AirMD has environmental testing experts located all across the state of Florida and in many other states as well, but the headquarters of our water and air testing company is in Boca Raton in South Florida. That means we are experts on humidity as well as on air quality!

You think we’re kidding? According to Time and Date.com, the average humidity in Boca Raton in August is 73%. Yesterday, we saw reports that it was 89% locally. 

What Is Humidity?

Humidity isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When you are talking about humidity, you are talking about atmospheric moisture, or the amount of water vapor in the air. You want to have some humidity. If the relative humidity of the air in your workplace or in your home is less than 30%, you are going to feel pretty uncomfortable.

The following are all signs that the air in your home or office might be too dry:

• You notice an increase in static electricity when you brush your hair, do the laundry or walk across the carpet.  
• You feel cooler than the temperature might suggest.
• The lining of your nose is irritated. You may even have nose bleeds.
• Your eyes are itchy and red. 
• And, of course, your skin feels very dry.

On the other hand, the following might indicate that there is too much humidity:

• The air feels thick.
• You feel even warmer than the temperature would suggest.
• You feel congested, have a runny nose or postnasal drip not associated with allergies or a cold. 
• You get dehydrated easily. 

Above and beyond mild discomfort or temporary symptoms, when the indoor air in your home or work environment is too humid on a consistent basis, there’s a good chance you will get mold. 

Maintaining a Healthy Environment

The experts at our air quality testing company recommend keeping the relative humidity in your home or office between 30% and 60% to maintain a healthy indoor environment and prevent the growth of mold.  
If you think you may already have mold, contact us for information regarding our mold testing services.

The post How Does Humidity Affect Air Quality? appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

For a while, AirMD’s headquarters in Boca Raton – as well as the homes and families of our air quality experts throughout Palm Beach County – were squarely within the projected path of Hurricane Dorian.

As you probably know, Hurricane Dorian ravaged the Bahamas. Dorian was a Category 5 storm, that means it had sustained winds of 157 mph or higher (sustained winds, not wind gusts), and it sat on top of the northern Bahamas for an unusually long time. Normally, hurricanes move through in an area at a rate of 10 to 35 mph. Dorian was parked on top of Grand Bahama and Abaco Island for 20 hours.

Not surprisingly, the storm inflected catastrophic damage on those two islands. You’ve probably seen the devastating images of homes and businesses flattened and heard the harrowing stories of survivors.

Hurricane Dorian is no longer in the headlines, but it’s going to take a very long time for The Bahamas to recover. And it’s going to take a lot of help.

How You Can Help

It was a close call, but once again, Florida was spared the wrath of a major storm. Maybe because it was such a close call – it’s less than 90 miles from West Palm Beach to Freeport in Grand Bahama – South Floridians are responding to the crisis with generosity and care.

There are so many needs and so many agencies involved, it can be hard to know where to donate your money or volunteer your time. If you would like to contribute to the relief efforts but aren’t sure where to give, Charity Navigator, which evaluates and rates nonprofit organizations, has put together a list of relief organizations that will be helping with the recovery efforts.

The highly rated organizations included in their list have pre-positioned resources to deliver food, emergency shelter, medical care, and other critical items to people in the Bahamas impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Charity Navigator has confirmed these charities’ efforts on the ground, so that you can support any of the 3- or 4-star charities they feature with confidence.

We are extremely grateful that all of our residential and commercial IAQ customers as well as the mold removal experts, asbestos inspectors, volatile organic compound specialists and all of the team members at our environmental testing company’s headquarters in Boca Raton did not have to experience the horrific damage we’re seeing in the Bahamas. We hope you and your family are safe and well, too. If there is anything we can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The post Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Mold is fungi that are often found both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors it is acceptable, but once mold finds its way indoors, your health and vitality can be compromised. There are common indoor molds that can easily grow within your home. These common molds are Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria.

Mold sensitivity is common among individuals. Those who have weakened immune systems and people who take any medicine to suppress the immune system are more likely to be affected by mold exposure.

Extended exposure to mold can result in asthmatic reactions, wheezing, red or itchy eyes, stuffy nose, and congestion. It’s important to note the signs and whether or not you have any reason to expect the presence of mold within your dwelling. If you have any reason to believe that there may be mold or someone in your home is suffering because of mold exposure, then mold testing is something you will need to investigate to guarantee the safety of your home and family.

Our mold testing at AirMD is perfect for residential and commercial properties who wish to seek out the presence of mold. We have a multi-phase process when it comes to our mold testing. The phases involve identifying if an issue(s) exist, identifying the source of the problem(s), determining how extensive the problem(s) is and providing recommendations on how best to address the problem(s).

You can call one of our AirMD consultants to speak about our mold testing and to schedule your appointment. Call 1-888-462-4763 or 1-888-Go-AIRMD. You can also look around our webpage to see what other services we offer.

Here is a list of some other services we offer:

• Allergens
• Asbestos testing
• Lead testing
• Mold testing
• Pesticide testing
• VOC testing
• Water testing
• Wellness testing
• Lead paint testing
• Lead testing
• Water quality

The post Why mold testing is important appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Temperature and humidity are two important parameters that affect thermal comfort, which in turn may cause potential problems to your indoor air quality.

Relative humidity levels below 25% are associated with increased discomfort and drying of the mucous membranes and skin. On the other end of the spectrum, high humidity levels (>60%) may result in condensation within the building structure and on interior or exterior surfaces. This may lead to the subsequent development of mold.

ASHRAE Standard 55-2009, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, presents guidelines that are intended to achieve thermal conditions that at least 80% of the occupants would find acceptable or comfortable. ASHRAE specifies a range between 25% and 60% as ideal.

Managing the relationship between temperature and humidity will control thermal comfort within the space and reduce the potential for the presence of biological contaminants including mold. Finding the right balance between the two is important. Mold contamination can cause health issues including respiratory problems, allergies, eye, nose and throat irritations. Indoor mold contamination in your home or workplace may be undetected until symptoms appear.

AirMD’s team of environmental consultants are equipped to assess whether or not your temperature and humidity levels are in harmony with each other for a healthier indoor quality environment.

On site, AirMD consultants will:

Determine if moisture is present in building materials;

Check for any evidence of high or low temperatures;

Check for local sources of heating or cooling;

Ensure that there is a balanced air distribution network;

Look for any obstruction of air circulation, among other key pieces of evidence.

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AirMD provides comprehensive environmental consulting nationwide.

Call us at 1-888-GO AIRMD with any of your indoor environmental questions and concerns, or to schedule an appointment with one of our consultants

For more information, please explore our website here at www.airmd.com

The post BALANCING TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

The results of poor indoor air quality not only cause health issues, but may adversely affect worker productivity. Furthermore, in some extreme cases, the threat of potential litigation from occupants and employees is a major concern for companies.

To create a healthier and more productive working environment for employees, we urge companies to integrate a system for continuous indoor air quality monitoring. At AirMD, our team of certified scientists has formulated a detailed IAQ Environmental Management System to educate business owners, building owners, and management about indoor environmental conditions and to reduce potential liability in commercial office spaces.

The benefits of implementing AirMD’s IAQ Environmental Management System include:

• Reduced likelihood of lawsuits
• Reduced potential for OSHA complaints
• Lower workmen’s compensation costs
• Reduced potential litigation costs
• Potential increase in property values
• Reduced absenteeism
• Increased worker productivity

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AirMD provides comprehensive environmental consulting nationwide.

Call us at 1-888-GO AIRMD with any of your indoor environmental questions and concerns, or to schedule an appointment with one of our consultants

For more information, please explore our website right here at www.airmd.com

The post Proactive Vs. Reactive appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

We’ve selected our TOP 10 quick and natural tips that you can easily start implementing. Turn these tips into good habits because being consistent is a must for improved and long-term good quality indoor air. Better yet, our tips are cost-effective so you don’t have to break the bank making your home environment safer and cleaner.

Besides these helpful tips, we recommend you get a detailed assessment of your current indoor living environment. Knowing the status of your environment will enable you to take the appropriate measures to improve your family’s health and quality of life. AirMD provides environmental consulting services and offers a Residential Evaluation to assess the overall condition of your indoor home environment. Testing can include measuring moisture levels, airborne particles, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), and much more. Our Residential Evaluation is a comprehensive first step toward creating a cleaner healthier home for your family. Upon completion of the analysis, AirMD’s team of scientists and experts will issue a written report enclosed with the test findings and recommendations.

Be INFORMED and PROACTIVE. Don’t wait, get started with our TOP 10 tips!

Tip 1: No smoking indoors. Tobacco smoke contains a plethora of indoor pollutants at high levels of concentration, so keep those cigarettes outside at all times.

Tip 2: Add greenery. 
Plants take the three most harmful indoor toxins and produce clean air. Some plants are natural purifiers, including Bamboo, Aloe Vera, Boston Fern, the English Ivy, and Garden Mums to name a few.This is a great solution for both at home and the office.

Tip 3: Clean your AC and dehumidifier frequently. Easy to forget, but these filters do need maintenance and upkeep. Also, make sure you are monitoring the humidity level on your dehumidifier so that it reads below 50% at all times. 

Tip 4: Remove carpets. They may add style to your interior living spaces, but carpets trap unhealthy particles.  If you can’t let go of your carpets, then vacuum often to keep them as pollutant-free as possible.

Tip 5: Get comfy and go barefoot. Shoes capture dust and dirt so take them off before entering your home. Plus, you’ll be more comfortable in your own home.

Tip 6: Wash your bedding in scorching water at least once a week. In doing so, you are reducing the exposure to allergens, including dust mites. It’s scary to think what could be creeping in our bedrooms, so use that washing machine and dryer as much as you can.

Tip 7: Air out your dry-cleaning. Dry-cleaning solvents are strong, hence toxic. To avoid bringing in the toxicity, let your clothes dry outside for a bit before hanging them up in your closet.

Tip 8: Look for products with “low VOCs.” Volatile organic compounds are found in many daily items we use, including cleaning and hair products, candles, and art supplies to name a few. Select low-emitting products with a third-party certified organization.

Tip 9: Cook with an open kitchen window. It’s always a good idea to have some natural ventilation flowing by opening windows to let the air in. Get into this habit by always cooking with an open kitchen window. 

Tip 10: Ventilate the bathroom. After you shower, ventilate the bathroom because the fans help reduce moisture.

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AirMD provides comprehensive environmental consulting nationwide.

Call us at 1-888-GO AIRMD with any of your indoor environmental questions and concerns, or to schedule an appointment with one of our consultants

For more information, please explore our website right here at www.airmd.com

The post Natural + Easy Tips for Improved Indoor Air Quality appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Apart from visibly damaging your interior living and working spaces, various reports have arisen in recent years linking the potential threat mold has on human health. Simply said, mold produces harmful toxic substances. These substances may be harmful to everyone, regardless of health status.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that symptoms may even occur in people with no mold allergies or other allergic tendencies. Symptoms include blocked nose, runny nose, itchy nose, itchy throat, and sneezing. Individuals with asthma will have their existing respiratory issues exacerbated and those with specific blood disorders could even experience fatal complications by breathing in moldy air.

Another big concern is our children. They are considered a sensitive group if exposed to mold inhalation as this could lead to the development of asthma and other respiratory problems.

AirMD, along with the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), call for immediate action in remediating the mold that is found in any indoor space. To insure the containment and prevention of mold growth in emergency situations, testing and remediation procedures should be activated within 48 hours of the cause. However, if you are not even aware of any water damage, but suspect mold growth due to a musty odor, you need to have mold testing and inspection completed as a first step to rectify the problem for improved indoor air quality.

AirMD provides comprehensive testing and consulting services customized for each and every case to determine the most effective solutions. An AirMD certified report identifying any mold related issues, the laboratory results and a detailed remediation protocol is sent within 3 business days.

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AirMD provides comprehensive environmental consulting nationwide.

Call us at 1-888-GO AIRMD with any of your indoor environmental questions and concerns, or to schedule an appointment with one of our consultants

For more information, please browse our website right here at www.airmd.com

The post Conquer Mold to Avoid Health Issues appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

It is imperative to rapidly take measures to ensure our children are healthy and that their growth is not negatively impacted, leading to near and long term issues.

Chemicals in the air, water, foods, and household products we intake daily are major causes for concern. The average American spends between 80 to 90 percent of their time indoors. However, most of us never think of what’s actually floating in the air that we breathe day in and day out. These toxic chemicals are invisible, making them easy to forget, but they are always lurking if nothing is done to mitigate them. Project TENDR has singled out specific pesticides, flame retardants, lead, phthalates, and combustion-related air pollutants.

AirMD provides environmental consulting services and offers a Residential Evaluation to assess the overall condition of your indoor home environment. Testing can include measuring moisture levels, airborne particles, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), and much more. Our Residential Evaluation is a comprehensive first step toward creating a cleaner healthier home for your family.  Upon completion of the analysis, AirMD’s team of scientists and experts will issue a written report enclosed with the test findings and recommendations on the effective methods to take to make sure your indoor quality environment is an ideal one for your children to thrive and be healthy. It’s time for us all to be INFORMED and PROACTIVE.

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AirMD provides comprehensive environmental consulting services nationwide. Call us at 1-888-GO AIRMD with any of your indoor environmental questions and concerns, or to schedule an appointment with one of our consultants

For more information, we invite you to please explore our website right here at www.airmd.com

The post Parents, Be Aware of the Invisible Dangers Lurking in Your Home appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Several weeks into the spring season and already people are enjoying warm weather and longer days of sunlight. The start of spring is also an excellent time to check the condition of a home or commercial property. Some basic preventive maintenance tasks performed now can help to ensure a property is in good condition and will provide a safe, healthy, environment for the months ahead.

Preparing a property for the upcoming hot summer temperatures can also help prevent costly repairs and increase the building’s energy efficiency. Equally important, these measures can help prevent indoor environmental issues associated with mold and moisture, indoor allergens, and other health and safety concerns.

The building science professionals at AirMD suggests the following recommendations for preparing a property for the spring and upcoming summer:

• Change filters in the HVAC system and have the air conditioner coils checked and cleaned by a qualified professional.  Also inspect the air ducts for the buildup of dust and debris.
• Clean outdoor air conditioning components and clear vegetation from around the area.
• Remove leaves and obstructions from gutters and downspouts and ensure water is draining away from the building.
• Check the siding for any damage or areas that moisture could enter.
• Check for any damage to the chimney, vents and roof, and be sure skylights are properly sealed.
• Check windows and doors for drafts and inspect and replace any worn weather stripping.
• Check and clean the clothes dryer vent and inspect the washing machine water supply hoses. Draining water heaters to remove sediment that may have built up.
• Check indoor and outdoor faucets for any leaks.
• Trim trees that could cause damage to the property with broken limbs.
• Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors and change out the batteries.
• Repair cracks in concrete, stucco or asphalt.

For those who suspect they may have indoor environmental issues in their home, school or work environment, the professionals at AirMD provide comprehensive indoor environmental quality assessments and testing services to identify and resolve problems in all categories of buildings.

To ask an AirMD scientist a question about this service please Click Here or to schedule an appointment call 1-888-462-4763 or 1-888-GO-AIRMD

The post Maintenance Tips for the Spring Season appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can cause lung cancer including a particular cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer found in the lining of the lungs, chest, heart and abdominal cavity. Asbestos can also cause a condition known as asbestosis. While not a cancer, asbestosis is a progressive disease of the lungs. Only a doctor can tell you if a health condition is the result of asbestos exposure. Be aware, however, that asbestos related diseases do not typically appear until about 20 years after asbestos exposure.

Why was asbestos used in homes and other buildings if it is dangerous?

Asbestos is extremely resistant to fire, which is why it was commonly used in building construction. It is also very lightweight and resistant to chemical corrosion. Builders and manufacturers stopped using asbestos when its potential health hazards became known. In Germany this occurred in the 1930’s, but the use of asbestos was widespread in the United States until the 1960’s.

Where in the home is asbestos found?

Asbestos can be found in insulation, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, shingles and siding. It was also used in some textured paints and in wraps used on pipes as well as in certain cement mixtures.

How do I know if there is asbestos in my home?

The only way to know if asbestos is present in your home is to have suspect materials tested or have an asbestos air quality test performed.

Must I have any asbestos I find removed?

No. Asbestos is only a danger if the asbestos fibers become airborne. This means that asbestos-containing tiles, insulation, shingles and other materials do not pose a health risk if they are in good condition and remain undisturbed. You need only worry about these materials if they are fraying, breaking or deteriorating in some way. An asbestos air quality test will tell you whether or not there is any dangerous airborne asbestos in your home.

If AirMD finds asbestos in my home’s air, will you remove it?

No. It is a conflict of interest for an environmental testing company to remove asbestos. A company that does both air testing and asbestos removal may be tempted to report air quality problems even where there are none in an effort to sell their services. Because we perform air quality testing only, you can trust the results you get from us.

To ask an AirMD scientist a question about this service please Click Here or to schedule an appointment call 1-888-462-4763 or 1-888-GO-AIRMD

The post FAQ’s About Asbestos in the Home appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.