Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality refers to air quality in indoor office, classroom or laboratory environments, as opposed to industrial or outdoor settings. These areas have either natural ventilation from openable windows, or mechanical ventilation from a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Common causes of air quality complaints include mechanical ventilation failures, inadequate outdoor air supply, odors from indoor or outdoor sources, and mold.

Industrial environments, as well as some laboratories and classrooms, contain sources of air contaminants: chemical, particulate, aerosol, or fumes. These contaminants should be controlled by localized exhaust hoods (e.g., fume hoods), or sometimes by increased general dilution ventilation.

Cal Poly employees, students and visitors should have a clean, healthy environment in which to work, study and perform various activities. If the air quality is poor, it can affect a person’s comfort, health, and productivity. The purpose of the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) program is to provide and maintain healthy and comfortable environments free of contaminants. A key part of the program is responding to and resolving concerns of building occupants about problems in their work environment.

Steps to prevent indoor air quality issues

• Adjacent rooms and floors

  If you notice an odor, check with occupants in nearby rooms and floors to determine if the problem is throughout the building or specific to your workspace. Ask if they are conducting any activities or know of any activities that might create a similar odor.

• Cleaning products, office products, and other chemicals

  Use only as recommended on the label. Be aware that some products, such as those with citrus odors, can cause allergies in some people. Whenever possible, use cleaning products without added fragrances.

• Low emission products

  If you have an upcoming remodel of your space you can look for “green” or low emission (low VOC) paint, carpet, and furniture. See EPA’s Indoor airPLUS for more information.

• Odors

  If your activities produce an odor, take action to control them. Turn on the kitchen fan or exhaust ventilation or use the product in a fume hood. Prohibit odors from traveling to nearby spaces by closing the door and opening a window. Inform others in the area about your activities.

• Personal fragrances

  These can aggravate allergies in some individuals – so use them sparingly as it may cause an adverse reaction in your neighbors.

• Rotting food

  Frequently, foul odors are from rotten food, so check your space to ensure there isn’t any in drawers, cabinets, and lunch bags. Ensure trash and compost are removed regularly.

• Sink and floor drains

  Infrequent use of drains can lead to the traps drying out which allows sewer gases to enter the room. To prevent the emanation of drain odors it is recommended that water is poured down the drain at least every two weeks. Make sure you locate the drains under refrigerators and other equipment or furniture. If a fixture is no longer in use, contact Facilities Services to request it be removed from service and capped. Maintain floor drains for proper flow to avoid fluid backup into work areas.

• Ventilation

  When products having volatile chemicals or strong odors are used, provide as much ventilation as feasible and schedule work when the building is minimally occupied.

How to report an indoor air quality concern

EH&S or Cal Poly Facilities generally will respond to and evaluate indoor air quality concerns. First, we determine if the issue is an emergency and, if so, take immediate action to protect the occupants.

If it is not an emergency and the issue is related to thermal comfort, water intrusion, mold or natural gas odors, contact Cal Poly Facilities.

For all other issues, EH&S should be contacted. We will conduct a preliminary investigation by first talking to occupants to determine if the problem is a one-time event or if the source can be easily identified and resolved.

In more complex situations, where the issue cannot be readily resolved, EH&S will gather information about the history of the problem, occupant complaints and/or symptoms, and previous efforts to identify or solve the problem. Based on the occupants' information, and depending on the issues, EH&S will determine:

• If the HVAC system is clean and operating properly, supplying adequate outdoor air volume to dilute and exhaust indoor air contaminants (with the assistance of Cal Poly Facilities)
• If there are any obvious sources or reservoirs of chemical or microbiological emissions (indoors or outdoors)
• If the temperature and relative humidity are a factor in health symptoms
• If excessive dusts or other particulates are present, and whether they are generated inside the work area or outdoors
• If a space may be occupied safely and without health effects

Not every evaluation identifies a clear source for the air quality issue. Sometimes minor changes to the building or ventilation system are effective, other times significant capital improvements are indicated.

Certain individuals have increased sensitivity to particular chemicals, odors, dusts or allergens when compared to the general population. Sensitive individuals should seek medical attention as needed, and advise their supervisor if they have specific needs so they can be accommodated.

Who to contact

Some indoor air quality issues can be simple to fix, but others may be more complex. If you have an air quality problem in your area use the table below to identify the department to contact to resolve specific types of concerns.
If you are unsure of the source of the issue, contact EH&S for assistance.

If this is an emergency:

1. Leave the area.
2. Call 9-1-1.
3. Get medical help if needed.

IAQ Issues and Contact Information

Issue	Responsible Party	Contact
Emergency Visible smoke Strong odor Hazardous Material	Fire Department	Dial 9-1-1.
Non-Emergency Hazardous material Minor spill cleanup	EH&S Environmental Programs	805-756-5555
Suspicious material	Cal Poly Police Department	805-756-2281 Or dial 9-1-1.
Temperature or humidity Light noise Lack of air ("stuffy") Too much air ("drafty") Known odors Sewer, natural gas, paint, burning smell Visible mold	Cal Poly Facilities	805-756-5555
Exhaust odors Construction dust Roofing or construction odors	Cal Poly Facilities	805-756-5555
	Cal Poly Capital Projects	805-756-5555
Unknown odors Chemical odors Symptoms or illness associated with office environment	Cal Poly EH&S	805-756-5555

Services available

Cal Poly Facilities and equivalent maintenance organizations will respond to service requests regarding concerns about air temperature, ventilation, natural gas and exhaust odors, construction dust and odors and housekeeping issues that may affect indoor air quality.

EH&S will contact you within 24 hours if you have submitted an indoor air quality concern. If a visit to your space is required, EH&S will schedule a time to meet with you and evaluate the area.

Depending on the indoor air quality concern, EH&S may perform some of the following tasks:

• Gather information from the person regarding any perceived health effects and other details regarding the concern
• Collect baseline indoor air quality measurements
• Inspect the area visually and record observations
• Perform a limited mold and moisture assessment
• Collect air samples
• Collect bulk samples or tape-lift samples of materials
• Measure air supply and exhause and inspect HVAC equipment
• Investigate the building surroundings and nearby interior spaces
• Collect sound level measurements
• Provide an occupant diary to track the concern