Today’s businesses have a lot to contend with, especially with a pandemic causing so many headaches. At Indoor Air Quality Ottawa, our team has been working harder than ever to help many locals reopen safely. However, many folks don’t fully understand the risks of poor-quality air. Today, let’s go over the main reasons why your business or office should consider investing in air quality testing – it may literally be the breath of fresh air that could help you get up and running again!
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Do you sell, produce, use, or simply store items that could combust and emit hazardous chemical compounds? These can include everything from high-strength floor cleaners and paint to even new furniture, and there are many airborne particulates that can negatively impact human health. When these items off-gas contaminants, they distribute into the air freely – this can be dangerous if you have a high concentration of such items and inefficient ventilation.
Combustion Gases
Whether you run a restaurant or simply use a lot of space heaters, combustion gases are dispersed by a number of items. However, if you don’t keep the overall pollution of these combustible materials in check, you may be endangering your employees and customers. Among the most dangerous pollutants released through combustion are carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – long-term exposure to either can cause lung infections, emphysema, and even death. An indoor air quality assessment can identify the following and more:
- Sources of combustion
- Intake and/or exhaust system proximity
- Building code compliance
- Adherence to safety protocols
- Effective ventilation design
Mold
There are many different types of mold that exist in the indoor environment. Typically, a musty smell is indicative of active mold growth. This especially occurs when there is moisture accumulation present within the building. If your indoor relative humidity is too high, if you experienced flooding, or if a leak is present on your property, fungi such as mold can thrive in damp environments such as these. A certified and experienced air quality inspector can use the latest technologies and their insights to identify the source of the moisture, why it is occurring, and provide a solution from an environmental and structural perspective. With a thorough removal comes the mitigation of many health and wellness risks.
Asbestos
Do you operate out of an older building? Some form of asbestos, or designated substances, may be present. This material, consisting of finely packed fibres, requires abatement as per Regulation 278-05 of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. This must be done prior to any renovation, construction, or demolition activity. It is not recommended to remove asbestos by yourself; get an air quality inspector to identify and test suspected asbestos-containing material on your property, and they’ll suggest an appropriate, effective way of having it abated.
This is just the tip of the iceberg – there are dozens of risks in the air we breathe – which is why your business will benefit in the long run by protecting its customers and staff. Contact us today at Indoor Air Quality Ottawa for a thorough and attentive building air quality test that will leave no risk overlooked.
