Indoor Air Quality

What is IAQ?

Indoor Air Quality deals with the content of interior air that could affect the health and comfort of building occupants. IAQ may be compromised by microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria), chemicals (carbon monoxide, radon, allergens) or any mass or energy stressor that can induce negative health effects. Recent findings have demonstrated that indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air (albeit with different pollutants), although this has not changed the common understanding of air pollution. In fact, indoor air is often a greater health hazard than the corresponding outdoor setting. Using ventilation to dilute contaminants, filtration, and source control are the primary methods for improving indoor air quality in most buildings.

In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent (90%) of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to indoor air pollution than outdoors. 

How does it affect me?

All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to environmental pollutants are all varying degrees of risks. Some risks are simply unavoidable. Some, we choose to accept because to do otherwise would restrict our ability to lead our lives comfortably. There are also some risks we might decide to avoid if we had the opportunity to make informed choices. Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. 

What can be done?

Techniques for analyzing IAQ include the collection of air samples, collection of samples on building surfaces, and computer modeling of air flow inside buildings. The resulting samples can be analyzed for mold, bacteria, chemicals or other stressors. These investigations can lead to an understanding of the sources of contaminants, and ultimately to strategies for removing the unwanted elements from the air.