Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and Health Effects of Air Pollution
by Guest Post on Nov 1, 2011
Employers, whether building owners or tenants have found that dissatisfaction with the indoor environment can lead to a host of employee problems, ranging from lost productivity whether through lost days or just decreased effectiveness to outright hostility toward management. At the very least, unresolved problems can foster a belief that management just doesn't care. Some investigators have found an even more troublesome reaction. It's well known that IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) problems affect some occupants more than others. In some offices, this has created us versus them scenario with the unaffected accusing the others of malingering, and the affected feeling that the others were uncaring. The result: deteriorating morale.
Union Trouble
As if declining productivity or employee distrust of management weren't enough, some employers have seen IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) complaints become a "bargaining chip" for unions at contract time. This can be particularly troublesome for several reasons:
- Many times, employee perception of the problem, once mistrust is established, runs counter to the facts. We have seen cases where the perception of indoor air quality declined when all objective measurements indicated it should have been getting better.
- Health and safety are emotional and volatile issues. Once building occupants become sensitized to IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) concerns, even the most innocuous strange smell can set off a wave of panic.
- Many times IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) problems are difficult to detect and resolve. An ongoing problem, despite the best efforts of management, can result in widespread employee dissatisfaction.
Public Buildings
Those in charge of public buildings live under the double curse of high visibility and a volatile political climate. Unable to impose a nondisclosure agreement, managers of public buildings must try to solve the problem under the glare of almost daily publicity. Members of the general public, and opposing politicians, have little patience for issues without quick and certain resolution, increasing the pressure on those in charge. When the building is a school, parents soon become involved and can quickly push the issue past the boiling point. As reported recently continuing problems at one high school caused parents at a public meeting to call for closing the school, even though school officials had nowhere else to house the 1,500 students.
Real Estate As Investment
For many investors, the building, its marketability, and the value of the commercial paper associated with it are vital concerns. A catastrophic IEQ problem or a "bad image" created by ongoing publicity can seriously erode the building's worth. The concern over building value extends far beyond the developers. Those who buy and sell mortgages in the secondary market are slowly becoming aware of the financial ramifications IEQ problems can have, and firms that conduct due diligence surveys for investors are beginning to pay close attention to a building's potential for IEQ problems.
What to Do?
While the problems can be serious, there's no need for panic. On the other hand, to take the position that IEQ problems are nothing more than environmental hysteria or a passing fad is to invite far more serious problems. In talking with IEQ consultants and lawyers involved in the IEQ field, we hear recurring themes that bear remembering:
- Maintain a proactive stance, rather than merely reacting to problems;
- Take occupant complaints seriously;
- Investigate problems quickly and thoroughly;
- Communicate effectively and tell occupants what you are doing, what you have learned, and what you plan to do about it;
- Implement recommendations completely (if you can't do everything, determine what can safely be deferred);
- Operate the building according to design and/or current standard practice; and
- Use IEQ professionals to investigate and mitigate building problems; case studies are filled with instances where the building staff tried to handle the problem and made it worse. There is nothing you can do that will make you immune to lawsuits or other financial risks. However, you can limit your exposure or the likelihood that occupants whether tenants or employees will feel aggrieved over indoor environmental conditions.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
93158 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
73564 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71460 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
52069 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30326 Views
Latest Articles
Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...
on Jan 12, 2025
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
on Dec 19, 2024
Global Real Estate Trends: What’s Driving Property Investments This Year?
For investors hoping to optimize returns in the ever-changing world of real estate, knowing current trends is not merely a matter of staying...
on Dec 19, 2024
5 Reasons to Use Gutter Cleaning Services
Gutters protect your home from water damage by directing rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation. However, they often required regular...
on Nov 14, 2024
Before You Sign: How Home Inspections Identify Hidden Hazards in Your Future Home
Buying a home is exciting, but hidden dangers can turn that dream into a nightmare if not addressed early on. Beyond what is visible during a...
on Oct 18, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 202
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 148
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
The 101 on Roof Repair Professionals
Some time ago, my youngest child exclaimed "The sky is falling!" and started running around. I initially thought that he was talking about the...
Tips for Excellent and Cost-Saving Home Repairs and
When was the last time you did major repairs to the house you spend most of your days in? You know that prevention is better than cure, right? So,...
Improving your Home with Repairs and Plumbing Maintenance
Whether you need to replace your kitchen cabinets or get some plumbing done in your bathroom, matching your results and expectations is the main...
How Solar Panels Work to Power Your Home
Solar energy, at the base idea, involves capturing the suns energy and turning it directly into electricity for a business or home. Our sun can...
Super Advice to Keep Your Mattress Clean and Fresh!
We spoke with a mattresses manufacturer who sells beautiful ethical Mattresses handcrafted, using natural, non-toxic materials, free of harmful...