Indoor Air Quality
Table of contents
Indoor Air Quality Overview
Environmental Health & Safety performs IAQ inspections upon request by university personnel who are experiencing adverse health effects during the workday which may be related to indoor air quality. IAQ inspections include, but are not limited to the following:
- Visual inspection of occupied spaces and air-handling systems serving the space;
- Evaluation of building ventilation rates to ensure that occupants are receiving an adequate quantity of outside air and dilution ventilation;
- Evaluation of building temperature and relative humidity to ensure occupant comfort;
- Quantification of chemical contaminants that have been identified during the visual inspection;
Upon completion of the IAQ inspection, Environmental Health & Safety will work with facilities and all other parties involved to resolve those IAQ issues identified during the course of the inspection.
Additional IAQ services that Environmental Health & Safety may provide include:
- Responding to occupant reports of chemical odors to assess employee exposure and recommend remedial activities.
- Providing consultation for the selection and installation of new building materials and furnishings that will have a minimal impact on IAQ.
- Working with departments to minimize the impact on IAQ during renovations and demolitions of occupied buildings.
- Providing recommendations for air-cleaning equipment when deemed necessary.
Air quality for residence halls, dining centers, and student centers is handled primarily by the Student Affairs Facilities and Operations unit and their environmental team. This unit handles most routine issues and works closely with Environmental Health & Safety as needed or required for any complex / significant issues. See Quick Link above for DSA Facilities Operations for more.
For Leased Spaces: For any concern within a leased space, the Office of Real Estate Management should be your first point of contact and will guide you through the process depending on the unique circumstances of your situation. For more information, email vtrealestate-g@vt.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a student in the dorms and have a concern about the air quality. Where can I go for more information on what can be done?
Student Affairs has a webpage dedicated to many questions regarding campus life. You can find that here at FAQ | Student Affairs | Virginia Tech.
How do I get help with IAQ concerns in my office, laboratory or other work space?
For problems with comfort such as too warm, too cold or stale air, please make sure that vents are not blocked by furniture/other equipment or closed for some reason. Report the problem to your supervisor who can then contact the building manager or the project manager assigned to the building to see if the environmental controls for the building need to be adjusted.
For problems related to moisture or visible mold, the affected area needs to be cleaned up as quickly as possible. Submit a work order here.
For larger wet areas or active leaks and large infestations of mold (i.e larger than the area of a ceiling tile), call the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities at 540-231-4300 for assistance
How do I know I need help with the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in my office?
If you are experiencing discomfort in your office, laboratory, or other workspace, you may need assistance with IAQ in your area. Such discomfort can include being too warm, too cold, the air seems stale, you experience allergies or other symptoms while at work, you see visible moisture or mold in your work area. Contact EHS at 540-231-3600 or email EHS-IH-g@vt.edu for an IAQ consultation.
I only have certain symptoms at work, how can I prevent them from bothering me?
Contact EHS at 540-231-3600 or email EHS-IH-g@vt.edu for an IAQ consultation in order try to determine what may be causing your symptoms and what, if any, changes can be made to your work space. We recommend that you work with your doctor to determine what allergens or other material you may be sensitive to. This helps a great deal to determine what course of action is necessary.
I see condensation, dripping moisture or signs that there's a leak in my area, what should I do?
If there is a large amount of moisture or an active leak, call the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities at 540-231-4300 for immediate assistance.
Contact the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities at 540-231-4300 (or email at vtrepair@vt.edu) to request assistance with cleaning up areas of mold or to get wet or molded ceiling tiles replaced.
Contact EHS at 231-3600 or email EHS-IH-g@vt.edu for an IAQ consult in all other instances.
I would like to use an air purifier in my office, how do I decide which one is best for my needs?
If you are interested in filtering particles like dust, pollen, spores or bacteria/virus you must choose an air purifier with HEPA filter and air flow at the appropriate Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) for the size of the room. CADR indicates the volume of filtered air an air cleaner delivers, with separate scores for tobacco smoke, pollen and dust. The higher the CADR number for each pollutant, the faster the unit filters the air. Always look for the AHAM Verifide® mark when shopping for air cleaners, which is usually found on the side or back of an air cleaner’s packaging.
Follow the 2/3 Rule
As a rule of thumb, the CADR of your air cleaner should be equal to at least two-thirds of the room’s area. For example, a room with dimensions of 10 feet by 12 feet has an area of 120 square feet. It would be best to have an air cleaner with a smoke CADR of at least 80.
Using an air cleaner with a higher CADR in that room will simply clean the air more often and faster. If your ceilings are higher than 8 feet, an air cleaner rated for a larger room will be necessary. The CADR rating is only for removing particles such as cigarette smoke, pollen, dust, mold spores from the air. If odors are a concern, choose an air purifier with activated charcoal filter. Some models have a dual filter with both HEPA and activated charcoal.
When deciding on a location for the air purifiers, try to place the equipment as centrally in the space as possible. Take care not to create a trip hazard with either the device or the cord.
If you are unsure whether you need to remove particles or odor causing vapors from your workspace, contact EHS at 540-231-3600 or email EHS-IH-g@vt.edu for an IAQ consultation.What can I expect to occur during an IAQ investigation in my work space?
Each investigation will be tailored to the concerns presented to Environmental Health & Safety by staff who have requested an investigation. Typically, a visual inspection of the work space and surrounding areas will be conducted and temperature and relative humidity readings will be taken. Staff with work related symptoms will be interviewed and asked to fill out an IAQ questionnaire. Air sampling for the presence of certain chemical contaminants will be done if necessary.
What can I expect to occur during an IAQ investigation in my workspace?
Each investigation will be tailored to the concerns presented to Environmental Health & Safety by staff who have requested an investigation. Typically, a visual inspection of the workspace and surrounding areas will be conducted, and temperature and relative humidity readings will be taken. Individuals experiencing symptoms will be interviewed. Air sampling for the presence of certain chemical contaminants will be done if necessary.