Indoor air quality plays a huge role in our comfort, but it is often overlooked in many commercial and industrial settings. At Monroe Mechanical, we work closely with our clients to help improve the air quality of their buildings. Below, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about indoor air quality from our commercial clients.
Are you concerned about the impact of indoor air quality on your employees? Call Monroe Mechanical today at (513) 539-7555 or contact us online to learn how you can improve the air quality in your commercial building.
Why Is Indoor Air Quality Such a Concern?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is often 2 to 5 times more polluted than the outside air, and it can up to 100 times higher in rare cases. The contaminants in the air can lead to symptoms like:
- Eye irritation
- Skin irritation
- Coughing or sneezing
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Breathing trouble
The effects can last a few hours, a few days, or longer, depending on exposure, and they are especially problematic for those who suffer from asthma, allergies, or conditions like bronchitis and COPD.
What Are the Effects of Poor Air Quality?
Beyond the obvious symptoms like coughing and irritated eyes, poor indoor air quality can cause reduced productivity in your employees, increased use of sick time, higher occurrences of health problems, and more. If the air quality problems are severe enough, such as strong offensive odors, building evacuations or closures can occur.
What Is Sick Building Syndrome?
According to the EPA, sick building syndrome (SBS) is a term that describes buildings where the occupants have identifiable health problems, symptoms, and comfort issues that disappear or fade after leaving the building or a particular room. The causes usually remain unidentified, but are speculated to be a combination of naturally occurring bacteria and viruses, plus pollutants from outdoor sources and chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are used in the construction process.
What Can Be Done to Improve Air Quality?
Usually, a combination of techniques is used to eliminate pollutants and improve air quality. These can include:
- Installing exhaust hoods at pollution sources, such as welding stations or commercial kitchen ranges
- Filtering air as it enters the HVAC system
- Cleaning and sealing air ducts
- Providing plenty of fresh air with economizers and make-up air units
- Installing air cleaners or purifiers to remove odors and airborne particles
- Installing dehumidifiers or humidifiers to maintaining healthy humidity of 40% to 50%
- Avoiding products with high VOCs, such as certain paints, engineered lumber, carpeting, or building products
- Finding and eliminating sources of odors, VOCs, or pollutants
At Monroe Mechanical, we offer a wide range of indoor air quality products, including air cleaners, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers, plus we offer HVAC maintenance and repairs that can help to improve indoor air quality.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Businesses in Cincinnati, OH
If your commercial or industrial facility has an air quality problem, talk to our team at Monroe Mechanical. We can help you track down the cause of the problem, and we can provide effective solutions, such as air balancing, ventilation systems, HVAC maintenance, or the installation of air cleaners and purifiers. With over 60 years of commercial HVAC experience, you can count on us for realistic, cost-effective solutions, as well as superior service. We serve businesses in Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbia, Ohio.
Call our experts at (513) 539-7555 or contact us online to schedule indoor air quality services in the Greater Cincinnati area.