When it comes to indoor air quality, it is best to view air sampling as one piece of the puzzle.
In previous blogs we’ve talked about allergen and mold spores that exist in the air we breathe. And as uncomfortable as knowing that is, some have no reaction but there are some people who unfortunately are adversely affected by these air pollutants in Kingman, Kansas. Indoor air quality and air sampling may not always be the first solution thought of for what could be causing the health issues of someone, but it may become a viable option to finding out what is causing health issues.
WHAT EXACTLY IS AIR SAMPLING?
Air sampling is much like it sounds. It’s a process to determine what is in the air. There are several methods of air sampling that will help determine the number and type of organisms and particulates that are in the air of homes in Kingman, Kansas. Determining the results requires the sample be sent to a laboratory where the results will be examined by a scientist. Once the samples have been examined, a report is sent with the results. The report results can be interpreted by the indoor air quality professional who took the air samples. This is a very basic and general explanation of what air sampling is.
For example, if mold is the concern this typically involves forcing a known quantity of air through a sampler that pushes the air inside the home in Kingman, Kansas into a collection device, typically a Petri dish containing a growth medium for fungi. This growth medium allows fungal spores to grow. Other types of samplers collect spores in a trap where they can be counted but will not germinate and grow. The samples will then be sent to an analysis at a laboratory.
IT DOES GET MORE TECHNICAL THAN IT SOUNDS, THOUGH
No single device can measure every air pollutant because each air pollutant is different in Kingman, Kansas. Because each air pollutant is different, scientists have had to develop a wide range of equipment to measure air pollution. Among the many different collection methods, the basic collection methods include:
- Impaction samplers that use a calibrated air pump to impact spores onto a prepared microscope slide;
- Cassette samplers, which may be of the disposable or one-time-use type, and also employ forced air to impact spores onto a collection media; and
- Airborne-particle collectors that trap spores directly on a culture dish. These may be utilized to identify the species of mold that has been found.
Talking with an air sampling professional will help in deciding which air sampling should be done in Kingman, Kansas. After it has been decided which air sampling method will be used, it is time for setting up and performing the actual air sampling. The procedure may vary based on the type of air sampling being done and with which method is being done to take the sample.
For example, with mold or fungi one or two samples will be taken at the discretion of the inspector and client. Samples should be taken near the center of the room, with the collection device positioned 3 to 6 feet off the ground.
Ten minutes is an adequate amount of time for the air pump to run while taking samples, but this can be reduced to around five minutes if there is a concern that air movement from a lot of indoor activity could alter the results. Sampling should take place in livable spaces within the house in Kingman, Kansas under closed conditions in order to help stabilize the air and allow for reproducibility of the sampling and measurement. While the sample is being collected, windows and exterior doors should be kept shut other than for normal entry and exit from the home.
Then two outdoor air samples are also typically taken as a control for comparison to indoor samples. One from the windward side and one from the leeward side of the house in Kingman, Kansas will help provide a more complete picture of what is in the air that may be entering the house through windows and doors at times when they are open. The outdoor samples are taken as close together in time as possible to the indoor samples that they will be compared with at the laboratory.
AIR SAMPLING IS JUST ONE PART OF THE PUZZLE
When it comes to indoor air quality, it is best to view air sampling as one piece of the puzzle. The reason for this is mainly that air sampling results can be affected by outside factors such as weather and even the time of the day. It is very important to piece together what is going on if poor indoor air quality has become an issue. Air sampling can definitely be helpful in certain situations in determining what could be causing poor indoor air quality in a home in Kingman, Kansas.
If you or your family have been experiencing allergy-like, cold, or asthma symptoms with no explanation or reason, or if poor indoor air quality with musty smells are lingering, give us a call at FreshCo Cleaning and Restoration. We can help piece together what is causing the poor indoor air quality, thus bringing your indoor air quality issue to an end.
“This was the 2nd time we hired FreshCo to clean up mold. They do a great job! Very thorough.”
— Sheena T. in Wichita, Kansas
