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Thorough Indoor
Air Quality Testing
When we are hired to conduct an indoor air quality test, we aim to be as thorough as possible to ensure that we get a full understanding of all of the contaminants in the air, and formulate a plan of action to remove them. It’s always best to act upon a suspicion that there are contaminants in the air so we can start with specific tests. We can look for a wide range of indoor pollutants including biological pollutants, chemical pollutants and combustion pollutants. Each of these types of pollutants presents a risk for adverse health effects and need to be remedied as soon as possible.


Biological Pollutants
Biological pollutants consist of living organisms such as mold, dust mites, viruses and bacteria, as well as byproducts that shed from living organisms such as pet dander and pollen. Airborne bacteria and viruses can cause disease when inhaled. Other biological pollutants tend to cause allergic reactions with symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath and dizziness. If you experience any of these symptoms in your home or workplace, then it’s best to have the air quality tested for biological pollutants.
How We Deal With
Biological Pollutants
If we detect the presence of biological pollutants, our next step is to find the source of the problem. We investigate potential sources of these contaminants which may include:
- Carpets, mattresses, curtains, upholstered furniture and bedding for dust mites.
- Dark areas with moisture for mold.
- Pets for animal dander.
- Indoor plants, especially flowers.
Once we find the source of the biological pollutants, we can get to work on removing those sources from the area, and then cycle the air in the space through a powerful filter to clean the air.


Chemical Pollutants
Chemical Pollutant is another name for a VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). VOCs are organic in that they contain the element carbon, even if the product is made synthetically. These compounds can easily become a vapour or gas when exposed to air. Usual sources for VOCs are paints, cleaners, disinfectants, stored fuels like butane and gasoline, wood preservatives like varnish and lacquer, and dry-cleaned clothing. More serious VOCs that are commonly found are formeldahyde, lead, radon and asbestos. The potential for a VOC to cause adverse health effects depends on how toxic it is. There are some that are very toxic, while create no known health effects. The NIH does warn against the effects that long-term exposure to VOCs can have. These effects include kidney, liver, and central nervous system damage. Short term exposure can lead to irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, loss of coordination, skin reactions, memory impairment and nausea.
How We Deal With
Chemical Pollutants
The first thing we look for is which sources of VOCs are present in the home. We look at where and how they are stored. If the source is from chemicals that are old and are used minimally, we’ll suggest safely disposing of them. If VOCs are from more frequently used chemicals, we will suggest better solutions for storing these chemicals that will limit exposure. We will also look at the ventilation system to ensure that it can properly filter out VOCs that are released when chemicals are used. For VOCs like lead, radon and asbestos, we will work to completely remove these materials from the space. Once we’ve appropriately dealt with the source, we will clean the air with a filtration system to remove any VOCs that are present in the air.


Combustion Pollutants
Asbestos is incredibly difficult to identify just by looking at it. Samples need to be tested in a lab to be confirmed as asbestos. Homeowners should not take these samples themselves, since touching materials that have asbestos in it will kick up toxic dust, even if the material is in good condition. Instead, they should contact a licensed and certified expert in asbestos testing and removal, like First Response, to come and take a sample to test. If the sample is confirmed to be asbestos, then we can get to work right away on removing any trace of it in the home.
How We Deal With Combustion Pollutants
As is the case with any type of pollutant we find, we first determine the source. If the source of combustion pollutants is from smoking indoors, we will recommend that activity to be stopped immediately. We will then clean all fabrics in the home, as well as any staining on the walls or ceilings that the smoke has caused. If there is a carbon monoxide issue, then we will determine whether the source is from a wood-based source or a gas-based source. For gas appliances, we will bring in a certified gas plumbing professional to fix the issue and stop the carbon monoxide leak. For wood-based sources, we will look to see if there is proper ventilation, and if not, then we will recommend not using the wood stove or fireplace until proper ventilation can be installed. Once we’ve dealt with the issue, we will cycle the air through our filtration system to clear any presence of these combustion pollutants.

First Response Can Test For All Air Quality Problems
With a wide variety of pollutants that can affect your health, it’s important to trust a company that can test for, and deal with any and all of them. Improving indoor air quality is not a DIY job.
First Response Cleaning is Eastern Ontario’s leader in air quality testing and remediation. If you are experiencing any symptoms like the ones described here, then don’t wait. Contact us today to have your air quality tested and cleaned!
Client Testimonials
Our Ontario Indoor Air Quality Testing Service Areas
First Response Cleaning has Cornwall Covered For Asbestos Abatement
For Cornwall asbestos abatement that is thorough, dependable and backed by years of experience, trust the professional crews from First Response. We make sure asbestos is handled & removed safely.
First Response Cleaning has Kemptville Covered For Asbestos Abatement
For Kemptville asbestos abatement that is thorough, dependable and backed by years of experience, trust the professional crews from First Response. We make sure asbestos is handled & removed safely.
First Response Cleaning has Belleville Covered For Asbestos Abatement
For Belleville asbestos abatement that is thorough, dependable and backed by years of experience, trust the professional crews from First Response. We make sure asbestos is handled & removed safely.
First Response Cleaning has Perth Covered For Asbestos Abatement
For Perth asbestos abatement that is thorough, dependable and backed by years of experience, trust the professional crews from First Response. We make sure asbestos is handled & removed safely.
First Response Cleaning has Brockville Covered For Asbestos Abatement
For Brockville asbestos abatement that is thorough, dependable and backed by years of experience, trust the professional crews from First Response. We make sure asbestos is handled & removed safely.
First Response Cleaning has Kingston Covered For Asbestos Abatement
For Kingston asbestos abatement that is thorough, dependable and backed by years of experience, trust the professional crews from First Response. We make sure asbestos is handled & removed safely.
First Response Cleaning has Gananoque Covered For Asbestos Abatement
For Gananoque asbestos abatement that is thorough, dependable and backed by years of experience, trust the professional crews from First Response. We make sure asbestos is handled & removed safely.
First Response Cleaning has Renfrew Covered For Asbestos Abatement
For Renfrew asbestos abatement that is thorough, dependable and backed by years of experience, trust the professional crews from First Response. We make sure asbestos is handled & removed safely.
First Response Cleaning has Hastings County Covered For Asbestos Abatement
For Hastings County asbestos abatement that is thorough, dependable and backed by years of experience, trust the professional crews from First Response. We make sure asbestos is handled & removed safely.
Contact Us
First Response is Ottawa’s extreme deep cleaning service. We are IICRC and ABRA certified crime scene cleaning specialists and have the experience, expertise and equipment you need.
Ottawa Location
2710 Lancaster Rd, Ottawa, ON
Kingston Location
1600 Bath Road Suite 408, Kingston, ON K7M 4X6
Phone Number
613-979-2795
Email Address
info@firstresponsecleaning.ca
Contact Us
First Response is Ottawa & Eastern Ontario’s extreme deep cleaning service. We are IICRC and ABRA certified crime scene cleaning specialists and have the experience, expertise and equipment you need.
Ottawa Location
103-2710 Lancaster Rd, Ottawa, ON
Kingston Location
1600 Bath Road Suite 408, Kingston, ON K7M 4X6
Phone Number
Email Address