It seems people have been discussing IAQ issues for decades. Poor IAQ and the health-related problems it can cause first made the headlines after the gas and oil shortages in 1973. After that energy crisis, new commercial buildings and factories in the United States were constructed with more insulation — a good thing — but with windows designed to stay closed and HVAC systems adjusted so the amount of fresh air brought into facilities was reduced. The goal was to decrease energy demands, but the health consequences resulted in what we now call “sick building syndrome.”
Yet, just as with stagnant air, IAQ problems linger today, and this is true even after the increased focus on green buildings, environmentally preferable building materials and furnishings, and green cleaning, which can have a major impact on the health and IAQ of a facility. But the problem is complicated. IAQ can be negatively impacted from a variety of sources:
- Microbial contaminants, such as mold or mildew either developing in or brought into a facility by staff, visitors, or equipment.
- Gases, including carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Airborne particulates from a variety of sources, including fibers, soil, and dust.
- The outgassing of carpets, upholstery, paints, and related interior items, especially when they are first introduced to the facility.
Because IAQ issues persist and can be the result of scores of variables, it appears the only way to stay on top of the situation, to deal with an IAQ problem when it surfaces, or to prevent a problem from happening in the first place is to develop an IAQ management plan.
An IAQ Management Plan
An IAQ management plan encompasses three key areas of facility management:
- HVAC systems: Although the amount of fresh air brought into a facility via HVAC systems can vary depending on time of day, use, occupancy type, and whether a facility is undergoing construction/renovation, ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) recommends a minimum outdoor air requirement of 17 cubic feet per minute per specified zone for office facilities. However, France and other European countries suggest this rate should be as much as three times the U.S. rate. LEED credits are awarded to a facility if it exceeds the ASHRAE requirements by 30 percent, which should be the goal of facilities tackling or preventing IAQ problems.
- Source control: Keeping pollutants out of a facility in the first place is one of the best ways to protect IAQ. Facility managers should select low-VOC products for paints, adhesives, grouts, mortars, caulking, sealants, and interior finishes, such as upholstery and carpets. Additionally, they should install high-performance matting systems at all key entries to capture and trap contaminants found on shoe bottoms.
- Housekeeping: The types of cleaning products and equipment used to maintain a facility can have a major impact on IAQ and the health of building occupants. Fortunately, many cleaning-related issues can be addressed by simply transferring from a conventional to a green cleaning system, which is described in greater detail here.