Improving Indoor Air Quality

Eight Simple Steps to Improve Conditions When No Obvious Air Quality Problem is Identified

Fires, Ozone Levels, Particulate Levels, Santa Ana Winds and Global Warming - we hear much about these outdoor pollutants and all of these do affect indoor air quality. However, these are not ordinary conditions but extraordinary conditions that have a major effect on the quality of the air inside a home, school or public building.

​Indoor air quality may also be affected in a subtle manner by very ordinary conditions as well. The USEPA has compiled a checklist for facility managers to review the various factors that may have a negative impact on the air quality inside a building. This checklist, originally developed for use in schools, is long (5 pages) and not necessarily user friendly.

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Rather than concentrating on a checklist which may focus attention to items not pertinent to a specific structure, heating, ventilating and air conditioning configuration (HVAC) or air velocity from supply or exhaust vents, or other building components, it may be easier and more beneficial to conduct a walkthrough and simply focus on the general condition of the space.  This simple 8 element guideline should help.

The walkthrough should focus on the following eight elements:

• Before you start your inside walkthrough, walk around the building and look for planters or dirt directly against the outer walls; also look for landscaping irrigation sprinklers that may be spraying water directly against the building.
• Look at the general condition of the space: is it cluttered, unkempt or dirty-note what you see including overflowing waste containers, food wrappers, piles of paper or dirty/sticky floors.
• Are there cleaning supplies stored in the office or classroom? Are they stored in a closet or are they thrown under a sink? Make note of the items and how they are stored.
• Look at the supply and exhaust grills-are they dusty/dirty? If so, make a note of it
• Use your nose to detect odors, even if you cannot figure out what it is. If you are in a cafeteria, of course you will detect food smells but if a rancid or other odor is detected, make note of it.
• Look at windows and doors, and ceilings for evidence of water intrusion: stains on ceiling tiles, rust stains on carpeting where file cabinets may have been located or rust on door thresholds and frames or stains on the adjacent carpeting, if present. If a concrete, wood or resilient tile floor is present, you may see stains on the materials or tiles/wood may be buckled or otherwise water damaged. Look at walls and floors underneath toilets and sinks since leaks may be slow and signs of water intrusion may be subtle.
• If evidence of water intrusion is observed, look for mold growth as well. If any mold growth observed, make note of it since mold growth may be more extensive inside a wall cavity than what is observed on the outer surface of the wall.
• Look at mechanical rooms and custodial closets-are they unkempt? Dirty mops, rags and cleaning supplies brought into a space may adversely affect the air quality. You may also see evidence of leaks and water intrusion from hopper sinks and mold from lack of ventilation in the space.

Once you have conducted your walkthrough, review your notes and examine the findings for items you can change. For example, if the space is cluttered, perhaps additional storage in the form of shelves, bins or boxes may help organize the space. Additional mopping or general housekeeping may be needed. Water intrusion or mold growth may require the assistance of professionals.

Building occupants may accept current conditions or they may be express their dissatisfaction with conditions. Keep occupants informed of your building walkthrough investigation and the manner that unsatisfactory items will be addressed so they know they are being heard and conditions are being addressed. Often you may not find a “smoking gun” or one big element that compromises indoor air quality, but each small change will improve the indoor air quality.

​Our environmental health and safety professionals can answer your questions. For more information contact Alta at (562) 495-5777.