CAL-IN’s engineers quickly and accurately diagnosing indoor air quality problems and prescribing effective mitigation recommendations. This procedure includes:

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION - Interviewing the building occupants who express IAQ concerns can provide valuable information to guide the next steps of an IAQ investigation. Communication is crucial in maintaining a healthy work environment.

POTENTIAL SOURCE INSPECTION - An important step, which is often overlooked by investigators, is an inventory of past and present potential sources in and around the building.

VENTILATION MEASUREMENTS - Operation of the ventilation system(s) is a key factor in determining the concentrations of indoor air contaminants. It is also important to verify that the code requirements of the minimum amount of outside air supplied by the ventilation system(s) are met.

CONTAINMENT MEASUREMENTS - If it is desirable to collect contaminant measurements they should be selected based on the issues and potential sources identified for the investigation.

DATA INTERPRETATION - The collected data is pulled together and the investigator reviews the results in context with applicable ventilation and contaminant guildelines.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION - The final step where the investigator formulates corrective actions to fix the problem.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY RESEARCH - Research studies on IAQ Issues include past reports on the following:

• The Elements of Human Health Risk Assessment
  
• Hazard Identification of Indoor Air Pollutants
• Dose-Response Assessment - Quantitative Methods for the Investigation of Dose-Response Relationships
• Exposure Characterization
• Measurement of Indoor Air Contaminants

Many IAQ issues do not require complex or expensive integrated air contaminant measurements and can be identified by the investigator during the building walk-through as well as by talking with facility staff and occupants, and collecting select real-time measurements of contaminant and ventilation parameters.