Indoor Air Quality - DeLisle Associates

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) promotes good occupant health, comfort and workplace productivity. IAQ can be summarized as a healthy, acceptable environment for all employees, occupants, visitors or residents. Problems which occur due to improper or contaminated IAQ (also known as "Sick Building Syndrome" or "Building Related Illnesses") results from a variety of problems or events. Problems which may include effects of a major renovation activity where building layouts are changed, damage to building systems, improper chemical use patterns, or changes in employee operations.

Symptoms resulting from problems related to IAQ include cough, irritation, allergic reactions, exacerbation of previous conditions, headache, dizziness, fatigue or in some cases serious disease formation.

IAQ investigations vary from building to building and can be affected by individual susceptibilities, but may include the following:

Remediation of problems related to IAQ can be relatively simple such as in alteration of chemical use patterns to extremely involved solutions linke total abatement or removal of building systems. IAQ is not an exact science, rather a phased approach requiring administration by experienced professionals who are trained to solve such problems.

VENTILATION SURVEYS

These investigations examine existing Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems for improper air movement into and out of a room or space, excess dust or dirt in ductwork, improper ventilation of process equipment, refrigerant leakages, cracked heating elements as well as rouge emissions from equipment, etc.

BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS

This contaminants include molds, mildew, bacteria and fungi that grow on surfaces of building materials as a result of optimal conditions for growth. These contaminants, depending on the biological species involved can cause dangerous health concerns.

ASBESTOS

See DeLisle Asbestos Services for information on this substance.

RADON

Radon is colorless, odorless radioactive gas which accumulates through natural decomposition of radium and uranium. Radon can enter buildings through imperfections in the foundations or basements including sewer leaks, sump pumps, drains, floor cracks and bare soil. Radon can accumulate in concentrations that could create hazardous conditions for the lungs including forms of lung cancer. Radon testing kits can be purchased from any home improvement store. DeLisle Associates can assist you in sampling for radon or its mitigation.

NOISE

Excessive noise exposure is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for general industry and construction. Excessive noise above the action limit of 85 decibels and the permissible exposure limit of 90 decibles (slow response) require an employer to protect the employees working in the areas that exceed these limits. Hearing Conservation Programs, at that point may be necessary. Contact us for noise monitoring and program generation as well as the institution of engineering controls.

EMISSION SURVEYS

DeLisle Associates has extensive experience in permitting of process equipment, stacks, waste streams and non-contact cooling water systems. Contact DeLisle for questions on these surveys, or on Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act (SARA) Form R Reporting, EPCRA planning, secondary containment programs, SDWPP, PIPP or affiliated plan generation.

EMF SURVEYS

Much debate has occurred regarding electric distribution lines, electric frequency exposure, and negative effects of electric and magnetic fields exposure. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has studied this topic and provided guidance to measure worker exposure to this potentially harmful exposure event. DeLisle Associates can assist you in your classification and standard operating policy generation regarding the use and protection of electromagnetic field exposure.

PARTICULATE / CHEMICAL MONITORING

DeLisle Associates has performed various types of monitoring required by EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, FDA, ISO and other nationally recognized agencies and organizations for commercial, industrial, school and residential clientele. DeLisle can monitor for all measurable chemical contaminants, silica, welding fumes, nuisance particulate, cotton dust, ceramics, fine particulate counting and many other items. Contact DeLisle Associates for sampling recommendations on site specific conditions or if you have questions on a potential contaminant that employees or occupants are being exposed to.

Call DeLisle with your IAQ questions at (269) 373-4500 or e-mail now!!