Commercial Indoor Air Quality in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Tracking Air Quality in Your Building

Before you can fix the problem, you’ll need to know where indoor air pollution is coming from.

Here are some common sources of IAQ problems in buildings of all sizes:

• Improper temperature and humidity
• Poor air circulation
• Inadequate ventilation
• Chemical storage
• Overcrowded spaces

Once we find what could be causing trouble, it’s time to match the problem with the right solution.

What’s Hiding in Plain Sight?

The way your air moves (or doesn’t move) through your building can have a big impact on the level of discomfort, risk of transmission, and degree of symptoms like fatigue and breathing issues.

Sick building syndrome is a set of uncomfortable symptoms that can affect your employees, typically causing headaches and respiratory problems. In some cases, stress is a major factor, but there are also physical causes like:

• Chemical contaminants (gases, vapors, combustion byproducts)
• Biological pollutants (pollen, bacteria, viruses)
• Particulates (very small organic and inorganic compounds)

Regardless of the level or type of contaminants in your building, it’s the lack of proper ventilation and airflow that can lead to buildup and a dangerous situation. In fact, indoor air quality can be much worse than the air outside, especially if your windows and doors are very tightly sealed.