INDOOR AIR SERVICES, INC.	P.O. Box 9013 Asheville, NC 28815 Phone: 1.888.333.6367 1.828.299.7103 Fax: 1.828.299.7133
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Testing Equipment & Materials: Basic Testing Procedures

Testing a home's indoor air quality involves different types of tests. Once the data has been established a plan of action can be developed. It can be likened to a puzzle. When all the pieces are separated little can be seen of what the final picture will be, but once the pieces are placed in their relative positions a picture is clearly formed.

Some of the testing that may be done will now be discussed. Generally speaking testing is done for contaminants below the size of 10 microns. These particles are respirable and can become lodged in the lungs. Any particle 10 microns or higher can be seen by the naked eye. Particles of the 10 micron and above are mostly caught by the mucus in the oral cavities and throat where they can be coughed up before reaching the lungs.

Particulate Counter
An instrument used to measure the amount of particulate (respirable particles) in the air of the home. A test will be done outside to determine what is in the ambient air and then in several areas in the home to determine if some areas are more contaminated than others.

Andersen Air Sampler
To find out what is floating around in the air inside the home, which we cannot see, the Andersen is used. This machine (see Visuals of Testing Equipment - photo 1) pulls air through a stage area at a rate of 23.6 liters per minute and impacts that air onto a culture plate which has been placed inside the stage (see Visuals of Testing Equipment - photo 2). This plate is then sent to the lab to be cultured at specific temperatures so that any fungi or bacteria which was in the air will grow and can be identified. The types of fungi identified in this testing procedure are called viable or living.

Different types of culture plates provide optimum growing conditions for different species of mold. (See Visuals of Testing Equipment - photo 5)

Zefon Pump
This second type of air sampling equipment is used to test for non-viable (dormant fungi) as well as any other particulates or spores in the air. It will pull air into a cassette (see Visuals of Testing Equipment - photo 4) which contains a sticky slide, and once the particulates in the air are impacted this slide can be removed and the particulates identified by microscope.

Q-Trak
The Q-Trak is for measuring carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and relative humidity (RH%) in the home. (See Visuals of Testing Equipment - photo 6)

Moisture Meter
Can detect high or low amounts of water or moisture in the building materials of the home. Mostly used when water damage must be determined.

Camera
Gives photographic evidence of water damage detected, as well as the condition of the air-conditioning or heating unit and the attached duct work. Photographs can also provide the householder with a record of problems uncovered. A visual aid along with a written explanation is much easier to understand.

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