Indoor
Air Quality Evaluations
Research indicates that exposure to mold and other indoor contaminants
may cause adverse health effects to building occupants. EPA estimates
20-30% of all commercial buildings in North America have indoor air
quality problems. In fact, indoor air pollution is considered a significant environmental health risk.
Parks Environmental Consulting provides complete
indoor air quality evaluations, testing and corrective recommendations.
We look for poor indoor air quality causes such as molds, carbon dioxide,
formaldehyde, air comfort factors, carbon monoxide, airborne particulate,
and volatile organic compounds.
Our Industrial Hygienists evaluate
ventilation systems and their operation, local sources of pollution,
facility use, and occupant distribution. We prefer to listen to complaints,
carefully review the site, discuss the situation with management and
then develop a sound testing and sampling strategy. An informed site
review, and understanding of the issue, leads to sound sampling, testing
and problem solving.
A lot of the indoor air quality problems we investigate have relatively
simple causes, and are quick to evaluate and correct. That’s
why we prefer to first perform a cursory site evaluation with limited
sampling and testing. This first pass often reveals the indoor air
problem source(s) and relatively simple solutions. If more serious
building systems issues, chemical or mold contamination is found or
suspected, we can then evaluate the site more thoroughly and sample
and test more specifically. This two step approach can save time and
money.
Indoor Air Quality Investigation Process
•
Before the site visit, gather information on the building, its mechanical
systems and construction, its occupants, their activities, and their
complaints (if any) and illnesses (if any).
•
Investigate general environmental conditions (outside and inside
the building) that could influence the Indoor Air Quality. Review
HVAC system components for the affected areas.
•
Test for general indoor air comfort parameters such as temperature,
relative humidity, and carbon dioxide. If specific chemical problems
are known or suspected, test for applicable chemicals.
•
If appropriate, sample for airborne particles such as mold spores,
dust and fibers. Sample in the area of concern, and also from non-complaint
or outdoor areas for comparative purposes.
After the complete assessment, testing and lab analysis, a written
report is prepared summarizing our activities, findings and recommendations.
If corrective action is needed, Parks can plan, design, bid and
oversee abatement activities as needed.
Contact Us if You have the Following:
- Building Occupant Complaints or Concerns about Air Quality
- Building Occupants Experiencing Malaise, Headache, Allergy Symptoms
- Unidentifiable Odors Inside the Building
