Indoor Air Quality, What’s the Big Deal?

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is defined by Wikipedia, as a term referring to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.

In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors. 

So, what’s the big deal about IAQ?  It’s not about indoor air quality, but more about the quality of the indoor air that counts most.  Yes, understanding what is in your building and/or home is as important as understanding how you are doing physically through your annual doctor’s visit. Without a baseline condition you are pretty much guessing at your potential concerns.

IAQ can be affected by microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria), gases (including carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds) particulates, or any mass or energy stressor that can induce adverse health conditions. Indoor air is becoming an increasingly more concerning health hazard than outdoor air. Using ventilation to dilute contaminants, filtration, and source control are the primary methods for improving indoor air quality in most buildings.

Determination of IAQ involves the collection of air samples, monitoring human exposure to pollutants, collection of samples on building surfaces and computer modeling of air flow inside buildings.

Radon is an invisible, radioactive atomic gas.  Mold’s and other Allergens arise from a host of means, (a) moisture induced growth of mold colonies and (b) natural substances released into the air. Moisture inside buildings may arise from water penetrating compromised areas of the building envelope or skin, from plumbing leaks, from condensation due to improper ventilation, or from ground moisture penetrating a building part. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short - and long-term adverse health effects. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.

Building Health Checks, primary concern is your health. An industry leader in indoor air quality, Building Health Check, LLC knowing very well that pollutants and contaminants exist in our indoor environments, manufactures a full quality line of Do-It-Yourself, Indoor Air Quality Testing Products allowing you the opportunity to monitor the quality of air in your home or workplace, giving you peace of mind. These are the sample kits used by industrial hygienist professionals across the country.

Today, Building Health Check manufactures and sells over 20 IAQ test kits through distributors, on-line dealers and to consumers at places such as Grainger, Sears, Carrier/Bryant, Johnston’s, among many others.  Building Health Check’s personal touch involvement and dedication means a higher level of commitment to each dealer and to every customer.

Our testing products test for Radon, Mold and Allergens, VOC’s Volatile Organic Compounds, and many other pollutants and contaminants visit us on line at www.indoorairtest.com  or call us at 800-422-7873 ext 804.

About Building Health Check, LLC

Building Health Check sets the industry standard for IAQ DIY kits, testing equipment, and laboratory analysis. For more information on Building Health Check, LLC contact us at (800) 422-7873 ext. 404 or 804 or visit http://www.indoorairtest.com.  For an online catalog visit: http://www.indoorairtest.com/bhc%20llc%20catalog.html

About our Affiliate Laboratory, EDLab

The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) (established in 1992) at Pure Air Control Services (PACS) is an AIHA accredited environmental lab offering complete and comprehensive indoor environmental microbiology laboratory services. They include: microbiology, aerobiology, chemistry, allergen assays and microscopy designed to meet all your indoor air needs. EDLab supports IAQ investigations by assisting with strategic sampling plan development and supplying media collection equipment while performing a wide range of environmental analyses. Call toll free 1-800-422-7873 for additional information.