Indoor Air Quality
The initial goal of any indoor air quality survey is to evaluate room compliance with current applicable indoor air quality standards and recommendations, and /or to identify aspects of indoor air quality that may be causing alleged adverse health effects for employees or home owners.
Phase I: Formal Evaluation of Space and Measurement of Key Air Quality Parameters
Evaluate compliance with the ASHRAE 62-2001.
- Measure fresh air ventilation and air handler filtration efficiency. .
- Evaluate the air handler, occupied problem areas, and adjacent spaces for the presence of mold reservoirs, or evidence of prior water infiltration.
- Discuss with Facility Managers to discuss the parameters currently implemented for the HVAC system, including the maintenance schedule, flow rates, static pressure conditions, and condition of the coils. The results of the discussion, including recommendations are included in the final report.
Phase II: Communication
For the next step, the investigator will engage in discussions with staff to accurately define complaint areas, alleged health effects, and timing of health effects. The particle counter is used to measure particle emissions from HVAC systems or other potential sources such as copy equipment.
Continuous temperature and relative humidity data-loggers are placed in the space if a humidity problem is suspected.
Initial findings include recommendations for additional monitoring or evaluation (if necessary), in addition to recommended corrective actions. The report will be based on established indoor air quality guidance criteria, including:
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standards (OSHA) proposed Indoor Air Quality Rule.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers
- American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Guideline for the Assessment of Bioaerosols in the Indoor Environment,
- NIOSH Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Guidance for Indoor Air Quality Investigations.
Phase III: Sampling
Any and all sampling for contaminants is based on preliminary findings from Phase I and Phase II. Samples are typically located in problem (or suspect) areas, non-complaint areas, and outdoors as a reference.
