Maintaining a healthy home: A conversation between Well Living Lab and Chubb

A conversation between Chubb’s Paula Sibal, Services Solutions Specialist, and Meng Kong, Ph.D., Research Lead at the Well Living Lab.

Creating and maintaining a healthy home impacts a household’s well-being and quality of life. A healthy living environment can help reduce the risk of health issues, improve comfort, and enhance overall life satisfaction.

The Well Living Lab is the first scientific laboratory dedicated to studying the interaction between indoor environments and human health and well-being. Founded as a collaboration between Delos and the Mayo Clinic, the Well Living Lab conducts cutting-edge research to explore how indoor spaces can be optimized to enhance wellness. Delos, a leading wellness innovator, supports this initiative and integrates health sciences with building sciences to offer solutions that improve air and water quality, lighting, and overall home wellness.

To learn more about maintaining a healthy home, Chubb’s Paula Sibal spoke with Meng Kong, Ph.D., Research Lead at the Well Living Lab, to discuss insights and strategies for creating healthier living spaces.

Paula: Most U.S. tap water is safe to drink. How can a water filtration system help?

Dr. Kong: In many areas, there is room for improvement. Tap water can contain a range of impurities and pollutants, such as heavy metals, bacteria, and chemicals like chlorine. A water filtration system can provide cleaner, purified water that tastes better and is healthier for drinking, bathing, and cooking.

Paula: Does a water filtration system also protect a home’s plumbing system?

Dr. Kong: Yes, in many cases, a whole-home (point-of-entry) water filtration system can help protect your plumbing. By removing sediment, corrosive minerals like iron or manganese, and chemical contaminants such as chlorine or chloramines, these systems reduce scale buildup and pipe corrosion. This not only extends the life of your plumbing fixtures and appliances but also supports better water flow and quality throughout the home.

Paula: Where is the best place to install a water filtration system?

Dr. Kong: Where you place a water filtration system depends on your goals:

• Whole-home (point-of-entry) systems are installed where water enters the home, protecting plumbing and delivering cleaner water to every tap.
• Point-of-use filters—under-sink, shower, or countertop systems—target specific areas, like drinking water or skin exposure in showers.
• It’s also worth noting that whole-home systems are generally more expensive—for the system itself, the installation cost, and the maintenance. For maximum benefit, a whole-home system paired with point-of-use filtration in kitchens or bathrooms is ideal.

Paula: There are several types of water filtration systems available. What are the different types and what do they do? 

Dr. Kong: That’s a great question. There are four main types of water filtration systems:

• Sediment filters capture larger contaminants, such as rust, dirt, and debris. 
• Activated carbon filters remove chlorine, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), and compounds that cause odors. 
• Reverse osmosis systems are excellent for removing heavy metals, fluoride, and PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
• Whole-home filtration systems combine filters to provide protection from the greatest range of contaminants.

The cost for each type of system varies by brand, capacity, and installation requirements.

Paula: We hear that mold can make a home unhealthy. How do you identify a mold problem?

Dr. Kong: Mold often hides behind walls or under flooring, so it may be hard for a homeowner to detect. Key signs of mold include:

• Visible patches—black, green, or gray discoloration—which can especially appear in damp areas such as under sinks, in basements, bathrooms, crawls spaces, and attics, and around windows.
• Musty or earthy odors.
• Increased allergy or respiratory symptoms indoors.

Excess humidity or signs of water damage may also indicate that you have mold. You can confirm that you have a mold problem by hiring a certified mold inspector or environmental consultant to conduct a mold assessment. Inspectors use moisture meters, thermal imaging, and air sampling to detect hidden mold—and hopefully, they can catch it early.

Paula: How can you make your home healthier if you have mold?

Dr. Kong: First off, you can limit mold growth by reducing moisture in your home. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners can help. Good ventilation is an affordable way to remove moisture. It’s also important to repair leaks and prevent water from entering your basement. An air purification system can help remove many airborne pollutants, including mold.

Paula: How do air and water quality tests help homeowners protect their homes?

Dr. Kong: Air and water quality testing are a great way to get a snapshot of invisible health threats in your home from pollutants to pathogens. These tests will help you:

• Identify contaminants like radon, carbon monoxide, and lead.
• Determine and prioritize home upgrades.
• Prevent long-term health issues and costly damage to your home.

Think of testing as an annual checkup for your home and your family’s well-being.

Paula: What are the major air quality issues inside a home?

Dr. Kong: There are several air quality hazards to be aware of. Some of the most common indoor air pollutants include:

• Cooking fumes—especially fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaners, furniture, and paint.
• Radon gas from soil under the home, which is a leading cause of lung cancer.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) from combustion appliances or poor ventilation.
• Excess humidity, leading to mold and dust mite growth.

Paula: How can you protect your home from these pollutants?

Dr. Kong: Protection starts with awareness, detection, and smart interventions. You can prevent problems from arising in the first place by:

• Using ventilation while cooking, including operating a range hood with a fan or opening a window.
• Installing carbon monoxide and radon detectors—and a radon mitigation system if needed.
• Choosing low-VOC paints, cleaners, and furnishings.
• Maintaining humidity between 30–50% with dehumidifiers or HVAC adjustments.
• Investing in air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters.
• Installing an energy recovery ventilator.

And most importantly, test regularly to monitor conditions and adapt accordingly.

Paula: Where is the best location for air quality testers or panels?

Dr. Kong: For the most reliable readings:

• Place testers at breathing height, 4–6 feet off the floor.
• Avoid close proximity to windows, vents, or appliances.
• Prioritize areas like bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and basements—places where people spend a lot of time.
• In large homes, use multiple testers to get accurate room-by-room readings.

For whole-home monitoring, Delos recommends centralized digital dashboards that aggregate real-time data from multiple sensors.