Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a growing concern, with the U.S. EPA reporting that people spend over 90% of their time indoors, where air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. As buildings become more energy efficient and tightly sealed, the need for reliable ways to assess the impact of materials and products on indoor air has never been greater.
At Airmid Healthgroup, we use state-of-the-art environmental test chambers to simulate real-world indoor conditions and evaluate how consumer products affect air quality, allergen levels, and respiratory health. These chambers are an essential part of our integrated aerobiology research facility, one of the few of its kind in the world.
We spoke with Dr. Angela Southey, Chief Technical Officer at Airmid Healthgroup, to explore how environmental test chambers work and why they’re so valuable to industry and public health.
What is an Environmental Test Chamber?
Airmid Healthgroup’s Environmental Test Chamber
An environmental test chamber is a precisely controlled indoor space where researchers can manipulate and monitor variables such as temperature, humidity, air exchange rate, and airborne pollutant levels. These chambers simulate typical indoor environments to evaluate how products perform under real-life conditions.
“Our chamber allows us to reproduce real-world indoor air scenarios while eliminating interference from external conditions,” says Dr. Southey. “We can assess everything from ultrafine particles to allergens and airborne microbes, providing highly accurate data for product evaluation and certification.”
Chamber Design and Capabilities
Airmid’s environmental test chamber measures 16′ x 8′ x 8′, with stainless steel interiors, observation windows, sealed ports, and controlled environmental parameters (70°F ± 5°F and 50% ± 5% relative humidity). It is equipped with a dedicated ante room to prevent external contamination, and all parameters are controlled and monitored remotely in real time.
The chamber integrates seamlessly with our on-site laboratories, allowing rapid, multidisciplinary analysis of air and surface samples using microbiology, molecular biology, and allergen quantification techniques.
What Types of Testing Are Performed?
Environmental chambers can evaluate a wide range of factors that affect indoor air quality, including:
Respirable particulate matter, including ultrafine particles and allergens
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by consumer products
Biological contaminants such as mold, bacteria, and viruses
Dust removal and allergen reduction performance of cleaning devices or filters
Air redistribution and recontamination patterns
“We often use the chamber to test HVAC filters, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, textiles, cleaning products, and flooring materials to determine how they influence airborne pollutant levels,” explains Dr. Southey.
Specialized Equipment and Monitoring
To ensure reliable, real-time data collection, Airmid’s chamber is equipped with:
Real-Time Aerosol Monitors to measure particulate concentrations from 0.1 µg/m³ to 40 mg/m³
Remote air sampling instruments for scheduled contaminant collection
Computer-controlled climate systems for consistent temperature and humidity
High-efficiency air handling units, including HEPA filters and electronic air cleaners capable of capturing particles as small as 0.01 microns
This infrastructure allows us to conduct long-duration experiments while continuously logging data and adapting conditions for custom testing protocols.
Value to Industry: From R&D to Regulatory Compliance
Environmental test chambers provide manufacturers with a controlled, repeatable, and scientifically validated testing environment. This enables:
Performance validation during R&D and product development
Third-party certification for health claims and IAQ benefits
Regulatory readiness for standards such as ASHRAE, ISO, and building codes
Risk mitigation, helping avoid costly recalls by identifying issues early in the product lifecycle
“Instead of relying on post-market field studies, companies can proactively test and refine their products under scientifically controlled conditions,” says Dr. Southey. “This not only accelerates innovation but also provides strong data for marketing, compliance, and consumer trust.”
Supporting Healthier Indoor Spaces
By simulating the home, school, or office environment, environmental chambers help answer important questions about how products affect real-world indoor air. As awareness of indoor air quality and respiratory health continues to grow, these chambers are becoming a critical tool for companies committed to healthier, human-centered design.
To learn more about how Airmid Healthgroup supports manufacturers through scientific testing and certification, contact us here or explore our environmental testing services.
Related Tests and Services
- https://airmidhealthgroup.com/services-menu-for-hvac-and-furnace-filters.html
- https://airmidhealthgroup.com/single-pass-test-assessing-allergen-and-microbial-removal-capability-in-hvac-systems.html
- https://airmidhealthgroup.com/ashrae-241-testing-services.html
Claims Verification Services
Related Resources
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The Role of Independent Testing in HVAC Filtration: Ensuring Air Quality Standards
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ASHRAE Standard 241: Control of Infectious Aerosols – Understanding its impact.
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Key Words
environmental test chambers, indoor air quality testing, product emissions testing, allergen testing, IAQ validation, scientific product testing, Airmid Healthgroup, indoor pollution testing
Do you want to validate your technology?
Contact the Airmid Healthgroup team today to learn more about the independent testing process and how it can enhance your product’s credibility in the market.
