 |
Indoor Air Quality |
|
| Hazard
Recognition |
|
|
|
Indoor air quality (IAQ) problems can be caused by
improperly operated and maintained heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
systems, overcrowding, tobacco smoke, microbiological
contamination, outside air pollutants, and off gassing from materials in the office and mechanical equipment.
Related problems also may include comfort problems due to improper temperature and relative humidity conditions,
poor lighting, and unacceptable noise levels, as well as adverse ergonomic conditions and job-related
psycho-social stressors. The following references aid in recognizing IAQ
hazards in the workplace.
- OSHA Technical Manual (OTM).
OSHA Directive TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (1999, January
20).
- Indoor Air Quality
Investigation. Contains guidelines for IAQ investigations, recommendations on sampling instrumentation and methods,
as well as guidelines for employers to prevent or alleviate IAQ problems.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2002), 397 KB
PDF*, 2 pages.
-
Mold.
OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
-
Stachybotrys chartarum.
OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
-
Indoor Environmental Quality. National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) Safety and Health Topic Page. Links to
several other NIOSH publications, including the NIOSH fact sheet on IEQ.
-
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Small Gasoline-Powered Engines
and Tools. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS),
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication
No. 96-118, (1996). Gives examples of the many situations in which people
have been poisoned because they did not recognize the danger of using
small gasoline-powered engines indoors. These poisonings can occur
quickly, even in the presence of what many would consider "adequate
ventilation" and in areas that many would define as relatively open
spaces, such as parking garages.
- Fact
Sheet: Ventilation and Air Quality in Offices.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Gives an overview of sources of indoor
air pollution, health problems and ventilation, control, ventilation standards and building codes, ventilation
system problems and solutions, air cleaners, economic considerations, and resolving
air quality problems.
- Air - Indoor Air Quality
(IAQ). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Contains an introduction to IAQ, a
listing of common pollutants, and references to IAQ publications,
hotlines, and links.
-
Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments. New York City Department of Health. Addresses mold contamination of building components (walls,
ventilation systems, support beams, etc.) that are chronically moist or water damaged.
- Indoor Air
Quality Publications. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC). Contains an index of CPSC publications related to IAQ.
*These files are provided for downloading. |
|
|
|
Back to Top
