Indoor Air Quality

Magnum Property Inspection, reports include digital photographs of our findings, our detailed lab analysis of air and surface sampling, and our recommendations for the level of remediation related to your indoor air quality issues as per the CCA728 standards of practice.

At Magnum Property Inspection we deliver a wide range of indoor air quality services that we tailor to fit your needs including:

• Mould Visual Inspections
• Air Quality Visual Inspections
• Dust/Allergen Sampling
• Airborne Mould Sampling
• Surface Mould Sampling
• Mould Identification, Remediation and Prevention
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Inspections
• Radon Gas Testing
• Professional Consultation
• Group Presentations

Indoor Air Quality

Whether at home, work, or play, North Americans increasingly spend our time inside buildings. In fact, many of us spend up to 90% of our time indoors. On any given day, we consume more air than we do food or water. Given this vast consumption, every effort should be made to protect the quality of that air.

Poor indoor air quality can affect us in a variety of ways. The effects of poor indoor air quality can often be seen in:

• Headaches, eye and skin irritations
• Allergic reactions from dust and pollen
• Fatigue, dizziness and nausea
• Asthma and other related respiratory infections
• Mild discomfort due to an unpleasant odour

The quality of the air we breathe continuously impacts our health and our enjoyment of life.

Indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor air. Studies suggest that a person’s ability to perform mental tasks requiring concentration, calculation or memory can be negatively impacted by air quality deficiencies. Some health issues may be evident following only limited exposure to “bad air”.

The Truth About Dust

No matter how hard we try, dust is just a fact of life. It can never be totally cleaned or eliminated. But where does it come from?

Many of these substances can produce allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Others may also provide food for insects, such as dust mites, which can also lead to negative health effects in some individuals.

Dust and dust mites commonly produce hay-fever like symptoms including congestion, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and fatigue. These allergens, especially those produced by dust mites, are among the most common triggers for asthma.

An air or dust sample can be analyzed to determine the nature of allergens present and be used to determine an appropriate solution to your dust/allergy related health issues.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs originate from organic chemicals that are commonly used throughout the home and workplace such as cleaning products, paints, and varnishes. Each of these products can emit VOC’s long after they are initially applied.

VOC’s can also be emitted, or offgassed from materials present in the home or workplace. Carpets, particle and press board, hardwood floors, and furniture can all offgas VOC’s for years after they are placed in the home.

They are often, but not always, aromatic – meaning that they have a noticeable odour. The smell or scent of a cleaning product, paint drying, or gasoline is actually you smelling the VOC’s emitted by these products.

Exposure to VOC’s can cause health symptoms which are similar to many allergic reactions. These include, but are not limited to:

VOC’s also react with nitrogen oxide present in the air and sunlight to form ground level ozone. Ground level ozone is a highly reactive gas that the EPA claims “affects the normal function of the lungs in many healthy humans”.

By measuring the quantity of VOC’s present in the air in your home or office it can be determined if there is any potential health risk, and if so, what the best method is to resolve the issue.

Moulds are a naturally-occurring type of fungal growth which can be found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Moulds will release tiny, reproductive spores that travel through the air and these spores can be inhaled by humans. Under normal conditions, mould exposure is not hazardous, however, left untreated certain environments will spawn situations of amplified mould growth leading to high levels of airborne spores. Depending on the type and volume, the inhalation of these spores in greater numbers can cause significant health problems such as:

• Headaches and trouble concentrating
• Allergic reactions
• Skin and eye irritations
• Fatigue, nausea and dizziness
• Shortness of breath, asthma and other respiratory illnesses
•Increased stress and mood swings

Amplified mould growth requires a source of moisture, a warm environment and a food source. Any pourous surface can be considered a food sources for mould growth. Leaves, paper, wood, glue, drywall, carpeting and fabrics are all prime examples of excellent food sources which would enable mould growth. Mould growth can be facilitated by moist environments which have been left unattended for as little as 48-72 hours. The environments can be created by foundation cracks and seepage, roof and eavestroughs leaks, flooding (broken pipes), poor ventilation or uncontrolled humidity.

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