You can use a 3M LeadCheck Swab (found at most hardware stores) to do this; be sure you swab any children's products and imported goods. Conduct a lead risk assessment by a certified inspector before any home remodel.
Repeated or prolonged exposure to high levels of some VOCs can cause blurred vision, headaches, nausea, dizziness, coughing, burning eyes, respiratory irritation, skin rashes, respiratory illness, concentration difficulties, and other symptoms.
Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.
Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea. Because many illnesses can cause these symptoms, diagnosing sick building syndrome is difficult.
An unsanitary living condition may exist if one of the following conditions is met: The living conditions inside a home put the health of the occupants at risk. The conditions inside a home endanger the well-being of a community. Foul odors from a house can be detected from neighboring properties.
There are many indoor air monitors available on the market, including the Airthings Wave Plus and the uHoo Smart Air Monitor. Alternatively, you can buy another type of smart device that has air quality monitoring functionality, such as a tech-enabled air purifier, smart thermostat or indoor home security camera.
Abuse within the toxic family can include: Physical abuse or violence. Verbal abuse such as name-calling or harsh criticism. Sexual abuse, such as inappropriate touching.
Lead testing is a quick and effective way to determine if your home is making you sick. Indoor Air Quality testing: Indoor air quality (IAQ) testing collects air samples from your home in an effort to determine what allergens, chemicals or other contaminates are circulating through the air in your home.
One method is surface testing, which involves collecting samples from visible mold growth or areas suspected of mold contamination. One popular option is the Healthful Home 5-Minute Mold Test, which includes swabs and test strips for quick detection of Stachybotrys and Penicillium/Aspergillus.
Bacteria Testing Kits
Commercially available kits can identify microorganisms on surfaces or in the air at your house. These kits are user-friendly and provide quick results, making them suitable for household use.
It irritates the nose and throat, which can lead to both sneezing and coughing as your body tries to get rid of the irritant. Inhaling mold spores can also trigger coughing in people with allergies or an asthma attack, for those with asthma.
Most often, a mold problem will be readily identified by a musty smell that becomes obvious in damp environments. Mold also likes to play hide and seek, so if you suspect there is a problem, then check under carpets, behind drywall, inside ductwork, in between bathroom tiles and in other moisture-prone areas.
Allergies, Irritations, or Respiratory Problems
One of the first (and most alarming) signs that your home has poor air quality is if you or your family experience an increase in allergies, irritations, or respiratory problems. These sudden changes can be caused by a variety of air contaminants, such as: Mold spores.
Average indoor air quality testing costs around $400, but can range from $250 to $550+. Testing specific pollutants can cost you $100 to $1,000+.
There are several low-to-no-cost steps you can take to improve the indoor air quality in your home based on three best practice strategies of: controlling the sources of pollution; insuring there is adequate ventilation; and, using supplemental air cleaning and filtration.
Kitchen. The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in most homes and also the dirtiest. All of the elements that encourage bacteria to grow—heat, moisture, and food—are readily available.
A condemned house or property is uninhabitable, which means it is unsafe for anyone to live in according to government standards. The criteria for habitability usually include access to clean water, electricity, and working sewage.
Unhealthy homes are often cold, damp and mouldy due to inadequate insulation, heating and ventilation. People who live in unhealthy homes have increased risk of contracting a range of serious and avoidable illnesses such as meningitis, rheumatic fever and pneumonia.