Ottawa IAQ Testing, Mould Spores, VOCs, Formaldehyde, & Particulates

OTTAWA GENERAL IAQ TESTING SERVICES

Your home should be a sanctuary, not a source of invisible stress. Most air quality issues go unnoticed until they manifest as persistent headaches, respiratory issues, or fatigue.

Poor indoor air quality isn't just an inconvenience; it’s a potential health hazard. Chemical off-gassing, stagnant air and high humidity can create an indoor environment full of pollutants. So to ensure your indoor environment is healthy and hazard-free, OIES has developed a comprehensive 5-prong inspection approach that we can tailor to your specific property and that covers the following parameters:

✅ Certified Mold Inspection: A visual assessment by certified professionals targeting the areas where mold can thrive. We focus on identifying active moisture "hotspots" before they become structural nightmares.

✅ Thermal & Humidity Readings: We monitor the relationship between temperature and relative humidity to ensure your environment stays outside the "danger zone" for mold germination.

✅ Fine Dust & Allergen Screening (PM2.5): These microscopic particulates are small enough to enter your bloodstream through your lungs. We measure the invisible airborne debris that can exasperate asthma and fuel inflammation.

✅ Chemical Detection (TVOCs): "New house smell" is often just chemical off-gassing. We screen for Total Volatile Organic Compounds emitted by paints, treated furniture, and household cleaners that can cause "Sick Building Syndrome."

✅ Airflow Analysis: High carbon dioxide levels are a primary indicator of stagnant air. We verify if your space is "breathing" well enough to clear out pathogens and to maintain cognitive focus.

Mold Hazards

People exposed to mould and damp conditions are more likely to have eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing and mucous (phlegm) build-up, wheezing and shortness of breath, worsening of asthma symptoms, and other allergic reactions.

Some people are more susceptible to the effects of mould than others, and some airborne molds can cause severe lung infections in people with very weakened immune systems.

Health Canada recommends inspecting for conditions that lead to the growth of microbials to prevent mould growth and its reoccurrence.

PARTICULATE MATTER

The size of particles determines whether they can reach the lungs. Particles are measured in micrometres (μm). Fine particulate matter is a general term for small particles that measure less than 2.5 μm in size (PM2.5). Particles 2.5 μm and smaller can enter the lungs, which may affect health.

Exposure to outdoor has been established to have important adverse effects on human health. There is extensive evidence that short- and long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a variety of adverse health effects, including increased heart and lung problems.

VOC Hazards

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that are present in indoor and outdoor air. Formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, acetaldehyde, and naphthalene are all considered VOCs. Exposure to VOCs commonly found in indoor air may affect human health.

According to Health Canada, known health effects of exposure to elevated levels of VOCs include irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system, dizziness and fatigue, and exacerbation of respiratory conditions such as asthma.

"Setting higher professional standards because we believe that everyone deserves to live, work, and study in a healthy indoor environment, and that there is nothing is more important than having peace of mind."

INDOOR AIR QUALITY AN OVERVIEW

The term "indoor air quality" (IAQ), refers to the environmental conditions inside a building that may affect health, comfort, or performance. IAQ characteristics include the concentrations (amounts) of pollutants in the indoor air such as Volitile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Airborne Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Allergens (dust & pet dander), Mold, as well as air temperature and humidity. The rate of outdoor air supply to a building, i.e., the ventilation rate, is also treated as an IAQ condition because the ventilation rate has a strong influence on the concentration of many indoor air pollutants.

According to Health Canada, since Canadians spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, maintaining good IAQ is essential for long-term wellness. When people are indoors they are not only exposed to air pollutants generated by indoor sources, but also to air pollutants that enter the building with the outdoor air that is brought in by ventilation systems. Examples of indoor-generated air pollutants include gases and particles produced by molds and bacteria that grow indoors on damp surfaces, and VOCs such as Formaldehyde, which are emitted by building materials, paints, new furnishings, and some cleaning products. Car exhaust fumes and Ozone, a reactive gaseous constituent of outdoor air pollution, are examples of outdoor air pollutants that enter a building with the outdoor air that ventilation systems bring inside.

Poor IAQ can affect your comfort, health, work, and schoolwork performance. A broad range of negative health effects have been associated with indoor pollutant exposure. Some of them have been found to increase the risk of some cancers and other serious ailments. Allergies, asthma, the common cold, and influenza are also a common result of chronic indoor pollutant exposure. Compromised indoor air quality contributes to eye, nose, skin and throat irritations, coughs, wheezing, headaches, as well as fatigue. These symptoms are often associated with what is known as sick building syndrome (SBS), or building related symptoms (BRS).

Our General IAQ Diagnostic Assessment provides a deep-dive analysis into the health of your living space, moving beyond simple particle counts to a more accurate broad contaminant data-based investigative approach.

So don’t wait, make sure your indoor living space is safe for you and your family! Call (613)366-5226 to book an appointment today.

Our Ottawa ON Services Include:

Ottawa Mold Air Testing, IAQ Assessments, Asbestos Testing, Asbestos Surveys, Pre-Renovation Hazardous Materials Reports, Designated Substances Surveys (DSS), Designated Substances Reports (DSR), VOC Testing, Mold Inspections, Mold Assessments, Remedial Action Plan Drafting, Scope of Work Drafting, and Lead Testing.