Indoor Air Quality Test Results Part 1

08/27/18
by Janna Hafer

The Indoor Air Quality Test Results Part 1 came in the mail today. The specific categories listed were Volatile Organic Compounds, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide, and Airborne Particulate. All the results were “well below the threshold specified for the “Living Building Challenge”. Wahoo!!!

The Part 1 results are specifically designated as the Indoor Air Quality before our Twelve Month Performance Period. We will need to conduct the same tests for the follow-up Indoor Air Quality Test Part 2 to be performed around the ninth month of the Performance Period. Whoa! You might ask why we are spending all this time and money jumping through all of these hoops for these results. I’ve asked myself the same question; however, the scientist in me wants to see the data. (I guess that microbiology degree from Montana State University is still being put to good use.) Is the air quality in our house really better and, if so, by how much? Turns out it’s huge. Clean air is another one of those things that we tend to take for granted. After experiencing one of the Northwest’s worst smoky Augusts in history (due to numerous fires in the western part of the U.S.), I really appreciate the clear blue Montana skies and my indoor air quality!