Montage of Houston
5927 Almeda Road Houston, TX 77004-7791(713) 522-5925
The Mosaic and Montage
Now Considered to have sick building syndrome!!
Indoor Air Quality
Is your building sick? New and existing buildings can develop Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems. According to a World Health Organization Committee study, up to 30 percent of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be suffering from "sick building syndrome."
Good indoor air quality contributes to a healthy and productive environment and creates a sense of comfort and well-being. Bad indoor air quality can have many adverse effects including long-term health problems. Proper maintenance of indoor air is more than a "quality" issue; it includes the safety and good management of your investment in your staff and facilities.
Does your facility suffer from Sick Building Syndrome?
Is your building sick? New and existing buildings can develop Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems. According to a World Health Organization Committee study, up to 30 percent of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be suffering from "sick building syndrome."
Good indoor air quality contributes to a healthy and productive environment and creates a sense of comfort and well-being. Bad indoor air quality can have many adverse effects including long-term health problems. Proper maintenance of indoor air is more than a "quality" issue; it includes the safety and good management of your investment in your staff and facilities.
Does your facility suffer from Sick Building Syndrome?
Take our IAQ quiz to find out.
Q: Do occupants in your building experience:
headache, fatigue and/or shortness of breath?
sinus congestion, coughing and sneezing?
eye, nose, throat and/or skin irritation?
dizziness and nausea?
Q: Are any of these symptoms localized within a certain area or widespread throughout the building?
Q: Do these symptoms disappear when the occupant(s) leave the building?
Q: Do occupants often comment that "there is a funny smell in here?"
If you answered "yes" to any one of these questions, your facility could be suffering from Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). SBS is used to describe cases where building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that are linked to time spent in the building and not to an illness. Many different indoor air quality symptoms have been associated with SBS, including respiratory complaints, fatigue and irritation. Complaints may be localized in a specific area or widespread throughout the building.
Factors influencing indoor air quality
Q: Do occupants in your building experience:
headache, fatigue and/or shortness of breath?
sinus congestion, coughing and sneezing?
eye, nose, throat and/or skin irritation?
dizziness and nausea?
Q: Are any of these symptoms localized within a certain area or widespread throughout the building?
Q: Do these symptoms disappear when the occupant(s) leave the building?
Q: Do occupants often comment that "there is a funny smell in here?"
If you answered "yes" to any one of these questions, your facility could be suffering from Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). SBS is used to describe cases where building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that are linked to time spent in the building and not to an illness. Many different indoor air quality symptoms have been associated with SBS, including respiratory complaints, fatigue and irritation. Complaints may be localized in a specific area or widespread throughout the building.
Factors influencing indoor air quality
According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies, human exposure to indoor air pollutants may be two to five times -- occasionally more than 100 times -- higher than outdoor pollution levels. Indoor air pollution, or Sick Building Syndrome, is among the EPA's top four environmental risks to public health.
During the past 40 or 50 years, exposure to indoor air pollution has increased due to a variety of factors including:
construction of more tightly sealed buildings
use of synthetic building materials and furnishings
use of chemically formulated cleaning products, personal care products, perfumes, air fresheners, and pesticides
HVAC systems and equipment
indoor humidity levels which are too high or too low
When the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system is properly designed, installed and in good working condition, it:
controls temperature and humidity
distributes adequate amounts of outdoor air to meet ventilation needs of building occupants
isolates and removes odors, dust, allergens and pollutants through pressure control, filtration and exhaust fans.
Examples of indoor air pollutants
Indoor air contaminants can originate within the building or be drawn in from the outside. If the source of contamination is not located and controlled, indoor air quality problems can arise. Following are some examples of indoor air pollutants.
External sources
Outdoor
pollen, dust and fungal spores
industrial pollutants (e.g., smoke, fumes)
vehicle exhaust
Emission from other sources nearby
exhaust from traffic, loading docks and parking garages and lots
dumpster odors
building exhaust that is being drawn back in
Soil gas
radon
underground fuel tank leakage
contaminants from previous site usage (e.g., landfills)
Standing water (environs for microbial growth)
rooftops
crawl space
below ground floors or storage areas
Equipment, internal or external
HVAC system
dirt and dust in ductwork
microbiological growth in drain pans, humidifiers, ductwork and coils
improper use of biocides, sealants and/or cleaning compounds
improper venting of combustion products
refrigerant leakage
Non-HVAC systems
emissions from office equipment, e.g., volatile organic compounds, ozone
supplies, e.g., solvents, toner, ammonia
emissions from shops, labs, cleaning processes, etc.
elevator motors or other mechanical systems
Moisture problems have caused mold to grow on concrete around ductwork in this commercial building and damaged cause by hurrican IKE.
During the past 40 or 50 years, exposure to indoor air pollution has increased due to a variety of factors including:
construction of more tightly sealed buildings
use of synthetic building materials and furnishings
use of chemically formulated cleaning products, personal care products, perfumes, air fresheners, and pesticides
HVAC systems and equipment
indoor humidity levels which are too high or too low
When the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system is properly designed, installed and in good working condition, it:
controls temperature and humidity
distributes adequate amounts of outdoor air to meet ventilation needs of building occupants
isolates and removes odors, dust, allergens and pollutants through pressure control, filtration and exhaust fans.
Examples of indoor air pollutants
Indoor air contaminants can originate within the building or be drawn in from the outside. If the source of contamination is not located and controlled, indoor air quality problems can arise. Following are some examples of indoor air pollutants.
External sources
Outdoor
pollen, dust and fungal spores
industrial pollutants (e.g., smoke, fumes)
vehicle exhaust
Emission from other sources nearby
exhaust from traffic, loading docks and parking garages and lots
dumpster odors
building exhaust that is being drawn back in
Soil gas
radon
underground fuel tank leakage
contaminants from previous site usage (e.g., landfills)
Standing water (environs for microbial growth)
rooftops
crawl space
below ground floors or storage areas
Equipment, internal or external
HVAC system
dirt and dust in ductwork
microbiological growth in drain pans, humidifiers, ductwork and coils
improper use of biocides, sealants and/or cleaning compounds
improper venting of combustion products
refrigerant leakage
Non-HVAC systems
emissions from office equipment, e.g., volatile organic compounds, ozone
supplies, e.g., solvents, toner, ammonia
emissions from shops, labs, cleaning processes, etc.
elevator motors or other mechanical systems
Moisture problems have caused mold to grow on concrete around ductwork in this commercial building and damaged cause by hurrican IKE.
Human activities
perfume, cologne, cosmetics, smoking, body odor
cleaning materials, supplies and/or procedures
fumes from paint, adhesives, deodorizers and other products
excessive CO₂ from gas exhaled as well as a byproduct of combustion and photosynthesis
Building components and furnishings
carpet, curtains and upholstery that can produce as well as collect dust, fibers and odors
open shelving
microbiological growth in soiled or water-damaged furnishings and building materials
food preparation areas
poorly designed or clogged drains (standing water) and dry traps that allow sewer gas to escape
perfume, cologne, cosmetics, smoking, body odor
cleaning materials, supplies and/or procedures
fumes from paint, adhesives, deodorizers and other products
excessive CO₂ from gas exhaled as well as a byproduct of combustion and photosynthesis
Building components and furnishings
carpet, curtains and upholstery that can produce as well as collect dust, fibers and odors
open shelving
microbiological growth in soiled or water-damaged furnishings and building materials
food preparation areas
poorly designed or clogged drains (standing water) and dry traps that allow sewer gas to escape
For complaints due to health concerns please contact the City of Houston and the EPA.
