HealthGoods

The EnviroCheck Indoor Air Quality Home Test is designed as a preliminary screening tool. This test measures the quality of the air at the time of the test. It should give you a good indication of the quality of your indoor environment and help you to determine if your home should be investigated more thoroughly by a trained indoor air quality professional. Good sources for finding a professional air quality specialist are your local city, regional or state Board of Health department or the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

Indoor Pollutants Tested

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - A colorless, odorless gas most commonly generated by respiration, cooking, heating systems and wood stoves. High levels of CO2 may cause headaches, fatigue, eye, nose and throat irritation.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) - A colorless, odorless, highly toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon based material. Common sources include automobile exhaust, cigarette smoke, kerosene heaters, furnaces and gas water heaters. Low concentrations of CO can cause fatigue and chest pain. High concentrations can cause headaches, nausea, impaired vision and coordination, flu like symptoms and in severe exposure, death.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) - A colorless, highly poisonous gas that is a by-product of combustion. Sources include furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, gas appliances. Can cause severe irritation of the throat, nasal passages and upper respiratory tract. High level exposure over long durations is very dangerous.

Formaldehyde (HCHO) - A colorless, pungent gas found in wood building materials, plastics, personal care products, textiles, carpets, paint, cleaning products and adhesives. This gas may cause burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, nasal and upper respiratory tract irritation, wheezing, fatigue, skin rash, severe allergic reaction and difficulty breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans.

Mold, Bacteria, Yeast and Fungus - Mold is a furry growth on the surface of organic matter caused by fungi, especially in the presence of dampness or decaying matter. Yeast is a cluster of minute, fermenting fungi that produce gas. Mold yeast and fungi can cause allergic reactions such as runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and upper respiratory discomfort. Severely allergic individuals can have trouble breathing. Prolonged exposure can contribute to allergy development. Severe exposure can include symptoms of dizziness, lethargy, fever, digestive problems and influenza.

Testing Procedure

	STEP ONE - Except for normal traffic, ensure that all doors and windows remain closed for 24 hours prior to the test. Try to replicate the indoor environment as it is at the height of the heating or air-conditioning seasons.
	STEP TWO - For homes with forced air systems or central air-conditioning, run the system or system fan/blower for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes turn the system or system fan/blower off. Select rooms that are heavily used of particular concern. Write down the the room location, time and date on the bottom of the Petri dish.
	STEP THREE (for forced air systems or central air conditioning) - Open each bioaerosol plate and place the open face with the jelly-like substance against the heating/air-conditioning supply vents called diffusers. Secure with tape. Turn the system fan back on and expose the plates for 15 minutes with fan running continuously.
	STEP THREE (for electric, water, steam or other heating system) - Open each bioaerosol plate and place on the floor in the center of the selected room with the open face up for at least 60 minutes. Use a room fan to help circulate the room air in the space being tested. Note: using the test in this method will indicate if mold/bacteria is present, the longer the air exposure, the greater the opportunity for mold/bacteria capture and representative colony growth. The standardization colony growth charts for testing in this manner become less accurate at indicating a problem.
	STEP FOUR - After the test period has ended, remove the bioaerosol plates and replace lid. Secure lid with household tape around the perimeter of the petri dish to seal it. With lids facing down, store the plates at room temperature in a dry, dark location, such as a kitchen cabinet, for 3 days.
	STEP FIVE - Remove the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) tube on the left side of the holder. Break off the top of the CO2 dosimeter tube at the creased breakpoint. Place it back in the holder with the open end up and the scale facing forward. Repeat this procedure with the remaining dosimeter tests.
	STEP SIX - Once all of the dosimeter tubes have been replaced in the holder, fold the lid of the holder over to form an easel. Place holder upright in a well used or common area of your home. Let the tubes remain untouched for 10 hrs.

Analyzing the Results

Dosimeter Tubes

After 10 hrs. have expired evaluate the dosimeter tube readings. Analyzing the results of your dosimeter tubes are as easy as reading a thermometer. As the dosimeter tubes sample the air, they begin to change color from the open end down. Colors vary depending on the the particular test.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - Light Red to Yellow Carbon Monoxide (CO) - Slight Yellow to Brown Formaldehyde (HCHO) - Light Yellow to Reddish Brown Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) - White to Yellow

Note: The Carbon Monoxide, Formaldehyde and Nitrogen Dioxide dosimeter tubes are basically white and the Formaldehyde dosimeter tube has an yellow/orange section at the base of the tube. These dosimeter tubes only display color along the side of the tube with the calibration marks and will not show color completely around the entire tube. The Carbon Dioxide dosimeter tube, which is completely colored, will show overall color change around the tube.

Determine the line at which the color change stops and note the corresponding value on the scale as precisely as possible. Compare your results with the Indoor Air Quality Guidelines and the visual chart.

Mold, Bacteria, Yeast and Fungus Bioaerosol Plates

Microbial Tests - Petri dish with teal color label should be stored at room temperature in a dark location for 5-7 days.

Bacteria Tests - Petri dish with red label should be stored at room temperature in a dark location for 24-48 hours.

After the recommended time period has expired, remove the bioaerosol dishes and evaluate the results. Count the number of distinct mold, yeast or fungus colonies growing on the jelly-like substance in the plate. Compare the results with the guidelines provided to evaluate the levels of mold, yeast and fungus detected during the test.