Why Might you Need to Test Your Indoor Air Quality?
Good air quality is imperative for the safety of your family members and employees, in your existing home or business or a property that you are looking to purchase. Indoor Air Testing is how you ensure good air quality.
What Causes Poor Air Quality?
Poor air quality can be caused by a number of different factors, below we discuss 4 common causes of substandard air quality.
1. Mold
Prime areas for mold growth and toxic mold spores are in humid areas of the country and high moisture environments like bathrooms, basements and crawl spaces. Mold exposure can lead to various levels of potential health issues.
2. Radon Gas
Radon gas comes from rocks, soil and water and is a poisonous substance that’s created when uranium breaks down into a gas. This gas can then seep through small cracks and holes in your home’s foundation. All homes have some level of radon gas within them – testing checks whether this level is dangerous to you and your family. It is recommended by the EPA that testing is undertaken every 2 years due to the natural movement of rocks and soil around your property.
3. Stucco or Stone Cladding
Damaged or degraded stucco or stone cladding can allow moisture into your property, in turn potentially affecting your indoor air quality with the potential for mold growth. It may also cause severe structural damage to your home or building and cause doors and windows to rot.
4. Lead Paint
Indoor lead air pollution is most commonly caused by old lead paint and is usually found in homes built before 1978. If left untouched and in good condition, it does not pose a significant health risk, but once chipped it can create dust and particles that can be inhaled, especially by children.
How do you Test Indoor Air Quality?
Our Certified Inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of your home or business, not just visually, but using the latest air quality testing equipment. Once the inspection and testing are completed, we will provide you with a detailed report of our assessment and a remediation protocol if remediation is necessary.
For a comprehensive analysis of your indoor air quality call Mill Creek Environmental today and schedule your inspection.
How Do You Improve Indoor Air Quality?
- Prevent condensation and keep your rooms well aired.
- Keep your home warm with electric or gas heating rather than burning wood or coal.
- Use solid or liquid cleaning products, opting for allergy friendly chemical free products.
- Vacuum and remove dust regularly.
- Fix any leaks or water damage in a timely manner.
- Keep your home tobacco smoke free.
- Have the Indoor Air Quality tested by a Certified Inspector.
Does Asbestos Affect Indoor Air Quality?
Yes, breathing in asbestos particles is known to cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. It was often used in buildings for flooring, roofing and insulation well before its dangers were known about. Asbestos was widely used in home construction from the early 1920s through the 1970s. There is a potential for most older properties to still contain asbestos. In Georgia, most asbestos containing products were banned in 1989; however, not all asbestos products are banned.
If you are looking to purchase an older property, we would recommend an Asbestos Inspection with one of our qualified experts.
Asbestos Inspection and Testing
Mill Creek Environmental works with accredited laboratories that use the EPA approved, Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) method to analyze asbestos samples. Mill Creek Environmental also performs routine (QA) quality assurance testing to ensure accurate results.
Whether you are testing your current home for possible health hazards and structural damage or in the process of purchasing a home or business and want to make sure your dream purchase doesn’t turn into your biggest nightmare, have peace of mind and have the property tested by one of our qualified and licensed Inspectors. Call Mill Creek Environmental today at 706 579 1607 or contact us online for your free service estimate.
