Building Air Quality

Description

The US Department of Energy recently funded a study of indoor air quality (IAQ) illnesses from an insurance loss reduction perspective. This study also confirmed some conventional wisdom about legal exposure from poor indoor air quality in commercial buildings. One point noted in the report was that the incidents of commercial buildings with poor IAQ and the frequency of litigation over the effects of poor IAQ are increasing. Little information, however, was found about the actual cost to insurance companies from poor IAQ.

Certification of IAQ investigators has been the subject of a very spirited debate in several venues over the recent months. Most recently, the issue was raised in an IAQ discussion group on the Internet as well as in a major trade publication. In the debate, many have expressed the belief that meaningful certification in this complex area is impossible to achieve. They express a hope that the move to provide certifications will just fade away.

We recently completed an indoor air quality (IAQ) investigation in a small two-story office building. The symptoms reported by occupants included shortness of breath, heavy breathing, and burning eyes during certain portions of the day. Building Air Quality (BAQ) was called in after property management had reviewed mechanical systems and maintenance and operations issues and found nothing which could be considered a source of the complaints.

Indoor air quality problems can have a major impact on occupant health and comfort. When indoor air quality issues arise, it is important to make sure that only highly-qualified individuals are called upon to investigate, mitigate an dconfirm that a problem has been properly resolved. The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) offers the premier IAQ educational courses in the industry.

Fact sheet

Company contacts

Products & services

Similar companies nearby