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Indoor air quality testing is the assessment of indoor air pollutants through environmental monitoring. The indoor environment may be contaminated with several indoor air pollutants, resulting in adverse effects on humans. Indoor air testing analyzes indoor spaces to determine what contaminants are present and at what concentrations so that an action plan can be devised to reduce indoor air pollution. Whether indoor air quality testing is necessary depends on the intended use of indoor space, the control of ventilation, and air filtration.

What Are the Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants?

Indoor air pollutants may include allergens, respirable particulate matter, microbial contaminants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, indoor air toxins, and man-made mineral fibers.

What Indoor Air Pollutants Are Most Dangerous?

Microbial contaminants and indoor air toxins, such as indoor mold and indoor allergens, pose the greatest risk to human health. Microbial contaminants can result in respiratory illness and asthma, while indoor allergens can result in allergic reactions and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (i.e., humidifier fever).

How Are Indoor Pollutants Measured?

Indoor pollutant levels are determined by measuring the indoor air concentrations of specific indoor pollutants using various devices. Indoor air sampling can be done through an open or closed-face sampling of ambient air at several indoor spaces, including indoor breathing zones.

What Type of Equipment Is Used for Indoor Air Quality Testing?

Indoor air testing involves the use of various devices depending on what indoor pollutants are being measured. The most common device used in indoor air quality testing is an indoor particle counter, which provides particulate matter measurements in indoor breathing zones. An indoor air quality monitor can also be used to measure several indoor pollutants, including indoor allergens and microbial contaminants.

Why Is Indoor Air Testing Important?

Indoor pollutants can have a significant impact on those occupying that indoor space. In many homes and businesses, indoor air pollutants may be responsible for everything, from unpleasant odors and allergic reactions to potentially significant health effects, including nausea, dizziness, fatigue, heart disease, respiratory disease (e.g., asthma), cancer (e.g., lung cancer), and eye disorders (e.g., irritation).

When Is Indoor Air Quality Testing Not Necessary?

Indoor air quality testing is unnecessary when well-maintained ventilation systems do not allow indoor pollutants to accumulate in indoor spaces. As long as the indoor environment does not pose a health risk through indoor pollutants, indoor air quality testing is not necessary.

The Bottom Line

With indoor air testing, you can determine which contaminants are in your indoor air. In other words, if you can determine the contaminants in your indoor air, you can take action with indoor air quality solutions to improve the environment for yourself and others.

If you have any questions, reach out to a company like Sevee & Maher Engineers.