The Benefit of Indoor Air Quality Testing and VOC Testing for Your Home and Business

In the quest for modern living, you may overlook a silent yet potent threat lurking within your home and workplace - poor indoor air quality. Your indoor air might be filled with unseen threats that pose an enormous risk to the quality of your life.

VOCs may be the unwelcome guests in your indoor environment to cause these threats. Since they play a key role in indoor air quality issues, you should be aware of their effects to enable you to preserve a healthy indoor environment.

Call: 888-217-2719 for Indoor Air Quality and VOC Testing in California

In addition to VOC & Indoor Air Quality Testing in the city of Corona, we also cover all the surrounding areas such as Home Garden, El Cerrito, Norco, Mira Loma, Pedley, Glen Avon, Los Serrano, Chino, Woodcrest and Sunnyslope.

This article is a guide on VOC testing and indoor air quality testing. This post will explain the sources of volatile organic compounds and the effects they have on indoor air quality. In addition, it will discuss how you can hire a professional to carry out indoor air quality testing, and the ways to mitigate volatile organic compounds to improve your indoor air quality.

What Does the Term "Volatile Organic Compounds" Mean?

Let's dive into the details right away!

Volatile organic compounds are organic substances that can easily evaporate into the air. Mostly liquids and some solids release these compounds into the air as gasses. Volatile organic compounds are commonly found in products and materials you use in your everyday life.

Sources of VOCs

* Goods used in the home - such as paints, adhesives, solvents, cleaning supplies, and air fresheners.
* Construction supplies - such as plywood, carpet, and particular kinds of floors recently put in place.
* Certain furniture styles, especially those made of mixed wood products. This is more common in new furniture pieces.
* Some home appliances - like stoves and ovens.
* Emissions from cars from a garage connected to a residential home.
* Some personal care items - like some types of cosmetics, hair sprays, and perfumes.

What Does VOC Testing Mean?

Volatile organic compounds testing is the practice of measuring and analyzing the presence, as well as the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air inside a particular environment. You can hire a certified professional to test and evaluate the condition of indoor air and to see if the VOC levels are safe for humans.

Impacts of VOCs on the Quality of Indoor Air

VOCs often produce strong and unpleasant odors, and feelings of discomfort and a lower standard of life are two possible effects of these odors. Itching of the eyes and throat, migraines, nausea, and dizziness are common symptoms.

Some VOCs are known carcinogens - which means that prolonged exposure to them raises the chance of developing cancer.

What is Indoor Air Quality All About?

Indoor air quality refers to the condition of the air within a building, especially in relation to the health and standard of life of occupants. Given that you most likely spend a large percentage of your time inside constructed structures - whether at home, work, or other places, it’s essential to ensure a comfortable and secure indoor environment.

What Does Testing Indoor Air Quality Involve?

Indoor air quality testing requires assessing the quality of air within buildings like residential homes, places of work and business areas, schools, and other places. You should conduct indoor air quality testing at intervals to examine the quantity and concentration of pollutants and contaminants in your indoor environment. Failing to do so may impact the quality of the air you breathe, as well as your health and comfort.

How to Carry Out Indoor Air Quality Testing

Testing for indoor air quality entails the following few steps.

Sampling
To start with, the company that will do the test for you will collect samples of air from your indoor environment. Then, they will use specialized equipment to collect information on different air pollutants - like gasses (such as volatile organic compounds) and other biological contaminants.

Laboratory Examination
The agency gathers the air samples and takes them to a lab for further examination. This study aids in identifying the precise contaminants and their quantities.

Assessment of Results
After the laboratory analysis, the agency will assess the results to find out whether your indoor air quality meets the recommended standards. However, note that these standards often depend on the type of space being tested - either residential, commercial, or industrial space, and regulations within that locality.

What Circumstances Require Testing for VOCs and Checking the Indoor Air Quality in an Environment?

Here are some circumstances that necessitate VOC testing and IAQ assessment.

New Construction or Renovation.
If you just finished constructing or renovating your building, test the indoor environment for volatile organic compounds to assess the indoor air quality. You should do this to ensure that construction materials like paints, adhesives, and other products did not release harmful VOCs into the environment.

Occupant Health Complaints.
If occupants of a building report health issues such as respiratory problems, headaches, or allergies that could be related to poor indoor air quality, testing should be conducted to identify and mitigate potential sources of indoor pollutants.

Unusual Odors.
Having persistent and unusual odors in your indoor environment might be indicating indoor air quality problems. Doing indoor air quality tests will help you to find out the source of these odors and know whether they are caused by other pollutants or VOCs.

Suspected Mold Growth.
Mold can significantly impact indoor air quality. When mold growth is suspected or visible, testing can confirm the presence of mold spores and help determine the extent of the problem.

After Water Damage.
Following water damage from leaks, floods, or plumbing issues, it's essential to assess indoor air quality to prevent mold growth and ensure that no contaminants from the water have affected the air quality.

Areas with High-occupancy Spaces.
Buildings with high occupant density, such as schools, hospitals, and shopping malls, may require regular indoor air quality testing due to the increased potential for pollutants and contaminants.

HVAC System Changes.
Working on or repairing your HVAC system can affect the quality of your indoor air.

How to Reduce VOC Levels to Improve Indoor Air Quality in an Indoor Environment

Adequate ventilation, which includes bringing in fresh outdoor air and exhausting indoor air, can help dilute and remove VOCs from indoor spaces. Also, choosing products and materials with low VOC emissions can significantly reduce the source of indoor VOCs.

VOC testing and indoor air quality testing are essential steps in ensuring a healthy indoor environment. You can create a safer and more comfortable space for yourself and your loved ones by understanding VOCs, and their sources, and employing effective testing and mitigation strategies.

As well as VOC & Indoor Air Quality Testing in the area of Corona, we also our services in the surrounding areas including Home Garden, El Cerrito, Norco, Mira Loma, Pedley, Glen Avon, Los Serrano, Chino, Woodcrest and Sunnyslope.

Call: 888-217-2719 for Indoor Air Quality and VOC Testing in California