In recent years, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has quickly become a top-of-mind concern for building owners and operators. In this article, we highlight need-to-know aspects of this new metric. IAQ falls into the overarching Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) category. There is considerable overlap between IAQ and IEQ, but IEQ includes sight and feeling in addition to the air we breathe. IAQ focuses on just the “A”, air.

Exactly what is measured for any given IAQ sensor will vary depending on the specifics of the sensor. In this article, we’ll discuss the most common measurements you’re likely to encounter in building analytics software like Noda. We’ll start with how we determine which standard to use to interpret the data. Then, we’ll get into the details about readings and compounds.

The most common standards for IAQ data are the EPA standard, WELL Standard and RESET Standard. Much like building controls, there is no single system, or standard that works for every use case. Noda uses the best tools for the job to recognize the full capabilities of the data from your IAQ sensors.

According to the US Green Building Council, the WELL Building Standard® is “a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and wellbeing, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.” The WELL Building Standard® is primarily focused on the human element of how our built environment can affect the occupants.

RESET is an internationally recognized standard. Per its website, “RESET is a set of standards and assessment tools & services to develop actionable, long-term strategies towards health and sustainability for the built environment.”

There are various standards within the RESET framework:

Where WELL is focused on the human side, RESET is focused on the data side. The RESET Standard is a data standard that emphasizes the use of continuous monitoring and strong data quality so we can trust and utilize the volumes of data sensors generate in modern buildings. EPA Standards refers to standards, often ASHRAE, that the Environmental Protection Agency has adopted to help schools and other organizations promote healthy learning environments to help occupants with everything they do in their spaces. Good IAQ helps improve test scores and enhance faculty and staff productivity. As such, much of the guidance the EPA has published is a wealth of knowledge for facility operators who are focused on improving the IAQ in their portfolio.

You’ve taken the first step in implementing an IAQ management plan, whether it’s through a unified analytics platform like Noda’s or another analytics platform. But now you are faced with the task of deciphering the common IAQ sensor readings displayed in your dashboards. In this section, we explore some of the common readings and compounds you’ll encounter. First, we’ll review the common measurements you’re likely to see and then we’ll review the commonly measured compounds and why they’re important to monitor.

Formaldehyde is one of the most common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful in the built environment. Within buildings, formaldehyde comes from pressed wood products used for furniture, flooring, shelving, and cabinetry. High concentrations of formaldehyde can cause asthma attacks and is classified by the IARC as carcinogenic. Even in lower concentrations, sensory irritation such as watery, burning eyes and difficulty breathing have been reported.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and toxic gas that comes from the burning of materials. The effects of CO vary greatly depending on the length of exposure, age, and health of the persons exposed. At low levels, CO can cause fatigue in healthy people. As CO concentrations increase it causes impaired vision and reduced brain function. At high levels, CO can cause flu like symptoms and is fatal at very high concentrations.

Carbon dioxide is exhaled by occupants as a production of the human metabolism. High CO2 concentrations in the air can have various symptoms on occupants including concentration problems and fatigue. Research also shows that CO2 concentration also correlates to the potential of virus transmission.

Ammonia is a naturally occurring compound most commonly used in agriculture as fertilizer. It is also used as a refrigerant gas, for purification of water supplies, and in household and commercial cleaning solutions. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia causes burning of the nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Lower levels of exposure can cause coughing and nose and throat irritation.

Nitrogen dioxide comes from the burning of fossil fuels. The most common producers of NO2 are vehicles, power plants, industrial emissions, construction, and lawn and gardening equipment. Short-term exposure to NO2 can cause airway inflammation and trigger asthma attacks. Prolonged exposure can contribute to the development of acute or chronic bronchitis.

PM1 consists of the smallest particles in the air, those less than one micrometer in diameter. As with all PM levels, PM1 is not a singular pollutant, but rather a mixture of man-made and naturally occurring particles. A lack of widespread monitoring and regulation has provided limited evidence of the negative effect of PM1, though it is thought to be potentially more harmful due to its smaller size.

PM10 consists of larger particulate matter such as dust, pollen and fragments of bacteria. Short term exposure to PM10 has been associated with worsening respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

With limited research around PM1’s health effects, PM2.5 currently poses the greatest health risk because of its small size. PM2.5 is associated with the largest proportion of adverse health effects caused by air pollution. PM2.5 comes from emissions from combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel, and wood.

Ozone is beneficial in protecting the earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, but at ground level, it is a harmful air pollutant and the main component of smog. Exposure to ozone can cause coughing and scratchy throats. Ozone can make it more difficult to breath and make lungs more susceptible to infection

Humidity is one of the main indicators observed for indoor air quality monitoring. Too high or too low humidity creates an optimal environment for viruses and bacteria. High humidity invites increases in mold spores, dust mites and other allergens. And conversely, high humidity can promote increases of other noxious chemicals such as formaldehyde and ozone.

Temperature is one of the most basic parameters for indoor air quality. Extreme temperatures cause serious health hazards in addition to fostering uncomfortable working environments for occupants. Studies suggest improper air temperature affects perceived air quality (PAQ) and sick building syndrome (SBS).

Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) is a measurement of all organic chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Thousands of products such as paints, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, cleaners and disinfectants, building materials, and office materials contribute to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. It can also contribute to headaches and nausea. While others are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

IAQ is influenced by a host of factors, from the materials in your building to the activities happening outside of it. When your IAQ metrics don’t meet the standards however, there are some adjustments you can make to improve the air quality within your building. In the next section, we will look at some basic items to add to your IAQ management plan checklist:

IAQ management plan checklist:

The IAQ management plan checklist is a great starting place for addressing gaps in your IAQ metrics and standards set by environmental organizations like the EPA, WELL, and RESET. However, to kick your IAQ management plan into high gear, there are some additional steps you can take as well.

These include:

Smart technologies are expanding the possibilities of IAQ management plans. A centralized building automation system (BAS) integrated with smart devices and analytics monitors IAQ continuously and in real time. This means you can be instantly alerted when IAQ drops below acceptable levels and corrective action can be taken as early as possible, often, automatically. But a BAS does more than correct issues when they occur, it prevents them from occurring in the first place.

An advanced analytics platform gives you deep insight into building conditions and shows you where to focus your efforts when creating an IAQ management plan. It allow you to see the relationships between variables like occupancy, temperature, season, equipment functionality, building maintenance, and air quality. Just as importantly, the analytics platform learns this information and can trigger automatic equipment adjustments in response to both real-time and predicted conditions. For example, ventilation can increase in anticipation of occupancy, and filtration systems can turn on as meeting rooms fill up.