PRODUCTS

“We all live downstream.” David Suzuki

Air Quality Monitors

Products such as air Quality Monitors detect:

VOCs*
carbon monoxide
chemical pollutants
 temperature & relative humidity
particulate matter, e.g. pollen & dust

Home air quality monitors range in scope and effectiveness. Check reviews of indoor air quality monitors and which levels they monitor before purchasing one. Professional testing may be preferred in certain situations, such as mold levels. Some smartphone and browser apps can also monitor air quality. AirVisual is a free app for iPhone and Android. Purchase radon detectors separately.
*See Home Maintenance and Safety Alerts for VOCs found in the home.

Air Purifiers

Find residential HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) room air purifiers are sold online, or at supercenter and home supply stores. They range in size from desktop or floor purifiers to whole house filters.  Look for energy-efficient, recyclable air purifiers with washable filters. It’s also important to replace furnace filters every three months. A filter’s MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) indicates it’s ability to trap fine particles. MERV rating should correspond to the HVAC system being used as well as household requirements. For CNN’s The best air purifiers to help you stay healthy, according to experts, click here.

Water Testing Kits


Residential kits test for:

VOCs
pH level
bacteria
chlorine

pesticides
nitrates & nitrites
heavy metals, such as copper,
iron, & lead

Find home water testing kits online and in stores. Professional testing is available; water softener companies offer a free water test if you listen to their sales presentation. The Spruce tested and reviewed the best home water testing kits of 2019. To read, click here.

Water Purifiers


Water purifiers for sinks and shower heads can be found online or where kitchen appliances are sold. They are inexpensive and take minutes to install. When moving to a new home, I always install a water purifier for clean drinking water. Whole house filtration systems are also available, but can be expensive and some require professional installation. Experts advise whole house systems for those on well water. For the National Safety Foundation’s Home Water Treatment System Selection guide, click here.