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© 2009 SESA-Safety & Environmental Services Australia Pty Ltd. ABN 27 133 203 933 ACN 133 203 933. All rights reserved

Importance of Indoor Air Quality

A large number of employees work in an office environment. The air quality in these environments is important, with some workers suffer from health or comfort problems. These problems may be related to the time spent working inside a building and may significantly reduce worker productivity.

 

The term “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is used where building occupants report symptoms of discomfort such as headache, eye, nose or throat irritation, dry cough, dry or itchy skin, dizziness, nausea, tiredness or sensitivity to odours.

The symptoms appear to be linked to the length of time people spend in a building or a particular part of the building. The cause of the symptoms is not known. Symptoms improve soon after leaving the building.

 

The term “building related illness” (BRI) is used where building occupants report symptoms such as headache, eye, nose or throat irritation, cough, dry or itchy skin, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, chest tightness, fever, chills or muscle aches. The cause of the symptoms can be identified and is related to airborne contaminants in the building. Symptoms may take some time to improve even after occupants have left the building.

Indoor air quality problems may affect building occupants to different extents due to individual health factors and susceptibility to contaminants.

 

Causes of Indoor Air Quality Problems

• Inadequate ventilation for the number of people occupying a building
• Chemical contaminants from indoor sources – e.g. volatile organic compounds (chemicals) emitted from carpets or manufactured wood furnishings, pesticides, cleaning agents or work processes producing fumes
• Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources – e.g. air intake located near a source of vehicle exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, plumbing vents or kitchen or bathroom exhaust air
• Biological contaminants – e.g. mould or bacteria (which may have multiplied in damp conditions), bird droppings, dust mites, cockroach allergens, mouse droppings.

Indoor air quality problems may be perceived as more serious when there are other factors reducing occupants comfort such as:

• Hot or cold environment
• Draughty or stuffy environment
• Ergonomic factors such as workstation design or adjustability, lack of space or poor lighting
• Noise or vibration
• Nuisance odours
• Work overload or underload

 

Investigating Indoor Air Quality Problems

Identifying indoor air quality problems, likely causes and ways of controlling them minimise health and comfort concerns and maintain productivity. An occupational hygienist is required to undertake an indoor air quality investigation involving first collecting and reviewing information on the following:

• The building occupants, their locations, movements, tasks and symptoms
• The building’s air conditioning and ventilation systems; and
• Possible contaminants and how people could be exposed.

The indoor air quality investigation will then involve undertaking the following:

• A walkthrough inspection to gather information on any related issues, inspect possible problem areas and consult with building occupants
• Review of any documentation available on the reported issues
• Consultation with the person managing the maintenance and control of the air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems
• Taking measurements where appropriate; for example, air movement, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, VOCs, Formaldehyde
• Forming an opinion on the likely causes to be tested by implementation of corrective actions
• Carrying out further inspection and consultation to see whether the problem has resolved.

 

SESA can assist you in all aspects of your indoor air quality investigations including annual testing and evaluation of indoor air quality parameters as well as undertaking in depth investigations of indoor air quality problems.