Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has been identified by the EPA as one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the majority of Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. On average, office workers spend approximately 40 hours a week in office buildings. These workers also study, eat, drink, and in certain work settings, sleep in enclosed environments where make-up air (i.e. fresh air added to recirculated air) may be compromised. For this reason, some experts believe that more people may suffer from the effects of indoor air pollution than from outdoor air pollution.
Air pollution is one of the top 5 factors causing chronic disease, according to the World Health Association. IAQ is a major concern to businesses, schools, building managers, tenants, and workers because it can impact the health, comfort, well-being, and productivity of the building occupants. OSHA recognizes that poor IAQ can be hazardous to workers’ health and that it is in the best interest of everyone that building owners, managers, and employers take a proactive approach to address IAQ concerns.
Understanding and controlling building ventilation can improve the quality of the air we breathe and reduce the risk of indoor health concerns including preventing viruses from spreading indoors. Indoor air often contains 2 – 5 times as much pollution as is typical in outdoor air. Many IAQ complaints are associated with flaws in building design and by inadequate routine preventative maintenance of building envelopes, plumbing, and HVAC systems. To resolve many IAQ problems, a preventative maintenance program should be established based on the system’s recommended schedule outlined by the architect or engineer, the manufacturer, or Indoor Air Quality Professional.
Applied Environmental has been performing IAQ assessments since 1986, both proactive and in response to specific issues or complaints. Assessments are usually performed to measure airborne concentrations of fungal spores, solvents, gases, fibers, and dust. Sampling can be performed on surfaces, in the air, and for worker’s personal exposure levels. Sampling is usually undertaken to ensure:
- That airborne levels of hazardous materials (lead, asbestos etc.) in the areas adjacent to work areas are not above currently enforceable federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exposure limits.
- That current dust and pollutant control measures are sufficient for reducing air concentrations of contaminants.
- That indoor airborne fungal spore concentrations are within acceptable parameters and below the concentrations measured outdoors based on the ACGIH’s Bioaerosols, Assessment and Control document which provides guidance on investigation, sampling, assessment, and remedial actions.
- That air quality is acceptable (as a proactive measure) in accordance with standards and guidelines referenced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and other applicable industry guidelines.
Direct read measurements for temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and respirable particulate are usually collected using various handheld instruments. The area(s) is then assessed for suspected water damage, visible apparent mold growth, and/or elevated airborne mold concentrations. Demolition of wall components may be performed to evaluate for potential hidden mold or elevated moisture. Fungal spores may then be collected to measure their concentration and analyzed to identify the predominant species of microorganisms present and the percent concentrations of those in the total count.
Based on the sampling results and observations made, Applied Environmental provides recommendations to reduce and eliminate airborne contaminants in the tested spaces.
Applied Environmental maintains an extensive inventory of direct-read industrial hygiene instruments, and analytical sampling equipment. Our close working relationships with numerous AIHA-accredited industrial hygiene analytical laboratories assures that we have an in-house inventory of sampling media as well as comprehensive analytical support. Our field staff is supported by laboratory experts experienced in identifying analytical sampling techniques, sampling interference, esoteric sampling parameters, and general field guidance that enhances our exposure evaluations.
