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Indoor Air Quality Testing - Learn More About Radon

Simply put, yes. Indoor air quality is extremely important to you and your family's health. Properly testing the quality of the air in your indoor space, home, business, or even commercial building is probably the best way to really know whether the air that you are breathing in is safe, and at what concentration. Indoor air Quality Testing is necessary for many reasons, and is usually the first thing that should be done before considering a long-term solution. If it isn't done, then the effects can be significantly worse than you thought.


First, I'd like to address the issue of indoor air quality testing. I see a lot of people are quick to point out the problems of outdoor air quality, such as pollen, mold, cigarette smoke, etc... In response, I'd like to point out some of the most obvious benefits of indoor air quality testing. If you are one of those people who loves to read or watch TV outdoors but hates to breathe in the same air, then you'll appreciate just how these simple tests can help you decide where you should put your TV or computers.

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory illnesses in America. It is so common, in fact, that the American Lung Association says that every year about 1 million people experience an asthma attack. On the flip side, there is also the potential of serious health consequences from poor indoor air quality testing. For example, if mold is present, but it is only a small amount, most homeowners can take it care of themselves. However, mold in excess can cause everything from severe coughing and wheezing to life threatening anaphylaxis.

Mold also provides a number of other less serious respiratory issues, including sore throat, watery eyes, runny nose, and coughing. But there is another major problem that can occur if mold is present in the home - toxic black mold. Black mold, especially in humid areas such as the bathroom and kitchen can produce toxins that can be very dangerous. That's why in many places it is required that indoor air quality testing for black mold is done.

Homeowners might wonder if they need an indoor air quality testing for other types of air contaminants. The answer is a qualified yes, especially if there is any chance that the contaminants could be present. As an example, radon is a naturally occurring element. It has been found to be a major cause of lung cancer and has been classified as a carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. Radon can be present both in the home and outside, but unless it is detected using a radon detector, it will not be measured and therefore will remain unchecked.

Indoor air quality testing for radon is not expensive or difficult to do. There are several ways to test for radon, such as using short-term test kits and long-term test kits. Short-term test kits are usually purchased directly from a radon mitigation specialist and use a check cord to plug in a positive indoor air quality measurement. The test results usually provide a color reading, either green (high) or yellow (low) indicating the concentration of radon inside the home.

Long-term indoor air quality testing can be performed using both short-term and long-term test kits. This is usually done by an inspection company, an EPA certified contractor, or a radon mitigation specialist. In order to protect your family from all known and suspected indoor air contaminants, you should perform routine maintenance inspections and cleanings on your home and/or commercial building on a regular basis. If you suspect there is a problem, you should immediately seek professional assistance.

Radon can cause severe respiratory health effects, particularly in children. For this reason, it is particularly important to perform indoor air quality testing on a regular basis. For this reason, radon mitigation specialists recommend the use of a long-term emission test regimen in homes and commercial buildings. The most effective way to reduce the risk of lung cancer and other health effects is to remove radon through the process of radon removal. By performing the proper radon mitigation procedures on a regular basis, you can significantly reduce your family's risk of developing many serious lung diseases.

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