INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS - Scotts Global Ltd

Risk to Public Health
IAQ has been identified by the EPA as one of the top five most urgent
environmental risks to public health. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) estimates that on average, office workers spend
approximately 40 hours a week in office buildings. These workers
also study, eat, drink, and, in certain work settings, sleep in enclosed
environments where make-up air (i.e., fresh air added to re-circulated air)
may be compromised. For this reason, some experts believe that more
people may suffer from the effects of indoor air pollution than outdoor
air pollution.

IAQ Problems
Many common IAQ problems are associated with improperly operated
and maintained heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems,
overcrowding, radon, moisture incursion and dampness, presence of outside
air pollutants, and the presence of internally generated contaminants such
as use of cleaning and disinfecting supplies and aerosol products, off-gassing
from materials in the building, and use of mechanical equipment.
Improper temperature and relative humidity conditions can also present
problems, especially concerning comfort.

Solution
Many IAQ complaints are associated with flaws in building design and
by inadequate routine preventive maintenance of building enclosures
(envelopes), plumbing, and HVAC systems. To resolve many IAQ problems,
a preventive maintenance program should be established based on the
system’s recommended maintenance schedule outlined by the architect or
engineer, the manufacturer, or an HVAC professional. Regular preventive
maintenance not only ensures that systems are operating properly but also
can result in cost savings, improved operating efficiency, and increased
worker productivity.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), among
others has demonstrated that IAQ issues can be readily and practically
addressed when building systems are retrofitted for energy efficiency.

Scotts Global Ltd. performs Indoor Air Quality Testing and
Ventilation Assessment for Commercial and Industrial
buildings to identify and resolve Air Quality Problems that
may put customers and employees at risk.