Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NISOH), indoor environmental quality (IEQ) refers to the quality of a building's environment in relation to the health and wellbeing of those who occupy space within it. IEQ is determined by many factors, including lighting, air quality, and damp conditions.
Indoor environments are highly complex and building occupants may be exposed to a variety of contaminants (in the form of gases and particles) from office machines, cleaning products, construction activities, carpets and furnishings, perfumes, cigarette smoke, water-damaged building materials, microbial growth (fungal, mold, and bacterial), insects, and outdoor pollutants. Other factors such as indoor temperatures, relative humidity, and ventilation levels can also affect how individuals respond to the indoor environment. Understanding the sources of indoor environmental contaminants and controlling them can often help prevent or resolve building-related symptoms.
VOETS' IEQ professionals provide a full range of indoor environmental investigations and monitoring to determine adherence to established comfort and ventilation parameters, and environmental quality guidelines to evaluate occupant complaints and address symptoms in relation to potential building or site-related sources. VOETS' approach considers potential sources, including biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, and psychological factors.
Services Include:
- • Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) Investigations
- • Nosocomial Investigations
- • Odor-Related Investigations
- • Symptom-Based Investigations
- • Baseline Data Analysis and Tracking
- • Microbial and Bacterial Testing
- • Seasonal Testing
- • Evaluations for Airborne or Water Contaminants
- • Dust Monitoring
- • Evaluation of Comfort Parameters
- • HVAC Functions
Contact us today for more information.
Water Intrusion/Flooding Investigations and Remediation Oversight
Water damage or a flooding event can damage or destroy building materials and belongings, and even cause structural damage in some circumstances. In many situations, the introduction of moisture can also lead to indoor environmental issues. These are commonly associated with mold and bacteria contamination and even high concentrations of dust mites.
It is also important to understand what type of water has entered a structure and how long it has been present so it can be properly remediated and appropriate measures can be taken to protect residents, workers and any other building occupants from potential hazards.
If the water damage involves sewage, it could expose people to a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasites. Standing water and wet materials will allow many of these organisms to multiply. In some circumstances, there could even be potentially hazardous chemicals mixed in with the sewage.
Many of these contaminants can come into contact with building occupants through inhalation, ingestion or dermal contact creating health concerns. Demolition, repair, and remodeling activities that do not take these contaminants into account could also cause issues. Older properties with existing lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials are another potential hazard.
VOETS offers emergency flood response, comprehensive water intrusion and flood investigations along with remediation oversight. Assessing the damage and identifying microbial, material and chemical contaminants following these types of events is essential for identifying hazards, filing a comprehensive insurance claim, and ensuring a property is properly remediated.
The experts from VOETS were instrumental in helping residential, commercial, and institutional property owners and tenants recover from the devastating water damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.
Services Include:
- • Investigation, Testing, and Remediation Oversight for:
- ◦ Burst Pipes
- ◦ Sewer Backups
- ◦ Storm Flooding
- • Determining the source of unknown water intrusion
- • Emergency Response
Contact us today for more information.