Poor indoor air quality is often a result of multiple related or unrelated factors. From building material degradation, to mycotoxins, chemical off-gassing and more, investigations are, by nature, highly complex and specialised. That being said, there are often common factors involved.

Water Leaks
Water leaks are one of the most common causes of poor IAQ. These can be anywhere from torrential to slow-drip leaks, but all share common factors: they encourage mould and microbial growth, they increase humidity, and, once identified, the solution is usually very clear.

Mould Growth
The common perception of mould is often vastly different to the reality. When considering health risks,  people often gravitate to the infamous “toxic black mould”, while forgetting that many other genera and species are linked to similar (or more serious) health effects. For instance, Aspergillus and Penicillium produce the mycotoxins Aflatoxins, Citrinin,  Ochratoxins, and Patulin. Some species are even colourless!

Poor Ventilation
Ventilation is sometimes forgotten, and sometimes considered the be-all-and-end-all of exposure control. This is plain silly. While ventilation is extremely useful for diluting concentrated VOCs (volatile organic compounds), for instance, increasing ventilation can sometimes have no effect, or even a net negative effect! For instance, running an HVAC system contaminated by mould will only promote mould growth in the building, and increasing ventilation after exposure is unlikely to be very beneficial. There are even horror stories in the IAQ industry of workers welding without any exhaust fans, but considering themselves safe because they ran a ceiling fan. If ventilation is not increased before exposure to the breathing zone of workers or residents, ventilation will likely not increase health outcomes.

Chemical Off-Gassing
All things break down; and many products produce harmful VOCs as they degrade. Identifying chemical off-gassing is sometimes straightforward, and sometimes very difficult. Swollen bottles, container leaks, and staining to shelving can all indicate chemical off-gassing, but some gasses vent straight into the atmosphere and are odourless and colourless. Identifying chemical off-gassing sometimes thus requires use of specialised equipment.

Other Causes
Soil compositions, sewer issues, building material degradation, bacterial issues, and other issues can all lead to poor indoor air quality. We can help you determine exactly what is causing poor indoor air quality in your premises – simply call us today to book an inspection!