What Is Indoor Air Quality Testing?
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing measures the levels of pollutants in the air and assesses them against the standards that The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has in place.
Alpha Environmental retains the tools, equipment, and expertise to perform residential and commercial air quality testing in order to help our clients maintain clean indoor air quality.
Read: Indoor Air Quality Testing
How Often Should Commercial Air Quality Testing Be Done
While there isn’t a set number of times per year your office’s air quality is required to be tested, it’s important to take any and all air quality concerns seriously.
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), signs of poor indoor air quality include unpleasant or musty odors and/or a hot and stuffy workplace.
Other workers experience symptoms that happen at work and go away when they leave the office—such as headaches, coughing, shortness of breath, or feeling tired. Asthma and some causes of pneumonia are also signs of poor IAQ. However, not all exposure to poor indoor air quality results in symptoms.
Why is Air Quality Testing Important?
Air Quality testing is a necessary part of maintaining a healthy work environment. It is used by professionals to:
- Analyze the current environment
- Evaluate locations and extent of possible source areas for indoor air problems
- Investigate possible hidden contamination sources
- Physically collect and analyze air and surface samples to identify contaminants
- Look into the cause of any water damage or moisture problems
- Take a look at air ducts or other air handling equipment for contamination or malfunction
- Measure ambient air quality parameters such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and humidity.
The result is a detailed written report of each hazard and next steps on how to improve your air quality.
What Do IAQ Professionals Test For?
As a standard part of IAQ testing, professionals look for many possible sources of chemicals and contaminants in the air.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Carbon Monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Particulates
- Asthma triggers
- Mold and Mildew
- Formaldehyde
- Office machine off-gassing
- Allergens
- Airborne asbestos
- Chemicals, solvents & resins
Side Effects of Poor Air Quality
If poor air quality goes untested and untreated, serious side effects are likely to follow. Possible side effects include
- Allergies
- Skin irritation
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing/sneezing
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Asthma
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Hyperactivity
- Difficulty concentrating
- Short-term memory loss
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