FACT SHEET
Factors Affecting Indoor Air Quality
There are three major
sources of contaminants affecting indoor air quality:
- Indoor
- Personal Activities
(smoking or personal hygiene)
- Housekeeping
(deodorizers, cleaning materials, or dust)
- Maintenance
Activities (remodeling, new furniture/carpet, or pest control)
- Miscellaneous:
Emissions from office equipment (photocopier machines, VDTs)
- Office
supplies (toners, carbonless paper products)
- Liquid
spills or leaks
- Room occupant
load
- Thermal
and/or humidity comfort
- Outdoor
- Contaminated
outdoor air (vehicle exhaust, pollen, or industrial pollutants)
- Nearby source
emissions (garbage dumpsters, loading docks, or re-entrained exhaust
from buildings)
- Soil gas (radon,
underground storage tanks, or pesticides)
- Microbial from
standing water (molds or mildew)
- HVAC System
- Inadequate
distribution of fresh air in ventilation system
- Dust in ductwork
- Dirty air filters
- Microbiological
growth in ductworks and/or humidifiers
Adapted from EPA "Building Air Quality,
A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers", December 1991. |