Indoor Air and Environmental Quality 
With the growing number of lawsuits and health concerns involving indoor air and environmental quality, taking pro-active steps to address and improve indoor environmental conditions is one of the most important actions a building owner or manager can take to protect their buildings, their tenants and their interests. To provide a healthy indoor environment, it is essential to provide good indoor air quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines good indoor air quality as: - Introduction and distribution of adequate volumes of ventilation air
- Control of airborne contaminants generated from either an indoor or outdoor source
- Maintaining recommended temperatures and relative humidity’s
Indoor Air and Environmental Quality (IAQ/IEQ) is the product of numerous factors. The quality of an indoor environment is the result of interaction between the building site, pollutant sources, the current ventilation system and its operation, building furnishings and the building occupants. Indoor air pollutants can be chemical, biological or physical. The multiplicity of factors that affect the indoor environment often makes IAQ/IEQ investigations complex. A well-defined Indoor Air and Environmental Quality objective and evaluation program must be formulated in order to gather meaningful observations and data. Only from a sound scientific approach can appropriate, cost-effective remediation strategies be developed. To provide a complete assessment of these parameters the Karl Environmental Group program features a multidisciplinary approach. This evaluation design allows for a comprehensive building assessment. Common Indoor Air and Environmental Quality (IAQ/IEQ) problems can be caused by:  Temperature and Humidity Particulate Levels Volatile Organic Chemicals Carbon Monoxide (CO) Carbon Dioxide Mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms Tobacco smoke PCBs, Mercury, Hydrocarbons, and others
The Karl Environmental Group incorporates protocols from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 
The typical Indoor Air and Environmental Quality (IAQ/IEQ) evaluation will include an assessment of symptom expression, a walk-through of affected and non-affected areas, inspection of the ventilation systems (air handling units, cooling coils, drain pans, supply plenums, outside air intakes), pollutant intrusion pathways,  measurement of surrogate gases to evaluate air exchange and measurement of temperature and relative humidity to determine thermal comfort parameters. In most evaluations, this will be sufficient to determine building-related problems. When analytical documentation is indicated, a sound sampling strategy is designed prior to field collection. Air sampling for particulates, chemical pollutants or biological pollutants is performed with clearly defined objectives for the resultant analytical data. 
Building Ventilation Evaluation Carbon Dioxide, Temperature, Relative Humidity Microbial Contamination, Bio-aerosol Analyses (bulk, substrate, and air) Airborne Particulate Analysis Airborne Volatile Organic Compound Analysis Industrial Hygiene Services for OSHA Compliance
The Karl Environmental Group is adept in utilizing applicable and proper sampling techniques to obtain representative field samples. Experienced field personnel, under the direction of a project supervisor, are proficient in the methodologies of various sampling procedures required for each individual project.  Indoor air quality evaluations are performed on-site with data-logging air quality monitors, surrogate gas monitors, toxic gas monitors, quantitative bio-aerosol apparatus, and traditional chemical pollutant collection techniques. Building operation, an essential diagnostic for potential indoor air quality, is thoroughly evaluated.
Experienced personnel, utilizing calibrated personal sampling pumps equipped with filter cassettes enable Karl Environmental Group to sample for many different airborne contaminants. Examples of recent workplace evaluations include both reactive and proactive Indoor Air and Environmental Quality (IAQ/IEQ) evaluations of multi-story and single tenant buildings. The Karl Environmental Group has worked in the commercial, institutional and residential environments. We are always willing to tailor our services to the specific needs of our clients. Please call us at (800) 527-5581 to discuss how we can put our expertise to work for you.  
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