ABSTRACT
Broadly, the term indoor environmental quality (IEQ), as deˆned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “refers to the quality of the air in an ofˆce or other building environments.”1 Generally, IEQ is broadly tied to building-related symptoms experienced by individuals that are associated with building characteristics, including dampness, cleanliness, and ventilation. Speciˆcally, conditions and contaminants to be considered when evaluating a building’s IEQ include:
• Indoor (dry-bulb) temperatures • Radiant temperatures • Air velocities • Ventilation (air —ow) rates, including fresh outdoor air versus recycled return air • Dampness and humidity levels • Water-damaged or decaying building materials • Contaminants in the air or on surfaces:
• Emissions from ofˆce machines • Emissions from cleaning products • Dusts and vapors from construction activities • Emissions from carpets and furnishings • Perfumes • Cigarette smoke • Insect debris • Animal debris • Mold and mold byproducts (mycotoxins) • Bacteria (including Legionella) • Viruses • Asbestos • Formaldehyde (CH2O) • Carbon dioxide (CO2) • Carbon monoxide (CO) • Volatile organic carbons (VOCs) such as benzene • Pesticides • Herbicides • Radon • Ozone
These environmental agents, singularly or in combination, can impact human comfort and health. The total of these environmental agents are broader than just those factors associated with indoor air (i.e., those listed as contaminants in the air), which are commonly described as indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters.
