室内空気質のテストが必要な 5 つの理由

目の前にあるものと、実際には見えないのに想像の中に大きく迫るものと、どちらが怖いと思いますか?

天井の蜘蛛？それともベッドの下のモンスター？

私たちのほとんどにとって、本当に恐ろしいのは目に見えないものです。

家の空気の質に関して言えば、目に見えないものが潜んでいるという懸念は正当化できます。息をするたびに危険にさらされている目に見えない危険がかなりあります。

これを読んでいるということは、すでに何らかの懸念事項を抱えている可能性があります。臭い、快適さの問題、健康上の問題など、屋内の空気の質をテストする必要があるほど深刻な問題なのか疑問に思っていることでしょう。

あなたの家の空気を汚染しているかもしれない恐ろしく目に見えないもののいくつかについて学ぶために読んでください.また、知っておくべきいくつかの重要な事実と、室内空気質のテストを行う前に行うべきいくつかの手順についても説明します.

ご自宅の室内空気質検査を検討すべき 5 つの目に見えない理由

<強い>1.揮発性有機化合物 (VOC)
新しいカーペット (または新しいシャワー カーテン) を取り付けた後、数日または数週間続く化学物質の臭いに気付きましたか?あなたが嗅いでいるのは、その物質からの VOC のガス放出です。

クリーナーから塗料、家具に至るまで、家庭内の無数の製品が VOC を放出しています。すべての臭いを嗅ぐことはできませんが、ほとんどの家庭には少なくとも「バックグラウンド」レベルで存在し、頭痛や吐き気などの短期的な健康症状を引き起こす可能性があります.長期的な (そしてより恐ろしい) 健康への影響も、繰り返し暴露される可能性があります。

結果を解釈するための基準がないため、広範囲の VOC の室内空気質検査は役に立たないかもしれませんが (これについては後で詳しく説明します)、ホルムアルデヒドなどの特に危険な VOC を検出するために使用できます。この発がん性物質は、木材、布地、タバコの煙、燃焼器具などに含まれています。

<強い>2.一酸化炭素
ガスストーブ、かまど、薪ストーブ、暖炉などの燃焼器具は、一酸化炭素などの危険なガスを放出する可能性があります。このガスは目に見えず、臭いもわかりませんが、蓄積すると致命的な結果をもたらす可能性があります。

燃焼はまた、呼吸の問題を引き起こす可能性のある粒子状物質を空気中に放出する可能性があります.

関連記事:HVAC の安全に関するヒント:一酸化炭素に忍び寄らない

<強い>3.カビ、白カビ、バクテリア
化学汚染物質に加えて、カビ、白カビ、菌類、さらにはバクテリアやウイルスなど、あらゆる種類の生物学的汚染物質を心配する必要があります.

These nasty microorganisms grow and multiply in warm, humid air. That means you need to be extra vigilant about keeping humidity down and fixing any water leaks in bathrooms and basements.

According to the CDC, mold can cause a variety of symptoms including respiratory issues (especially for people with asthma or breathing problems) as well as eye and skin irritation.

Unlike some other airborne contaminants, mold can be discovered with a visual inspection, although indoor air quality testing may be recommended in some situations.

<強い>4. Pest droppings
You probably were aware that mold can contaminate the air in your home, but there are other biological agents that can cause odors and health issues as well, namely insects and rodents. Even if you don’t see them, dust mites, cockroaches and mice can leave behind droppings that cause respiratory problems, especially in children and the elderly.

Indoor air quality testing can detect the presence of these pests, but you can also get to the root of the problem with a visual inspection.

<強い>5. Pesticides
What do you do if you find out you have insects? In this case, the solution can cause another problem. Pesticides used to eradicate insects and vermin cause indoor air quality problems as well.

Chances are, you’ve used at least one pesticide in the past year; according to the EPA, two-thirds of US households have. That means indoor air quality testing will probably detect some level of pesticides in your air. However, it can be helpful in revealing unusually high levels due to improper use of pesticides.

BUT wait! Here’s what to do before indoor air quality testing

All that being said, there are some facts you need to know, and some steps you should take BEFORE investing in indoor quality testing.

Indoor air quality testing results may not be definitive
First of all, the results you will get from indoor air quality testing may not give you a definitive answer.

Most buildings will have some level of contaminants in the air, and interpreting the results can be subjective. For most environments, there are no standards in place that can tell you precisely what level of VOCs or mold in the air (for example) can be deemed safe or unsafe.

Also, since people react differently to environmental contaminants, what’s fine for one person may be dangerous for another.

What to do BEFORE indoor air quality testing
Indoor air quality testing is most beneficial when it’s used to confirm or refute the presence of a specific source of contamination, such as mold or pesticide levels or the presence of carcinogens like formaldehyde or benzene.

To get to the source of a possible indoor air quality problem, start with an inspection of the space. That will help you identify areas of concern. Pay special attention to the following:

WATER DAMAGE :Leaks and other sources of dampness in your home can lead to mold and mildew growth. Look for plumbing, roof, and HVAC water leaks that are causing water to linger and damage your home. Fix any leaks right away and get rid of anything damaged by water, including ceiling tiles, carpet and wall board.

ODORS :You can’t see most sources of indoor air contamination, but there many you can smell, including cleaning products, new building materials such as carpeting, pesticides, cigarette smoke, fireplaces and musty smells from mildew. Try using cleaning products that don’t produce odors, and remove any chemical contaminants you may find.

VENTILATION :Does your home have sufficient fresh air intakes, and are they correctly located? For example, intakes might be too close to exhaust vents or to sources of outdoor air pollution. You might have excess humidity due to a poorly functioning air conditioner that’s contributing to mold growth. Your HVAC ducts could also be harboring mold, dust mites or other pests. Your best bet is to have your system inspected by a qualified HVAC professional.

Taking the time to investigate the cause before investing in indoor air quality testing can help you hone in on the cause of your problem so you can get to a solution faster.

Got questions about duct cleaning and how it can improve the air you breathe? Get your free copy of this informative guide to FAQ:Duct Cleaning and Your Indoor Air Quality.