5 razloga zašto bi vaš dom mogao trebati ispitivanje kvalitete zraka u zatvorenom prostoru

Što smatrate strašnijim:nešto ispred vaših očiju ili nešto što zapravo ne možete vidjeti ali se nazire u vašoj mašti?

Pauk na stropu? Ili čudovište ispod kreveta?

Za većinu nas ono što ne možemo vidjeti doista je zastrašujuće.

Kada je riječ o kvaliteti zraka u vašem domu, ti strahovi o tome što vreba nevidljivo mogu biti opravdani. Postoji veliki broj nevidljivih opasnosti koje riskirate svakim svojim udahom.

Ako ovo čitate, vjerojatno već imate razloga za zabrinutost. Bilo da se radi o neugodnim mirisima, problemima s udobnošću ili zdravstvenim tegobama, vjerojatno se pitate je li vaš problem dovoljno ozbiljan da opravdava ispitivanje kvalitete zraka u zatvorenom prostoru.

Čitajte dalje kako biste saznali o nekim od strašnih i nevidljivih stvari koje bi mogle zagađivati ​​zrak u vašem domu. Također ćemo pokriti neke važne činjenice koje treba znati i nekoliko koraka koje treba poduzeti prije testiranja kvalitete zraka u zatvorenom prostoru.

5 nevidljivih razloga da razmislite o ispitivanju kvalitete zraka u zatvorenom prostoru za svoj dom

1. Hlapljivi organski spojevi (VOCs)
Jeste li postavili novi tepih (ili čak novu zavjesu za tuš) i primijetili kemijski miris koji traje danima ili čak tjednima? Ono što osjećate je ispuštanje HOS-eva iz tog materijala.

Nebrojeni proizvodi u vašem domu ispuštaju VOC, od sredstava za čišćenje preko boja do namještaja. Iako ih ne možete sve namirisati, prisutni su u većini domova barem na "pozadinskim" razinama i mogu uzrokovati kratkoročne zdravstvene simptome uključujući glavobolju i mučninu. Dugotrajniji (i strašniji) učinci na zdravlje također su mogući pri ponovljenom izlaganju.

Iako testiranje kvalitete zraka u zatvorenom prostoru za širok raspon HOS-eva možda neće biti od pomoći zbog nedostatka standarda za tumačenje rezultata (više o tome za minutu), ono se može koristiti za otkrivanje posebno opasnih HOS-eva kao što je formaldehid. Ovaj kancerogen nalazi se u drvu, tkaninama, duhanskom dimu, uređajima za sagorijevanje i još mnogo toga.

2. Ugljični monoksid 
Aparati za izgaranje kao što su plinske peći, peći, peći na drva i kamini mogu emitirati opasne plinove poput ugljičnog monoksida koje ne možete vidjeti niti namirisati, ali mogu imati smrtonosne posljedice ako se akumuliraju.

Izgaranje također može emitirati čestice u zrak koje mogu uzrokovati probleme s disanjem.

Povezani članak:HVAC sigurnosni savjeti:ne dopustite da vam se ugljični monoksid prišulja

3. Plijesan, plijesan i bakterije
Osim kemijskih kontaminanata, postoje razne vrste bioloških kontaminanata o kojima treba brinuti, uključujući plijesan, plijesan, gljivice, pa čak i bakterije i viruse.

These nasty microorganisms grow and multiply in warm, humid air. That means you need to be extra vigilant about keeping humidity down and fixing any water leaks in bathrooms and basements.

According to the CDC, mold can cause a variety of symptoms including respiratory issues (especially for people with asthma or breathing problems) as well as eye and skin irritation.

Unlike some other airborne contaminants, mold can be discovered with a visual inspection, although indoor air quality testing may be recommended in some situations.

4. Pest droppings
You probably were aware that mold can contaminate the air in your home, but there are other biological agents that can cause odors and health issues as well, namely insects and rodents. Even if you don’t see them, dust mites, cockroaches and mice can leave behind droppings that cause respiratory problems, especially in children and the elderly.

Indoor air quality testing can detect the presence of these pests, but you can also get to the root of the problem with a visual inspection.

5. Pesticides
What do you do if you find out you have insects? In this case, the solution can cause another problem. Pesticides used to eradicate insects and vermin cause indoor air quality problems as well.

Chances are, you’ve used at least one pesticide in the past year; according to the EPA, two-thirds of US households have. That means indoor air quality testing will probably detect some level of pesticides in your air. However, it can be helpful in revealing unusually high levels due to improper use of pesticides.

BUT wait! Here’s what to do before indoor air quality testing

All that being said, there are some facts you need to know, and some steps you should take BEFORE investing in indoor quality testing.

Indoor air quality testing results may not be definitive
First of all, the results you will get from indoor air quality testing may not give you a definitive answer.

Most buildings will have some level of contaminants in the air, and interpreting the results can be subjective. For most environments, there are no standards in place that can tell you precisely what level of VOCs or mold in the air (for example) can be deemed safe or unsafe.

Also, since people react differently to environmental contaminants, what’s fine for one person may be dangerous for another.

What to do BEFORE indoor air quality testing
Indoor air quality testing is most beneficial when it’s used to confirm or refute the presence of a specific source of contamination, such as mold or pesticide levels or the presence of carcinogens like formaldehyde or benzene.

To get to the source of a possible indoor air quality problem, start with an inspection of the space. That will help you identify areas of concern. Pay special attention to the following:

WATER DAMAGE :Leaks and other sources of dampness in your home can lead to mold and mildew growth. Look for plumbing, roof, and HVAC water leaks that are causing water to linger and damage your home. Fix any leaks right away and get rid of anything damaged by water, including ceiling tiles, carpet and wall board.

ODORS :You can’t see most sources of indoor air contamination, but there many you can smell, including cleaning products, new building materials such as carpeting, pesticides, cigarette smoke, fireplaces and musty smells from mildew. Try using cleaning products that don’t produce odors, and remove any chemical contaminants you may find.

VENTILATION :Does your home have sufficient fresh air intakes, and are they correctly located? For example, intakes might be too close to exhaust vents or to sources of outdoor air pollution. You might have excess humidity due to a poorly functioning air conditioner that’s contributing to mold growth. Your HVAC ducts could also be harboring mold, dust mites or other pests. Your best bet is to have your system inspected by a qualified HVAC professional.

Taking the time to investigate the cause before investing in indoor air quality testing can help you hone in on the cause of your problem so you can get to a solution faster.

Got questions about duct cleaning and how it can improve the air you breathe? Get your free copy of this informative guide to FAQ:Duct Cleaning and Your Indoor Air Quality.