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There is more to your indoor air than meets the eye. Even though you probably just did some spring cleaning on your windows, walls and carpets, don’t forget to address one of the most important areas within your home—your air.
Many allergy symptom triggers lurk in your home, but often go unnoticed. Microscopic particles such as dust, smoke, pet dander, lint and pollen can litter your air and cause a flare up of your allergies or asthma. Even though you can’t see these particles, they can take a serious toll on your health.
Smoke, bacteria and dust are usually .3 microns or smaller. At such a small size, these allergens can travel deep into your lungs because they are too small to be filtered by your nose and throat. Since your body cannot naturally filter these allergens from the air you breathe, they can cause problems like frequent headaches, bronchitis, and colds. Take matters into your own hands and be sure these pesky particles are filtered before they ever reach your nose.
How to Test Your Air Quality
While the best air quality tests are performed by professionals, there are some simple, at- home tests you can do to see if your air quality is causing your health symptoms.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous, odorless gas that can be fatal when built up and inhaled. The presence of carbon monoxide leads to flu-like symptoms, loss of consciousness and sometimes death. Fortunately, all you need to do to test for carbon monoxide and keep yourself and your family safe is to install carbon monoxide detectors. They will measure the levels in your home and alert you of any issues.
Radon
This contaminant is the second leading cause of lung cancer, so it is important to test for its presence in your home. Radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally found when uranium breaks down in soil. It can seep into your home and silently poison you and your loved ones.
You can buy at-home radon tests at most home improvement stores. They usually use a charcoal reading that is collected from your home over a set period of time. You simply mail your sample to a lab and they provide you with results.
If your results do show a high radon level, don’t pack your bags and plan to sell your home. You can take many simple measures, such as caulking and sealing your foundation, to reduce your radon exposure.
Allergens and Indoor Pollutants
A great way to continuously monitor the levels of pollutants in your home is the Speck. This device measures levels of harmful particles over time, so you can adjust your behavior to improve your air quality. It can detect microscopic particles and alert you about any changes in contaminant concentration. Your local library likely has a free Speck device that you can borrow, or you can purchase one for yourself for less than $200.
If testing and making changes to your air quality doesn’t solve your health symptoms, or if you are experiencing symptoms such as nausea, rash, fever or dizziness, it’s best to contact a professional for help. Professionals can test for a variety of pollutants, including:
• Indoor mold
• Lead-based paint
• Dust particles and other allergens
• Smoke-related air pollution
• Air fresheners, candles, and incense• Household cleaners
• Combustion particles or gases
Get Help
If you need assistance with your home’s air quality, contact a Trane Comfort Specialist at Elite Comfort Home and Commercial Services to help you track down pollutants and find the solution that’s best for you. Improving your air quality may be as easy as choosing a new air filter or using an air purifier.
You can also greatly improve your air quality with a whole-house filtration system like the Trane CleanEffects Air Cleaner. To learn more about professional air testing, or Trane’s comprehensive line of air purifying products, contact Elite Comfort today at 832-304-7957 or click here (https://elitecomfortservices.com/contact/).