Did you know, indoor air pollution can be five times worse in the home than outside? There are as many as 900 toxins that pollute indoor air, including Volatile Organic Compounds, found in perfumes, hair spray, cleaning agents, dry cleaning fluid, paints, lacquers, varnishes; and Formaldehyde, found in gas stoves, MDF, carpets and other furniture products. We spend 90% of our time indoors, so getting the best indoor air quality is essential for good health.
In addition, homes with poor indoor air quality due to increased humidity can be breeding grounds for mould, which can worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions. Often householders are not aware that the health problems they are suffering, ranging from asthma, through to sore throats, bronchitis, skin rashes and irritation, allergies, red eyes, headaches, runny nose and nasal congestion – are as a direct result of the toxins in their indoor air. Long term exposure to toxins in the home has even been linked to diabetes, dementia, tachycardia and an increased risk of cancers. So what can be done about it?
Householders across the UK can now have their mind put at rest regarding indoor air quality as EnviroVent, one of the UK’s leading ventilation manufacturers, has linked up with social enterprise Airtopia, the indoor air testing specialists, to offer quick and easy Home Health checks.
The Airtopia Home Health check, available through EnviroVent, is an in-depth Indoor Air Quality Survey that can determine for sure whether a home has a problem. It only takes 90 minutes for an EnviroVent specialist to carry out the test, the results are then analysed in detail in the Airtopia laboratory. The unique Airtopia test will, for the first time, give property owners a detailed report and recommendations that relate to their own particular setting and lifestyle.
The Home Health Check will test:
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – the test reveals the overall levels of airborne chemicals, breaking them down into 16 individual contaminants with results and recommendations for each of them.
- Temperature, moisture & humidity – it tests the amount of water vapour in the air, which contributes to condensation, alongside levels of thermal comfort around the home.
- Carbon Dioxide – a gas naturally found in the atmosphere but is undesirable at higher levels.
- Formaldehyde – a colourless pungent gas used in building materials and many household products.
- Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds – which actively grow mould.
The householder then receives a detailed report on the air quality in their home, alongside advice, support and details of recommended solutions. Making use of the various recommendations given, the property owner can improve their home’s indoor air quality and potentially their family’s health too.
For any homeowner, self-builder, or landlord, EnviroVent has its own specialist team who will survey, recommend and then install ventilation products into an existing or new property.
Rebecca McLean, Marketing and Product Director, at EnviroVent, said: “We spend up to 90% of our time inside buildings, but many people do not realise that their indoor air quality could be doing them harm. Having a Home Health check means that you are made fully aware of any contaminants, toxins and excess moisture and then can seek help to deal with this and improve the home’s indoor air quality. The best way to improve or maintain good indoor air quality is to have a reliable ventilation system in the home.”
EnviroVent offers a range of extract fans, Positive Input Ventilation (PIV), as well as Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) solutions to the new build and refurbishment sectors. Its award winning products are UK manufactured and can be installed by EnviroVent’s own dedicated team of nationwide installation engineers, who also provide after-sales support.
EnviroVent & Airtopia’s Home Health Check, including detailed laboratory tests and a bespoke report, costs £299. To book a Home Health Check for your home call 0345 2727807 or visit envirovent.com/healthcheck.