For emergency response and recovery information, visit SoCoEmergency.org

FAQ Topic: Indoor Air

Should I hire a company to test the air quality in my home?

We do not recommend this. Smoke and soot are known to contain toxic substances. However, testing the air in your home will not tell you if, how, or when a chemical may affect your health. It is not possible to draw cause and effect health-related conclusions in these situations. The best way to deal with … Continued

Should I hire a fire restoration or cleanup service for my home?

This depends on a number of factors, most importantly whether your home was actually damaged by fire. For cleanup of smoke and soot, we recommend trying the cleaning steps above before considering a restoration or cleanup service. We cannot recommend specific remediation companies or contractors. The Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) can help consumers find … Continued

Should I have the air ducts cleaned?

Not necessarily. According to the US EPA, duct cleaning has never been shown to prevent health problems or reduce particles in home indoor air. Learn more here. Nevertheless, if you are considering hiring a company to clean ducts in your home, consult the US EPA document for advice on choosing a reputable company and other … Continued

Should I use an air purifier to improve the air quality in my home?

According to CARB, cleaning and ventilation are the best ways to improve indoor air quality and “if these actions do not resolve indoor air quality problems, sensitive individuals may benefit from using a central air filter or a good air cleaner in one or more rooms of the house.” If you choose to use an … Continued

Close window