FACTS
™ Indoor Air Quality
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Background
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of air
in non-industrial environments, such as offices. Since
the energy crisis of the mid 1970s, IAQ has become
an increasingly important issue for building owners,
managers and occupants. The recent increase in
IAQ complaints can be attributed to a decrease in
building ventilation and a higher level of indoor-
generated pollutants.
Poor building ventilation is a result of more energy-
efficient construction and the use of mechanical
ventilation instead of natural ventilation (windows).
The indoor pollutant level has increased from the use
of synthetics in building materials and office furniture,
the use of chemical cleaning products and the
increased use of office equipment—all of which
contribute to chemical and particulate contamination
of the indoor air.
Mechanical ventilation equipment can also contribute
to indoor air contamination. In fact, it can be a source
of dust, mold, bacteria and viruses. Improperly locat-
ed air intake ducts will bring outside pollutants into
the indoor environment.
Building occupants are yet another source of pollu-
tants. Our metabolic processes are a source of many
different volatile organic compounds—not to mention
perfume, deodorant, hair spray and other grooming
products that add contaminants to the indoor air.
Tobacco smoke is a very controversial contaminant.
OSHA’s proposed IAQ standard requires that a desig-
nated area with separate ventilation be provided in
workplaces where smoking is allowed.
Results of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Two types of illness can result from contaminated
indoor air. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a physical
reaction to multiple low-level contaminants. These
contaminants could be chemical (formaldehyde), bio-
logical (mold) or physical (heat, humidity, lighting).
Symptoms for SBS include headache, nausea, fatigue,
eye irritation and respiratory irritation. These symp-
toms normally disappear when the afflicted individu-
als leave the building for a period of time—such as a
weekend—but return when they reenter it.
Building Related Illness is the second health problem
caused by contaminated indoor air. This differs from
Sick Building Syndrome in that it is a physical reaction
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to a single identifiable contaminant found to be
prevalent in the indoor environment. An example of
Building Related Illness is Legionnaires Disease.
Building managers need to treat IAQ complaints seri-
ously and deal with them promptly. These situations
are often difficult to diagnose and solve. Quick action
will help prevent other occupants throughout the
building from thinking they might have SBS when
they’re really experiencing some other form of stress,
such as being over-tired.
Mechanical Ventilation Systems
The purpose of mechanical ventilation systems is to
bring in outside air and mix it with a percentage of
return inside air, condition the air (heat, cool, humid-
ify), and then distribute it to various areas of the
building. The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that up to 52 per-
cent of IAQ problems are a result of insufficient or
ineffective ventilation.
Outside air is brought into buildings to dilute
contaminants originating within the building.
Insufficient outside air intake, either from improper
system design or mechanical malfunction, can lead to
contaminant buildup inside the space. Contaminated
outside air brought into the building from poorly
located intakes will also contribute to contaminant
load in the building.
Very few problems would exist if only outside air
was used to replenish exhaust air. The drawback to
this solution is cost. Because of the expense, newer
ventilation equipment is computer controlled to provide
the most cost-effective mix of inside and outside
air. Proper maintenance of mechanical ventilation
equipment keeps the system cost-effective and
functioning as designed. It also prevents the system
from becoming a source of contaminants.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and
Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has specified
limits on the amount of outside air that must be
brought in and distributed to various parts of build-
ings. For example, office space requires 20 cubic feet
of outside air per minute per occupant; a designated
smoking area requires 60 cubic feet per minute per
occupant.
Carbon dioxide, a gas which we all exhale, is a
useful indicator of insufficient outside air intake and
©1998 Lab Safety Supply Inc.
 Indoor Air Quality

FACTS
™

Document Number: 230

SAFETY INFO BY FAX Page: 2 of 3

ventilation problems. OSHA’s proposed IAQ standard Standards and Regulations

requires that CO2 levels be maintained below 800 ASHRAE 62-1989—Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor
ppm and monitored on a quarterly basis. ASHRAE and Air Quality. Specifies minimum ventilation rates and
NIOSH both specify 1000 ppm as an indicator of insuf- indoor air quality needed to avoid adverse health
ficient ventilation. The ambient outside CO2 concen- effects to human occupants.
tration is approximately 300 ppm. Note: 800 ppm or
1000 ppm of carbon dioxide is NOT a hazardous con- ASHRAE 55-1981—Thermal Environmental Conditions for
centration, but rather an indicator of potential venti- Human Occupancy. Specifies minimal indoor thermal
lation problems. OSHA’s permissible exposure limit parameters (air temperature, humidity, movement) need-
for CO2 is 5000 ppm. ed to avoid adverse health effects to human occupants.
Occupational Safety & Health Standards 1910.19—
Air Monitoring Special Provisions for Air Contaminants—Indoor Air
IAQ problems are difficult to diagnose and solve Quality. (Proposed Rule)
because of the large number and many types of
contaminants or building stressors that can cause Commonly Asked Questions
problems. The cumulative effect of many stressors
(chemical, biological and physical) is often the most Q. When is the final IAQ standard expected?
difficult to identify. A. Indoor air quality is not a priority for the current
An IAQ investigation begins with thorough research republican-dominated congress. This topic is
and investigation at the problem site to identify extremely controversial and they have received
potential contaminants or stressors. No monitoring numerous comments on the initial proposed stan-
should be done until these items have been identified. dard. It does not appear that a final rule can be
The flowchart on the next page shows just one completed in the near future.
possible approach to an IAQ investigation. Q. Does OSHA have specific limits set for
If air monitoring is necessary, comparative samples contaminants in non-industrial environments?
from non-problem areas of the building are a useful tool A. The current permissible exposure limits are used for
in determining what the possible contaminants are. both industrial and non-industrial environments.
Following is a brief list of building stressors and conta-
minants and the type of equipment used to identify each Sources for More Information
one:
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and
Contaminant/Stressor Monitoring Equipment Air Condition Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE)
1791 Tullie Circle NE
Air Speed Anemometer Atlanta, GA 30329
Lighting Light meter
Heat Thermometer EPA Indoor Air Quality Information
Noise Sound level meter Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 37133
Humidity Hygrometer
Washington DC 20013-7113
Bacteria, virus, mold Andersen Air Sampler Phone: 800-438-4318
Volatile organic Photo Ionization Detector
compounds (PID), sampling pump NIOSH Guidance for Indoor Air Quality Investigations
and collection media, National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health
dosimeter badges and Hazard Evaluation & Technical Assistance Branch
colorimetric tubes, specific
colorimetric tubes 4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45226
Dust and other Collection media and sam- Phone: 513-841-4374
particulates pling pumps
Carbon dioxide Colorimetric detector NIOSH Information Line
tubes,electronic monitor Phone: 800-356-4674
Note: This is not intended to be a complete list of contam-
inants. ASHRAE 62-1989 lists common contaminant levels
for these and other specific chemicals.
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 Indoor Air Quality

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SAFETY INFO BY FAX Page: 3 of 3

Start (reason for concern)

Initial walkthrough
• preparation
• visual inspection
• talk with occupants and staff

Do you have
Yes
an explanation for
the complaint?
No
Collect additional information about
• building occupants
• the HVAC system
• pollutant pathways
• pollutant sources
(sample contaminants if needed)

Develop one or more hypotheses to

explain the problem. Test by manipulating
building conditions or exposure, or by per-
forming appropriate tests.

Do results Attempt a
No Yes Follow-up
support your control
validation
hypothesis? strategy

No Is the
problem
solved?
Yes
Make necessary changes so that the
problem will not recur.

Finish

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of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer
to the cited regulation(s), or consult with an attorney.
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