
After determining likely sources of pollutants, take active steps to mitigate their risks. This could mean opening doors and windows to increase ventilation when using cleaning chemicals, frequently grooming your furry friends, and making sure to never smoke indoors. Once you’ve cleared up probable contaminants, it’s time for an air purity test. You can perform an air purity test yourself, or turn to a professional.
Your gut instinct, tools, and professional services
For DIY indoor air testing, you can purchase an indoor air quality monitor (IAQ), which detects the presence of common pollutants including molds, carbon monoxide, and lead paint. IAQ monitors range from the budget-friendly to more advanced models, with higher price tags to match. Before taking the plunge and purchasing an IAQ monitor, check if your HVAC has an air quality testing feature – some have electronic panels on the side which can alert you to dangerous levels of pollutants.
While IAQ monitoring devices are generally affordable, they may not give you a deep enough look into what exactly is contained in the air you’re breathing every day. If you’re suffering from unexplained respiratory distress and symptoms linked to poor indoor air quality but can’t figure out the culprit, it may be time to step up your game and reach out to an expert.
A professional who specializes in residential indoor air quality testing can help you detect pollutants that you may not have been aware of otherwise. For example, formaldehyde, radon, Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other substances are not included in the standard range of contaminants picked up by DIY devices.
It’s critical to bear in mind that the sheer presence of certain pollutants doesn’t necessarily spell disaster. Small amounts of mold spores or pet dander isn’t a doomsday scenario for you and your family – but you should carefully consider the impact of allowing these pollutants to continue growing inside your home, unabated. What may be a minor issue now could become a big headache in the future.
You know that your air quality could be better. Now what?
You can majorly improve indoor air quality with an HVAC system already present in your home. TADIRAN AIROW plug-and-play hydrogen peroxide air purifier solution seamlessly fits into your current air conditioner, so you don’t need to break the bank to ensure the air you’re breathing at home is being actively cleansed.
TADIRAN AIROW cutting-edge technology converts water molecules in the air to hydrogen peroxide, which neutralizes airborne contaminants. In FDA-cleared lab tests, the TADIRAN AIROW has been proven to eliminate viruses, bacteria and mold by up to 99.999%.
If you’d like to learn more about a highly effective hydrogen peroxide purifying solution for your home’s air, get in touch with us! We’d love to help you navigate the world of indoor air quality testing, and help you find the right device for you and your loved ones.
