PM2.5 / Particulate Testing

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What You’re Breathing Matters More Than You Think

Most homeowners assume indoor air is clean if they don’t see dust. The reality is very different.

PM2.5 refers to microscopic airborne particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller—small enough to bypass your body’s natural defenses and travel deep into the lungs and bloodstream. These particles are one of the most overlooked drivers of poor indoor air quality and health symptoms.

At Building Performance Solutions, we don’t just measure particulates—we identify where they’re coming from and why they’re staying in your home.

What Is PM2.5?

PM2.5 includes ultra-fine particles such as:

  • Combustion byproducts (cooking, candles, fireplaces)
  • HVAC system contamination
  • Outdoor pollution infiltrating indoors
  • Dust, fibers, and insulation particles
  • Biological fragments (mold fragments, bacteria, allergens)

These particles are not visible to the naked eye, but they can significantly impact:

  • Respiratory health
  • Inflammation and immune response
  • Sleep quality and fatigue
  • Symptoms in sensitized individuals (including CIRS clients)

Why PM2.5 Testing Matters

Most air quality issues are not caused by one single factor—they are the result of a system failure within the home.
Elevated particulate levels often indicate:
  • Poor filtration or improperly installed filters
  • Air leakage pulling in attic or crawlspace air
  • Duct system contamination or leakage
  • Imbalanced airflow creating negative pressure
  • Inadequate ventilation or air exchange
If you only treat the symptom (add a purifier), you miss the root cause. That’s where we’re different.

Our Approach:
Test → Diagnose → Solve

We don’t just hand you a number.

Our PM2.5 testing is integrated into a full building science evaluation, which may include:

  • Real-time particulate monitoring under normal and disturbed conditions
  • HVAC system performance analysis
  • Airflow and pressure diagnostics
  • Duct system inspection
  • Identification of indoor vs. outdoor particle sources

This allows us to answer the question most companies cannot:

  • “Why are these particles in your home in the first place?”

What Makes BPS Different

Most companies:

  • Measure particulates
  • Recommend an air purifier
  • Leave

We go deeper.

Building Performance Solutions:

  • Identifies source + pathway + driving force
  • Uses building science and HVAC diagnostics (not guesswork)
  • Specializes in medically sensitive environments
  • Provides actionable solutions, not generic recommendations

We treat the home as a system, not a collection of symptoms.

Who Should Consider PM2.5 Testing?

This service is especially important if:
  • You experience unexplained respiratory symptoms or fatigue
  • You’ve recently completed construction or renovation
  • Your home feels dusty no matter how often you clean
  • You have concerns about mold, allergens, or air quality
  • You or a family member is mold-sensitive or immunocompromised
  • Your HVAC system has never been properly evaluated

What Happens After Testing

You’ll receive:

  • A clear explanation of your particulate levels
  • Identification of likely sources and contributing factors
  • Guidance on next steps based on your home—not a generic checklist

If issues are found, we can develop a targeted plan to correct them through:

  • HVAC improvements
  • Filtration upgrades
  • Pressure balancing
  • Source control strategies

Schedule Your Assessment

If you’re concerned about the air you’re breathing, guessing is not a strategy.

Test. Diagnose. Solve.

Call or text to schedule your PM2.5 assessment.