Our homes are supposed to be our safe havens. A place where we can live comfortably and with great love for our families. Unfortunately, there are insidious threats inside our homes. That is why we need to take a home air quality test.
We are exposed to many dangers whenever we go outside.
Think about all the fumes from car exhaust pipes. What about all the people who are coughing next to you on the bus? Others kept blowing second-hand cigarette smoke in your direction.
Such pollution hazards make us take pause and try to figure out how to mitigate our exposure next time. Yet, we never seem to do the same for our homes. It is the threats we haven’t identified that pose the greatest risk to our lives.
Keep reading to find out more.
Reasons to take a Home Air Quality Test
Thus far, we mentioned ‘hidden’ threats inside our homes. Here are the reasons a test will benefit us:
To detect life-threatening Carbon Monoxide gas
One of the biggest threats that people face at home is carbon monoxide poisoning. From 2010-2015, more than 2,200 died because of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have a faulty gas line, a damaged water heater, or a blocked fireplace vent, you could be inhaling this dangerous gas.
Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it prevents vital organs from getting oxygen. Other symptoms of poisoning include nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Worst-case scenario is that you will die.
That’s why it is important to have a home air quality test done by an expert.
To eliminate Allergy Triggers
Anyone who suffers from allergies will tell you it’s the most annoying health problem to have. In chronic cases, these allergies can kill you.
Take for example an asthma sufferer. Exposure to dust, pollen, and mold will trigger symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Those with mild asthma might survive, but for someone with chronic asthma, it could be fatal.
You have to make sure the air you breathe is clean.
To identify pollutants and contaminants
Mold and mildew are some of the air pollutants sneaking into our homes. These pollutants and naturally formed gasses like Radon can spread in our living areas. The EPA estimates that Radon is the number one cause of cancer in non-smokers.
A home air quality test can identify dangerous building materials such as asbestos. It is better to let an expert deal with asbestos. Breathing its fibers causes lung cancer, mesothelioma, and respiratory problems such as asbestosis. It can also cause stomach, kidney, larynx, and colon cancer.
To prevent Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
You may not know this, but Sick Building Syndrome is an actual problem. It occurs when there are airborne contaminants causing illnesses in the home. The problem happens due to dirty and poorly maintained air filtration systems.
Some symptoms of SBS include:
- difficulty in concentration
- asthma attacks
- flu-like symptoms
- a dry cough and hoarse voice
To lower energy costs
When experts check your home’s air quality, they can uncover blocked air vents and damaged HVAC systems. Fixing these systems will improve efficiency and productivity. This, in turn, will lower your energy costs.
Everyone at home wants to know they are breathing clean air and not the polluted air outside. A home air quality test will uncover bad smells and other dangerous pollutants.
Get a professional cleaning service to fix the air quality in your home.