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Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Dispatched
IEC-SV
Mobile Units,
Products and
Services
Indoor
Air Quality -
Sick Building
Syndrome -
Building
Related
Illness -
Contact IEC
Pollutant
Identification
Source Control
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| Health - Allergies -
Asthma |
People Spend Most of
Their Time Indoors |
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Airborne Particles
Biological Contaminants
Gases & Odors |
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Contact IEC for
Pollutant Identification
and Source Control
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The Air We Share Indoor and outdoor pollution have been identified as potentially important
contributors to the
increase in asthma over the
last few decades.
Air
Pollution is not just about outdoors: Many common indoor pollutants
are carcinogens.
Volatile Organic
Compounds
(VOCs)
are common in indoor air.
VOCs
can exacerbate
asthma,
cause cancer,
and irritant effects.
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Health and Indoor Air Quality
Indoor
and outdoor air pollution impacts everyone's life to some extent. Some
individuals will live unaware of any known effect upon their health while
others may experience a mild irritant effect, or respiratory ailments, or
more severe effects such as cancer, or death. Adverse health effects
are dependent upon the pollutant identified, level of exposure, length of
time exposed, and other contributing factors.
Personal exposure to indoor concentrations of pollutants can exceed health
limits. The greater the distance between the pollutant source and the
individual can dilute the effect upon the person. Both outside and indoor
sources of pollutants can become trapped within the indoor environment
raising concentration levels and the possibility of health risks.
Environmental Awareness
Consumers need to know about their indoor air - need to talk about it - need
to become aware of the growing compilation of information, research, and
concerns among industry and health professionals regarding the quality of the air that
we breathe - everyday.
Biological contaminants such as
bacteria, mold, pollen or
dust mites are common indoors
and outside. Excessive exposure
is associated with asthma attacks, allergy, sinus or respiratory symptoms in
susceptible individuals.
Institute of Medicine - "Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Exposures" 2000
This report confirmed associations between indoor air pollutants and asthma
in addition to the more commonly known triggers such as: animal dander, dust
mites and cigarette smoke.
Scientists have also confirmed an association between the exacerbation of
asthma and exposures to nitrogen dioxide NO2, NOx, and
mold.
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There is no single test
to determine pollutants
and indoor air quality.
IEC can provide proactive, preventive, monitoring and assurance
documentation.
Health Effects Example:
VOC symptoms
itchy, burning eyes
skin irritation, nose, throat,
lung irritation, nausea,
headache, dizziness,
allergies, or more severe
health effects.
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THE BEST INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONTROL IS PREVENTION
Airborne Particles-Biological Contaminants-Gases & Odors
Many everyday products used in the home contribute to indoor air pollution
such as: paints, disinfectants, adhesives, cleaners, air fresheners,
pesticides or varnishes, just to name a few.
Aerosol products disperse
chemicals in small airborne droplets. VOCs are organic compounds that
evaporate into the air. There are hundreds of VOCs in indoor and outdoor air
and many cause health problems. Other sources of poor IAQ can be any one of
numerous particle, bioaerosols or gas sources such as: dust, pollen, animal
dander, molds, fungus, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, bacteria, viruses,
IAQ - Pollutant
Identification-Source Control-Mitigation
IEC - Diagnostic Building Investigations - Solutions |
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Home or Work
Indoor Environment
Check
IAQ scientists and consultants determine appropriate tests
through diagnostic evaluation
of indoor environments and
possible contaminant sources.
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IMPORTANT INDOOR AIR
QUALITY QUESTIONS
As stated previously, many indoor pollutants can cause
flu-like symptoms, breathing problems and or more severe health problems.
Some symptoms may not be building related so important questions must be
asked to better determine an appropriate course of action. A professional
indoor air quality diagnostic building investigation will also include an
occupant interview.
Example Questions From an Occupant Interview:
What are the occupants specific
symptoms or health complaints?
Are others experiencing the same complaints or symptoms?
What are the occupants pre-existing health problems, or age, that may be
increasing the susceptibility?
Do the symptoms decrease when occupants are away from the indoor
environment in question?
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Indoor
Environment
Check
Hotline Access to Experts
On-going Monitoring
Preventive Maintenance
Risk Management
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Example
Indoor Air Assessment
Air samples can be used to determine such things as airborne fungal spores,
Aldehydes, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Particulates. Spot
measurements can be taken for temperature, humidity, Carbon Monoxide (CO)
and Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
Ideally, air assessment analytical results should be below any OSHA or EPA
mandated concentrations.
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Over 20 Million People in
the US suffer from Asthma -
6 Million are children
IEC-
Making Environmental
Awareness More
Affordable
for the
General Public
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Asthma sufferers know the importance of eliminating triggers that can cause
and or contribute to the need for an emergency room visit to resolve a
health crisis. While asthma sufferers understand the importance of managing
asthma triggers the EPA estimates that fewer than 30% of sufferers
understand how to minimize or eliminate the triggers.
As well, many individuals today suffer from a loss of
effectiveness in their daily lives due to symptoms of fatigue, respiratory
ailments, and other health problems. Many of these symptoms may be associated
with a simple environmental issue that can be easily resolved.
Indoor Environment
Check, in combination with the AirGuys technical approach,
provides the consumer with specific information required to establish the
source of indoor pollutants. Pollutant identification and source control
will assist the consumer with indoor environmental health management. IEC
provides qualified staff, methods and procedures for all indoor air quality
investigations. Quality of life is maintained through healthy indoor
environments and at IEC - quality - is our primary goal.
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References
Environmental Protection
Agency www.epa.gov/iaq.
California Resource Board. Indoor Air Pollution in California. June 2004.
California Environmental Protection Agency www.ca.arb.gov
Macher, Janet., Sc.D., M.P.H. Ed., et al. "Bioaerosols: Assessment and
Control". Cincinnati: ACGIH 1999. Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals. American
Lung Association. American Medical Association, US Consumer Product Safety
Commission. US Environmental Protection Agency. 1994 |
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Indoor
Environment Check.com