What Does an Air Quality Test Detect?

Back to Blogs

March 14, 2022 | Contributors:

Share

You may not give much thought about air quality (AQ) at your location — not until someone gets sick, employees start complaining, or a surprise inspection catches you by surprise. That’s when you pay attention.

If you’re an employer, especially one managing a building, facility, or job site, you can’t afford to ignore air quality. The EPA and OSHA certainly don’t. Both agencies have enforceable standards that could affect your operation — especially if your air is putting people at risk.

The first step in knowing what’s there is typically an air quality test. But, what does an air quality test detect? Find out more below.

Why Air Quality Testing Matters to Employers

First off, let’s talk what’s at stake:

  • Health and safety – “Bad air” leads to real health problems: fatigue, asthma, nausea, headaches, respiratory illness, and can even result in long-term damage. Good air is an essential, not an option.
  • Regulatory compliance – OSHA and EPA standards exist to protect workers, public health, and the environment. Violations can lead to fines, shutdowns, and lawsuits. AQ standards are rigorously enforced.
  • Productivity and morale – Clean air helps people focus, reduces sick days, and helps keep your teams energized. Employees who know you care about their health are more apt to stay with you long term.
  • Risk reduction – If a worker files a complaint or gets sick, testing and documentation can protect you. By showing you care about air quality and are proactively monitoring it, you’re proving your concern for employees.

Air quality testing can focus on indoor or outdoor conditions (or both). Let’s look at what each detects and why it matters.

What Does an Indoor Air Quality Test Detect?

Indoor air testing is especially important in workplaces with poor ventilation, older buildings, and in buildings where chemicals are used frequently.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10)

  • What it is: Dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and such. There can be tiny particles suspended in the air that harm health.
  • Why it matters: Particles smaller than 2.5 microns can enter the lungs and bloodstream, triggering asthma, bronchitis, or heart problems.
  • Common sources: HVAC systems, printers, welding, sanding, construction debris, indoor combustion, and forest or structural fires.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

  • What they are: A broad group of organic chemicals characterized by their high vapor pressure at room temperature, which allows them to easily evaporate into the air from solids or liquids
  • Examples: Formaldehyde, benzene, acetone, toluene.
  • Common sources: Paint, adhesives, cleaning products, carpeting, furniture, office machines, and aerosol sprays.
  • Why they matter: VOCs are known to cause health problems both short-term and long-term. Health issues include respiratory irritation, recurrent headaches, and (for some VOCs) cancer.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

  • What they are: A deadly, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion.
  • Why they matter: Even low-level exposure can cause dizziness and confusion. High level concentrations can be fatal.

Mold Spores and Fungal Contaminants

  • What they are: Microscopic organisms that thrive in damp environments
  • Common sources: Leaks, condensation, high humidity, HVAC systems.
  • Why they matter: They can cause respiratory symptoms, allergic reactions, and long-term health effects — especially for sensitive individuals.

Asbestos

  • What they are: A mineral used in insulation, fireproofing, more. Asbestos forms long, thin, and very strong fibers.
  • Why they matter: Inhaled fibers can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Asbestos is present in many buildings. Activities involving demolition are particularly apt to release asbestos fibers into the air.

Ozone (O₃)

  • What they are: A reactive gas often associated with copy machines, UV lights, or industrial sterilization procedures.
  • Why they matter: Ozone is a respiratory irritant that can worsen asthma and harm lung function.

Radon

  • What they are: A naturally occurring radioactive gas.
  • Common sources: Soil beneath buildings.
  • Why they matter: Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking. It is often found in basements or ground-level rooms.

What Does Outdoor Air Quality Testing Detect?

For employers with outdoor job sites, loading docks, construction areas, or industrial operations, outdoor air quality also matters. And the air outside your facility can compromise air quality inside.

Ground-Level Ozone

  • What it is: Formed by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in sunlight.
  • Why it matters: Health effects range from immediate respiratory irritation to chronic cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, with vulnerable populations facing heightened dangers.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)

  • What it is: A reddish-brown gas from vehicles, diesel equipment, and industrial burners.
  • Why it matters: NO₂ is a potent irritant that primarily affects the respiratory system. Exposure can cause increased inflammation of the airways, worsen coughing and wheezing, and reduce overall lung function.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂)

  • What it is: Emitted from burning fossil fuels (especially coal) and some industrial processes.
  • Why it matters: Causes breathing problems, especially for people with asthma.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

  • What it is: Produced by incomplete combustion.
  • Why it matters: Dangerous outdoors if there’s poor airflow — such as in loading bays or confined outdoor workspaces.

Particulate Matter

  • PM is relevant both indoors and outdoors, but outdoor PM often includes emissions from engines, wildfires, agriculture, and industry.

Lead

  • What it is: This long-used chemical element is still a concern in some industrial settings, such as smelters or paint removal projects.
  • Why it matters: Lead exposure can cause neurological and cardiovascular damage.

Visibility and Odor Pollutants

  • Outdoor testing may also assess pollutants that don’t necessarily pose immediate health threats but can impact community relations — like odors from nearby operations.

Outdoor air affects your employees, affects your public image, and your regulatory compliance status. It may even help determine your insurance premiums.

How Employers Use Air Quality Testing to Stay Compliant

Employers aren’t expected to be air quality scientists — but they are expected to know the condition of the air quality at their workplace.

Here’s how to stay ahead of trouble:

Baseline Testing

Start by finding out what’s in your air — before employees or regulators do. Indoor and outdoor assessments give you data you can act on.

Address Known Problems

If the test reveals VOCs, mold, or poor ventilation, fix it. Ventilation upgrades, source control, material substitution, or remediation are often required.

Follow All Regulatory Guidelines

Use recognized exposure limits, and ensure proper protective equipment and air handling systems are in place for industrial work.

Document Everything

Keep records of tests, results, actions taken, and follow-up tests. This shows good-faith compliance and can protect you legally.

Retest After Remediation

Always confirm your solution actually worked. Retesting is the best way to find out for sure.

Hire a Professional

A certified industrial hygienist or environmental quality specialist can help you interpret results, create a plan, and stay compliant.

An air quality test is a proactive tool that helps employers make better decisions about protecting workers, staying in compliance, and avoiding fines or downtime.

Whether you run an office, a warehouse, or a manufacturing facility, the air around your team matters. And whether it’s mold spores in the ceiling or diesel fumes outside your loading dock, knowing the problem is there takes you one step closer to fixing it.

Need Help?

If you need help understanding your air quality test results (or aren’t sure where to start) FACS AQ certified professionals specialize in compliance, testing, and remediation.

Call FACS at (888) 711-9998

 

Contact FACS online: Ask FACS