Indoor air quality (IAQ) testing
Poor indoor air quality can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms and contribute to serious conditions including respiratory tract infections and lung cancer. MTSO provides professional indoor air quality testing for Portland-area homes and businesses, delivering clear, actionable data so you can take the right next steps toward a healthier environment.
What MTSO's indoor air quality testing includes:
Every IAQ assessment begins with a thorough visual inspection of the property, followed by targeted air sampling using calibrated equipment. Samples are analyzed by accredited laboratories to identify the specific pollutants, allergens, or mold spores present in your indoor environment. We will walk you through the findings in plain language and provide clear, actionable next steps — without any pressure to purchase remediation services, since MTSO does not perform remediation.
Common questions about indoor air quality testing in Portland
Common signs include persistent musty odors, unexplained allergy or asthma symptoms, visible mold or moisture damage, or recently completed renovation work. If you or someone in your home is experiencing unexplained health symptoms, IAQ testing can help identify whether the indoor environment is a contributing factor.
Mold testing focuses specifically on identifying mold species and concentrations in the air or on surfaces. IAQ testing takes a broader view of the indoor environment, assessing a range of biological contaminants — including mold spores, allergens, and other airborne particles — that may be affecting health and comfort.
Yes. MTSO's indoor air quality testing includes assessment for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide in addition to biological contaminants such as mold spores and allergens. This comprehensive approach ensures a complete picture of your indoor environment.
Does my home need IAQ testing?
The EPA has identified indoor air pollution as one of the top five urgent environmental risks to public health. Indoor air pollution contributes to lung disease, including respiratory tract infections, asthma, and lung cancer, and can greatly exacerbate allergy symptoms. If you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, or if you have infants or elderly persons living at home, indoor air pollution and its health implications are of even greater concern to you.
Even healthy adults can experience adverse symptoms with as little as exposure to indoor air pollution. Some common symptoms are headaches, nausea, sore or scratchy throat, nasal irritation, dry, red, or watering eyes, coughing, and fatigue.
Portland's climate — with its wet winters, frequent rainfall, and older housing stock — creates ideal conditions for indoor air quality problems. High humidity encourages mold and mildew growth, while older homes may contain outdated insulation, legacy building materials, and inadequate ventilation. If you live in Portland or the surrounding area and have concerns about your indoor environment, professional IAQ testing is a practical first step.
Throughout your home, there could be contaminants that you do not know about that quietly contribute to air quality problems in every room of the house. Many factors can cause indoor air pollution:
- Bedrooms – dust mites, pet dander, fragrances, dry-cleaning
- Family rooms – tobacco smoke, wood stoves/fireplaces, unvented space heaters
- Bathrooms – plumbing leaks, damp flooring and carpeting, excessive moisture, insect debris, viruses and bacteria, household cleaners, air fresheners
- Kitchens – cooking smoke, gas appliances, household cleaning agents, insect debris, viruses and bacteria, garbage pails, plumbing leaks
- Attics – outdated insulation, old clothing and bedding, asbestos, dust
- Garages – paints and solvents, auto exhaust and gasoline fumes, pesticides and herbicides, carbon monoxide, hobby supplies (like varnishes and glues)
- Basements – radon, plumbing leaks, viruses and bacteria, dust
- Fireplaces – carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particle allergens, chemical pollutants, and temperature, humidity, air pressure issues
- Yards – pollen, dust, pesticides, herbicides
Indoor allergens are airborne particles inside the home that cause allergic reactions and often provoke or worsen asthma symptoms. It is estimated that over 42 million Americans suffer from allergies or asthma, and indoor allergens are a serious contributor to their symptoms.
Most people with asthma, or allergies like hay fever, think of their homes as a safe haven free from the elements that aggravate their condition. The fact is that indoor allergens are prevalent in most people's homes. This is because homes trap unavoidable allergens.
Common indoor allergens are pollen, dust, dust mites, mold, mildew, insect debris, and pet dander. Pollens are the leading cause of seasonal allergies; however, if you experience allergy symptoms like a stuffy nose, watery or itchy eyes, sneezing, congestion, or a runny nose year-round, you are most likely experiencing non-seasonal allergic reactions caused by indoor allergens.
A few facts about indoor allergens and allergies:
- Allergy symptoms are often aggravated in the winter because people tend to keep their windows closed, thereby trapping the allergens indoors.
- Having windows open during high pollen and mold count seasons can worsen allergy symptoms because high concentration allergens are able to enter your home.
- If you experience allergy symptoms due to indoor allergens, you will continue to be symptomatic as long as exposure continues.
- Indoor allergen sensitivity is extremely common and can occur at any age.
Many groups are especially susceptible to the health effects of indoor pollution. These include infants and the elderly, those with heart and lung diseases, people with asthma, and individuals who have developed extreme sensitivity to chemicals. Unfortunately, these are the people who often spend the most time indoors.
The effects of indoor air pollution are vast in America:
- About 23 million U.S. adults (or about 9 out of 100) ages 18 and older have asthma.1
- Asthma is a top chronic disease in U.S. children.42
- Over 28 million Americans suffer from allergies such as hay fever.
- The number of people with asthma has gone up by almost 60% in the last 30 years.
- Kids inhale 50% more air per pound of body weight than adults. This is because they breathe faster, and it causes them to be especially sensitive to the effects of indoor air pollution.
- Asthma-related illness accounts for around $6.2 billion per year in America.
- An estimated 1.8 million people who have asthma require emergency room treatment each year, resulting in about 500,000 hospitalizations.
- Kids under 18 years of age make up 47.8% of the emergency room visits and 34.6% of the hospitalizations due to asthma attacks.
- Asthma accounts for more hospitalizations in kids than any other chronic ailment.
- Asthma causes more school absences than any other chronic ailment.
Yes. MTSO provides indoor air quality testing and mold inspection services in Southwest Washington, including Vancouver, WA, in addition to the greater Portland Metro area.
We do not accept samples for analysis, as we focus on conducting on-site inspections and tests.
No, we charge for our mold testing services to ensure impartiality and objectivity in our results.
No. MTSO specializes exclusively in indoor air quality testing and does not perform remediation. This ensures our findings are always objective and free from any conflict of interest.
Yes. Garrett Dayfield holds certification from MICRO (Mold Inspection Consulting and Remediation Organization) and is recognized by the City of Portland. MTSO is fully insured.
Yes, we offer mycotoxin analysis, conducted by RealTime Labs, a recognized leader in the field.
Every project is unique, just like the clients we serve. Interested in learning more about our services and how we can support your specific needs? Give us a call, and we’ll provide a tailored quote that fits both your project requirements and budget.
If you’d like further clarification or wish to discuss your concerns in more detail, we’re happy to schedule a video or phone consultation at your convenience.