Winter Brings Heightened Concerns over Indoor Air Quality Issues

During the cold winter months, people tend to spend an ever greater portion of their time indoors.  It is during this time of the year that several unique indoor environmental issues can cause health and safety concerns for people in homes, schools and office buildings.
 
Common winter complaints may include issues related to overly dry air, stuffy rooms, and odors.  Some building occupants may experience more frequent allergies and even asthma attacks. 
 
These conditions and complaints are often due to a building’s indoor air quality.  During cold weather, many homes and buildings may experience a lack of ventilation, or in some cases inadequate fresh air.  This can cause levels of carbon dioxide and other indoor pollutants to begin to rise.  The building’s HVAC system, which may not have been in use during a mild autumn season, may have accumulated dust and debris. Furnaces may be in need of repairs or have faulty boilers and could be releasing carbon monoxide (CO) into the indoor environment.
 
“There are numerous potential IAQ issues that can occur during the winter season,” reported Bruce Jacobs, CIH, President of IAQ Index, a mold and indoor air quality test kit provider.  “Indoor pollutants can range from mold caused by water damage, pollen from indoor plants, pet dander, and even volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from building materials and furnishing or chemicals stored and used indoors.  Other hidden dangers can also build up during this time of year.  Naturally occurring radon, or chemicals entering a structure due to vapor intrusion can be an issue,” he continued. 
 
To help people determine if a property has indoor air quality problems, IAQ Index has developed a series of test kits that are affordable, easy to use and simple to understand.  An online video discussing how IAQ contaminants can be detected utilizing test kits can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/_Zzav8NbPcc 
 
To learn more about testing for indoor air quality pollutants, please visit IAQ Index at http://www.IAQIndex.com, email info@IAQIndex.com or call (888) 259-3883.
 
About IAQ Index
IAQ Index was developed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist with decades of experience dealing with indoor air quality issues.  IAQ Index was developed as a health-based, easy-to-understand, air quality index that is calculated from data generated for various parameters commonly measured during IAQ surveys.  The approach is similar to the EPA’s Air Quality Index that has been used historically to communicate the risks posed by common pollutants in the ambient air.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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