5 Things to Know About Indoor Air Quality

1. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “indoor air quality describes how inside air can affect a person’s health, comfort, and ability to work.” One of the best ways to measure Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is air sampling.
2. To have good IAQ the indoor environment should be at a comfortable temperature and humidity for building occupants and provide an adequate supply of fresh outdoor air. Pollutants inside the building and coming in from outdoor air should be controlled.
3. There are a wide range of indoor air pollutants that have various implications. Some contaminants, like dust mites, make the environment uncomfortable for occupants, while other contaminants, like radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, and mold can have serious health consequences. Air sampling can help determine if an indoor space contains any of these harmful contaminants.
4. Well-sealed buildings are great for conserving energy, but they also require greater attention when it comes to indoor air quality because new air circulation from the outside is limited. This means that even the best-built buildings may need to be sampled for indoor air quality.

A building’s IAQ may need to be tested if there are any unpleasant or musty odors, the building feels hot or stuffy, occupants experience headaches or lethargy that subside once leaving the building. Sampling IAQ for potentially harmful air pollutants is key in identifying risk and protecting building occupants.