Causes of poor indoor air quality

Poor indoor air quality can result from numerous factors, including inadequate ventilation, poorly designed or maintained air conditioning systems, chemicals or vehicle exhaust drawn in from outside, products used inside the building, leaking gas appliances, building materials, furnishings and microbial contamination. Carbon monoxide may also be a concern where inefficient or unflued gas appliances are used.

Health effects of poor indoor air quality

Health effects of inadequate indoor air quality are poorly understood, due to the large number of potential indoor air contaminants, the possibility of interactions between contaminants and the significant variability in individual human responses to them.

Recommended solutions to indoor air quality issues will vary with the source of the problem. They may be as simple as opening windows to improve ventilation or replacing existing personal care and cleaning products with safer alternatives or more complex where changes to air conditioning systems or building materials are involved.

Nevertheless, illnesses which have been observed include:

• eye, nose and throat irritation
• skin rashes and itchiness
• fatigue
• asthma and allergies

Tips for improving indoor air quality are included in the 20 page Building Wellness book which is available from our on-line shop . A building biology approved range of cleaning products is also available. The book "How to Grow Fresh Air" describes those indoor plants that have been found to help remove common chemicals from the air, while "The Chemical Maze" is an excellent pocket guide which will help you to understand which chemicals in common products are best avoided.

Air sampling  

A standard indoor air quality assessment includes the use of professional meters to measure temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide levels and to detect gas leaks from  gas appliances.

Where testing is required for other gases or for dusts (total respirable or ultrafine particulate matter) or specific substances (e.g. formaldehyde, VOC's , mould ), specialised air sampling equipment will be used. If the use of digital meters is not appropriate, it may be necessary to forward air samples to a NATA accredited laboratory for analysis before results can be determined. All mould samples are forwared to a specialised mycological laboratory for analysis.

If testing for vehicle/diesel exhaust is required, a combination of several assessments, including particulate matter (PM10), ultrafine particulates, VOC's, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide, may be recommended. 

Building Wellness building biology service - Air testing procedure 

When conducting air testing in a home or workplace, our building biologist will

• Speak with you to determine your specific needs
• Visit your site at an agreed time
• Use the appropriate equipment to measure levels of the specified pollutants. Where necessary, samples will be taken for laboratory analysis.
• Determine sources of pollutants. This will include consideration of building materials, furnishings, paints and finishes, cleaning and personal care products and other chemicals used on the premises.
• Check for gas leaks from gas appliances
• Discuss findings
• Explain areas of concern
• Recommend the easiest and most cost effective ways to address areas of concern

You will be given a hand written report at the time of assessment, including details of any relevant exposure guidelines. Should you requrie a full typed report detiling all findings and reommendations, a fee of $195 will apply in addition to the consultation fee.

Cost of services

The cost of an air testing assessment varies according to the building size and location and the level of testing and reporting required. Prices start at $297 (including GST) for a standard 1 hour indoor air quality assessment (excluding specialised air sampling and laboratory analysis) of a 1-2 bedroom apartment in the Melbourne metropolitan area. You will be given a hand written report at the time of assessment.

Should you wish to have total VOC levels in your home's indoor air assessed using a ppbRAE 3000 meter, prices start at $465 (including GST) for a 1 hour assessment in a 1-3 bedroom home in the Melbourne metropolitan area. You will be given a hand written report at the time of assessment.

Should you wish to have total ultrafine particulate levels in your home's indoor air assessed using a TSI P-TRAK Ultrafine Particulate Counter, prices start at $465 (including GST) for a 1 hour assessment of a 1-3 bedroom home in the Melbourne metrolopitan area. You will be given a hand written report at the time of assessment.

Should you wish to have total respirable dust levels in your home's indoor air assessed using a Dust TRAK meter, prices start at $465 (including GST) for a 1 hour assessment of a 1-3 bedroom home in the Melbourne metropolitan area.You will be given a hand written report at the time of assessment.

Should you wish to have an assessment of your home's indoor air that combines a standard indoor air quality assessment with the total VOC, ultrafine particulate and respirable dust assessments described above, prices start at $1,095 (including GST) for 2 hour assessment of a 1-3 bedroom home in the Melbourne metroppolitan area. You will be given a hand written report at the time of assessment.

Mould sampling can be added to any of the services mentioned above. The cost will depend on the number of samples being taken.

We will be happy to provide a quote for your specific circumstances after discussing your requirements with you. Please contact us for further information.