New York Indoor Air Quality Solutions has years of experience working in this field and provides clients across Long Island, New York with an array of dependable services, including volatile organic compounds mold testing.
We are leaders for those looking for VOC testing and other air quality solutions out east and in the following areas: Hampton Bays, West Hampton, South Hampton, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Water Mill, Quogue and Amagansett. Get dependable results when you turn to our team of air quality experts.
What is Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Mold Testing?
The term VOC stands for “volatile organic compounds,” which are gases that are released from numerous products and building materials through a process called “off-gassing.” VOCs are often an overlooked aspect of indoor air quality testing. However, VOCs are responsible for a wide range of negative health effects for an individual. Here is a list of some of the common chemical contaminants found in buildings and homes:
- Formaldehyde
- Chlorocarbons
- Benzenes
- Methylene chloride
- Chlorofluorocarbons
- Xylene
- Perchloroethylene
With our volatile organic compounds mold testing, we will ably catch these dangerous particles and make your home or building safer to breath. Poor air quality goes a long way in damaging the health of an individual in ways that are not too clear.
Adverse Health Effects of VOCs
Since the term VOC is a general category of chemicals that may be produced during the off-gassing of building materials, determining the exact health effects of high volatile organic compounds is nearly impossible. But here is a list of some of the general symptoms that clients who are suffering from high VOC levels report:
- stuffy nose
- itchy eyes
- headaches
- nausea
- lethargy
- respiratory irritation
- frequent respiratory infections
So if you believe you are experiencing these symptoms and do not know why, it may be a wise decision to turn to New York Indoor Air Quality Solutions and ask about our various testing services available. Among our services includes mold testing and removal, air particle monitoring and black mold testing. Reach out to our office today to learn more about all of our air quality services.
When you reach out, we can discuss which air quality services are right for your situation.
How is Volatile Organic Compounds Mold Testing Completed?
In general, VOC testing is completed in one of two ways. The first is with the use of an onsite photo-ionizing detector (PID meter) to capture real-time VOC levels. The second way is through the use of sorbent tubes or air-capturing devices for lab analysis or summa canisters and regulators to target a wide variety of compounds.
Testing VOCs with an Onsite Photo-Ionizing Detector
A photo-ionizing detector uses a strong UV lamp and a specialty sensor that ionizes gases in the air and reports the total levels of volatile organic compounds. These meters can be extremely useful in creating a baseline value of the chemicals in the indoor air. This is often the choice of many qualified air inspectors when completing an indoor air quality inspection. Using the correct piece of equipment goes a long way in capturing accurate results and we make sure we are utilizing all of the tools at our disposal. Using a meter that only reads in parts per million for most general indoor air quality surveys is unlikely to provide useful information, as the levels of the VOCs in most occupied buildings is in the parts per billion. So not having the right tools can lead to having inaccurate results, which is detrimental to the inhabitants of the building or home.
Testing VOCs with Sorbent Tubes, Tedlar Bags, or Summa Canisters
When you need to quantify a specific chemical, the best way to get accurate and consistent readings is to actually capture the air. The exact methods for testing specific chemicals in the air are varied and depend on certain factors. As experiences air quality inspectors, we will analyze the situation and come up with a solution that works best. And we will determine the most cost-effective way that will still deliver accurate results.