Home Air Quality Tests: When You Might Need One

Did you know that indoor levels of pollutants can be 100 times higher than outdoor pollutant levels? In fact, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to the public. 

In light of this — and recent wildfires and other issues that affect air quality — you might wonder if investing in a home air quality monitor or test kit is worth it. An air quality monitor allows you to keep an eye on your air quality all the time. An air quality test kit, on the other hand, is used to check your air as needed.

An air quality monitor or test can give you important information about the pollutants in your home. And this information can help you make informed decisions to protect your health. However, not all devices accurately detect sources of indoor pollution. 

What causes bad air quality in a house?

The air quality in a house can become unhealthy for several reasons. 

Certain activities, like smoking tobacco, and common household products, like cleaning chemicals, can release pollutants into the air. And outdoor pollutants, such as car fumes and factory smoke, can enter your home through open windows or ventilation systems.  

These pollutants can linger and accumulate if a house lacks proper ventilation systems. For example, cooking and burning candles both release tiny particles called particulate matter (PM) into the air. And if there isn’t enough airflow, PM can build up and affect the air quality in your home.

Or poor air quality may be related to there being too much moisture and humidity in your house, which can cause mold and mildew to grow. This can worsen the indoor air quality and potentially cause health issues.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), common pollutants that can affect indoor air quality include:

• Combustion byproducts: These are substances produced when things burn — like carbon monoxide, PM, and tobacco or fireplace smoke. Combustion byproducts can also come from burning candles and using cooking appliances. 

• Natural substances: Some natural substances, such as radon gas and pet dander, can impact air quality.

• Degrading materials: When older building materials, like insulation containing asbestos, break down, tiny fibers can be released into the air. Breathing in these asbestos fibers can be harmful to your health.

• New materials: Some new building materials, like pressed wood products, can release chemicals into the air over time. This process is known as "chemical off-gassing." These chemicals can affect air quality and make you sick if you breathe them in.

• Wildfires: Wildfires release smoke and tiny particles into the air. These particles can enter homes through openings and make the indoor air unhealthy. 

• Biological agents: Molds, which are living organisms, can grow in high-moisture areas and lead to breathing problems for people who have asthma or allergies. 

• Hazardous chemicals: These include pesticides and lead, which can be harmful when released into the air.

• Ozone: Some air-cleaning devices can produce ozone, a gas that can cause health problems. Ozone can also find its way indoors through open windows, doors, and ventilation systems that draw in outside air.

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Certain products, like cleaning supplies and paint, can release VOCs into the air. Breathing in these compounds may make you sick.

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How do you test the air quality at home?

To test the air quality in your house, you have a couple of options, which are outlined below.

Buy an at-home air quality test kit or monitor

There are different types of air quality monitors and test kits, and they offer many capabilities. Air quality monitors often track several pollutants, though they’re more expensive than test kits. If you opt for a test kit, some options check for multiple pollutants. But others target just one pollutant, like radon, which is a concern for many people.

In general, though, air quality monitors and tests don’t give a complete assessment of indoor air, because they only detect pollutants they were designed for. And the EPA notes that “there is currently limited information on how well low-cost air pollution monitors detect indoor pollutants.”

Hire a professional

Instead of using an at-home kit, you can get a professional to assess your home’s air quality. These experts have the knowledge and tools to analyze many different pollutants and give you a thorough assessment of your indoor air quality. 

These professionals may charge a separate fee for each pollutant tested, or they may offer testing for a specific group of pollutants. Either way, it’s important to review what is and isn’t being tested if you pay for these services.

The downside of hiring a professional is that it may be more expensive than buying an at-home air quality test kit or monitor. However, professional testing usually has the added advantage of giving you access to advice about how to deal with any pollution sources that are found. 

Should I invest in an air quality monitor?

When you're deciding whether to invest in an air quality monitor, consider following the advice of the EPA. The EPA recommends testing for radon in specific cases, like when you're buying or selling a home, during home renovations, or if your home hasn’t been tested for radon before. 

For pollutants other than radon, the EPA suggests testing (or monitoring) only if:

• There are signs of health issues. 

• There's evidence of poor airflow.

• Certain pollutants have been found in your community that could cause indoor air quality problems.

Air quality monitors can be expensive, and the prices vary depending on the brand, features, and testing capabilities of products. In general, these monitors can cost from around $80, all the way up to thousands of dollars for high-grade monitors. 

It’s also important to understand that the EPA does not evaluate home air quality monitors. So some monitors may not even accurately detect the pollutants they’re designed to test for. 

Ultimately, it’s reasonable to check for indoor pollutants if you’re concerned about the air quality in your home. But an air quality monitor may not be worth the investment if you don’t fall into one of the EPA’s categories (detailed above) on a regular basis. 

If you have concerns about your indoor air quality, you can also contact your state or local health department or talk to a professional. 

Tips to consider before buying an air quality monitor

Before you invest in an home air quality monitor, keep these tips in mind:

• Do your research. Look into different types and brands. And read reviews from customers to see how well they work.

• Think about features. Decide what you want the monitor to do. What pollutants do you want to measure? Do you want audible alerts?

• Consider the price. Set a budget for how much you're willing to spend. Monitors with more features may cost more.

• Check user-friendliness. Make sure the monitor is easy to use. Check for clear displays, simple instructions, and controls that are easy to understand.

• Verify compatibility. See which monitors work with other devices, like smartphones or tablets, for easy access.

• Ask about customer support. Look for companies that offer good customer support. Check if they have a warranty or a return policy for the monitor you’re interested in, and if they can help you with questions or problems as they arise.

What are the effects of bad air quality in a home?

Bad air quality in the home has been associated with several health issues, such as:

• Breathing problems: These include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

• Allergies and asthma: Poor home air quality can trigger allergies and worsen asthma symptoms.

• Irritation: Your eyes, nose, and throat may feel irritated if the air quality is bad.

• Headaches and dizziness: Exposure to certain pollutants in the home can result in frequent headaches and feelings of dizziness.

• Fatigue and poor sleep: Breathing in polluted air can cause fatigue and loss of sleep.

• Aggravation of existing health conditions: If you already have a condition like heart disease or a lung problem, bad air quality can make your symptoms worse.

• Long-term health risks: Continuously breathing bad air can lead to long-term health problems like respiratory disease, heart issues, and cancer.

If you or someone in your home is feeling sick, and you think it might be because of something in the air, talk to a healthcare provider. They can help figure out if it’s worth testing your air quality to see if indoor pollutants could be contributing to a health problem.

How do you improve the air quality indoors?

There are many measures you can take to improve indoor air quality in your home. You can lower your risk of exposure to pollutants if you:

• Keep your home clean by regularly dusting and vacuuming.

• Open your windows to let in fresh air (after you check the outdoor air quality). 

• Use fans when appropriate to improve ventilation. 

• Control moisture with dehumidifiers and aim to keep the humidity below 60%. 

• Avoid smoking indoors.

• Use environmentally friendly cleaning products when possible. 

• Fix water leaks promptly to prevent mold growth. 

• Minimize the use of harsh chemicals, pesticides, and solvents indoors. 

• Set a reminder to regularly change and clean air filters in heating and cooling systems.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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In general, at-home air quality testers do not provide a complete representation of indoor air quality. And some may not accurately detect the pollutants they were designed to test. So do your research and choose a monitor that suits your needs and budget. And talk to a healthcare provider if you or someone in your home is experiencing health symptoms related to indoor air pollutants.