All About Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

This short article is about indoor air quality which is often abbreviated to IAQ. Indoor air quality describes the quality of the air inside a building or facility and is an important measure when considering the comfort, health and safety of those people using the building.

What Affects Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality can be influenced by a whole range of contaminants including particulates in the air, gases including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a build-up of carbon monoxide, radon etc., microbial contaminants including bacteria, moulds and fungi, or any other stressor that could induce adverse health conditions on the building occupants.

Improving the Quality of Indoor Air

Improving the quality of the air inside buildings can be achieved in a number of ways. The use of source control techniques, air filtration and controlled ventilation of the internal spaces which helps to dilute the concentration of any contaminants are the main methods for improving indoor air quality in buildings. Additionally, home owners can help improve the quality of their internal environment and quality of the air inside their home by the regular cleaning of carpets, rugs, curtains and other soft furnishings.

Measuring Indoor Air Quality

Measuring the quality of indoor air usually involves the collection of various samples from the air and internal surfaces, monitoring building occupant exposure to pollutants, measuring rates of internal ventilation, and computer modelling of the air flow inside a building.

Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air quality and indoor air pollution in developing countries is now becoming a significant occupational health issue. A major source of indoor air pollution in these countries is the burning of biomass fuels such as coal, wood, charcoal, dung etc. for cooking and heating purposes.

World Class Indoor Air Quality Solutions

Water Treatment Services is a leading independent UK water and wastewater treatment, air, energy and environmental services company offering expert water management solutions including water treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, Indoor Air Quality solutions, energy efficiency and engineering support services.

With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained engineers, site service specialists and technical experts we can offer air quality assessment and management solutions across the whole of the UK.

Contact us today to learn how our indoor air quality management and engineering solutions can help you.