HOW HOME AIR QUALITY AFFECTS YOUR HEALTH
Infectious illnesses, such as influenza, measles and chicken pox are transmitted through the air. Molds and mildews release disease-causing toxins. Symptoms of health problems caused by biological pollutants include:
-
Sneezing
-
Watery eyes
-
Coughing
-
Shortness of breath
-
Dizziness
-
Lethargy
-
Fever
-
and digestive problems
Additional Indoor Air Quality Issues:
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Services.
We average 12-16 breaths per minute. How much do you know about the quality of the air you breathe? Is your home affecting your health?
Indoor Air Pollution and Your Health
As an indoor air quality and consulting expert with 15 years of experience, we will be able to help our clients with various air quality concerns in many different settings. UHS offers comprehensive testing solutions that will give you a total assessment of the air you breathe daily. We want to ensure that your family and team have healthy air to breathe. UHS can help determine which analysis is best for your air quality concerns.
Residential Indoor Air Quality Testing.
Indoor air quality is a growing health issue throughout the US. Homeowners should be aware that there are ways to determine levels of biological and chemical pollutants. Indoor air quality is very dynamic and can change. Here are some of the most common reasons for testing Indoor Air Quality:
-
Odors
-
Respiratory Irritations
-
Health Concerns
-
New Furnishings
-
Remodel or New Construction
-
Sensitized Individuals – New Diagnosis
-
Significant Weather Events/Fire
-
Each Season – Heating vs. Cooling
-
Employee Exposure Concerns
Residential air quality can be difficult to assess because of the variety of building types, conditions, and possible VOC sources. Our IAQ Home test will determine air borne chemicals (VOCs) and active growing mold (MVOCs) in indoor air. Our reports on the air quality will show total levels of VOCs (TVOC) and MVOCs (TMVOC). The chemical information is shown by types of potential sources. This allows an action plan for improving the quality of the indoor air quality to be developed.
Commercial Indoor Air Quality Services
Work environments can contain a myriad of sources that produce chemicals (VOCs) in the air. Insufficient fresh air will result on poor indoor air quality. Air breathed by building occupants can affect productivity, work quality, and worker health. Most people spend a lot of time in commercial and office buildings.
We offer a variety of air testing for VOCs. This allows for investigations that are determined by the specific issue. We offer VOC air quality testing used for green building certification. Eliminating unwanted chemicals creates better-quality air. A healthy indoor air quality, increases worker’s productivity, job satisfaction, and an overall healthier workforce.
Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Indoor air investigations can be challenging. There are many aspects to indoor air quality, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), inorganic compounds, particulates, allergens, comfort factors, etc. One of the most difficult areas to look at is the VOCs. Reason is that organic chemicals (containing primarily carbon and hydrogen) can vaporize easily at room temperature. There are thousands of different VOCs in indoor air from hundreds of sources. Making both source identification and remediation plans challenging.
Most people do not notice an indoor air quality problem unless they smell something unpleasant or feel ill. But many VOCs have no noticeable characteristics, leading to poor air quality situations without any perceptible signs.
In developing an action plan for resolving VOC issues, it’s not sufficient simply to know which chemicals are present. Understanding the sources as well as how the VOCs will react to changing conditions is crucial to improving air quality.
Active mold
Molds are fungi. They grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae that spread to form a network or colony called mycelium. There are thousands of known species of molds. Although a much smaller number of mold species are commonly found in indoor environments.
Water intrusion and moisture are key elements that cause mold growth. Often these conditions originate from leaky pipes behind walls or under floors, roof leaks, improperly installed windows or excessive humidity. In many cases, these conditions are non-observable – we just don’t know they exist.
Certain chemicals called mold volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) are produced as the mold digests its food. Prolonged exposure to these VOCs can have serious health effects. Especially in infants, small children, the elderly and anyone with chemical sensitivities or chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies. Because mold VOCs are produced as the mold grows, they can be used as an indicator of active mold.
VOCs in Fire and Smoke Investigations
One of the challenges in cleaning up after a fire is determining the level of remaining fire and smoke residue. We are aware of residues or visual traces; smoky odors, health effects such as burning eyes or difficulty breathing.
There are two primary concerns with fire and smoke residue:
-
Has the fire or smoke residue been removed to an acceptable level?
-
Are there any health or exposure concerns with any remaining traces?
Fire produces a complicated mixture of particulates (soot, ash, and char) and chemicals that makes a comprehensive analysis challenging. By combining analyses of these major components, a far better and more inclusive picture of the residues can be accomplished.
There are two primary fire situations, indoor or structure fires and wildfires. Indoor fires are complicated by the contents and building materials, as well as the level and strength of the fire. Wildfire smoke can travel long distances and impact buildings miles away from the main fire.
Our capabilities include air sampling, technical review, particulate sampling, and material sampling. Contact our team for assistance with planning your upcoming project or to learn more about fire and smoke residue testing.
Formaldehyde Investigation
Agencies such as the EPA and the National Cancer Institute safe levels of formaldehyde in the air.
When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 100 ppb some individuals may experience adverse effects. Such as watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation. Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde, whereas others have no reaction to the same level of exposure. In addition to the immediate symptoms, formaldehyde is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. Known to cause cancer in humans, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
One of the complicating factors in formaldehyde investigations is the variety and number of sources. There are a surprising number of sources in various building materials, everyday products, and natural processes. Let our team of experts help you identify potential sources of formaldehyde.
Immediate health Effects of poor indoor air quality
The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors including age and preexisting medical conditions. In some cases, whether a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity. Which varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological or chemical pollutants after repeated or high-level exposures.
If you are suffering from respiratory symptoms, and it happens only in a particular room or building. It is likely that you can identify the reason as to why you feel uncomfortable or sick. Some effects may be made worse by an inadequate supply of outdoor air ventilation. Or from the heating, cooling or humidity conditions prevalent indoors.
Long-Term health Effects of poor indoor air quality
The immediate health effects of indoor air pollutants include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Side effects from long term tment to health effects .Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person’s exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified.
These effects can occur after repeated periods of exposure. They include some respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. Molds and mildews release toxins.
How Biological Pollutants in indoor air quality Impact our health
Living things produce biological pollutants, and living things need food and water. If the pollutants produced by living things enter your lung, they can produce breathing complications. They include bacteria, viruses, animal dander and cat saliva, house dust, mites, cockroaches, and pollen. There are many sources of these pollutants.
Poor indoor Air Quality Causes Allergic Reactions.
Persons that have no reaction at all to allergens, may find themselves sensitive after repeated exposure. The greater the exposure to biological or chemical allergens, the greater the reaction. Reaction may occur immediately upon re-exposure or after multiple exposures over time. Sensitivity to allergens increase as the exposure increases. Persons that have never shown any reaction, may suddenly find themselves very sensitive to allergens.
UHS indoor air quality testing service, covers types of testing associated with indoor air quality service and indoor air quality (IAQ) testing. What you need we can provide, bacteria, VOCs, and other chemical compounds are available. We can do an analytical sampling of air and dust and identify allergens present in those medians. Symptoms of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) are extensive and depend on the contaminant.