Indoor Air Quality, Limnos Environmental Ltd.:

Recently there has been a much greater focus on indoor air quality (IAQ) in both residential and commercial structures. Poor air quality can lead to a number of health concerns, such as bronchitis, allergenic symptoms, fatigue, and at the extreme mesothelioma. What makes diagnosing IAQ issues difficult is the number of variables that can contribute to poor air quality.

Generally IAQ can be split into poor IAQ due to mould, and poor IAQ arising from other factors. Mould issues are generally easiest to diagnose, as mould is quite visible in most cases with some destructive and intrusive testing. There are a number of approaches to correcting mould issues, but in general best practices would recommend that any mould bearing surface that is porous or semi-porous is removed and disposed of. Impervious surfaces can be cleaned.

Mould assessments should be conducted by a qualified professional, but most often:

• It is not recommended to treat mould with a fungicide, or other cleanser. Mould should be physically removed from the surface.
• Mould will grow wherever water intrusion is occurring. It is imperative that the source of moisture is located and sealed or mould regrowth is inevitable.
• Mould can cause mild to severe reactions in individuals, and exposure should be managed through the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Air testing for mould is generally not needed if mould is visible. Mould should first be removed wherever it is present. The role of subsequent air testing is to confirm that levels of mould in the structure are comparable to background levels.

Finally, marihuana grow operations (MGO) often require disclosure and additional remediation steps depending on the jurisdiction where they are located. MGO often create severe mould growth and chemicals used as pesticides or fertilizers can cause significant secondary contamination issues. It is recommended that a qualified professional is consulted if an MGO is present or suspected.

Other air quality concerns are most often related to high concentrations of airborne contaminants or gases being present in the environment. These issues can create health concerns, which have a wide range of symptoms. If mould has been ruled out as a cause of poor IAQ, it is necessary to conduct air sampling for other potential causes such as elevated:

• Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
• Carbon monoxide and dioxide (CO and CO₂)
• Dust particles
• Temperature and humidity variability

Investigation of the above parameters is usually done by testing the air over a longer period of time (such as a 24 hour period). The IAQ professional then relates values for each of the above parameters to guidelines and standards that are applicable, and works to determine the source of any elevated parameter. For example, VOC’s often are emitted from newer building materials such as carpets, adhesives and paints.

Solutions to these IAQ problems related to the parameters are best conducted by a qualified IAQ professional. If you feel you may have an IAQ issue, please feel free to visit Limnos Environmental Ltd., where we would be happy to assist you.