What is IAQ?

Indoor air quality is something most of us don't think about until it's an issue. But understanding indoor air quality and its risks can help protect you from serious problems.

Indoor Air Quality is a term used to define the level or amount of air pollution that exists inside a house or building, especially occupied areas or rooms. Concentrations of air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors and the American Lung Association approximates that most people spend 90% of their time indoors. Think about the fact that you breathe an estimated 3,000 gallons of air daily.

Indoor air quality is the air quality within and around buildings and structures. IAQ is known to affect the health, comfort and well-being of building occupants. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to sick building syndrome, reduced productivity and impaired learning in schools or the workplace.

Where are IAQ issues commonly found?

Throughout your home or structure, there could be contaminants that you do not know about that are quietly contributing to air quality problems in every room of the property. There are many factors that can cause indoor air pollution:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from many sources such as building materials, furniture, cosmetics, fragrance products, cleaning agents, pesticides, adhesives, paints, dry-cleaned clothing and tobacco smoke:

• There are over a hundred compounds, including formaldehyde, that can be classified as VOCs in a typical indoor environment.

• They may cause discomfort, and even worse, may cause cancer.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) from people, pets, and plants:

• Living things breathe out carbon dioxide.

• A high level of carbon dioxide in the indoor means there is an inadequate supply of fresh air. This is typically caused by:

  • improper partitioning and overcrowding;

  • infrequent window opening; or

  • improper maintenance or operation of the ventilation system.

• It will make you feel sleepy, and provide a warning for possible build-up of other indoor air pollutants.

Carbon monoxide (CO) from combustible sources including tobacco smoking, vehicle exhaust, stoves, water heaters, dryers, furnaces:

• Causes headaches, nausea, fatigue, rapid breathing, chest pain, decreased alertness/confusion/ impaired judgement and is even fatal at high levels

Formaldehyde (HCHO) emissions indoor mainly come from furniture made of wood products:

• Formaldehyde is mainly emitted from the urea-formaldehyde resins used in the pressed-wood panels (e.g. particle board, medium-density fiberboard and plywood) or the coating materials.

• Other sources include gas cooking, incense burning, carpeting, etc.

• High formaldehyde level will irritate your eyes, nose and throat.

How do air pollutants enter a home?

There are many possible sources of air pollutants in homes. Following are some common sources/causes:

• renovation work

• burning of fuels in gas stoves and ovens

• building and furnishing materials

• new pressed-wood furniture

• using consumer products containing volatile organic compounds, such as cosmetics

• fragrance products cleaning agents and pesticides

• dry-cleaned clothing

• smoking

• poor housekeeping or inadequate cleaning

How do air pollutants enter offices / public places?

There are many possible sources of air pollutants in offices / public places. Following are some common types of pollutants:

• Chemical pollutants

  • ozone from photocopiers

  • emissions from office equipment, furniture, wall and floor coverings

  • consumer products containing volatile organic compounds, such as cleaning agents and pesticides