What You Can Expect From a Chemical Investigation

We begin with a 30 to 60 minute phone consultation to identify your specific needs and to make sure I can provide you with the service you need. There is no charge for this initial consultation. 

Chemical and Indoor Air Quality Investigations can vary depending on your needs and may or may not include taking samples that are sent to the lab for analysis. Both sampling and visual / instrument investigations serve different purposes, with sampling generally done through collecting air, dust, or soil. If you or your doctor feel that you’re being subjected to a specific chemical exposure, sampling is probably necessary. On the other hand, I may also be able to identify a number of toxins, and ways to reduce them, with a thorough visual and professional instrument investigation of your home. 

Your investigation will always include a thorough inspection of your home from the attic, to the basement or crawl space, and from the roof to the grounds around your home. Air currents carry contaminants to and from sources and locations that are often not expected, and that are sometimes difficult to spot. Because of the wide-spread manufacturer practice of Greenwashing, the visual investigation often turns up a few unexpected surprises for our clients.

Testing can be done for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from sources such as common household products and building materials, and for semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) found in persistent pesticides and flame retardants found in items such as furniture, bedding, electronics, and spray foam insulation. SVOCs can persist for long periods of time, even after the primary source has been removed. Due to differences in regulations between the US and Europe, the chemical body burden for North Americans can be as much as 10 to 100 times higher than for Europeans.

General air quality instrument readings taken during your investigation include common indoor contaminants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, combustible gasses, and fine & ultra fine particulates. Ultra fine particulates are a concern because they can be inhaled deep into our lungs and find their way directly into your bloodstream.  Types of contaminants include particulates such as fiberglass, silica, ash and soot, organic and inorganic fibers, dust mite and insect waste or parts, etc. 

One common source of contaminants that are often brought in from an outside source are maid services. Did you know the cleaning crew’s leaky vacuum cleaner may be depositing mold spores, pet allergens, chemical residue, and other pollutants from the homes of other customers who may or may not keep their houses as clean as you? Make sure your maid service uses your vacuum and that you own one that does more than redistribute the ultrafine particulates while only filtering out the big stuff. Even high end vacuums have been found to leak.