Indoor Air Quality (I.A.Q.) issues impact the lives of people across the globe. Indoor air quality is a major concern to businesses, building managers, tenants, and employees because it can impact the health, comfort, well being, and work productivity of building occupants even resulting in a decreased property value.
Indoor Air Quality (I.A.Q.) can be defined as the nature of air as it deals with the content of interior air that could affect the health and comfort of building occupants. The I.A.Q. may be compromised by microbial contaminants, moulds, chemicals, or any VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) that can generate health effects. Recent findings have demonstrated that indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air.
Most people spend about 90% of their time indoors which includes time spent at work, school, or home. Relative to the outdoor environment, Indoor Air Quality (I.A.Q.) is of greater importance to people in regards to how it affects their health and comfort whilst inside their built environment.
Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced immediately after exposure or, possibly, years later.
Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.
Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal.
Techniques for analyzing the I.A.Q. (Indoor Air Quality) in the built environment include collection of air samples and collection of samples on building surfaces. The results of the samples can be analyzed for mould, bacteria, chemicals or other stressors. These investigations can lead to an understanding of the sources of the contaminants and ultimately to strategies for removing the unwanted elements from the air.
Following the sample testing we will call you with the results of the air-quality test and provide you with a detailed explanation of the measures that should be taken based on these results. You will also receive an email copy of the results for your own records.
The key to avoiding serious indoor air quality problems is prevention. It is imperative to try to improve the indoor air quality in your built environment even if symptoms are not noticeable.
“As many as one billion people, mostly women and children, are regularly
exposed to levels of indoor air pollution exceeding the W.H.O (World Health
Organisations) guidelines by up to 100 times”
We are certified with the Indoor Air Quality Association, Inc. (I.A.Q.A.). The I.A.Q.A. was established in 1995 to promote uniform standards, procedures and protocols in the Indoor Air Quality industry. Since its inception, I.A.Q.A. has become a leader in training and education for I.A.Q. practitioners. The association is committed to education and research, and serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas within the emerging I.A.Q. field.
