Whether you are a property owner or an employee working in a commercial business, you should always make sure that your workstation is not contaminated with airborne allergens and toxins that can be brought by a lack of proper indoor air quality testing. Those who do this type of testing on a daily basis are able to prevent illnesses and death from occurring in their workplace. If you are not sure if you need to do this or if you are comfortable with the current level of indoor air quality, you should always consult with a licensed professional who can complete these tests for you. They can check for particulate matter, dust, mold and other possible contaminants that have the potential to be harmful if inhaled. You may be surprised at what they find.
The majority of people who suffer from allergies or asthma find that they are unable to breathe comfortably unless they know that the air they are breathing on a daily basis is free from dangerous indoor air pollutants. With this in mind, a large portion of the population will always test the air for various allergens and irritants. Most people also perform indoor air quality testing on a routine basis as a preventative measure for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Particulates, dust and mold can easily become airborne if the environment is not properly ventilated. Employees who work in areas that do not meet the standards of cleanliness in the workstations they are working in can bring about health problems for themselves as well as those who are inadvertently exposed to them.
A recent study conducted by the American Society of Clinical Toxicology revealed that nearly 25 percent of the HVAC systems in domestic facilities did not meet the health care provider’s recommended standards of air quality. The tests were performed on a large scale, using two different types of HVAC systems. These include a centralized system and a portable device. Of the two, the portable system was found to be the most hazardous to employees. Specifically, it was found to be three times more likely to cause negative effects on patients than the other type.
While many people would agree that there is a huge problem with indoor air quality testing, outdoor air quality testing is another matter entirely. A person may live in an area where it is difficult to determine whether or not their air is contaminated. Unfortunately, there are also many individuals out there who enjoy the fresh scent of outdoors, yet end up bringing along a variety of harmful pollutants into their homes. For this reason, it is necessary for outdoor air quality testing to be done regularly in order to ensure that people living in the area have a safe and healthy environment to enjoy.
Those who perform indoor air quality testing on a routine basis are advised to use the best testing techniques available. In addition to these techniques, the individual is advised to take the proper precautions to avoid negative effects from the testing procedures. The first thing an individual should do is wear protective clothing when performing the testing. Some people choose to use masking materials as well. In addition, it is recommended for someone to bring along an accurate measurement of the inside of a building or a certain room, in order to eliminate the possibility of inaccuracies.
It should be noted that short-term testing is performed on an individual basis, and while long-term testing is performed in a laboratory. Indoor air quality testing is done primarily to identify sources of combustion pollutants, but testing is also performed to determine if odors exist in a building or if chemical vapors are present. In order to protect yourself and your family, be sure to test your indoor air quality on a regular basis, so that you can stay comfortable.
