Indoor Air Quality F.A.Q.s   (Page 2)

What is the impact of poor air quality on the comfort and health of occupants of a building?

The impact of poor air quality on comfort, health and occupant attitudes often results in dissatisfaction and loss of productivity and revenue. The energy crisis of the 1970’s had a drastic effect on the design and operating philosophy of modern building ventilation systems. Many buildings were designed to limit the amount of outside air introduced into the building. Others were operated to minimize air exchange to control heat loss and the costs associated with conditioning the building air. Poor design, operation and maintenance can result in stale, polluted or foul indoor air. The health effects on occupants include headaches, nausea, a feeling of lethargy and skin rashes.

Are there regulations governing air quality in office buildings?

The regulations are more general and less specific than those covering air quality in an industrial setting, but there is a requirement that once there are more than seven staff members there must be an Occupational Safety Group to whom complaints and concerns can be addressed. Once a concern has been voiced to the Occupational Safety Group then action must be taken.

What does the Occupational Safety Group do once a concern has been voiced?

Maybe there are two or three employees in the office who are feeling very sick, suffering from bad headaches etc., that tend to dissipate once they leave the building. This concern has now been raised with the Occupational Health and Safety Group who in turn have informed the management and asked for an evaluation or assessment of the working environment. They might also call in the Ministry of Labour or Labour Canada if the building falls under the Canada Labour code to take some air measurements to see if there is in fact an air quality problem.

What are some of the basic causes of air quality deteriorating within an office setting?

Sometimes the population of an office area can increase fairly dramatically, without a increase in the amount of outside air being delivered to the area. Carbon dioxide levels will then go up. Above a certain level, people will begin to feel stuffy, experience headaches, etc. Other causes may be from chemicals caused by new building products, carpets, paints, varnishes, formaldehyde in new furniture, shelving or carpentry, or mould. General maintenance of the building may be an issue: are carpets clean, is there dust, is the office equipment being poorly maintained. Another important issue is what is happening outside on the roof or in adjacent buildings. Are vehicles idling next to the air intake, or are there dead birds lying on the roof near to the air intakes. There are many factors that can lead to problems with air quality. Issues related to water infiltration and mould growth are very significant and are describes in a separate FAQ section on mould.

How would you test for air quality?

Typically an air test would be conducted for carbon dioxide, which is an indicator of the amount of outside air coming in, and then temperature and relative humidity. Those are the main comfort parameters. If an office has been newly renovated samples of total volatile organic compounds - TVOCs Ð would help to identify the amount of chemicals in the air. Bulk and Air testing for mould and air borne spores is frequently included.

What would airborne chemicals in an office result from?

These could be from renovations that have taken place, equipment in use in a building such as copiers or printers or from perfume or aftershave that people are wearing. Odours in buildings from perfume and cologne are actually becoming a big concern. Scented detergents and soaps can also cause problems. This particular chemical problem is known as MCS Ð (multiple chemical sensitivity). Lack of adequate air floe can significantly worsen the problem of airborne chemicals.

Is there a way to decrease the air quality problems associated with renovations?

Any construction, either in an office or at home, should be done in a certain order to minimize air quality problems. There should be a minimal amount of furniture, including carpets, in the room while painting because the odours from the paint will get absorbed into the carpeting and off-gas for four to five days after that.

What kind of problems are associated with fibreglass or manmade mineral fibre (MMMF) ceiling tiles?

Fibreglass or MMMP in an office environment can be a concern. As many offices have fibreglass ceiling tiles. The dust from these tiles, when disturbed, can fall onto workers desks and when it comes into contact with skin can cause a rash. Careful clean-up of residual material and any construction dust is essential, and often overlooked aspects of any project

What role do humidifiers play in helping to improve indoor air quality?

Dirty humidifiers can actually result in major problems with air quality. If a humidifier is not kept clean mould is created inside the humidification system which is now sent out into the surrounding air. If a humidifier is installed then there should also be a good preventative program in effect to ensure regular cleaning. Humidifiers should be looked at every couple of weeks to ensure that dirt and sludge is not building up. This same attention to the build-up of dirt and water in condensation pans (and any other location where water may accumulate) should be a routine part of building maintenance.