How Important is Home Air Quality Testing?

Have you ever thought about the air you breathe inside your home? We spend a lot of time indoors, so the quality of the air in our homes matters a lot. Good air quality can help us stay healthy and feel more comfortable.

Case in point: Shannon's journey to better breathing

Shannon lives in a cozy little house with her two kids and a fluffy dog named Max. Recently, Shannon noticed that she and her kids were sneezing a lot. Her youngest, who has asthma, seemed to be wheezing more than usual. Shannon wondered if the air in her home could be the problem.

How poor air quality can affect your health

When the air quality in your home is poor, it can cause several health problems, including:

• Allergies: Dust, mold, and pet dander can trigger allergies.
• Asthma: Pollutants and allergens can worsen asthma symptoms.
• Respiratory issues: Breathing in pollutants can cause coughing, sneezing, and other respiratory problems.
• Fatigue and headaches: Poor air quality can make you feel tired and give you headaches.

How air quality testing can help homeowners

Shannon decided to test the air quality in her home. She bought an air quality testing kit online and followed the instructions.  

Testing the air quality can help you understand what's in the air you breathe every day. It can show you if there are any harmful pollutants or allergens. Air quality test results can help you take steps to improve the air quality at home. Getting ahead of air contaminants builds a healthier environment for your family.

What factors do air quality testing processes analyze?

Air quality testing looks at several factors to determine how clean or polluted your indoor air is. These factors include:

• Particulate matter: Tiny particles that can be inhaled, like dust and smoke.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Chemicals released from household products, such as paints and cleaners.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2): High levels can indicate poor ventilation.
• Humidity levels: Too much or too little moisture can affect air quality.
• Temperature: Can influence comfort and pollutant levels.

What types of contaminants does air quality testing detect?

When testing the air quality in your home, you might discover several types of home air contaminants, such as:

• Dust and dust mites: Common in many homes, especially if they aren't cleaned regularly.
• Mold and mildew: Grow in damp areas and can cause health problems.
• Pet dander: Tiny flecks of skin shed by pets, a common allergen. ‍
• Chemical pollutants: From household cleaners, paints, and building materials. ‍
• Pollen: Can enter your home from outside and cause allergies.

Radon testing saves lives

Another air quality issue to consider is radon gas.  

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can significantly increase your risk of developing lung cancer. It's invisible and undetectable, unless you have a radon tester. Exposure can happen without even knowing.  

Testing for radon is the only way to know if your home has high levels of this dangerous gas. Here’s why radon testing is crucial:

• Early detection: Identifying high levels of radon early lets you act before it affects your health.
• Preventing lung cancer: Reducing radon levels in your home can lower your risk of lung cancer, potentially saving lives.
• Peace of mind: Knowing your home is safe from high radon levels gives you and your family peace of mind.
  

Learn more about the dangers of radon gas and how to test.

How Shannon improved air quality at home

When Shannon got the results from her air quality test, she found a few culprits for the poor air quality. Her home had high levels of dust, pet dander from Max, and some mold in the basement. Here's what she did to tackle these issues:

• Regular cleaning: Shannon started dusting and vacuuming more often, especially in areas where Max liked to hang out.
• Swapped out air filter: Changing the air filter in her return-air ductwork made a big difference to circulating dust.  
• Air purifiers: She bought air purifiers for the living room and bedrooms to help remove pollutants from the air.  
• Humidity control: Shannon got a dehumidifier for the basement to keep mold at bay.
• Ventilation: She made a habit of opening windows when the weather was nice and using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms.
• Low-VOC products: Shannon switched to low-VOC paints and cleaners to reduce chemical pollutants.
• Fixed leaks: She had a plumber fix the leaks in the basement, which helped prevent mold growth.
• Got pro mold help: She called a mold remediation contractor to fix the mold damage.
  

After making these changes, Shannon noticed a big improvement. Her kids were sneezing less, her youngest’s asthma was under control, and everyone felt more comfortable at home. Shannon was thrilled that she had taken the time to test the air quality and make her home a healthier place.

Air quality is worth the investment

Shannon’s family is breathing easy after just a few small changes at home, and you can too!

Improving your home's air quality can make a big difference in your health and comfort. Regular testing and acting on the results can ensure you and your family breathe better air every day.

Leave it to the pros

Rümi is serious about home air quality! Call the pros for help with air quality services in Alberta.

Not sure if your home has air quality issues? Get air quality testing to help decide next steps for improving your breathing at home.