Buildings have been continuously improving in their energy efficiency, which helps to save money on operation costs and usually creates a healthier environment for occupants. However, having the building operating as a closed-off system means that any issues with the indoor air quality will just amplify over time as the same air is circled throughout the space. Building owners and engineers need to regularly have accurate air quality testing performed, and have any problems resolved quickly.
We typically think of air pollution only being an issue outside, but the EPA says that indoor air can actually have more than 5 times the pollution as exterior air, because the circulated air isn’t bringing in enough fresh air. The indoor air pollution may come from a very specific and recent cause, such as construction in another part of the building, or it may be from a constant source, such as cleaning supplies, copy machines, or dust from furniture and building materials.
When indoor air quality suffers in a building from these pollutants, it can lead to Sick Building Syndrome, which can be identified by symptoms such as dry eyes and nose, skin and throat irritation, headaches or nausea, shortness of breath, or a sense of fatigue. Not only is this a health hazard to employees and building occupants, but it increases costs due to less productive employees and increased absences and medical bills.
A committee from the World Health Organization estimated that at least 30 percent of new or newly remodeled buildings show high rates of sick building syndrome issues, with these issues lasting for a long term even when corrective actions were taken.
enTaB offers multiple services to help with maintaining your building’s indoor air quality and avoid indoor air pollution including Infection Control Consulting and Monitoring for Construction Projects, isolation Room Pressurization and Air Change Verification, Operating Room and other Critical Room Pressurization and Air Change Verification
Contact Us Now to see how we can help get your building operating efficiently and safely.
