Airzone One Ltd. services

Although air quality issues typically result from direct emissions from exhaust stacks or chemicals used in industrial processes, vapour intrusion is caused by contaminants in soil or ground water volatilizing (evaporating) and moving indoors through the foundation or floor slab. Vapour intrusion, particularly of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is increasingly recognized as a potential source of indoor air contamination. Since strict regulations on dumping, spill handling and usage of chemicals were not in place until the mid-80s, many industrial sites and landfills near residential areas were inadvertently contaminated before these regulations came into effect. Contaminants in soil or ground water persist for many years and are slow moving, thus, problems may only appear after many years and may lead to serious indoor air quality issues, potentially exposing occupants and, in the long term, their health if concentrations are above acceptable limits.

Airzone staff has the scientific expertise and experience to provide “court-case-ready” mould assessment studies. Our expertise in mycology, microbiology, air quality sampling, and statistical sampling design allows us to develop and implement scientifically-valid fungal air testing.  In most cases, however, simpler and cheaper screening methods may be sufficient and these are applied based on established mould testing protocols as required, for example, by local municipalities.

Airzone provides air quality expertise to support engineering contractors in developing Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for projects such as infrastructure (roads, etc.) and major private developments falling under federal or provincial EA or EIA requirements. We have experience in conducting comprehensive air quality impact assessments including developing emission inventories for various scenarios, applying dispersion modelling, assessing background (baseline) levels for target contaminants (including measurement where necessary) and providing detailed reports. When necessary, we work with consultants from other fields to ensure that the air quality component of the assessment is consistent with the other elements of the project. Our experience in presentations of results before boards and tribunals allows us to work on your behalf to ensure that your project is given fair consideration.

Airzone staff are experienced in the development of air quality regulations including developing management systems to support regulations including: setting of jurisdictional air quality objectives, providing a technical framework to achieve objectives, developing air quality management procedures and supporting regulations, providing guidance (documentation, etc.) to the regulated community, communicating with the regulated community on proposed regulations and guidance, supporting jurisdictional management systems for regulatory compliance, providing technical guidance in supporting regulatory compliance, providing improvement reviews of the air quality management/regulatory compliance system, and, periodic literature reviews to ensure that the technical framework uses up-to-date science.

Airzone offers chemical exposure monitoring and analysis services. In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its Regulations are enforced by the Ministry of Labour.  These laws are designed to help protect a worker in the workplace on a day-to-day basis over their career. Almost all facilities and workplaces across the province manufacture or produce products that may expose a worker to a chemical or physical agent.  Airzone can assist its clients with their responsibility to ensure a worker’s health and safety is maintained while performing their duties.

Integrative sampling requires collection of airborne substances over an extended period of time. Samples are typically returned to an analysis facility for processing and results are typically available some time after the sampling event. This is required when it is too expensive or inconvenient to undertake continuous real-time measurements, or when sensitivity requirements are such that continuous methods are unable to provide the necessary detection limits. Integrative sampling can include passive or active methods requiring use of a pump to draw air through a sorbent material or filter media.

Airzone One offers services in the assessment of environmental noise impacts. These impact assessments are required for various reasons including regulatory requirements, such as for Environmental Compliance Approvals [ECAs] in the Province of Ontario. All equipment that emits noise into the natural environment is only permitted to do so under the terms and conditions of an ECA, which is needed to operate legally. We offer these impact assessment services under our Permitting section, which is led by Dr. Franco DiGiovanni (contact via email or 905-890-6957 ext. 102).