Should you care about the quality of the air you breathe, for example, inside your house, apartment, or workplace? Yes, because the air we breathe may contain agents harmful to health, such as chemical substances, biological irritants, and many others. Since we spend most of our time in our homes, it is important to ensure that the quality of the air we breathe daily is good.  

No home is immune to poor indoor air quality. Even newer homes can experience indoor air quality issues for reasons such as inadequate natural or mechanical ventilation, poor moisture management, poor building design, or many other possible problems. 

Here’s our explanation of the importance of having an air quality test! 

What is the Use of an Air Quality Test? 

An air quality test allows one to know the composition and concentration of the multiple gases and particles dispersed in the atmosphere. These elements must be found in a certain proportion to meet a balance and quality that allows all living beings to enjoy a healthy life without environmental pollution. 

The factors that directly and indirectly affect air quality are diverse. For example, this quality is drastically influenced by meteorological variables that condition the dispersion and chemical reactions of the elements present in the atmosphere. Temperature, humidity, winds, precipitation, solar radiation, and atmospheric pressure play a fundamental role in measuring the air we breathe. 

When we talk about how air quality is measured, we tend to think that air pollution only affects the outdoors. But the interiors are of great importance since we normally spend a lot of time in closed spaces. 

Importance of a Good Indoor Air Quality Test 

Your home, a place of comfort and safety, can be exposed to different types of pollutants. Some of the pollutants found in indoor air come from ventilation systems or are introduced through windows. But most of them come from the people and living beings that inhabit it; Also, because of construction materials, cleaning products or the furniture itself. 

Some elements are visible: 

• condensation on the panes, in the window openings, in the corners, behind the furniture; 

• stains, detachments, odors, or even fungus. 

But others are invisible: 

• VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) 
• radon; 
• CO; 

These visible and non-visible pollutants may have a direct impact on the health of your loved ones, leading to allergies, skin irritation, respiratory and lung problems, heart issues, coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness, etc. 

A good air quality test will help you identify the source of pollutants. It enables you to detect other problems, such as issues with your HVAC system or other plumbing issues leading to moisture. In such cases, you must immediately seek professional help to repair the detected issue. 

Air Quality Testers  

There are different devices to test indoor air quality. These increasingly sophisticated devices perform continuous, real-time monitoring and alert when the house should be ventilated: 

• CO2 sensors: measure CO2 in parts per million (ppm) through infrared. 
• VOC concentration sensors: measure Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), which are found in most living things and can be converted into vapors or gases. 
• PM 2.5 sensors: they evaluate the fine particles in suspension, which can cause respiratory problems. 
• Humidity sensors: measure the temperature and humidity in the environment. Indoor humidity is very important to control air quality. 

Thanks to installing different types of air quality testers, the analysis of the humidity level of the air and the temperature, you can precisely quantify this visible and unseen pollution. 

However, it won’t be easy to make an accurate diagnosis without complete equipment and accurate analysis. Therefore, it is always recommended to seek professional help. 

An indoor air quality assessment service paints a clear and comprehensive picture of the air quality inside your home. When the tests validate the types of pollutants, the professionals will give you a study report including all the elements of their investigation, the results, and the recommendations of the air quality experts. You can go through the recommendations and study how to remove pollutants and improve the air quality of your premises. 

Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning issues can be the major cause of poor air quality. If you are looking for a professional HVAC and plumbing service in Newport News, VA, or the surrounding areas, contact Atlantic PHAC. Their experienced professionals are a call away for your plumbing and HVAC repairs! Call 757-877–2696 or visit their website for more information!