Air is this element without which a person is not able to live more than a few minutes. But, unfortunately, not every region of Russia can boast of clean air. Visiting the forest for rest, a person immediately feels the difference, because from clean air it is breathtaking and even starts to feel a little dizzy. And if rural residents are constantly in the fresh air, then it is much more difficult for urban people, which is why the analysis for the presence of harmful substances in the air has become widespread.
In what situations is an air analysis recommended?
The analysis is recommended to be carried out if a person has a number of negative symptoms while in the room:
- migraine;
- insomnia;
- feeling of weakness in the morning;
- regularly occurring colds;
- irritation in the area of the mucous membrane of the eyes.
If several symptoms from this list are observed at the same time, then you just can not do without air analysis.
Sources of air pollution
Before you begin to analyze the state of air masses in a residential or working visit, you need to familiarize yourself with the existing sources of pollution:
- Recently carried out repairs on the premises.
- In numerous building and upholstery materials, in particular in parquet and linoleum, xylene is often used. About half of the building materials in domestic markets do not meet quality standards.
- Furniture can cause substances such as formaldehyde and phenol to be released into the air. These components are quite dangerous for human life, as they provoke suffocation, allergies, headaches, and sleep problems.
- Finishing materials of low quality provoke the development of an allergic reaction, as well as impaired functioning of the kidneys, liver and nervous system.
- Poor quality plastic.
Chemical analysis features
To perform a chemical analysis of air, a gas analyzer is used, with which the following information is determined:
- name of harmful substances present in the air;
- a source that is a provocateur of the release of harmful elements into the air masses;
- if building materials are recognized as a source of harmful substances, then a climatic chamber is used , which allows you to identify the concentration of the presence of certain elements in the air.
Features of laboratory research of air
In the laboratory, air analysis is performed if the contamination of the air masses is provoked not by chemical composition, but by microbiological.
In this situation, the following indicators are investigated:
- The total number of microorganisms. An indicator that exceeds the norm indicates poor-quality ventilation of the room and the presence of a high concentration of harmful substances.
- Mold and yeast type mushrooms. Mushrooms are transported by air and are characterized by rapid reproduction. If the waterproofing is reduced in the room, then there is a high probability of the development and growth of mushrooms. And such manifestations entail various kinds of skin rashes, respiratory diseases, bronchitis.
- Staphylococcus aureus. This type of bacterium is considered the causative agent of numerous diseases: skin lesions, pneumonia, meningitis.
- Legionella. It is considered the cause of severe pneumonia. Prefers to live in places where stagnation of water has been observed for a long time.
The process of performing microbiological studies of air
The analysis of exhaled air for bacterial contamination is carried out in several stages:
- material sampling for bacterial infection of the room;
- storage of air mass samples collected for analysis;
- sowing and performing cultivation of microorganisms;
- identification of the level of bacterial contamination of air masses.
Sampling is carried out by observing the aspiration technique. During sampling from various surfaces of the room (floor, window sill), methods of flushing, agar pouring and taking prints are used.
Self-Analysis Technology
The analysis of the air of the working area or living room can be done independently, following these plans for these purposes:
- A kit is being bought to study the chemical composition of air. The set contains 2-3 rapid tests that allow you to identify the most common types of pollution.
- The composition of the air is examined for the presence of carbon monoxide (for these purposes, a special sensor is installed in the room). If the MAC of carbon monoxide is detected , the device will create a loud sound signal.
- Performing air sampling to detect radon in its composition. This gas does not have an odor and it is colorless, so you can detect it yourself only by applying the rapid test present in the kit. The radon test is installed in the room, and after 3 days it is packaged and sent to the laboratory. If the final results will be 150 Bq / m 3 or even more, then this is a sign of the presence of a high concentration of radon in the room.
- Detect the presence of mold spores in the room.
- Perform dust mite detection analysis.
If according to the results of the results any violations are observed, then it is required to seek the help of specialists, today there are a lot of companies that conduct air analysis to detect pollutants.
Formaldehyde in the air
Formaldehydes are among the elements most commonly found in air analysis results. These substances are characterized by the presence of a rather sharp odor and provoke the transformation of protein in the body. It is widely used in the industrial sphere, during the manufacture of plastics, materials of insulating type, formalin.
When inhaling the vapors of these substances, severe inflammatory processes occur in the area of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, swelling of the larynx and respiratory tract develops.
Phenol in the air
Phenol is another dangerous substance for human health. Phenol vapors easily penetrate the skin and, being absorbed, enter the bloodstream. In the body, this substance begins to interact with proteins, provoking their coagulation and oxidation.
When phenol poisoning occurs:
- shiver;
- severe cramps;
- the lumen between the blood vessels increases;
- heart failure;
- hypothermia.
In the absence of proper therapy, even coma and death are possible.
It is noted that almost every second recorded case of severe phenol poisoning leads to death.
Given all the facts presented, it is recommended to perform an annual analysis of indoor air, and if any negative symptoms appear, go to the doctor.