Indoor Air Quality Testing: 6 common parameters
The air we breathe indoors can be more polluted than the outdoor air and considering that we spend the majority of our time indoors it is important that we maintain a clean and healthy indoor environment. The routine and regular testing of the air in an indoor environment is imperative to understand the air quality dynamics in an indoor space as well as important as a preventative measure. It is by focusing on being proactive and addressing poor air quality issues before they arise, that we reduce staff sickness, absence and complaints.
Undertaking air quality testing on a routine basis maintains duty of care. What does this involve? Well, it involves the use of specialist monitoring equipment, specific sampling methodologies and laboratory analysis to test the air quality of an indoor environment. Indoor air testing can be conducted as a result of a specific complaint, illness or concern in a building. There are also times when IAQ testing is carried out as a routine test, for occupational health and safety reasons to keep an eye on the indoor air quality of a particular space.
The 6 most common air quality parameters that are tested in an indoor testing regime are:
- Temperature
- Relative Humidity (RH)
- Particulate Matter (PM10)
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s)
Professional air quality testing can be undertaken over a short term or long term period, with results analysed and compared against the relevant guidelines. The results of an indoor air testing program can give you an indication about the amount of fresh air into the space as well as pollution entering the space. The parameters will also give you an indication on off-gasing from internal furnishings as well as filter efficiency. If you require an independent air test in your workplace or office call Enviro Corp today.