University Conducts Indoor Environmental Quality Assessment in Response to Occupant Concerns

Whether your workplace is indoors or outdoors, continual maintenance of the space is a must. In buildings, air contaminants like poor ventilation, high or low humidity, and mold can cause sickness, impaired health, and decreased productivity. While employers should perform routine testing, they must also be prepared to address health and safety concerns outside of the typical testing time frame. 

When occupants reported health concerns, the administration of a well-known university contacted G2 for an indoor environmental quality (IEQ) assessment. An IEQ assessment looks at the conditions inside a building—air quality, lighting, thermal conditions, ergonomics—and determines their effects on occupants. 

G2 assessed four indoor air quality factors—carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity—and compared the measurements to standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The assessment also entailed:  

• Volatile organic compound (VOC) sampling: VOCs are emitted as gasses from certain solids or liquids and can come from paint, carpet, air fresheners, cosmetics, gasoline, smoke, and composite wood products. 
• Airborne fungal sampling: Molds are fast-growing fungi found almost anywhere moisture and oxygen are present. 
• Particulate monitoring: Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. Indoor PM can be generated through cooking, burning of candles, use of fireplaces, and cigarette smoking. 
• Allergen sampling: Allergens are substances that cause allergic reactions. Common indoor allergens include pollen, dust, and pets.  

G2’s comprehensive IEQ assessment provides clients with the whole picture by determining what indoor pollutants are present, and offering solutions for reducing or eliminating them to keep occupants healthy.  

Read the case study to see the unique recommendations G2 provided to the university  to increase the lifespan of the building and ensure the comfort of the students and faculty.