1. Indoor Air Quality & Indoor
Environmental Quality
© 2011 GLE Associates, Inc.

2. Overview
• Background
• Indoor Air Quality Parameters
• Sources of Indoor Air Quality Pollutants
• Proactive Approach to Indoor Air Quality
• Promoting Good Indoor Air Quality

3. Background
• According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) in the last decade, there has been a significant
increase in public concern about IEQ. NIOSH scientists have
completed approximately 1300 evaluations related to the indoor
office environment since the late 1970’s, and the number of these
requests as a percentage of the total has risen dramatically.
• During the 1970's, ventilation requirements were changed to
conserve fossil fuels, and virtually air-tight buildings emerged. At
the same time, a revolution occurred in office work throughout the
country. Computers and other new work technologies forced a
change in office procedures and productivity, and ergonomic and
organizational stress problems may have increased.

4. Background
• In 1980, requests to evaluate office environments made
up only 8% of the total requests for NIOSH
investigations. In 1990, the Institute received 150 IEQ
requests, which accounted for 38% of the total. Since
1990, IEQ requests have made up 52% all requests.

5. Background
• Indoor air quality is not a simple, easily defined concept
like a desk or a leaky faucet. It is a constantly changing
interaction of complex factors that affect the types,
levels, and importance of pollutants in indoor
environments.
• These factors include: sources of pollutants or odors;
design, maintenance and operation of building
ventilation systems; moisture and humidity; and
occupant perceptions and susceptibilities. In addition,
there are many other factors that affect comfort or
perception of indoor air quality.
(EPA Guide “An Office Building Occupant's
Guide to Indoor Air Quality”)

6. Background
• A 1989 EPA Report to Congress
concluded that improved indoor
air quality can result in higher
productivity and fewer lost work
days. EPA estimates that poor
indoor air may cost the nation
tens of billions of dollars each
year in lost productivity and
medical care.

7. Background
• Controlling indoor air quality involves integrating
three main strategies.
• Manage the sources of pollutants either by removing
them from the building or isolating them from people
through physical barriers, air pressure relationships, or
by controlling the timing of their use.
• Dilute pollutants and remove them from the building
through ventilation.
• Use filtration to clean the air of pollutants.
(EPA Guide “An Office Building Occupant's
Guide to Indoor Air Quality”)

8. Indoor Air Quality Parameters
• Temperature
• Relative Humidity
• Biological
• Chemical
• Physical

9. Source of Indoor Air
Quality Pollutants
• Indoor Sources
• Outdoor Sources

10. Indoor Pollutant Sources
• Building
Equipment
• HVAC Equipment
• Other Equipment
• Finishes &
Furnishings
• Occupants

11. Indoor Pollutants
Biological Contaminants
• Excessive concentrations of bacteria,
viruses, fungi (molds), dust mites, animal
dander, and pollen may result from:
• Inadequate maintenance & housekeeping
• Water intrusion
• Inadequate humidity control

12. Indoor Pollutants
Chemical pollutants
• Sources of chemical pollutants include:
• Tobacco smoke
• Emissions from products used in the building (e.g.,
office equipment; furniture, wall and floor coverings;
and cleaning and consumer products)
• Accidental spill of chemicals
• Gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide,
which are products of combustion.

13. Indoor Pollutants
Particles
• Particles are solid or liquid substances which are light enough to be
suspended in the air, the largest of which may be visible in sunbeams
streaming into a room. However, smaller particles that you cannot see
are likely to be more harmful to health. Particles of dust, dirt, or other
substances may be drawn into the building from outside and can also
be produced by activities that occur in buildings, like sanding wood or
drywall, printing, copying, operating equipment, and smoking.
(EPA Guide “An Office Building Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality”)

14. Contact Us
For a copy of our complete presentation or to
schedule a lunch n’ learn please contact us at:
akucenic@gleassociates.com
1-888-453-4531
www.gleassociates.com