How Air Quality Testing Helps Identify Hidden Mold or Asbestos

Posted in Air Quality, on September 23, 2025

Funny smells or strange growths are often what trigger air quality testing in Toronto. But the reality is, many hidden problems can lurk in your home’s environment that are scentless and invisible. SafeAir offers specialty asbestos, mold, or radon testing to help identify and uncover hidden air quality pollutants. Hidden behind walls or under flooring, or contained in certain rooms or spaces in your house, these three contaminants will negatively affect your family’s health and safety, even if there are no signs they’re present. 

Why Mold and Asbestos are Often Hidden

Indoor mold growth is a prevalent problem across Toronto. Homes of all ages and types can fall victim, simply because mold needs two main ingredients for successful growth: organic material and moisture. Our homes are full of organic materials like wood, paper, and textiles, and often mold will grow underneath, behind, and through these materials without your knowledge. 

Asbestos is found in many older building materials. The Miracle Mineral, as it was once known, was included in insulation, flooring, and ceiling tiles up until the 1990s because of its exceptional fire resistance. Exposure to asbestos particles, which can begin to flake and dust off with age, is a known carcinogen and is very dangerous to breathe in. Products containing asbestos are nearly never labelled, and the dust can be very fine, making it hard to identify. 

How Air Quality Testing Works

Air quality testing is a simple process. At SafeAir, we arrive at your home to take non-invasive air samples and conduct a thorough visual inspection. We use various tools to measure air flow, temperature, humidity, and other factors that contribute to problems like mold growth. 

The test results are sent to a third-party lab for analysis. The results can tell us a great deal — for example, if you’re concerned about mold or asbestos, air quality tests can identify the presence or concentration of spores or asbestos fibres, often even pinpointing rooms where the amounts are higher! Radon testing can alert you if your home tests above Health Canada’s guidelines, giving you an opportunity to make changes that protect your health and safety. 

Signs You May Need Air Quality Testing

Air quality testing can help get to the bottom of unusual symptoms such as:

• Unexplained respiratory issues, like coughing or sneezing. 
• Headaches. 
• Itchy or irritated eyes. 
• Congestion or a runny nose. 

Signs that you may need mold or asbestos testing include:

• Water damage or leaks. 
• Renovation projects, especially in older homes. 
• Chipping, peeling, or flaking flooring or ceiling tiles. 
• Discolouration. 
• Musty odours.

The Benefits of Air Quality Testing for Homeowners

The tricky part of many indoor air quality issues is that symptoms are mild or misdiagnosed as other problems, like seasonal allergies or the flu. SafeAir suggests that you have air quality testing if you’re welcoming a new family member, have children or elders at home, or are experiencing coughs, colds, or flus that don’t seem to go away. 

Early detection of hidden mold or asbestos problems helps you eliminate symptoms and address issues before they get worse. In the case of asbestos or radon gas, you may not experience symptoms of exposure until many years later — when it’s generally too late.

SafeAir has been helping families in Toronto and the GTA with safe, reliable, science-based air quality tests for over a decade. Our certified specialists are extensively trained and offer powerful guidance to ensure safe and healthy home environments. To learn more about air quality testing in Toronto or book a radon test, contact our team for quick, friendly service. 

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