Indoor Air Quality Assessment and Remediation Protocols
Problems related to indoor air quality (IAQ) and mold have become a major concern across many industries; they can dramatically reduce building habitability, workplace productivity, and worker/occupant safety and morale.
NOW Environmental Services uses our state of the art expertise in the field of IAQ and mold issues to work with each client to develop effective and economical IAQ (Indoor Air Quality,) mold assessment, and mold remediation plans.
As a member of the American Indoor Air Quality Council (AIAQC) and a Certified Mold Assessment Consultant, NOW Environmental Services stays current on the latest IAQ, mold testing and sampling techniques along with up to date scientific information and proposed Federal and Local legislation regarding IAQ and mold related issues.
Even though NOW Environmental Services conducts each IAQ and fungal growth site assessment using the latest equipment and techniques, we choose to begin each of our investigations by personally interviewing the affected individuals in order to learn the history of their concerns and possible symptoms. Based upon this information and the results of our initial site inspection, we then develop a testing, evaluation, and remediation plan that is custom tailored to each individual client’s needs.
The services provided may include:
- Indoor Air Quality Assessments
- Moisture and Fungal Growth Assessments
- Non Fungal Particulate Analysis
- Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Testing
- Temperature Analysis
- Relative Humidity Analysis
- Mold Remediation Protocols
- Post Remediation Clearance Assessments
Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.
Immediate Effects
Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.
The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors; age and preexisting medical conditions are two important influencers. In other cases, whether or not a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, this varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological pollutants after repeated exposures, and it appears that some people can become sensitized to chemical pollutants as well.
Certain, immediate effects are similar to the symptoms associated with colds or other viral diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution; for this reason, it is important to pay attention to the time and place symptoms occur. If the symptoms fade or go away when a person is away from home, for example, an effort should be made to identify indoor air sources that may be possible causes. Some effects may be made worsened by an inadequate supply of outdoor air or from the heating, cooling, or humidity conditions that may be prevalent in the home.
Long-term Effects
Health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or o
While pollutants commonly found in indoor air are responsible for many harmful effects, there is considerable uncertainty about what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to produce specific health problems. People also react very differently when exposed to indoor air pollutants; further research is needed to better understand which health effects occur after exposure to the average pollutant concentrations found in homes and which occurs from the higher concentrations that occur for short periods of time.
Measuring Pollutant Levels
Testing for pollutants other than radon, measurements are the most appropriate when there are either health symptoms or signs of poor ventilation; and specific sources or pollutants have been identified as possible causes of indoor air quality problems. NOW Environmental Services can perform a whole home IAQ investigation in just under four hours and have the certified laboratory results back to you in as little as 48 hours.
Please contact our office for information about indoor air quality today! (253) 927-5233
See Our Monthly ClassesGet a Mold InspectionGet an Asbestos Inspection
Why Choose Us?
NOW Environmental has been providing the answers to environmental questions that individuals, industry, and government agencies have relied on for over 25 years. NOW Environmental offers fast and price effective service. We offer free, initial phone consultations with a certified professional. Certified provider of EPA, WISHA, and OSHA training.
