Testing Your Home and Workplace for Common Contaminants
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are prevalent in homes and office settings, as they are emitted from items such as paint, cleaning products, pesticides, copiers, adhesives, and many other common items. Prolonged exposure can cause illness such as upper respiratory irritation, asthma, fatigue, and even cancer. You can test for concentration levels indoors by using the Organic Vapor Screen Check, which measures over 50 compounds including benzene, toluene, acetone, mineral spirits, hexane, and styrene. All compounds can be detected at levels as low as 0.03 parts per million (ppm) for a 24-hour test.
Formaldehyde was used in insulation in the 70s, and although that practice has stopped, it is still found in shampoo, cosmetics, construction materials, cleaning supplies, and other common household items. The workplace can be a significant source of formaldehyde exposure, as it is found in carpeting, furniture (glue), and cabinets. It has been linked to reduced fertility, spontaneous abortion, respiratory problems, nausea, and endometriosis. The Formaldehyde Screen Check can help identify indoor concentration levels to determine if there is a health risk. The test can absorb formaldehyde particulates by collecting air from an indoor area of up to 2,800 square feet over a 24-48 hour testing period.
The Mold Screen Check tests for hundreds of different types of mold. Mold is a rapidly-growing fungus that can be found just about everywhere in nature. However, in areas that are regularly dark and damp, mold levels can become problematic. Seeing mold growth, smelling a musty odor, or finding water stains are mold-growth indicators around the home or office space. Unfortunately, mold cannot always be seen. It is often hidden within walls, behind furniture, or in other out-of-sight places. And when mold is growing in the home or workplace, it is also present in the air. Inhaling mold spores can trigger both allergies and asthma in sensitive people.
Why hire an expensive professional service to test your air quality, when you can access the same tests that they use, at a fraction of the cost? If you have health concerns or chemical sensitivities, these test kits are a great way to put your mind at ease.
