Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

Posted in Air Quality, on June 09, 2023

Good air quality at home starts with a mold inspection in Toronto. The air you breathe may not be safe just because it doesn’t smell, taste or feel wrong — and because we spend so much time indoors, our air environment may affect our health more than outdoor air quality. At SafeAir, we have over a decade of helping families and businesses with environmental assessments in Toronto. Our air quality testing services help you locate indoor pollution like mold spores, VOCs, radon gas, and more, leading to healthier, safer living environments. 

Factors the Worsen Indoor Air Quality

What causes poor indoor air quality at home? Many aspects of our daily lives can contribute to indoor pollution. Some of the most common ones the SafeAir team uncovers include:

• Mold growth and a high concentration of spores.
• Poor ventilation and airflow. 
• Chemicals from cleaning, perfumes, or renovations. 

Mold and Indoor Air Quality

One of the most common causes of indoor pollution and allergies is exposure to mold spores. Mold usually grows in homes because of excess moisture, like after a flood, a leak, or even daily activities like showering or washing. Our homes are also exposed to the elements and rain and snow that may cause moisture to leak and start a mold infestation. 

Mold commonly shows up on environmental assessments in Toronto because of spores. Mold spores are microscopic ‘seeds’ that the main mold body uses to reproduce. These seeds are very light and quickly become airborne, where they settle on our clothes and bodies and can be inhaled or land in the eyes, nose, and mouth. 

How to Assess Your Indoor Air Quality

Mold has a distinct musty odour that will often alert you to its presence, but that’s not always true. Some mold infestations may have no visible evidence or smell and are only detected during mold testing. 

SafeAir has performed professional, science-based mold testing in Toronto for over a decade. We take multiple air samples combined with a thorough indoor and outdoor assessment to investigate your home from top to bottom. An independent lab tests our samples, and we report our findings - and recommendations - to you. 

Other Factors That Harm Indoor Air Quality 

While a professional mold inspection in Toronto is the only way to accurately determine if your home is affected by mold growth, that’s not the only indoor air pollutant that SafeAir can test for. A generalized environmental assessment is helpful to determine whether you’ve been exposed to things like:

• Lead
• Asbestos
• Radon gas
• VOCs
• Carbon dioxide
• Formaldehyde

In addition, the architecture or location of your home may increase your risk. For example, being located in a floodplain will significantly increase your chance of basement flooding, a major risk factor in mold growth. Older homes may also have airflow issues or unique challenges caused by older building materials. An environmental assessment in Toronto can help you identify these risks and implement strategies to prevent them. 

Are you interested in protecting your home against mold growth?

Contact the SafeAir team today to assess your indoor air quality.