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PLANNING, DESIGN & RESEARCH ENGINEERS, INC. |
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Indoor Air Quality
Sometimes it is easier to recognize
"poor" indoor air quality than it is to define "good"
indoor air quality (IAQ). A few examples which may suggest poor IAQ include:
Stale
("stuffy") air
Lingering
disagreeable odors
Air
that causes eye, nose, or throat irritation
Mold
or mildew problems
Humidity
level under 30% or over 60%
Tobacco
smoke
Excessive
dust or allergens
Other potential problems may
include:
Radon
gas
Combustion
gases or smoke containing carbon monoxide & contaminants from
indoor appliances and vehicles
Pesticides
(insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, & rodenticides)
Asbestos
from deteriorated insulation
Lead
and other heavy metal dust
Poor Indoor Air Quality Can Cause Health Problems
Most indoor air quality
problems cause discomfort, but do not result in health problems. Below are some
examples of problems that you should be aware of because they can result in
illness or death.
Carbon
Monoxide can build to hazardous or
fatal levels in areas where insufficient air is provided to appliances that
burn natural gas, propane, fuel oil, or wood.
Radon
gas can increase the risk of developing
lung cancer. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends
testing to see if radon reduction methods are needed.
Carbon
dioxide can build to hazardous
levels in areas where sufficient air is not provided and increases due to metabolic
activities. Higher concentrations of carbon dioxide could cause headaches or
severe discomfort.
Testing Your Indoor Air Quality
Testing services and air
monitoring devices are available through our laboratory. PDR Engineers, Inc.
can provide the professional services needed to determine if there is a
problem. Please contact our office to speak with a professional industrial
hygiene consultant.
Pump
collecting air sample in work area
for welding fumes
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