Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing

How we can help if you are concerned with your indoor air quality:

We will start by doing a detailed assessment of your indoor air quality with a variety of tests specifically to you and to address the suspicions you might have.

Whether it is related to Ministry compliance, an environmental assessment or you just want to know your air quality, we can help.

Our methods provide a scientific measurement and not a guess and after speaking with you we can recommend the type of testing you need to specifically address your needs.

We will then show up at your home or office and do a complete indoor assessment of the indoor air quality.

Once we do this test, you will know exactly what is in the air you are breathing!

Nothing can hide; we can find it even if it is behind your walls.It’s simple and it does not take very long.

Upon Lab results, you will receive our detailed interpretation report with the conclusion, the possible problem areas and how to solve the issue if need be.

On the bottom of this page are the tests we can perform.

What is Indoor air quality ?

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is the name which refers to the air quality inside and outside our homes and buildings, importantly as it relates to the health and comfort of all of us. Air Quality can be affected by many pollutants like gases, carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds, particulates, microbial contaminants like mold or bacteria. it can also include mass or energy stressor that can induce adverse health conditions.

What can the indoor air quality testing detect?

Our Toronto indoor air quality testing services include the Analysis and Report of fungi (mold), bacteria (legionella, e. coli, salmonella, listeria…etc),  mycotoxins, endotoxins, allergens, pollen, radon and particulates in the air, swab, water, soil, asbestos, bulk, dust, wipe, food and consumer products.

The effect of Mold on Air Quality

Who needs IAQ testing in Toronto?

Indoor air quality testing is recommended if:

1. If you need to comply with regulations or City ordinance.
2. If you are suffering of health issues on a particular place only and not everywhere else.
3. If you purchased a former grow op home.
4. If you suspect of hidden mold, smell it but can’t see it.
5. If your new home inspection found mold and you want check other areas.

How much does it cost for air quality testing in Toronto?

Testing for indoor air quality in Toronto pricing can vary depending on the testing requirements. a basic homeowners package will cost $400 and will include air testing of key concern areas including thermal imaging, voc readings and detailed report with solutions and direction to take if need be.

I smell a musty odour do I need an air test?

The best way to identify an odour is by testing the air, based on the results of the tested air we can determine the source and provide a solution.

How long does air quality testing take?

The average time when testing for mold is about an hour, however more complicated testing for other sources can be from a few hours to days.

I see mold do I need to test the air?

No, our guidelines indicate there is no need to test if mold is already visible. It is just going to confirm you what you already see. Removal is required regardless of the species and possibly under professional remediation if large areas are contaminated (more than 10 sq.feet) For peace of mind you might want to test after the mold removal is complete.

I found mold is it everywhere? is everything contaminated?

No, probably not unless all items were also wet or dusty. while spores can travel and spread they need a food source and enough moisture for several days. Of course is always good practice to wash clothes and any other items that were present in the area where mold was found. Mold spores will always travel to the food source and moisture area where they are decomposing. Mold can NOT decompose non organic materials but can survive on the dust present.

Does mold spread through my hvac?

Mold spores are very tiny and can spread easily to any air movement including wind, mold spores are everywhere in nature and exist inside and outside of all properties, they are part of nature. If you house or ducts  are dusty you will have more spores. If you live in a apartment or condo than you must check your fan coil unit for mold. Fan coil units can be a big source of mold and spores check our page on fan coil units.

Can the mold I am breathing make me sick?

Yes it can but it depends on you, your immune system, the type of mold and many other factors. While there are reported cases of serious complications there are no exposure limits; meaning we don’t know how much exposure is needed to make you sick since we are all different; what affects you might not affect someone else. Health Canada residential air quality guidelines for mold recommend to control humidity and diligently repair any water damage in residences to prevent mould growth; and to clean thoroughly any visible or concealed mould growing in residential buildings regardless of species. Please Note: in the absence of exposure limits air quality testing results from tests for the presence of fungi in air cannot be used to assess risks to the health of building occupants.

Mold symptoms or is just allergies?

Everyone immune system is different and reactions and responses can vary. If you are experiencing some form of allergy or reaction always go to your doctor first including a possible referral to an allergist. While we can provide you with air testing for all allergens, you should first know what you are allergic to. know the triggers here

Recommendations for testing indoor air quality

Government of Canada recommendations on indoor air quality testing (click here)

Most common mold spores found in Toronto and GTA homes and business after air testing.

Aspergillus/penicillium

Allergic Potential: Type I (hay fever, asthma) ·Type III (hypersensitivity)

Mode of Dissemination: Wind, insects

Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment: Grows on a wide range of substrates indoors, prevalent in water damaged buildings, Foods (blue mold on cereals, fruits, vegetables, dried foods) House dust, Fabrics, Leather
, Wallpaper, Wallpaper glue

Basidiospores

Allergic Potential: Type I allergies (hay fever, asthma) . Type III (hypersensitivity pneumonitis)
Industrial Uses: Edible mushrooms are used in the food industry.
Mode of Dissemination: Forcible ejection,wind currents.
Natural Habitat: Forest floors, lawns, plants (saprobes or pathogens depending on genus)
Basidiospores are the result of sexual reproduction and formed on a structure called the basidium. Basidiospores belong to the members of the Phylum Basidiomycota, which includes mushrooms, shelf fungi, rusts, and smuts.
Potential or Opportunistic Pathogens Depends on genus.
Potential Toxins Produced: Amanitins. monomethyl-hydrazine. muscarine. ibotenic acid. psilocybin.
Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment Depends on genus. Wood products

CHAETOMIUM

Allergic Potential: Type I (asthma and hay fever).
Industrial Uses Cellulase production, Textile testing.
Mode of Dissemination: Wind. Insects. Water splash.
Natural Habitat: Dung. Seeds. Soil. Straw.
Potential or Opportunistic Pathogens Onychomycosis. C. perlucidum recognized as a new agent of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis.
Potential Toxins Produced: Chaetomin. Chaetoglobosins A,B,D and F are produced by Chaetomium globosum. Sterigmatocystin is produced by rare species
Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment: Paper, Sheetrock, Wallpaper.

CLADOSPORIUM

Allergic Potential: Type I (asthma and hay fever).
Industrial Uses: Produces 10 antigens.
Mode of Dissemination: Air
Natural Habitat: Dead plant matter, straw, soil, woody plants
Potential or Opportunistic Pathogens: Edema. keratitis. onychomycosis. pulmonary infections. Sinusitis.
Potential Toxins Produced: Cladosporin and Emodin.
Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment: Fiberglass duct liner, paint, textiles. Found in high concentration in water-damaged building materials.

EPICOCCUM

Allergic Potential: Hay fever, asthma
Mode of Dissemination: Wind
Natural Habitat A worldwide saprophytic fungi, being isolated from dead plant material and soil.
Potential or Opportunistic Pathogens: Unknown
Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment: Paper, textiles

GANODERMA

Allergic Potential: Ganoderma species are known to cause allergies in people on a worldwide scale.
Industrial Uses: Bio pulping of wood for the paper industry. Potential medicinal use due to: 1. Inhibition of Ras
dependent cell transformation, 2. Antifibrotic activity, 3. Immunomodulating activity, 4. Free-radicle scavenging
Mode of Dissemination: Wind.
Natural Habitat: Grows on conifers and hardwoods worldwide, causing white rot, root rot, and stem rot.
Used in traditional Chinese medicine as an herbal supplement. It is also known as a “shelf fungus” because the fruiting body forms a stalk-less shelf on the sides of trees and logs. It is sometimes called “artists conk” because when you scratch the white pores of the fruiting body, the white rubs away and exposes the brown hyphae underneath. Thus, pictures can be produced on the fruiting body.
Potential or Opportunistic Pathogens: Unknown.
Potential Toxins Produced:
Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment: Unknown.

MYXOMYCETES

Allergic Potential :Type I
Mode of Dissemination:  Insects, Water, Wind
Natural Habitat: Decaying logs, Dead leaves , Dung , Lawns , Mulched flower beds, Lawns
Potential or Opportunistic Pathogens: Unknown
Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment: Rotting lumber

RUSTS

Allergic Potential: Type I (hay fever, asthma)
Mode of Dissemination Wind, Forcible Ejection
Natural Habitat:  Parasitic on cultivated and many types of plants
Potential or Opportunistic Pathogens: Unknown
Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment: Unknown- rust fungi require a living plant host for growth

STACHYBOTRYS/MEMNONIELLA

Allergic Potential: Type I (hay fever, asthma)
Mode of Dissemination: Insects, Water, and Wind
Natural Habitat: Decaying plant materials and Soil.
Stachybotrys and Memnoniella are closely related and many Memnoniella species have been renamed under Stachybotrys. Mycologists are continuing to debate whether Stachybotrys and Memnoniella should be grouped or split apart.
Stachybotrys may play a role in the development of sick building syndrome. The presence of this fungus can be significant due to its ability to produce mycotoxins. Exposure to the toxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin exposure.
Potential or Opportunistic Pathogens Unknown.
Potential Toxins Produced Mycotoxins produced by Stachybotrys include Roridin A, Roridin E, Roridin H, Roridin L-2, Satratoxin G, Satratoxin H, Isosatratoxin F, Verucarin A, Verucarin J, and Verrucariol.
Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment: Water damaged building materials such as: ceiling tiles, gypsum board, insulation backing, sheet rock, and wall paper. Paper. Textiles.

Indoor air quality testing assessments and VOC Testing services

The following is an outline of the indoor testing or VOC testing that we can provide you, among many others to ensure optimal indoor air quality in Toronto and surrounding regions.

Frequently asked questions

[toggles accordion=”true”] [toggle title=”Is indoor air quality testing for mold done throughout the house or just in some rooms?” id=”b1″]It depends on the situation – you might only need a few key areas tested to give you a good indication of the air quality condition of the entire house. On the other hand, some houses will require a full testing done to ensure that all areas are free of contaminants.[/toggle][toggle title=”What areas of Ontario do you serve?” id=”b2″]We serve Toronto and all surrounding regions. Here are some other popular areas we serve: Brampton, Burlington Downsview Etobicoke Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, North York, Oakville, Rexdale, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Vaughan[/toggle][/toggles]