Indoor Air Quality and Health Effects

By Vinny Gigliotti, CEO of Environmental Solutions

The subject of indoor air quality has received a great deal of attention in recent years. Since the onset of environmental awareness in our area, more people are looking for assurance regarding health and comfort issues within their own homes. Mold can lurk behind wallpaper and under flooring, and is not always able to be detected visually. However, mold spores and other contaminants can be in the air that you breathe in your home, and could cause adverse health effects.

A few examples that may suggest poor indoor air quality are:

Stale or stuffy air
Eye, nose, or throat irritation
Lingering or musty odors
Mold or suspected mold growth
Excessive dust or allergens, such as pet dander
Excessive humidity

Consider having an Environmental Needs Analysis (ENA) to address common health symptoms being experienced in the home, which can be advantageous in terms of both short and long-term health. Having an ENA conducted in your home can assure healthy indoor air quality, alleviate discomforting health issues, and possibly improve quality of life. This is especially important for children, the elderly, those with asthma or allergies, and those with weakened immune systems, as they are most susceptible to environmental harm.

A comprehensive ENA will address and test potentially harmful environmental variables such as:

Mold & bacteria
Allergens
Lead paint
Asbestos
Water cleanliness as it related to bacteria and heavy metals

Why should I get environmental testing?

Environmental testing can help prevent prolonged exposure to hazardous materials in your home.

If you have experienced flooding or a water leak, mold growth is highly possible. Testing can determine if there is mold in the breathable air, what type of mold it is and how detrimental it is, and what can be done to eliminate it.
If you are moving into a new home and are concerned about what the previous tenants may have left behind, such as bacteria or allergens, environmental testing is recommended. It will help determine if any contaminates are present in the home.
If there are any children, elderly people, or anyone with a weakened immune system in your home, environmental testing is very important. These people are at a higher risk of environmental harm.
If you are concerned at all regarding the quality of the air in your home, testing is recommended. Length of exposure is often the most important factor regarding the severity of health effects.