| SELECTED INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS |
This box is provided to help building owners and facility managers get acquainted with examples of IAQ problem indicators and associated responses. Some IAQ problem situations require immediate action. Other problems areless urgent, but all merit a response. | |
| Problems Requiring Immediate Action |
There have been complaints of headaches, nausea, and combustion odors. | Carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility. Investigate sources of combustion gases right away. |
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One or more occupants of your building have been diagnosed as having Legionnaire’s disease.
This is a potentially life-threatening illness. Request Health Department assistance in determining whether your building may be the source of the infection.
Staff report that water from a roof leak has flooded a portion of the carpeting.
If damp carpeting cannot be lifted and thoroughly dried within a short time, it might need to be discarded. Proper cleaning and disinfection procedures must be used to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria that could cause serious indoor air quality problems.
Inspection of the humidification system reveals an accumulation of slime and mold. There have been no health complaints suggesting IAQ problems.
Inadequately maintained humidifiers can promote the growth of biological contaminants. Clean equipment thoroughly, and consider modifying maintenance practices.
A group of occupants has discovered that they share common symptoms of headaches, eye irritation, and respiratory complaints and decided that their problems are due to conditions in the building.
The symptoms described suggest an IAQ problem that is not life-threatening, but it would be wise to respond promptly.
Immediately after delivery of new furnishings (furniture or carpeting), occupants complain of odors and discomfort.
Volatile compounds emitted by the new furnishings could be causing the complaints.
Local news articles suggest that some buildings in the area have high indoor radon levels.
The only way to determine the indoor radon concentration in a given structure is to test in appropriate locations.
You wonder whether some old pipe insulation contains asbestos.
Asbestos can be positively identified only by laboratory analysis.
Problems That Require A Response, But Are Not Emergencies
xii Note to Building Owners and Facilities Managers
