Indoor Air Quality In Highrise & Large Commercial Buildings

Providing Services of:

• Indoor Air Quality
• Mold and Bacteria Testing,
• Air Testing, Sick Building Syndrome
• (SBS) in Manhattan (NYC),
• Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX, and Los Angeles and San Diego CA.

Our experience includes Post-9/11 Building Air Quality in the areas surrounding Ground Zero in New York City (NYC). This included testing for asbestos, lead, arsenic, mercury, concrete dust, PCB’s, VOC’s, mold bacteria and many other items.

We have developed a distinctive approach to evaluating individual tenant spaces and entire high-rise buildings for air quality, including molds and chemicals. Sick building syndrome and building related disease are more likely in large commercial spaces because of the complexity of the HVAC systems, variety of tenants, space constraints and the surrounding area. As buildings age, the potential for isolated problems increase while the possibility of building wide problems decreases.

Mold is the area of greatest concern. Breaking or leaking pipes, condensate, roof leaks, flooding and window leaks, are the most prevalent cause of mold growth

To test and remediate air quality problems, we offer a phase approach to identify the problem rapidly and cost effectively.

For tenant space – 1 day or less

For entire buildings – 1 to 4 days

1. We identify complaints through preliminary discussion with occupants and building services personnel.
2. Thorough inspection of HVAC Systems and occupied spaces.
3. Direct reading instrument testing for temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
4. Limited testing for highly suspect agents such as mold, bacteria, chemical, insects and dusts.
5. A formal report identifying problems and recommended corrective measures, OR recommendations for additional tests based on initial findings. In 70-80% of the time we can identify the problems in the Phase I survey.

Where situations cannot be resolved by a Phase I evaluation, and the extent of the problem is greater than anticipated, or more testing and evaluation is necessary; a Phase II Investigation would be performed. Each situation is unique, but the following are some of the tests that could be performed.

1. More extensive examination of the interior of the HVAC System including opening ductwork and test for molds, bacteria or chemicals.
2. Testing and analysis of airborne bacteria;/fungi (Bioaerosols), Mycotoxins or Endotoxins.
3. Microscopic assays - Air-O-Cells and Transparent Tape Imprints for mold mold, bacteria, fibers, dander, or pollen.
4. Particulate assays - microscopic identification of fibers, pollens, fungi, or asbestos.
5. Chemical assays - Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's), specific chemicals and identification of unknowns including Industrial Hygiene.
6. Indoor allergens - dust mites, cat and dog dander, cockroach allergens, endotoxins.
7. Final formal report identifying problems and solutions.

Location: Heavy commercial or industrial area with carbon monoxide, diesel exhaust, dust and smoke stack emissions.

Air Intake Locations: Location of intake on ground level adjacent to loading docks or below ground intakes where water and mold can be present.

Vermin: Rats, mice, birds and pets who can spread germs and disease.

Building Age: Over time buildings and building systems deteriorate, become inoperable or accumulate debris.

Varied Occupancy: Combining offices, computer equipment, printers, health care facilities, day care, restaurants, schools and studios all in the same building each with different environmental needs results in air quality differences for numerous tenants.