Indoor Air Quality and Mold
Several factors can affect the indoor air quality (IAQ) in a building. Poor IAQ is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOC) present in cleaning, maintenance, or personal products from vehicle exhaust that becomes entrained in the air intake, or a lack of adequate air flow to the office space. Sometimes, IAQ is impacted by mold and fungal growth. IAQ problems can be hard to identify due to the variety of potential sources and the variation associated with their occurence on a day-to-day basis.
Common sources of air quality concerns:
- Dry floor/sink drain traos
- Spoiled food
- Occupant activities or perfumes
- Construction odors
- Vehicle exhaust
- Chemical vapors
- Moisture or mold
These tips can help prevent poor IAQ conditions:
- Plants can be a source of mold and fungi that may cause allergies. If there are plants in your work area, experiment with moving one or more types out at a time and see if the reaction is less over the next few days.
- Some perfumes, lotions, and deodorants can cause reactions in people who have greater sensitivity. Be cognizant of the people in your area and their sensitivities.
- Check refrigerators for outdated or spoiled food and dispose of it properly.
- Occasionally check garbage bins for spoiled or outdated foods.
- If all else fails, an occupant air quality concern should be reported by entering a work order on the Facilities Management Customer Portal. Note that a fee will be charged for indoor air quality sampling and evaluations.
How We Can Help
Unfortunately there is no single instrument that can conclusively identify all contaminants. Identifying the source of an IAQ problem requires knowledge of the potential sources of contaminants and a way to test for them. We can facilitate an evaluation, collect samples if necessary, and make recommendations.
Useful Information
CDC Building Air Quality Guide
OSHA Indoor Air Quality in Commercial and Institutional Buildings