When AirMD’s consultants conduct residential indoor air quality testing, one of the things we are always testing for is VOCs – volatile organic compounds.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn how prevalent VOCs are. Others are surprised to learn about the risk these compounds present.

What are volatile organic compounds?

As the American Lung Association explains, “Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are gases that are emitted into the air from products or processes. Some are harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer. In addition, they can react with other gases and form other air pollutants after they are in the air.”

What threats do VOCs present to you and your family?

With “organic” as their middle name, volatile organic compounds may not sound very dangerous. We are accustomed to think of anything that is organic as being good for us. But that is definitely not the case when it comes to VOCs.

“Breathing VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, can cause difficulty breathing and nausea, and can damage the central nervous system as well as other organs,” the American Lung Association reports. “Some VOCs can cause cancer.”

How do VOCs get into your home?

Volatile organic compounds may be produced by the materials used to build and furnish your house. Common sources include:

• Paints, stains and varnishes
• Caulk
• Adhesives
• Flooring
• Carpeting
• Products made from pressed wood
• Furniture

VOCs can also be found in a variety of cleaning and maintenance products you have around the house, ranging from household cleaning products to air fresheners, cosmetics and deodorants.

Other sources of volatile organic compounds may include:

• Your dry cleaning
• Home office printers
• Tobacco smoke
• Glue, permanent markers and other crafting supplies
• Fuel oil and gasoline
• Wood burning stoves and fireplaces

If you have questions or concerns regarding the presence of potentially hazardous volatile organic compounds in your home or business or would like more information about VOC testing, please contact the environmental testing scientists at AirMD. Or to schedule an appointment call 1-888-462-4763 or 1-888-GO-AIRMD.

The post What Are VOCs and Why Should You Be Concerned About Them? appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Have you ever wondered what our talented AirMD environmental testing experts do when they’re using their skills to conduct tests for asbestos, water quality testing, VOC testing or mold inspections? We may be science geeks, but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy hopping on a bike, enjoying a nice dinner on the town or catching a movie.

We do have one asbestos tester who is into apiculture, which is a fancy way of saying that he likes to keep bees. And he would like us to wish all of you a very happy National Honey Month.

What’s the Buzz?

Lots of people don’t like bees, which is really a shame. Honeybees are among the hardest working and most needed creatures on the planet. About a third of the food on your typical dinner plate couldn’t be produced without the pollinating efforts of bees.

But, while not everyone is interested in beekeeping, just about everyone is interested in the honey these busy little buzzers produce.

Honey not only tastes delicious, it offers a number of benefits, including:

• Honey is a source of vitamins, minerals and amino acids in honey. The National Honey Board also says that honey contains antioxidants as well as flavonoids and phenolic acids that act as antioxidants. “The amount and type of these compounds depend largely on the floral source,” the Honey Board says.
• Honey gives you energy. There are 17 grams of carbohydrates in a single tablespoon of honey. Those carbs provide the fuel you body needs.
• Honey makes you feel better. For centuries, people have been turning to honey when they have a cold. Research backs up this timeless wisdom. According to the National Honey Board, “Honey offers an effective and natural alternative to over-the-counter cough medicine. Though time is the most important healer of a sore throat, a spoonful of honey can help relieve the irritation,” they say.

In addition to being National Honey Month, September also happens to be the height of fall allergy season. Allergy sufferers may be disappointed to learn that the overlap is nothing more than a coincidence.

As the health experts at the Mayo Clinic tell us, there is no research to show that honey will ease your allergies. “The idea isn’t so far-fetched, though,” James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. “Honey has been studied as a cough suppressant and may have anti-inflammatory effects.”

If you have questions about the health benefits of honey, check with your doctor. And if you have questions about testing the indoor air quality of your home or office, contact the environmental testing experts at AirMD.

The post Happy Honey Month! appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

This time of year can be a challenge for allergy sufferers as ragweed, mold and other irritants fill the air. Of course, the fall allergy season this year, as the environmental testing pros at AirMD point out, will be more challenging than most.

Have you been out at the grocery store and looked askance at someone who sneezed? No one can blame you for wondering and worrying about the army of respiratory droplets infected with Covid-19 that might have just been released into the air.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, on the other hand, you might have been the person getting all the dirty looks when you sniffle or sneeze. Maybe you’ve even wondered if your symptoms are attributable to something other than your usual fall allergies.

Are your allergies acting up – or is it something else?

The Allergy and Asthma Network offers advice on how to tell the difference between allergies and Covid-19. “Some COVID-19 and fall allergy symptoms overlap, such as cough and shortness of breath,” they say. “But a primary symptom of COVID-19 is a fever of 100.4 or higher. Fever is not a symptom of allergies.”

If you are suffering from a tightness in your chest, a cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, your symptoms could be attributable to fall allergies, Covid-19 or the flu.

If you are suffering from seasonal allergies, you may also experience the following symptoms:

• Sniffling and sneezing
• Itchy nose
• Sinus congestion
• Scratchy throat
• Red, itchy, irritated eyes

Likewise, there are particular symptoms – like a loss of taste and/or smell – that will indicate that you have Covid-19. If you are in doubt, see your doctor or arrange to have a covid-19 test.

Common triggers for fall allergies include ragweed and mold. If you notice your symptoms are better or worse in particular settings, that might also be a clue as to the cause of your symptoms.

And, if you notice that your symptoms flare up when you are at home or work, you may be interested in the allergy testing services, mold inspections or other environmental testing services offered by AirMD. Call us at 888-462-4763 for more information.

The post Fall Allergy Season Meets the Pandemic appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

The experts agree – this year we can expect an above-average hurricane season. And the environmental testing experts at AirMD agree, with above-average hurricane activity you can expect above-average mold growth. So, when you are putting together your Hurricane Preparedness Plan, make sure you have plenty of water, batteries, flashlights and the knowledge of who to call if you need a mold inspection.

When the six-month Atlantic Hurricane Season officially began on Tuesday, June 1, the first storm of the season – Tropical Storm Ana – had already come and gone.

What to Expect for Hurricane Season 2021:

• Forecasters from the renowned Colorado State University’s Tropical Weather & Climate Research Center predict a total of 17 named storms – eight of which they expect to become hurricanes. An average season
• The scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting as many as 20 named storms could develop. They are forecasting that 10 of them will become hurricanes, including three to five major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher, with wind speeds topping 110 miles per hour).

While they may not all agree on the exact number of storms you can expect this year, the experts are all in agreement that we are in for a very active storm season. As Matthew Rosencrans, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, told USA Today, “Predicted warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds and an enhanced West African monsoon will likely be factors in this year’s overall activity.”

And those factors will not only fuel the development of tropical systems in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, but they will also fuel the strength of those storms.

The health and safety of you and your family – including the furry, four-legged members of the family – should be your primary concern when it comes to making your hurricane plan and, in the event that your community is hit by one of the many storms predicted to form, when it comes to recovering in the wake of a hurricane.

If you find you will need to file an insurance claim, you may need to schedule a mold inspection. The environmental testing experts at AirMD have lots of experience dealing with the insurance companies. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact us.

The post Welcome to Hurricane Season 2021 appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Environmental testing is usually a time-sensitive matter. Whether you need water quality testing, an indoor air quality test or, perhaps, a mold inspection, chances are that you are not calling on a whim. you need to know if you have a problem sooner rather than later.

When an emergency – like a hurricane or flood – hits your business, you need to get back up and running as fast as you can. As they say, time is money.

You could take your chances, or you could plan ahead and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that, in the event of an emergency, the professional help you need to get your business back up and running will be there.

With the Emergency Response Services Program from AirMD, you won’t be told that we are just too busy to help you.

Urgent Environmental Testing & Inspection Services

In the event of an emergency – like a hurricane or a flood – the chances are high that your business won’t be the only one affected. People from organizations large and small will be frantically trying to get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

For many, environmental testing and inspections will be among the first steps that need to be taken.

The Emergency Response Services Program from AirMD ensures that you will have prompt access to environmental testing and related inspection services when disaster strikes.

Additional benefits of the program include:

• You will receive an independent, third-party assessment that presents a clear picture of the situation.
• Hazards that are present – or that could develop – are identified.
• We will also provide you with a written plan that shows, step by step, how to remediate the problem.
• You gain the assistance of professionals who have extensive experience working with insurance companies.

For more information about the Emergency Response Program available to AirMD’s Environmental Management System customers, contact us online or call 1-888-462-4763 or 1-888-GO-AIRMD. Our water quality testing pros as well as our indoor air quality testing experts know that every hour your business spends waiting for environmental testing to be conducted is costing your business money.

The post When You Need Environmental Testing Services Urgently appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Our environmental testing experts in South Florida start to get a lot of calls for mold inspections this time of year.

May is the official start of the rainy season in the region and, on June 1, the 2021 hurricane season officially begins. Unofficially, the humidity levels usually start to climb upwards this time of year. And all that moisture provides the perfect breeding ground for mold.

As the Environmental Protection Agency says in their Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, “The key to mold control is moisture control.”

Do You Need a Mold Test?

“Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but,” as the EPA explains, “indoors, mold growth should be avoided.”

Unfortunately, that can be easier said than done.

“Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture,” the EPA says.

The prognosticators at Colorado State University’s Tropical Weather and Climate Research department have issued their very first forecast for the 2021 hurricane season. It looks like it’s going to be a busy season, folks.

The Colorado State University Seasonal Hurricane Forecast for 2021 indicates that we can expect above-normal activity, with a total of:

• 17 Named Storms
• 8 Hurricanes
• And 4 Major Hurricanes (that’s a storm that is Category 3 or higher)

It doesn’t take a direct hit from a Category 3 storm to make mold a problem in your home. The humid, damp conditions associated with summer in South Florida increases the chances that you will find mold growing in your home or business.

If you see or suspect that mold has begun to spread, you may want to invest in a mold inspection. Mold testing will help you identify any problem areas and our environmental testing pros can help you understand the problem and suggest steps you should take to remediate it. If you need help navigating this situation, please feel free to contact us.

The post Mold Is in the Forecast for Hurricane Season appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

One of our favorite types of projects here at AirMD, a highly respected science-backed environmental testing agency, is conducting the various indoor air quality tests required for a building to gain LEED certification, including things like formaldehyde testing and testing for volatile organic compounds.

What Is LEED Certification?

LEED is an acronym that stands for:

• Leadership in
• Energy and
• Environmental
• Design

And, as the U.S. Green Building Council explains, “LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.”

To earn LEED certification, a new building must be able to demonstrate that the way it is constructed will help the environment, enhance energy efficiency and improve indoor environmental quality. Each building is rated is six different categories.

Why Would You Want LEED Certification?

There are definite advantages to having LEED certification, including:

• Economic benefits and the competitive edge gained by a variety of things such as an enhanced ability to attract tenants
• Meet ESG goals and maximize efficiency while decreasing operational costs and increasing the value of your property
• Health benefits from the improved indoor environmental quality and reduction in pollution and toxins in the air.

LEED certification tells the world that you believe that buildings can create a healthier, more sustainable future. It tells people that you believe that green building practices are things that are worth investing in. And, whether you are talking about new residential or commercial construction or upgrades or add-ons to existing structures, LEED certification means that the conditions in that building will be healthier and more sustainable.

“Green buildings are the foundation of something bigger: helping people, and the communities and cities they reside in—safely, healthily, and sustainably thrive,” the folks at the U.S. Green Building Council say.

If you would like more information about LEED Certification or about the indoor air quality testing required to earn certification, please call us at 1-888-GO-AIRMD (1-888-462-4763).

The post Will Your New Building be LEED Certified? appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Asbestos testing is serious business (which is not to say that volatile organic testing or mold inspections aren’t). Asbestos has been linked to cancer. Its use has been banned in more than 50 countries. In the United States, it is strictly regulated, but, as long as it accounts for less than 1% of the product, it is still being used in a large number of consumer products.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue covering almost all of your internal organs. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs and can cause shortness of breath and pain when coughing, among a number of other symptoms. There is no cure.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral that can be found in nature. It became popular in manufacturing because of its heat-resistant properties. And, because asbestos was cheap, it was widely used, not only in manufacturing but also in heavy industry and things like construction and shipbuilding.

According to the Mesothelioma Center, “For most of the 20th century, asbestos was a primary component in almost all types of insulation. No device was too big to insulate with asbestos — or too small.”

How Did Asbestos Get into Our Homes?

“Historically, most asbestos exposure has occurred on the job. Asbestos miners and factory workers who handled raw asbestos on a regular basis have suffered the worst health consequences,” the Mesothelioma Center says. “However, asbestos-containing consumer products have extended the risk of exposure to people from all walks of life.”

Here in the United States, we love our gadgets, right? Well, following World War II, when more and more of those gadgets were coming to market, asbestos was being used for insulation. As long as the products that contained asbestos remained intact, there was no concern, but if they were damaged or broken, the risk of contamination was there.

Some of the many products that contained asbestos insulation included:

• Ovens and stoves
• Toasters
• Coffee pots
• Baby bottle warmers
• Popcorn poppers
• Dishwashers
• Washing machines and dryers
• Ironing boards
• Curling irons
• And get this, according to the Mesothelioma Center, “Fluffed chrysotile — commonly known as white asbestos — was once sold as fake snow for Christmas decorations.”

If you think your home or workplace might be in need of an asbestos inspection, please don’t delay. Contact our environmental testing experts – or another qualified asbestos testing company – with your questions and concerns as soon as possible.

The post What Is Asbestos and How Did It Get into Our Homes? appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Like many businesses, our indoor environmental testing company was forced to stop operations when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the country into lockdown. We were able to weather the storm and are proud to report that we are back at work and busier than ever, performing indoor air quality tests and water quality testing in a wide range of locations across the country.

We have been testing for mold and volatile organic compounds and performing a variety of other indoor air quality tests. We have been testing water quality to protect against exposure to lead and other harmful toxins. And there are thousands more tests waiting to be conducted.

In other words, we are fortunate to be in an industry that is ripe with opportunity. By introducing our “Employ America” Affiliate Program we are hoping to share those opportunities.

No Fee Affiliate Program

Unlike franchise models, our Affiliate Program does not require any fees or royalties. The model is based on our core environmental testing business, which began operations in Boca Raton, Florida, in 2007.

“At this critical time, we wanted to give people the opportunity to start a business without the typical costs,” says Simon Hahessy, AirMD’s founder. “Our Affiliate model can’t be compared to any franchise. The accreditation, the tools and classroom training, the reputation are all there for an affiliate to succeed. AirMD is truly a partner with the Affiliate. We only profit when Affiliates profit, which is what makes our NO FEE structure so unique.”

Are you one of the millions of Americans who made a career pivot during the pandemic? Or maybe you’ve been thinking about starting a new chapter to provide better financial stability for your family. There are also lots of folks who have realized that they really enjoy working more independently and are considering striking out on their own in lieu of returning to an overly structure workplace. Are you one of them?

The pandemic has been so hard on so many. But now that there is light at the end of the this long, dismal tunnel thanks to the increasing availability of Covid-19 vaccines, it might be the right time to start thinking about what comes next.

If you would like more information about our Affiliate program, please contact our Business Development Manager at franchise@airmd.com or call 602-718-3269.

The post AirMD’s Environmental Affiliate Program appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

When you hear the environmental testing experts at AirMD talking about dangerous exposure to heavy metal, we’re not talking about a bad Metallica tribute band. (Although, that could be pretty toxic, too, and could definitely hurt your ears.)

No, when we talk about heavy metals, we are referring to actual metals that can have a negative impact on your health. Some of the most common ways that you might be exposed to toxic heavy metals are:

• Through your water system, especially if you have lead pipes
• Through the food that you eat, such as fish contaminated with mercury
• By inhaling toxic dust particles or fumes
• At your place of employment
• Exposure to the lead paint that is often found in older homes
• Consuming herbal supplements containing heavy metals

What Are Heavy Metals?

Heavy metals in and of themselves aren’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, as the health experts at WebMD say, “We need small amounts of some of them, such as copper and iron, to keep our bodies healthy.”

The problem arises when you are exposed to unhealthy levels of these substances. “Heavy metals, like arsenic, lead, mercury, and others, are all around us. They’re in the ground we walk on, in the water we drink, and in the products we use every day,” WebMD’s experts explain. “But high levels of most heavy metals can cause health problems.”

The heavy metals you are most likely to come in contact with include:

• Arsenic
• Cadmium
• Copper
• Iron
• Lead
• Mercury
• Zinc

Signs and Symptoms of Heavy Metal Poisoning

The signs of chronic metal poisoning develop slowly as you are exposed to a heavy metal over time. As the harmful substance gradually builds up in your system, you may experience a wide variety of symptoms including:

• Body aches
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Skin problems
• Constipation and other gastric problems

“Drinking water with lead in it can lead to cognitive problems and slower development in kids,” WebMD cautions. “Infants who drink formula mixed with tap water are at especially high risk if their drinking water is contaminated.”

If you have questions or concerns about possible heavy metal exposure, please feel free to ask an AirMD specialist a question. You can also call us at 1 888 462 4763 (1 888 GO AIRMD).

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