Indoor Air Quality Testing in New York City — Allergens & VOCs
What This Inspection Covers
Our indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments test for a comprehensive panel of airborne concerns: biological allergens (dust mite allergen, cockroach allergen, pet dander, pollen), volatile organic compounds (VOCs from building materials, furniture, cleaning products, paint off-gassing), formaldehyde, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and humidity/temperature conditions. Testing follows ASTM and EPA IAQ assessment protocols.
Who Needs This & When
IAQ testing is appropriate when: household members experience unexplained respiratory symptoms, headaches, fatigue, or eye irritation that improve when away from home; a new building tenant is experiencing symptoms; a building has undergone recent renovation (VOC off-gassing is common in newly renovated spaces); you have known allergen sensitivities and want to quantify exposure; you are investigating an insurance claim related to building air quality; or you are a property manager conducting a baseline IAQ assessment.
Inspector Credentials
Our IAQ inspectors hold relevant certifications in industrial hygiene and indoor air quality assessment. Air sampling is analyzed at accredited laboratories with certified analytical methods for each contaminant category.
What You Get
Written IAQ assessment report within 48 hours. Includes: contaminant panel results vs. reference levels (EPA, NIOSH, ASHRAE 62.1 where applicable), symptom correlation analysis (does the testing pattern match reported symptoms?), identified source hypotheses, and specific remediation or mitigation recommendations. Report distinguishes between confirmed IAQ issues and inconclusive findings — no fabricated cause-and-effect claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What VOCs are commonly found in NYC apartments?
Common VOCs in NYC apartments include: benzene and toluene (from building materials, dry cleaning nearby, traffic exhaust infiltration), formaldehyde (from composite wood furniture, carpeting, pressed wood cabinets — especially in newer construction), limonene and alpha-pinene (from cleaning products and air fresheners, which form secondary indoor pollutants), styrene (from insulation, foam products), and glycol ethers (from latex paint, cleaning solutions). Off-gassing is highest in newly renovated or furnished spaces.
Can IAQ testing identify the cause of my symptoms?
IAQ testing can identify elevated concentrations of specific contaminants and compare them to reference levels. It cannot medically diagnose illness. What it can do: confirm whether specific allergens or chemicals are present at elevated levels, narrow down potential sources, and guide remediation decisions. We report findings factually and note where contaminant levels are consistent with reported symptoms — without overstating causation. A physician should evaluate health symptoms independently.