Building-related factors to consider in indoor air quality evaluations.

Many factors should be considered in an indoor air quality (IAQ) evaluation, and many of these factors are interactive. This article identifies building-related factors that may contribute to IAQ problems. Sixty percent of IAQ problems are related to ventilation and 30% result from air contamination, 20% from inside the building and 10% from outside the building. The remaining 10% are due to miscellaneous other causes (ref. 1). Specific problem areas for each of these categories are discussed in this article. Elements of a proactive management style are also discussed, because management styles can influence how an IAQ episode is handled or prevented.