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Test air quality

5 Really Easy Ways to Test the Air Quality in Your Home

Air quality is an essential aspect for any home which is often neglected. Toxic or harmful agents like dust and mold can spread through the air in your house and start to impact your overall well being.

Living in a place with poor air conditions may result in bronchitis, headaches, and long-lasting colds in addition to chronic asthma.

That's why it's essential for your health to check air quality.


Testing the Quality of Air in Your Home

pollution

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a harmful combustion pollutant. It's a colorless and odorless gas generated by incomplete combustion of fuel including fireplaces, stoves, water heaters, and furnaces.

The only way to identify the presence of this gas would be to get a carbon monoxide detector that functions like a smoke detector and alarms you when the amount of carbon dioxide rises. It's an essential part of your air-testing arsenal and is also cheap.


Besides installing the sensor, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends moving through a professional review of all fuel-burning appliances such as fireplaces, furnaces,  stoves,  water heaters, clothes dryers, and space heaters after a year to discover any hazardous carbon monoxide leaks.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

environmental smoke

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is just another combustion pollutant which is a complex mixture that comes from the residue of a burning cigarette, pipe or cigar, in addition to the smoke exhaled by the smoker.

The smoke may cause an increased risk of respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and bronchitis. The risk is even higher for children that might have symptoms of respiratory irritation like a cough.

Similar to carbon monoxide, the only way to detect ETS is by obtaining a particular detector, but it will enable you to track your home for the amount of cigarette smoke.

In the long run, keep in mind that the number one way to prevent the health impacts of ETS is not to smoke or allow others to smoke, the interior of your house.

Radon

Radon is colorless and odorless gas which develops from the soil and enters the house through cracks in the basement walls and floor, drainage systems, and dirt floors. It's thought to be a cause of lung cancer.

And to check for radon, you have to buy a radon detection kit. One method to decrease the radon level is to install a fan and a ventilation system.

Mold

Test air quality

Mold is one of the most popular biological pollutants in our homes. It develops outdoors and indoors and may be carried inside by clinging to shoes or clothes or float to your house via doors, windows, and vents.

Individuals may suffer from irritation of the throat, wheezing or coughing, nasal stuffiness, or eye irritation.

It's advised to look for molds before doing anything else. Clean up any visible signs, and cure the conditions that resulted in the mold growth.

After you're finished on your own, purchase your own mold sensor or hire a professional.

Pollen

Throughout the spring, summer, and autumn, weeds, grasses, and trees release pollen grains into the air. These light pollen grains hitch a ride and are transported inside.

The symptoms of hay fever include itching eyes, throat and nose, coughing, sneezing, and red, watery eyes.

To test your atmosphere you want to acquire test kits that identify and detect not only pollen but indoor pollutants.

The best way to stop pollen on your area is by keeping windows in your house, and car closed, drying your laundry in a dryer rather than hanging them outside, and when possible, staying indoors from 5:00 am to 10:00 am while outdoors pollen counts are highest.


The Bottom Line

Test air quality

One of the advantages of analyzing your air is the knowledge gained about your air quality.

When you have information regarding the quality of your air, keeping your home decluttered and clean will help keep the air inside clean, pollutant-free and fresh.

You will enjoy much better health by doing so!

About the Author Tom Hanson

I’ve worked as an HVAC tech in Phoenix, AZ for the past 10 years. I created CoolAndPortable.com to help home owners select the right portable air conditioner, cooler or air purifier for their needs & budget in just a few minutes.

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