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Air and Water Quality Tests [Excerpted from Consumer Reports®]
Water Want to know what’s in your water? One way to find out is to check your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires all water systems to provide their customers each year. The reports aren’t the liveliest of documents, so you might be tempted to toss yours out unread. But that could be a mistake. Our ['Consumer Reports] recent analysis of CCRs from the 25 largest U.S. cities revealed that only three claimed no federal water-quality violations. Homeowners whose water comes from private wells on their property can face an even greater unknown because it isn’t surveyed or reported on in CCRs. Fortunately, our [Consumer Reports] tests of 27 water filters--everything from carafes to systems for the entire house--found models suitable for removing many common contaminants. Bottled water, though generally safe, is actually less regulated than municipal water supplies. Indeed, some is filtered from the tap. Analyze your water. First, review your CCR report. It is usually mailed to you, printed in newspapers, or posted on your local government’s Web site. For help deciphering it, go to “Deciphering your water report.” These reports tell you about the water in your municipality, not necessarily what’s coming out of your own tap. Only testing your home supply can do that. Call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) for the names of state-certified testing labs or for your local health authority, which might offer low- or no-cost test kits, or check out www.epa.gov/safewater/labs. The Watersafe All-In-One Drinking Water Test Kit, about $18, is another option. It provided quick, accurate results for chlorine, lead, nitrate, nitrite, two pesticides, pH, and total hardness in our tests. Results for bacteria were less reliable and required waiting 48 hours. Ultimately, you might find you don’t need a water filter. (Above from Consumer Reports). The most complete tests are done in a laboratory. Your local municipal water agency or county extension agent can usually tell you where you can send water samples to be laboratory-tested and what it would cost. Here are some commercial sites for water test kits or laboratory tests. These are listed for information only. We have not evaluated their effectiveness and no endorsement of any product is intended or implied. http://www.discovertesting.com/ http://www.bigbrandwater.com/watertest1.html?gclid=CO7zip646pICFRItagodfF1c4A Air If you are concerned about your outside air quality, there is not much you can do as an individual except to get involved in local and national activist organizations seeking to improve overall air quality or move to a location with the kind of air you want. On the other hand you can affect the quality of the air in your house. For detailed information about sources of indoor air pollution see the EPA [http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html] or the American Lung Association [http://www.lungusa.org] websites. Both say that simple things such as keeping pets out of bedrooms, using outdoor-venting fans in the bathroom and kitchen, and removing carpeting can be effective in improving indoor air quality. The American Lung Association has a general review of the types and features of air filters at [http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/s/content.asp? c=dvLUK9O0E&b=34706&ct=67087] and a special report on residential air cleaning devices [http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=39289] and suggests "that ozone generators not be used." About.com has good general articles about indoor air quality at [http://search.about.com/fullsearch.htm?terms=indoor%20air%20quality] For pollutants other than radon (see below), measurements are most appropriate when there are either health symptoms or signs of poor ventilation and specific sources or pollutants have been identified as possible causes of indoor air quality problems. Testing for many pollutants can be expensive. Before monitoring your home for pollutants besides radon, consult your state or local health department or professionals who have experience in solving indoor air quality problems in non-industrial buildings. Here are some commercial sites for air quality test kits or laboratory tests. These are listed for information only. We have not evaluated their effectiveness and no endorsement of any product is intended or implied. http://www.dylosproducts.com/?gclid=COKtyvi46pICFRBlYQod0ihezg http://www.jossam.biz/OrderInfo.html (mail-in testing kits for various substances) Radon The EPA recommends that you measure the level of radon in your home. It is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. Inexpensive devices are available for measuring radon. The EPA provides guidance as to risks associated with different levels of exposure and when the public should consider corrective action. There are specific mitigation techniques that have proven effective in reducing levels of radon in the home. Call your state office for additional help with any of your radon questions. Up-to-date information on how to contact your state radon office is available at [www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html] (just click on your state or EPA regional office), or call EPA's toll-free Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse (IAQ INFO) at (800) 438-4318 to obtain the current listing. Here are some commercial sites for radon mail-in test kits for laboratory tests. Some sites also list continuous radon monitoring devices with alarms such as the Pro Series 3 Radon Detector. These are listed for information only. We have not evaluated their effectiveness and no endorsement of any product is intended or implied. http://www.radonzone.com/store.html http://www.firstalertstore.com (click on other home safety products, radon test kits) http://www.free-radon-test-kits.com/?gclid=CNn0mYbD6pICFSccagodd0F95A https://homeradontest.com/order_radon_test_kit.php#sshttp://testproducts.com/safecart/index.php/cPath/27?osCsid=7713db530273b0c9c366a78c8bd2a021 |
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