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How can I prevent IAQ problems before they happen?

Posted by Joel Silva on February 28, 2020

Every week we perform indoor air quality assessments for all different types of properties – residential, commercial, governmental, and industrial. By the time we are on-site, the occupant typically has some concerns that they believe are related to indoor air quality. Sometimes the occupant has a general sense of what the issue could be and other times the cause is less apparent. This blog post will cover common IAQ problems that may be occurring in your property and how you can prevent them from happening in the first place.

Posted by Jordan Thomas on February 25, 2020

Methamphetamine use may be perceived as a rural issue for many Chicagoans. However, Indoor Science has recently seen an uptick in calls about methamphetamine testing. In this blog, we will discuss the basics of Methamphetamine, the methodology for testing, and remediation solutions. Basics of Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant also known as meth, ice,

Posted by Dylan McIntosh on February 14, 2020

One of the first things clients ask when they book an appointment is, “when will I have the results?” Whether the project is a real estate transaction that is up against a looming inspection period deadline or a post-remediation project with eager homeowners who want to get back to their home, turnaround time is important

Posted by Scott Wieringa on February 7, 2020

Radon testing in a daycare center is important for knowing how safe the indoor environment is for the children. When you drop off your kids, the natural assumption is that the facility is safe. We presume that the workers are properly trained. We assume that all measures are in place to ensure the protection of

Posted by Joel Silva on January 31, 2020

As consumers, one major factor to consider when deciding which product or service to use is convenience. Often times, bundled services seem appealing because they eliminate the hassle of finding multiple companies. In the environmental field, that means the hassle of hiring a consultant to identify a problem and a contractor to fix the problem. Can’t I just hire one company that does both? It may seem as if you are saving money by having one company perform multiple functions because they may offer a free estimate and free inspection. While bundling services may seem like a no-brainer, one major problem is a conflict of interest. This blog post will highlight several reasons why it is important to hire an independent consultant to perform testing and a separate contractor to do remediation.

Posted by Jordan Thomas on January 24, 2020

In recent weeks, headlines have been dominated with news of wildfires, specifically in Australia. Wildfires can create a range of air quality contaminants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbon monoxide, etc. In this blog, we will discuss these air quality contaminants generated by wildfires and some of the

Posted by Dylan McIntosh on January 13, 2020

Does indoor air quality increase productivity in the workplace and reduce absenteeism in schools? Employers and administrators are constantly looking to improve productivity and test scores. We often get calls from office managers about IAQ issues, but there is often pushback from upper management because there is uncertainty regarding the financial benefit of improved indoor

Posted by Scott Wieringa on January 6, 2020

It’s wintertime! I don’t know about you, but in my family, a big part of the season usually involves gathering around the old fireplace and enjoying a crackling fire. That’s why today I want to talk about potential hazards of fireplaces and indoor air quality. Wood or Gas Fireplaces? First off, we need to emphasize

Posted by Joel Silva on December 30, 2019

Mold is an essential part of the natural world. It plays a crucial role in the decomposition process of organic materials. Mold spores can be found floating around in the air both outdoors and indoors. For most property owners, mold growth becomes a concern when it is visibly growing on a surface inside of their home. However, there seems to be a lot of confusion about where mold can grow. This blog post will talk about the different areas and materials where mold is commonly found indoors.

Posted by Jordan Thomas on December 19, 2019

During a typical home inspection, the inspector will evaluate the structure of the home, along with the conditions of walls, plumbing, HVAC systems, and

Posted by Dylan McIntosh on December 12, 2019

“I see mold in my house and I am worried all my belongings are contaminated. Do I need to throw everything out?” We receive questions like this a lot; this blog intends to help determine what situations call for what kind of actions. When people have mold and moisture issues they typically turn to the

Posted by Joel Silva on December 3, 2019

The holiday season is upon us, which means we spend more time indoors to stay out of the cold and to spend more time with family and loved ones. This also means more shared meals and enjoying Grandma’s cooking. The delicious odors that come from cooking are pleasant and enjoyed by all. However, this blog post will discuss the impacts that cooking has on indoor air quality and some recommendations to minimize its negative effects.

Posted by Scott Wieringa on November 25, 2019

On many projects that I have worked on throughout the years, I have been asked to evaluate a building for “Sick Building Syndrome”. Now, what is this syndrome? Is the building somehow sick? Not exactly. According to the EPA, sick building syndrome (or SBS) describes “situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort

Posted by Jordan Thomas on November 13, 2019

I’m sure you are familiar with asbestos, but did you know that there are different types of asbestos? In previous blogs, we discussed the basics of both chrysotile and crocidolite. Chrysotile is a serpentine based mineral which was the most common asbestos used. Crocidolite is a blue amphibole mineral more rarely used than chrysotile. These

Posted by Dylan McIntosh on November 7, 2019

You may have just finished up a major renovation project in your home or office and have been left with a huge amount of construction dust as an unwanted byproduct. Maybe you have seen news stories on the dangers of silica dust and worried “is it in my home?”. In this blog, I will go

Posted by Joel Silva on October 29, 2019

Are you feeling sick when you’re indoors? Do your symptoms vary depending on your location? Being in the indoor air quality industry we receive many calls from potential clients who fear that their indoor environment is making them ill. This blog post will discuss “sick building syndrome” and “building-related illness symptoms”.

Posted by Scott Wieringa on October 18, 2019

Recently I have been getting a number of assignments that involve issues with a crawl space. These projects are interesting because they’re not always easy to figure out; add to that the fact that you just never know what you are going to find in this dark and creepy area! Let’s take a look at

Posted by Jordan Thomas on October 10, 2019

Halloween season is finally upon us again. This is the season of haunted houses, horror films, and spooky costumes. While we attribute horror stories with supernatural entities such as vampires,

Posted by Dylan McIntosh on October 4, 2019

As the cooler temperature of autumn rolls in, many people can not wait to get the windows open and light up their favorite pumpkin pie scented candle. Candles can add a relaxing fragrance to your home, and are a huge business in the US. Estimates show that annual candle sales in the US approach $2

Posted by Joel Silva on September 30, 2019

Cost is oftentimes a top concern for potential clients. We understand that while you may have a pressing indoor air quality problem that you would like to resolve, your budget may not allow you to consider indoor air quality testing. We like to work with our clients to provide a quote based on the type

Posted by Scott Wieringa on September 24, 2019

If you are a regular reader to this website, I think you understand the importance of radon testing. It is a serious health issue and the second leading cause of lung cancer. “Should you have radon testing done?” is not the question per se; that is obvious. But for many, the next logical question becomes

Posted by Jordan Thomas on September 18, 2019

Last week, Americans across the country remembered the 18th anniversary of the attacks that occurred during 9/11. These attacks not only killed thousands of Americans in the initial strike but also created environmental conditions that continue to affect citizens exposed to the toxic dust of the World Trade Center collapse

Posted by Dylan McIntosh on September 6, 2019

Here in Chicago, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. Kids are going back to school, parks and beaches are closing, the days are getting shorter, and the summer heat is starting to fade. This changing of seasons means we are starting to spend more time indoors, which often means an uptick in indoor

Posted by Joel Silva on August 30, 2019

The team at Indoor Science performs hundreds of indoor air quality assessments per year, from commercial and residential to industrial. After doing a number of assessments, we begin to notice patterns and common questions. One common question being “why is my basement musty?”. This may seem like a simple question but there are many factors

Posted by Scott Wieringa on August 26, 2019

Researchers at Yale University and the University of Tulsa recently conducted a study to see if mold growth in one section of a house can affect other areas of the home. This is an interesting question, especially for people who have health issues which can be aggravated by mold growth. Can mold in one level

How can I prevent IAQ problems before they happen?

The Basics of Methamphetamine Testing

“When Can You Have the Results By?”

Illinois Daycare Centers and Radon

Three Reasons You Should Start with a Consultant

Wildfires & Air Quality

Can Indoor Air Quality Affect Productivity?

Fireplaces and Indoor Air Quality

Where Can I Find Mold Growth?

Should I Have An Asbestos Inspection During a Real Estate Transaction?

How Do I Know What Items I Can Keep After a Mold Issue?

Air Quality Impacted by Holiday Cooking

Sick Building Syndrome – Questions To Answer!

Featured Asbestos – Other Amphiboles

Should I Do Crystalline Silica Testing?

Can My Home Make Me Sick?

It came from the crawl space…

Tales from the Inspector: Environmental Horror Stories

Making “Scents” of Indoor Air Quality and Candles

What is the cost of air quality testing?

Radon Test Kit vs. Professional Inspection

Asbestos Sampling Post 9/11

How do I improve my indoor air quality? Fall Edition

Why is my basement musty?

Can mold growth in one location affect other areas?

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