How can you check the air quality in your home?

By Elisa

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The quality of the air we breathe can affect our health positively or negatively. Therefore, to ensure a healthy indoor environment, theScientists recommend that the air quality in the interior of a house be checked periodically. This is also known as an air quality test. How is this done? We tell you everything in this article.

Calling on specialists

It is strongly recommended that a specialist is called in to test the air quality in a home. There are chemists who specialise in this area. If you live in Quebec City, you can call on this specialised laboratory for a air quality test in Longueuil.

Like all professionals, they have the necessary equipment, expertise and experience to carry out this type of inspection. They scrutinise the smallest detail (dust, mould, etc.) and the slightest smell in order to draw up a complete report on the quality of the air in your home. They are also competent to measure radon (radioactive gas resulting from the decomposition of radium) thanks to a device designed for this purpose.

At the end of the diagnosis, they will give you some solutions to improve the quality of the atmosphere in your home.

Use appropriate equipment

If you do not want an expert to come and inspect your house (which is recommended), you can use some special devices to do it yourself. These, of course, are specifically designed for air quality control.

Air quality meters and CO2 detectors

Air quality meters or testers are small gadgets available over the counter. They have a screen (sometimes touch-sensitive) and show in real time the time, temperature, humidity level in your home and much more. This data is undoubtedly very useful when it comes to assessing the quality of the air in your home.

In addition, there are also carbon dioxide detectors, which are also small gadgets that measure the level of CO2 in the air within a dwelling. A level between 400 and 1000 ppm is acceptable. However, if the level rises above 1,500 ppm, you should start to worry.

For these gadgets, you should expect to pay at least 100 euros to find reliable models. Ask the sellers for advice on how to use them.

Air analysers

Air analysers are more complex gadgets than CO2 detectors and air testers. They are designed to measure more complex gases such as formaldehyde (solvent), but also the quantity of certain compounds such as toluene, benzene and xylene present in inks, paint, etc. These devices are also able to measure the temperature of the dwelling and the hygrometry.

Automatic air cleaners

Air purifiers should not be on this list, but with the advent of automatic air purifiers, it is difficult to put them aside. These devices are usually recommended after a diagnosis has proven the presence of high levels of pollutants. The purifiers will then be used to clean up the air in the room.

The automatic models are switched on as soon as excessive air pollution is detected. They can therefore be used as CO2 detectors or air analysers, but with an immediate remediation function.

Paying attention to certain details

Even without the use of gadgets or a professional, you can personally check the air quality by looking at certain details. Brown or green stains on the ceiling and walls. Unpleasant smells and repeated allergic reactions of some inhabitants of the house. These are all details that can give an indication of a potential deterioration of the air quality.

Elisa

My name is Elisa. I make my own products at home and sell them to people who care about what they put in their homes. I love making candles, dishwashing products and laundry detergents. My favourite thing is when my house smells good! When I'm not spending time with my family, you can probably find me on Instagram looking for new DIY ideas to try. I love reading other bloggers' posts and getting inspiration from their ideas. I've learned a lot from other bloggers, and now I'd like to give back to them. If you fancy trying any of my DIY projects at home, feel free to steal them!