Indoor Air Quality

Employee complaints about indoor air quality usually begin well after employee efficiency, work output and moral have suffered. An investigation at the Florida Supreme Court in response to numerous employee complaints and health concerns revealed a variety of contributing sources common to office buildings. These included allergen build-up in carpeting and upholstered chairs, chemical and particle emissions from office printers, and mold growth within air conditioning systems. Additionally, a recent renovation was determined to be a source of chemical emissions from carpet backing breakdown, a relatively rare event. IAS guided the facility staff in remediation of each source and preventing their return. We have also been called upon to assist public and private schools (K-12) throughout Florida and Georgia. Recognizing the sensitivity of children to indoor respirable pollutants and allergens has been paramount in our approach to the school environments. Our clients have included Alachua County Schools, the Indian River School District, Decatur County Schools, Thomas County Schools, and several Daycare Centers.

Due Diligence Mold Assessments

Due diligence assessments are usually preformed at the request of the potential buyers, who desire to discover if hidden liabilities exist within a property. Unfortunately mold and other microscopic contaminants are not addressed during Phase 1 and 2 environmental site audits and real estate assessment. Our due diligence activities include assessment of moisture sources and microbiological contamination that typically remain undiscovered until it is too late.

Remediation Specifications

We have extensive experience in the preparation of remediation specifications, such as those provided to the Florida Dept of Law Enforcement, and other state agencies, consisting of a comprehensive set of safety requirements, conditions, and post-remediation testing which helps to ensure selection of qualified and experienced remediation contractors. Our experience in providing complex specification documents assure that our client's microbial abatement and remediation efforts lead to timely and cost effective resolution of their indoor air quality-related problems.

Post Remediation Measurement and Verification

Remediation and abatement activities can be counter productive without proper verification. Numerous state agencies and private sector building managers have selected IAS to assess and verify the effective remediation of mold and other un-regulated indoor contaminants, assuring both employees and managers that remediation was successful.

Chemical and Pesticide Testing

Inappropriate pesticide application can result in a plethora of occupant complaints leading to costly remediation activities. Testing and verification projects such as those we have overseen for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Management Services exemplify our expertise in dealing with such problems in a timely manner with a balanced response. Testing and verification ensure implementation of an inclusive and cost-effective remediation.

Microbial Sampling

The vast majority of indoor microbial assessments performed today are focused on mold or fungi. IAS is frequently retained to perform microbial assessments that deliver information used to determine the extent and severity of contaminant sources. We also have performed numerous investigations to identify sources of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease for both public and private sector clients.

Odor Investigations

Mysterious, recurring, worrisome odors often elicit concerns from building occupants and employees. When attempts to mask or cover the odor with fragrances fail, an investigation is often requested. Professionals at IAS bring with them experience and education in building and ventilation science. Understanding air flow dynamics, chemical emissions, and human responses helps us to identify and solve odor problems in buildings.

Industrial Hygiene and Safety

Although less frequent than indoor air quality problems, assessment of hazardous chemical exposures do occur in office building environments. Catastrophic failure of back-up battery supply systems that serve large computer systems can release acidic fumes. The Florida Department of Children and Families requested IAS to assess employee exposure to sulfuric acid when such a failure caused evacuation of their main computer facility. Airborne and surface tests for sulfuric acid were used to evaluate employee exposure and clean-up efforts.

Training & Risk Communications

We recognize that effective risk communication is the key to assuring building occupants that their indoor air quality issues have been understood and are being effectively addressed. Management of air quality complaints is best achieved through forthright and continuous communications from a trusted and competent source. Our public health professionals at IAS have extensive experience in speaking with concerned building occupants and calming unwarranted fears.