Looking after the health and safety of your family is of the utmost importance. Our homes are usually considered our safe haven, but can your home be the cause of your family not feeling well?
It’s not uncommon for people who suffer from allergies to notice that their allergies start acting up when they are home or enter a specific room in the house. In these cases, an indoor air quality test may be the solution. But there’s a possibility that your home can have hidden environmental toxins that are affecting your family’s health.
Possible Home Toxins
Here are some of the most common toxins found in homes today and the risks they present.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a group of chemicals that vaporize easily and bring gas pollutants into the home. They can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, and increased cancer risk after chronic exposure.
- Pesticides
- Mold and Other Fungal Toxins
Factors That Affect How Often You Need a Home Toxin Inspection
You might be asking yourself, thinking about these potential dangers, how often do I need a home toxin inspection? A home toxin inspection is usually done under the following conditions:
Buying a Home
Whether it’s a new home or not, it’s always a good idea to schedule a home toxin inspection before moving in. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.”
The truth is that you have no idea what type of materials were used, what could be common in the surrounding environment, or if there’s some leak you’re not aware of. Toxins like radon, which is odorless and colorless, can be a severe problem in homes in Virginia.
When Your Home Was Built
These inspections are especially vital when you’re purchasing an older home because building regulations in the past allowed for dangerous substances such as:
- Lead. Deteriorating lead paint is an issue in homes built before 1978 and should be tested both inside and out.
- Asbestos. This material was used in roofing materials, pipe insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, wallboard, and hundreds of other building supplies.
Damage to Your Home
Some of the toxins mentioned above present no danger when left undisturbed. However, if your home is damaged, inside or out, you should have your home inspected for toxins. Be aware if your home has been damaged by:
- Remodeling
- Hurricanes
- Tornadoes
- Floods
Home Toxin Inspection With Air Quality Consultants, Inc.
At Air Quality Consultants, Inc., we care about the safety of your family. Our experts have been licensed and insured since 1991 to champion a solution to a widespread and under-served public health threat in Virginia – indoor air pollution and poor water quality.
If you believe that your family may be affected by toxins inside your home, contact us today to request a mold, air, or water test.
