Should I test the air at home?

There are two air-quality devices that almost every home should have: carbon monoxide detectors and a radon testing kit. Carbon monoxide detectors (which cost $20 to $75 at hardware and home stores) trip an alarm when gas levels rise. “They can be lifesavers,” says Gina Solomon, M.D., an environmental medicine specialist in San Francisco and a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit advocacy group. Carbon monoxide can leak from poorly maintained fuel-burning appliances. Purchase monitors that are approved by Underwriters Laboratories or International Approval Services and install them in bedrooms, in the basement, and near fuel- and wood-burning appliances.

Radon gas, produced by soil and rock under homes, is found in every state, and 1 in 15 homes has elevated levels. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, so it’s vital to test for it (unless you live on or above the third floor of an apartment building). Radon tests (available for $10 and up) measure levels over either a few days or a few months (it’s a good idea to use both types of tests). Look for a testing kit that meets EPA, National Radon Proficiency Program, or National Radon Safety Board standards. If the test shows levels above four picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), contact your state radon board for a list of certified abatement contractors. Sealing cracks and installing vents under the house can remedy the problem.

Beyond carbon monoxide detectors and radon testing kits, there aren’t a lot of other simple home-testing options. A few companies sell kits that test for multiple pollutants, but they are unproven and expensive.