Tag Archive: indoor air quality (IAQ)

Updated February 2021 Overall indoor air quality may seem low on the list of concerns for businesses whose employees are still largely working from home, but as stay-at-home orders begin to be lifted and workers begin to return cautiously to their desks, it will be increasingly important to assess for…

Common sense tells us that animal waste such as excrement, urine, and carcasses in the buildings where we work and live is a health hazard. But it isn’t easily preventable. Rodents, birds, lizards, insects, and other small creatures will eventually find their way into buildings through HVAC systems, sewage systems,…

While not as dramatic as the raging flames that produce it, wildfire smoke is a significant concern for residents, property owners and health and government officials dealing with the wide-ranging impact of wildfire season. Wildfire smoke can reach thousands of feet into the atmosphere and be carried by wind currents…

Dust, mold and asbestos can contribute to air quality issues in older buildings. But even new structures can be “sick buildings” if they have inadequate ventilation. Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals from new carpeting, paint, adhesives, sealants, cleaning products, engineered wood products and new furniture can…