What is “indoor air quality”?
Indoor air quality (also called “Indoor Environmental Quality”) describes how indoor air can affect a person’s health, comfort, and ability to work. These can include temperature, humidity, lack of outside air (poor ventilation), mold from water damage, or exposure to other chemicals. Currently, OSHA does not have indoor air quality (IAQ) standards but provides guidelines on the most common IAQ workplace complaints.
What is considered a good IAQ?
The quality of a good IAQ should include a comfortable temperature and humidity, sufficient supply of outdoor fresh air, and control of pollutants from inside and outside the building.
What are the most common causes of IAQ problems?
The most common causes of IAQ problems in buildings are:
Inadequate ventilation, lack of fresh outside air or contaminated air brought into the building
Poor maintenance of ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems, and
Moisture and moisture damage due to leakage, flooding or high humidity
Occupant activities, such as construction or renovation
Contaminated indoor and outdoor air
How can I tell if there is an IAQ problem at my workplace?
People who work in buildings with poor IAQ may feel an unpleasant or musty odor or may feel that the building is hot and stuffy. Some workers complain about symptoms that occur at work and go away when they come home from work, such as headaches or feeling tired. Fever, cough, and shortness of breath can be symptoms of more serious problems. Asthma and some causes of pneumonia (e.g., Legionnaires ‘ disease and hypersensitivity Pneumonitis) have been associated with IAQ problems. If you have symptoms that don’t go away or get worse, talk to your doctor about them. But not all exposures cause symptoms, so there is no substitute for good building management.
Are there any tests that can find IAQ problems?
There is no single test to find IAQ problems. Your employer should check the temperature, humidity, and airflow measurements. In addition, inspections and tests of ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems (to ensure that they function in accordance with the specifics of the use and occupancy of the building) should be carried out. Walking around the building to check for odors and look for water damage, leaks, dirt, or pest droppings can help. Leaks need to be eliminated. Standing water in humidifiers, air conditioning units, on roofs and in kettle pans can be contaminated with bacteria or mold and also needs to be removed. In some circumstances, special testing for radon or asbestos may be required as part of a residential building. For example, in schools, asbestos needs to be checked every three years and rechecked every 6 months (under the asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act-AHERA).
What should my employer do to prevent IAQ problems?
Employers are required to follow OSHAct’s General Duties clause, which requires them to provide a safe workplace for workers who have no known hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury. OSHAct also obliges employers to comply with occupational safety and health standards created under it. Employers must be sufficiently aware of possible sources of poor air quality, and they must have the necessary resources to recognize and control workplace hazards. It is also their responsibility to inform employees of the immediate danger at hand.Certain state and local regulations may apply.
Is there any specific information I should track to identify IAQ issues at work?
The following information may be useful for your doctor or employer to find out if there is an IAQ problem in your workplace:
Do you have symptoms that just show up at work and go away when you get home? What are these symptoms?
Are these symptoms related to a specific time of day, a specific season, or a specific location at work?
Do the symptoms start when something new happens at work, such as a renovation or construction project?
Is there anyone else at work with similar complaints?
Have you seen a doctor to find out your symptoms, and if so, has the doctor diagnosed an IAQ-related illness?
If I feel that there is an IAQ problem at work or I feel that the office or building where I work makes me nauseous, what can I do?
If you are concerned about air quality at work, ask your boss to check the ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems and make sure there is no water damage. If you think you have symptoms that may be related to IAQ in your workplace, talk to your doctor to find out if the symptoms could be caused by indoor air pollution.
Under OSHAct, you have the right to call the OSHA Office (see OSHA Office map) or call the OSHA toll-free number: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or TTY 1-877-889-5627. Workers who want an inspection at work must submit a written request (see area office address). A worker can tell OSHA not to tell their employer who filed the complaint. It is against the law for an employer to fire, demote, transfer, or otherwise discriminate against a worker in any way for filing a complaint or exercising any other OSHA right. For more information on filing an on-site inspection request and the investigation process, see the web page. States with OSHA-approved state plans provide workers with the same protections as federal OSHA, although they may follow slightly different complaint processing procedures.
You can also request a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). At no cost to employers or workers, NIOSH may investigate workplace health hazards in response to requests from employers, employees and their representatives, as well as federal agencies. For more information, see NIOSH health hazard evaluation Program.
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