A healthy indoor environment is one in which the surroundings contribute to productivity, comfort, and a sense of health and well being. Failure to respond promptly and effectively to IAQ problems leaves building owners and facility managers vulnerable to unnecessary risks such as building-related illness, reduced productivity, accelerated building deterioration, strained relations between employers and  employees or landlords and tenants, negative publicity, and potential liability problems.

Provision of good air quality requires conscientious effort by both building staff and occupants. The commitment to address IAQ problems starts with the building owner or facility manager, the person who has an overview of the organization, sets policy, and assigns staff responsibilities. You have the authority to see that an IAQ policy is articulated and carried out, the ability to identify staff with skills that enable them to react promptly and effectively to complaints, and the incentive to initiate a program that will prevent indoor air problems in the future.  As you decide how best to respond to the challenge of preventing and resolving indoor air quality problems in your building, it will be helpful to keep in mind the following thoughts:

It is important to establish a process that encourages an active exchange of information. Without an open communications policy, an atmosphere of distrust may be created that complicates your efforts to diagnose and correct problems.

Facility staff are in a position to notice malfunctioning equipment or accidental events that could produce indoor air quality problems.  They can play a critical role in identifying problem situations and averting IAQ crises. On the other hand, if staff are not aware of IAQ issues, their activities can also create indoor air quality problems.

Facility staff are often instructed to keep energy costs to a minimum.  Changes in building operation intended to save energy may create even greater problems (for example, by reducing the flow of outdoor ventilation air without taking action to maintain the quality of the re-circulated air).  The correction of IAQ problems may result in reduced energy use due to the efficiency associated with a cleaner, and better controlled heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.  The energy needed to condition and distribute ventilation air is only a small part of total building energy consumption and is far overshadowed by other operating costs (such as personnel).  Attempting to limit operating costs by reducing ventilation can be a false economy, if it leads to problems such as increased occupant complaints, reduced productivity, and absenteeism.

Every complaint merits a response.  Many issues are not difficult to correct and can be solved with in-house expertise.  However, gathering relevant information about the problem and identifying appropriate corrective actions is likely to require a coordinated effort by people with a variety of skills.

An indoor air quality problem may be the direct or indirect result of an apparently minor modification. Actions such as the placement of interior room dividers, the introduction of new office equipment, and personal activities such as cooking can have an impact on indoor air quality. Communication between building management and building occupants regarding their respective responsibilities is a critical element in the management of indoor air quality.

Indoor air quality in a large building is the product of multiple influences, and attempts to bring problems under control do not always produce the expected result.  Some indoor air quality problems are complex and may require the assistance of outside professionals. When contracting for services, you need to be an informed client to avoid unnecessary costs and delays in solving the problem.