At Health Science Associates, we’ve spent decades working with employers across California and the Western United States to improve workplace conditions and promote employee health. One of the most important and often overlooked factors in occupational safety is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
Whether you’re managing a school, office building, manufacturing plant, or healthcare facility, ensuring clean and healthy air is not just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.
Poor air quality in indoor environments can lead to a wide range of health issues, from headaches and fatigue to serious respiratory conditions. Over time, exposure to pollutants can reduce employee productivity, increase sick days, and even expose organizations to legal liability.
That’s why regular IAQ assessments are critical—and why our team at Health Science Associates considers them a cornerstone of a proactive occupational health program.
What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Why Does It Matter?
Indoor Air Quality refers to the condition of the air inside a building—particularly how it affects the health, comfort, and productivity of the people who occupy it.
Contaminants can compromise the air you breathe every day. Common contaminants may include:
- Dust
- Mold spores
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
- Bacteria
- Excessive humidity
Unlike outdoor air pollution, which is more regulated and publicly monitored, IAQ can be harder to detect without professional equipment and evaluation.
It’s not uncommon for employees to experience symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating—without realizing these issues are related to the building environment.
In severe cases, prolonged exposure to poor air quality has been linked to asthma, lung infections, heart disease, and even cancer.
This is particularly concerning in industries with known pollutant exposures, such as manufacturing, laboratories, and certain healthcare settings.
Regulatory Guidance for IAQ in Workplaces
While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have a dedicated IAQ standard, it does enforce rules through the General Duty Clause, which requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause harm.
In addition, organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provide best practice guidelines for acceptable indoor air pollutant levels and ventilation standards.
These guidelines form the foundation for the IAQ assessments we perform at HSA, ensuring that your workplace meets or exceeds modern air quality expectations.
What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?
Poor IAQ can result from a variety of sources:
- Inadequate ventilation or HVAC system maintenance
- Moisture intrusion leading to mold growth
- Off-gassing from furniture, carpets, and cleaning products
- Combustion gases from appliances or industrial processes
- Dust and particulate buildup
- Occupant overcrowding in enclosed spaces
- Improper storage or use of chemicals
Many of these issues accumulate gradually and remain unnoticed until someone complains—or worse, becomes ill. Routine IAQ assessments help catch these issues early, before they turn into health and liability problems.
Benefits of Conducting Regular IAQ Assessments
Health Science Associates recommends routine IAQ assessments for any workplace that wants to proactively manage environmental conditions.
These evaluations offer a number of benefits:
- Protect employee health by identifying and addressing pollutants before they reach hazardous levels
- Reduce absenteeism and improve morale by providing a clean, safe work environment
- Avoid legal liability by demonstrating due diligence in providing safe indoor conditions
- Optimize HVAC performance and reduce energy costs through ventilation adjustments
- Support sustainability goals by identifying opportunities to improve air circulation without waste
When your building is operating efficiently and your employees feel healthy and comfortable, everyone wins.
What’s Involved in an IAQ Assessment?
At HSA, we follow a systematic and science-backed process for every Indoor Air Quality assessment we perform:
- Initial Consultation: We meet with your team to understand your space, occupancy patterns, and any concerns or reported symptoms.
- On-Site Evaluation: We examine ventilation systems, building materials, occupant activity, and potential pollutant sources.
- Air Sampling: We conduct professional sampling using calibrated equipment to test for VOCs, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, mold, and other common indoor pollutants.
- Humidity and Temperature Monitoring: Thermal comfort factors such as humidity and temperature are key components of occupant satisfaction and productivity.
- Reporting & Recommendations: We provide a detailed report of our findings, including charts, air quality measurements, and comparisons against regulatory guidelines. We also offer practical recommendations for remediation and system optimization.
- Follow-Up Support: If needed, our team can assist with implementing corrective actions and conduct follow-up assessments to verify improvement.
Schedule an IAQ Assessment Today
Don’t wait for a health issue to take action. Reach out to Health Science Associates today to schedule your Indoor Air Quality Assessment and take the next step in promoting a healthier, safer workplace.
Protect your people. Optimize your building. Let Health Science Associates guide the way to better air and better outcomes.