Indoor air is often perceived as a refuge — pollution, noise and irritants common in the outside world are left behind. But research has indicated that the air in your home can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside. This is where testing the indoor air quality becomes not just valuable, but critical.

At most indoor spaces, there’s a cocktail of things that pollute the air: dust mites, mold spores, volatile organics (VOCS), pet dander, carbon monoxide and even chemicals from regular cleaning products. Although such contaminants are often invisible, they can have a major impact on health, and particularly that of children, older adults and those with respiratory conditions.

What do tests measure?
Indoor air quality testing is a professional process that tests your home or business to determine what types of pollutants are in the air and in what concentrations. Depending on which you use, tests can indicate levels of carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, radon, humidity biological contaminants such as mold or bacteria.
A useful air quality assessment doesn’t only tell you what’s wrong — it offers a guide to improvement. Armed with the test data, homeowners can decide whether to buy air purifiers, upgrade HVAC systems or reconfigure ventilation.

Signs that you may need a test

They may be living with poor indoor air without realizing it for years. If you frequently feel headaches, fatigue, dizziness or dry eyes, these might be connected to indoor air pollutants. Inexplicable respiratory symptoms or allergies that seem to worsen at home are also red flags.

Even without clear symptoms, it’s a good idea to think about indoor air quality testing if you’ve done recent renovations, moved into a new home or use a lot of chemical-filled products indoors.
Benefits beyond health

Clean air is more than the absence of coughs and congestion. Good indoor air quality can help you sleep, enhance cognitive function and make you more comfortable overall. In commercial spaces, it can even improve productivity and lower the number of sick days employees take.

Testing is not a one-off event—it is proactive for your long-term wellness. Periodic checkups, or maintenance after you make major lifestyle changes in your home, can help keep you ahead of hidden threats to air quality.
Overall, indoor air quality testing brings comfort. You can’t manage what you can’t measure — and in this case, measuring could be the most important thing you do to help with the health of your household.

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