What is IAQ testing?
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Indoor concentrations of some pollutants have increased in recent decades due to factors such as energy-efficient building construction and increased use of synthetic building materials, furnishings, personal care products, pesticides, and household cleaners.
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The indoor air concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor air.
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IAQ testing determines the amount of pollutants in the environment and identifies what is present and possibly detrimental to the health of the occupants.
Why is IAQ testing important?
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Amendments to the Criminal Code set out in Bill C-45 (Health & Safety Negligence) came into effect March 31, 2004. Not providing, ensuring and investigating the status of indoor air quality in a workplace can result in criminal charges against the directors of a corporation, organization as well as sole proprietors and individuals.
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Other major problems with IAQ, such as, sick staff, chronic fatigue, and absenteeism leads to reduced productivity and employee performance, which also affect bottom line profits.
What causes Poor IAQ?
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On average people spend over 90 percent of our lives indoors. Consequently, everything that is in our indoor air, including pollutants, allergens, VOCs, toxins–and even mould spores may be breathed in.
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Breathing in these harmful contaminants over an extended period of time can impact a persons life and well being.
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Sources of poor IAQ include:
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Products of combustion such as carbon monoxide
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Particulate matter
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Substances of natural origin such as radon
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Biological agents such as moulds,
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Various volatile organic compounds
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Inappropriate ventilation
Health effects
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The potential impact of indoor air quality on human health include symptoms:
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irritation of the eyes, nose or throat,
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headaches,
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dizziness,
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fatigue or respiratory diseases.
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Airborne Contaminates Include:
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Mould – Symptoms including but not limited to: runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throat, dry skin, recurring colds, dry mouth, nausea, flu symptoms, difficulty breathing, excessive sneezing, consistent coughing & phlegm build-up, constant headaches & migraines, sinus infection, asthma attack, memory loss, bleeding lungs, death.
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CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) – Symptoms include: rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, clumsiness, emotional upsets, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, collapse, convulsions, coma, organ failure and death.
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VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) – Symptoms and affected parts include: eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination; damage to liver, kidney, central nervous system, conjunctival irritation, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, and dizziness.
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CO (Carbon Monoxide) – Can cause sudden illness and death. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, confusion, loss of consciousness and death.
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Odour – Typically not a health hazard, however, they may interfere with Quality of life due to the lingering smell.
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Radon – Over 25,000 people die in North America as a result of Radon each year. Health Canada reported that “16% of lung cancers deaths in Canada are attributable to radon exposure.
Solutions
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GEP will consult with you to identify what the assessment will include personalized to each particular case and it needs.
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Commonly, an indoor air quality consultation includes the collection of air samples, the determination of air flow, and indoor moisture levels.
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A detailed report of findings from a third-party laboratory, will include remediation recommendations to resolve the problem.
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Contact GEP to schedule a free consultation to determine what type of contaminants are of concern and what is the most effective type of testing you need to achieve your goals.
