How to Test Air Quality in the Home

The quality of the air you breathe can contribute to health problems like asthma and allergies. And it’s not just outdoor air quality that exposes us to pollutants. The World Health Organization (WHO) says 9 out of 10 people worldwide regularly breathe polluted air. And as many as 93% of children under 18 are living in environments with pollution concentrations that exceed WHO safe air quality guidelines.¹

You can't always control outdoor air quality, but you can ensure better health for your family by improving indoor air quality. That starts by identifying levels of indoor contaminants and finding ways to restore good air.

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Once you’ve gotten a readout on your baseline air quality, it may be helpful to track health symptoms for a few weeks. Try to see if you can align them to a particular area or a specific time of day. For instance, if you experience congestion and a headache only while at the office, your home air quality may not be the culprit.

The kinds of symptoms you’re experiencing may also provide clues about the source of the problem. Nausea and confusion track more closely to symptoms of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in the home. A scratchy throat or watery eyes are more often signs of an allergic reaction to potential pollutants.

Two of the most dangerous substances that can affect indoor air quality are carbon monoxide and radon. Carbon monoxide, often referred to as “the silent killer,” is an odorless, colorless gas that can build to dangerous levels in poorly ventilated areas.⁵

Because of the danger to pets, the elderly, and children, we recommend carbon monoxide monitoring on all levels of the home. Review our recommendations for the best carbon monoxide detectors to determine which one is the right fit for your family.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says long-term exposure to radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.⁴ If radon levels are detected in your home, you should seek out professional help immediately.

Some air purifiers promise to do fantastic things that are backed by dubious scientific-sounding terms. To avoid getting duped by fancy-sounding jargon, check out our guide to the best air purifiers for devices that make a difference in home air quality.

You'll also need to do a little bit of air purifier maintenance to keep your air quality in tip-top shape. Be ready to swap out the air filter once it gets clogged. Some models also come with a washable pre-filter that traps larger debris (like pet fur) and helps the other filter stay clean for a longer period. Learn more about how to clean air purifier filters. 

If you notice indoor air quality problems, you may scurry to do a few common sense things like duct cleaning and installing carbon monoxide detectors. But some indoor air quality problems, like the presence of mold spores or radon, can be more elusive and require professional help.

If you’ve recently remodeled, opened up walls to repair plumbing, or discovered mold growing in your home, your indoor air quality may be suffering. According to the United States Indoor Product Safety Commission, these are the most common complaints associated with indoor air quality problems:⁶

• Eyes, nose, or throat irritation
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

Asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever are also related to long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants. If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention and consider professional indoor air quality testing to identify potential sources of indoor air pollution.

• Best Air Quality Monitors
• How to Detect a Gas Leak in Your Home
• How to Test Water Quality at Home
• The Best Humidifiers
• The Complete Room-by-Room Safety Checklist
• Your Complete Guide to Lead Poisoning in the Home

1. World Health Organization, “9 Out of 10 People Worldwide Breathe Polluted Air, but More Countries Are Taking Action,” May 2018. Accessed November 9, 2021. 
2. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality.” Accessed November 9, 2021. 
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Indoor Air Quality “Introduction to Indoor Air Quality.” Accessed November 9, 2021.
4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Radon, “Health Risks of Radon.” Accessed November 9, 2021.
5. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. “Frequently Asked Questions,” July 1, 2021. Accessed November 9, 2021.
6. United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality.” Accessed November 9, 2021.