Special Topics in Safety Management

IAQ: Protect Workers from Risk and Keep Them Comfortable

By Chris Kilbourne Nov 13, 2012 Special Topics in Safety Management

Updated: Nov 13, 2012

There’s no OSHA standard for it. And for the most part you can’t see it or touch it. But the potential risks are significant. We’re talking about indoor air quality (IAQ).

What are the causes of unhealthful air? What are the effects on worker health and productivity? And what can you do to reduce the risk?

What Is IAQ?

IAQ refers to the quality of the air inside buildings as represented by concentrations of pollutants and thermal conditions like temperature and humidity. These affect the health, comfort, and performance of people who work in those buildings. Light and noise are also considered IAQ factors.

According to EPA, air quality problems are a result of conditions including the following:

The increase in chemical pollutants in consumer and commercial products.
The tendency toward tighter building “envelopes” and reduced ventilation to save energy. (Envelope refers to the elements that make up the shell or skin of the building’s exterior.)
Pressure to defer maintenance and other services in order to reduce costs.

Air quality may be influenced by a building’s site, design, renovations, maintenance of air-handling systems, occupant density, activities conducted in the building, and occupants’ satisfaction with their environment.

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Eyes, Nose, Throat … And More

Health effects of poor IAQ vary widely and can be mistaken for symptoms of other conditions such as allergies, colds, the flu—and even stress.

Among diseases linked to poor IAQ are asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs.

Symptoms may include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headache; dizziness; rashes; and muscle pain and fatigue. These typically disappear soon after exposure ends.

Chemicals released from building materials can cause headaches, and mold spores may result in itchy eyes and runny noses in sensitive individuals soon after exposure.

Cancer is the most commonly associated long-term health risk of exposure to indoor air contaminants. Long-term exposure to radon, asbestos, benzene, and tobacco smoke is linked to an increase in cancer risk.

Tomorrow, some recommendations for improving your IAQ.