Indoor Air Quality – Commercial

Indoor Air Quality

What You Need to Know

Indoor air quality has a direct impact on the health and comfort of building occupants

Indoor air quality can be affected by gases, (carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon) particulates, microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria) or any stressor than can result in adverse health effects

Increasing ventilation is one of the simplest and most effective means of at least temporarily improving indoor air quality

A key indication of indoor air quality issues is the improvement of symptomology when away from the potential source of the problem

What You Need to Do

A typical indoor air quality screen will consist of taking measurements of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, temperature, and relative humidity as well as taking measurements of any other potential identified air quality issues

If an issue is suspected, identify any potential sources of contamination, ensure HVAC systems are working properly and that building usage has not changed

If an issue is suspected, most often a comprehensive investigation of the building as a whole will be necessary

Consider retaining 3rd party experts to perform the investigation

Myths and Misconceptions

Much of the indoor air quality complaints can be traced to a simple lack of oxygen and/or too much carbon dioxide in a space—TRUE

Indoor pollutants can cause health problems including sore eyes, burning in the throat, headaches, fatigue, respiratory illnesses, cancer, and even death-TRUE

The EPA requires that all schools must comply with their Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program- FALSE

There is now conclusive evidence that the use of strong fragrances indoors can cause adverse health effects in sensitive individuals-FALSE