IAQ stands for Indoor Air Quality. We all face risks to our health everyday - being exposed to environmental pollutants on a daily basis being one of those that presents us with varying degrees of risk. Most of us choose to accept the risks because of the restrictions it might impose on our lifestyles. Indoor air pollution is one risk however, that we can do something about.
In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence indicates that the air within our homes and workplaces can be more polluted than the outdoor air even in rural settings. Research reveals that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) deals with the content of interior air that affects the health and comfort of its occupants. The IAQ can be impacted by microbial contaminants (mold or bacteria), allergens (dust mites, pet dander, pollen, etc.), or chemicals (VOC’s, carbon monoxide, etc.). The primary methods used today to improve IAQ in most buildings include filtration, source control, and using ventilation to dilute contaminants.
Methods for characterizing IAQ include collection of air samples, surface wipe ‘swab’ samples, dust samples, and water samples. The sample results give Enviroaire technicians the information they need to determine what the possible sources are and to then make strategies for removing those specific contaminants from the interior air.
TYPICAL SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS
Outside Sources Polluted Outdoor Air
Pollen, dust, fungal spores; Industrial emissions;
and Vehicle emissions
Nearby Sources
Loading docks; Odors from dumpsters; and
Unsanitary debris or building exhausts
near outdoor air intakes
Underground sources
Pesticides; Radon: and Leakage from
Underground storage tanks
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Building Equipment HVAC Equipment
Microbiological growth in drip pans, ductwork,
coils, and humidifiers; Improper venting of
combustion products; and Dust or debris in
ductwork
Non-HVAC Equipment
Emissions from office equipment (volatile organic
compounds, ozone); and Emissions from shops,
labs, cleaning processes
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Component/furnishing Components
Microbiological growth on soiled or water-damaged
materials; Dry traps that allow the passage of sewer
gas; Materials containing volatile organic
compounds, or damaged asbestos; and
Materials that produce particles (dust)
Furnishings
Emissions from new furnishings and floorings;
and Microbiological growth on or in solid or
water-damaged furnishings
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Other Indoor Sources Science laboratories; Vocational arts areas;
Copy/Print areas; Food prep areas; Smoking lounges;
Cleaning materials; Emissions from trash; Pesticides;
Odors and volatile organic compounds from paint,
chalk, adhesives; Occupants with communicable
diseases; Dry-erase markers and similar pens; Insects
and other pests; and Personal care products.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CMC/CIE Certified?
The Council-certified Microbial Consultant (CMC) and Indoor Environmentalist (CIE) designations imply the holder has earned the most respected certifications in the field of indoor microbial environmental consulting. These certifications are accredited by the Council for Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB), a nationally recognized independent accreditation body. IAQ Council certifications are the only designations in indoor air quality to earn CESB accreditation. To earn and maintain the designations, a candidate must:
- Have at least eight (8) years of documented, verifiable field experience in microbial and indoor environmental consulting.
- Pass rigorous, psychometrically related examinations based on broad industry knowledge rather than a course curriculum.
- Earn the unanimous approval of the CMC/CIE certification board
- Re-certify every two years, participating in a minimum of 20 hours of professional development activities per year per designation
- Maintain the highest ethical standards
