Particle Assessment in Orange County & Anaheim

Most buildings hide what's really in the air. Walk through a lobby or office, and you won't spot the fine dust, pollen, or mold spores drifting through the space, but they're there, settling into vents, carpets, and every overlooked corner. Over weeks and months, these particles collect, changing how people breathe and how clean the building feels. Our job is to measure what's in the air, track down the sources, and give you a clear path to a healthier environment in Orange County and Anaheim.

What We Find During Particle Assessment

When we test your air, we're not just counting what floats by—we break down the size, type, and concentration of every airborne particle inside your property using professional-grade equipment to analyze what's really circulating. Condol's Environmental Services offers particulate counting to help determine the levels of microscopic debris in the air, identifying particles according to their aerodynamic diameter as either PM10 (particles smaller than 10 µm) or PM2.5 (smaller than 2.5 µm). The latter are more dangerous since, when inhaled, they may reach the peripheral regions of the bronchioles and interfere with gas exchange inside the lungs, while larger particles get caught in the upper respiratory tract.

• Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Particles smaller than 2.5 microns that slip deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream, often going unnoticed until they cause trouble.
• Inhalable Particles (PM10): Particles smaller than 10 microns that get caught in the upper respiratory tract and can trigger breathing problems.
• Dust and Debris: Shows up in older buildings or anywhere filtration falls short, stirred up by daily activity or weak HVAC systems.
• Mold Spores: Invisible most of the time, but released after leaks or high humidity, and only detectable with proper testing. These microscopic particles (2-25 µm) are naturally present in both indoor and outdoor air.
• Pollen and Allergens: Brought in from outside or trapped by poor ventilation, these linger in spaces that don't get enough fresh air. Pollens are typically larger than 10 microns.
• Construction Dust: Remains after renovations or repairs, often containing fine materials that settle into every surface.

We go beyond the numbers. By identifying each type of particle, we help you see whether the problem comes from the building itself, a recent event, or something in the environment. With this information, you can target the real issue instead of treating symptoms.

Why Measuring Particulate Matter Matters

Particulate matter affects more people than any other pollutant, consisting of a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. Particulates less than 10 µm diameter are the most dangerous because they're inhalable and can get deep into your lungs and even your bloodstream, with people who already have heart or lung diseases, children, and the elderly usually affected the most. Establishing a baseline of particulate data to compare to when complaints arise, or when construction is in progress or after changes have been made to an occupied space, can provide valuable information to a facility manager, building owner, or IAQ investigator.

• Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing
• Decreased lung capacity
• Aggravated asthma
• Development of chronic bronchitis
• Irregular heartbeat
• Non-fatal heart attacks
• Premature death of people with heart or lung diseases

How Our Work Improves Air Quality

Particles don't just hang in the air—they move, settle, and get pulled into every part of your HVAC system, and when filters clog or ducts leak, the result is air that feels heavy, headaches, fatigue, and worsened allergies or asthma that can drag down productivity and comfort. High particle counts usually signal something deeper like weak ventilation, hidden leaks, or undetected mold, and comparing indoor particle counts to outdoor counts provides information regarding filtration effectiveness and potential indoor sources. Our assessment gives you the facts, so you're not left guessing or chasing the wrong solution in Orange County and Anaheim.

Tools We Use for Reliable Results

Getting a true sense of your air means using the right tools. We rely on air sampling pumps, particle counters, and certified lab analysis to break down what's in your space. Air samples are collected over set periods, then sent for detailed identification. We also use moisture meters and thermal imaging to spot hidden leaks or airflow problems that feed particle buildup.

• Air Sampling Pumps: Gather airborne particles over time, giving us a clear read on what's present in each area.
• Particle Counters: Deliver real-time data on particle size and density, so we can see changes as they happen.
• Lab Analysis: Pinpoints specific contaminants, mold, bacteria, allergens, using microscopic examination.
• Moisture Meters: Reveal hidden water sources that drive mold growth or dust accumulation.
• Thermal Imaging: Highlights temperature differences that point to leaks, poor insulation, or ventilation gaps.

Each tool adds a layer to the story. We're not just collecting numbers. We're building a full sense of your air, so you can act with confidence and avoid wasted effort on the wrong fixes.

Many IAQ investigators have developed experience with elevated particle counts in specific particle size ranges to provide additional clues toward determining the potential sources of these particles. For example, tobacco smoke is known to be in the .01 to 1.0 micron size range, and pollens are typically larger than 10 microns.

How We Track Down Particle Sources

When particles show up in your air, they always have a source—sometimes it's clear like dust from a recent remodel, but other times the cause hides behind walls or under floors where slow leaks feed mold or gaps around windows let in pollen and outdoor debris. Particulate matter is typically brought in from outdoor dust, pollen, smoke, and smog, with respirable particles (2.5-10 µm) and coarse particles (10-25 µm and larger) found near roadways and dusty industries, while fine particles (2.5 µm and smaller) usually result from smoke and haze from forest fires, gases from power plants, industries, and motor vehicles. Indoor sources may include:

• Copier machines and printers
• Paper dust
• Environmental tobacco smoke
• Carpet fibers and upholstery
• Skin cells and pet dander
• Dust mite allergens
• Poorly ventilated combustion processes (fireplaces, kitchen cooking areas, boilers, furnaces, gas heaters, wood stoves, etc.)

We test multiple areas and compare results to trace the source, and if one room stands out, we dig deeper, checking for moisture, airflow issues, or recent changes. Orange County and Anaheim properties face everything from aging HVAC systems to lingering construction dust, and mold spores (2-25 µm) can also be a source—if particulate levels are elevated in this range, mold sampling can be performed to determine what type and level is present. By pinpointing the source, we help you fix the problem at its root.