IAQ & HVAC Investigations/Evaluations   

Terms like ‘sick building syndrome’ and ‘building-related illness’ have become part of the public’s lexicon in recent years. People increasingly understand the potential acute and chronic health risks posed by poor indoor air quality (IAQ), especially in the workplace. As a result, the public demands and expects healthier work environments from employers, property owners, and building managers.

EH&E is the undisputed industry leader in the field of IAQ management and has been the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) prime IAQ research contractor since 1994. We have assessed environmental conditions in a variety of building types across the United States. Based on our extensive experience in IAQ remediation, we have found that generally there is not one single factor that leads to IAQ problems; rather, poor IAQ is often the result of complex and dynamic interactions between building systems, space use activities, management practices and occupant expectations.

To be wholly effective, EH&E tailors each IAQ program to account for an organization’s unique environmental situation based on diverse factors such as energy consumption, work flow, and building dynamics. For every client, EH&E assembles a team of highly trained professionals selected from our staff of specialists in industrial hygiene, toxicology, engineering, chemistry, environmental science, and related fields. This ensures that the project team has the appropriate knowledge, work-related experience, and technical skill needed to consistently evaluate and make recommendations for a wide variety of situations. Our specialists formulate technically sound, cost-effective strategies and solutions for every client, and the resulting tailored programs are designed to account for changes in technologies, products and regulations.

Organizations that implement our customized IAQ programs can experience the following benefits:

• increase in productivity
• improved morale 
• reduced business interruption
• decrease in worker complaints 
• decrease in worker absenteeism 
• decrease in health insurance costs, and 
• decrease in worker compensation claims

Evaluating building systems and materials testing
Optimal IAQ is often directly related to the operational condition and functionality of mechanical and ventilation systems. Our thorough inspection and testing process provides essential information on the condition, capacity, appropriateness and effectiveness of building systems. EH&E’s evaluations determine building ventilation rates and air movement pathways through buildings, assess contaminants, evaluate exhaust and intake geometries, and develop proactive monitoring programs.

Remediation planning and oversight 
During remediation, the health and safety of building occupants is protected at all times in compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines. EH&E’s investigative services include:

• environmental/field sampling
• forensic building investigations 
• emergency response 
• evaluation of operations 
• sampling protocols and interpretation of sampling results 
• contractor management
• sensitive communications for building occupants