- Several studies by EPA, states, and independent scientific panels have consistently ranked indoor air pollution as one of the top five most urgent environmental risk to public health.
- Indoor air quality is a major concern to businesses, building managers, tenants, and employees because it can impact the health, comfort, well being, and productivity of building occupants.
- Most Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors and many spend most of their working hours in an office environment. Studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others show that indoor environments sometimes can have levels of pollutants that are actually higher than levels found outside.
- Pollutants in our indoor environment can increase the risk of illness.
- OSHA recognized that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can be hazardous to workers’ health and that is in the best interest of everyone that building owners, managers and employers take a proactive approach to address IAQ concerns.
- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) defines acceptable IAQ as “air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations as determined by cognizant authorities and with which a substantial majority (80% or more) of the people exposed do not express dissatisfaction.
- A proactive approach to indoor air quality (IAQ) can save money through improved heating and cooling efficiencies; improved office environment, occupant morale, and increased employee productivity.
- IAQ affects occupant health, comfort, and productivity, and in some cases even building usability, all of which can have significant economic impacts for building owners and occupants.
- While it is hard to put firm numbers on these benefits, there is increasing evidence of measurable productivity increases and reduced absentee rates in spaces with better IAQ. In considering the economics of IAQ, it is important to note that the salaries of building occupants are the largest cost associated with building operation, over passing energy by a factor of 50 or even 100.
- If you are a property manager, improved IAQ will also help make your building more marketable to prospective tenants.
- A Pro-Active approach is to assess your building to identify factors or conditions that could negatively impact indoor air quality, including mold growth or water intrusion and to conduct air sampling to assure compliance with recognized standards for IAQ.
- By taking a proactive approach, building management can lessen the chance that problems will occur and be ready to deal with IAQ issues when they do arise.