Air Quality Testing in Philadelphia
Many of us spend a large portion of our time working, studying and living in enclosed spaces. Unfortunately, the indoor air quality in these environments—such as homes, schools, and offices—can be harmful to our health. Some pollutants include chemicals, gasses and living organisms like mold. In general, the larger the concentration of pollutants and the longer you are exposed to them, the more serious the health effects will be. This means that indoor air quality testing is important and vital to carry out anywhere that people are spending a significant amount of time.
Synertech offers indoor air quality testing in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Click here to request a quote for indoor air quality testing for your home, school, hospital, or business.
The harmful effects of poor indoor air quality
Some of the health effects of poor indoor air quality, depending on the contributing factors, include burning or watering eyes, headaches, fatigue, and a burning nose and throat. Sometimes individual pollutants at high concentrations— such as carbon monoxide—can cause death. This is why it’s important to have your space––whether it’s a home, office, school, hospital, or other type of business or organization––tested for indoor air quality. Getting your indoor air quality tested is the first step towards correcting any issues that may pose health hazards.
Types of indoor air pollutants
There are a variety of materials that can contribute to poor indoor air quality. Here are some of the most common indoor air pollutants:
Radon - Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas found in soil that can enter a structure through cracks in walls and floors that make contact with the ground. Radon pollution is the second leading cause of lung cancer nationwide, and the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. According to the Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania has one of the most serious radon problems in the United States, with 40% of Pennsylvania homes exhibiting radon levels above the EPA’s Environmental action guideline. No matter where you live, it’s a good idea to get your home or business tested for radon. Our indoor air quality assessments include radon measurements.
Secondhand smoke - Secondhand smoke is produced from burning cigarettes and other forms of tobacco. Secondhand smoke is a carcinogen and can also trigger asthma symptoms in those who have asthma, and can also cause issues in people without asthma. Children are particularly vulnerable to secondhand smoke, which can cause ear infections and contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Asthma triggers - Common asthma triggers include pet hair, dust mites, mold, secondhand smoke, and more. These can contribute to poor indoor air quality, triggering asthma attacks or exacerbating asthma symptoms.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - VOCs are chemicals that are off-gassed by certain items during their use. VOCs can also be off-gassed while these products are stored, if they are improperly stored or there is insufficient ventilation in the area where they are located.
VOCs are commonly found in items such as:
Paints, lacquers, and paint strippers
Wood finishing products
Pesticides
Cleaning supplies
Air fresheners
Moth repellents
…and more.
Volatile organic compounds can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. They can also cause nausea, headaches, and damage to the central nervous system with prolonged exposure. Certain VOCs are also carcinogens, so it’s important to have your property tested for these compounds to ensure you have acceptable indoor air quality.
Combustion Pollutants - Combustion pollutants come from burning certain materials indoors. The major sources of combustion pollutants are improperly vented or unvented fuel-burning appliances such as gas stoves, water heaters, fireplaces, dryers, and more. If these appliances are incorrectly installed or improperly vented, they can off-gas dangerous combustion pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.
Mold - Mold is a significant and common contributor to poor indoor air quality. Mold can grow wherever there is excess moisture, and can exacerbate allergy or asthma issues. We offer mold testing in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.
Schedule an air quality test
Synertech offers comprehensive indoor air quality tests that evaluate the levels of radon, volatile organic compounds, and general pollutants and allergens within a space. We can also recommend professionals to help remediate any issues that are discovered during our testing process. In addition to serving the Philadelphia area, we also serve Delaware County, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Chester County, and South Jersey. Request a quote for an indoor air quality test for your home, business, school, hospital, or property today.