ABSTRACT
Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can be a significant health, environmental and economic problem, and has thus become a public health and liability issue for employers, and for building managers and owners. IAQ is one compoent of indoor environment quality, which also includes thermal comfort and lighting. Health effects associated with indoor air range from severe to subjective, generally non-specific symptoms that sufferers attribute to poor-quality air or environment. Regulation of the quality of indoor air in Australia is minimal, especially compared with that of outdoor air and industrial-workplace air. Levels of microorganisms in air can vary considerably over short periods, and show poor correlation with levels on indoor surfaces. Sampling protocols for indoor air have received little attention in the published literature and vary considerably, although there are a number of Australian and international standards relating to sampling methodology.
