Indoor Air Quality

While our home is our sanctuary, its main function is to protect us from the outdoors.  But, it’s a symbiotic relationship. Our home depends on us to care for and maintain it.  One maintenance item is INDOOR AIR QUALITY (I.A.Q.).

Most modern homes are sealed so tight against outdoor elements that they prevent indoor air pollutants within our home from escaping.  As a growing concern worldwide, we are beginning to recognize the critical role indoor air quality plays in our health and wellness. Understanding indoor air quality and the interplay between indoor pollutants and our bodies is the first step in improving and optimizing your air.

EPA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) House Virtual Tour

Get a quick glimpse of some of the most important ways to protect the air in your home by touring the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) House.  Room-by-room, you’ll learn about the key pollutants and how to address them:

EPA's IAQ House

TYPES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS

We’ve compiled a list of some of the EPA’s top Indoor Air Pollutants.  Click on each for a link to EPA Website.  This will help you understand what each is, what their indicators are, health risks associated with each, and what actions you can take to improving I.A.Q.

 

RADON

The federal government recommends that you measure the level of radon in your home. Without measurements there is no way to tell whether radon is present. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. Contact us today (540-860-0744) to schedule your test.

MOLD

Molds are part of the natural environment. They can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold is not usually a problem, unless it begins growing indoors. The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture. The EPA website (LINK) provides guidance about mold and moisture for homes.

DANDER, DUST MITES, & OTHER BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS

Biological contaminants (EPA LINK) include:

  • bacteria,
  • viruses,
  • animal dander and cat saliva,
  • house dust,
  • mites,
  • cockroaches, and
  • pollen.

By controlling the relative humidity level in a home, the growth of some sources of biologicals can be minimized. A relative humidity of 30-50 percent is generally recommended for homes. Click on the above link to learn more.

CARBON DIOXIDE

Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is a colorless, odorless gas that is naturally abundant within the atmosphere. Outside, carbon dioxide accounts for just 0.033 percent of Earth’s atmospheric gases. But within the home, this level can increase. At low levels, carbon dioxide is harmless to humans. But elevated values can lead to a range of health problems, including headaches, fatigue and breathing difficulties. There are several causes of elevated carbon dioxide levels in homes. Learn More at:

CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person. Factors such as age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure. Follow this LINK to the EPA website to learn more.

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals. Some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Check out the EPA web site (LINK) for more information.

INDOOR PARTICULATE MATTER

Particulate matter is a form of air pollution created by other ambient pollutants. For instance ozone, nitrogen oxides, or directly through both outdoor and indoor combustion. For example, items such as stoves, heaters, fireplaces, chimneys, candles, etc.

The government created a web site, www.AirNow.gov to help you keep an eye out for local AQI readings to protect your and your loved ones from particle pollution.  These tiny particles can sneak into our homes through windows, doors, and walls.

January is National Radon Action Month

There is no better time for you to protect yourself and your family from Radon, a radioactive gas that causes thousands of lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S.

Radon is second only to smoking as a cause of lung cancer deaths, and it is the #1 cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked…people like Rachael Malmberg, a 32-year-old athlete and mother, who was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.

Mention this article & get a Stand Alone Radon Inspection for only $95 (expires 2.28.19).

ROI of Radon Reducing New Construction

Having your dream home built?  Make sure you talk to your builder about Radon Reducing New Construction (RRNC) methods and techniques to help keep you and your family safe.  Additionally, this will be a huge selling point for “health-conscious home buyers” down the road when you’re working to secure your return on investment. 

RRNC is an affordable measure that can be taken during the construction of a home to effectively reduce the homes radon level by approximately 50%. Be sure to hire a properly trained contractor to perform the installation. Although it looks simple, if not done properly it could end up not working at all and then costing more money in the long run to fix it.

It’s important to understand the various options available as “the cost to a builder of including radon-resistant features in a new home during construction can vary widely. Many builders routinely include these features in some of their homes. The cost to the builder of including these features is typically less than the cost to mitigate the home after construction.” (EPA)

For more detailed techniques view Model Standards and Techniques for Control of Radon in New Residential Buildings.

Where & When you need us.

We are excited to announce that we are now open on Sunday’s and have added another inspection time slot on Saturday’s, making it even more convenient to schedule a Home Inspection at a time that best fits your schedule.

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