New Jersey Indoor Air Quality Testing

If you need New Jersey indoor air quality (IAQ) testing/sampling in high-rise and commercial buildings assistance discussed in this information page, call us at 973-366-4660 or email us at info@atlenv.com for details and a free estimate.

Written By:  Robert E. Sheriff, MS, CIH, CSP, President
March 9, 2020

We have provided Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) to high-rise building owners and tenants since 1984 in New Jersey.  Our offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Boston have further added to our knowledge and experience in the unique problems of high-rise and large commercial buildings, as well as the problem in large densely populated communities as it relates to IAQ.

Our experience includes Post-9/11 Building Air Quality in the areas surrounding Ground Zero in New York City (NYC).  This included testing/sampling for asbestos, lead, arsenic, mercury, concrete, dust, PCBs, VOCs, mold, bacteria, and other chemicals.

We have developed a distinctive approach to evaluating individual office spaces and entire high-rise buildings for Indoor Air Quality, including molds, bacteria, and chemicals.  Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and Building Related Disease (BRD) 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 IAQ problems increases, while the possibility of building-wide IAQ problems decreases.

SPECIAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

• LOCATION: Heavy commercial or industrial area with carbon monoxide, diesel exhaust, dust, smokestack emissions, cooling towers, and noise.
• AIR INTAKE LOCATIONS: Location of intake on the ground level adjacent to loading docks below ground intakes or on roofs where exhaust and intakes are adjacent.  Exhaust from sewer vents, odors, emissions drawback into building intakes.
• 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.  Common IAQ problems include sewer gas, mold, debris in HVAC Systems.
  Debris in HVAC Systems.
• VARIED OCCUPANCY: Combining offices, computer equipment, printers, health care facilities, daycare, restaurants, schools, warehouses, factories, studios and residential apartments, condos, timeshare all in the same building each with different environmental needs results in Indoor Air Quality differences for numerous tenants and other spaces receiving the emissions from their neighbors.
• MOLD: Mold problems due to leaking pipes, roof leaks, flooding, condensation, window leaks.

To test and remediate IAQ problems, we offer a phased approach to identify the problem rapidly and cost-effectively.

PHASE I – INITIAL INVESTIGATION

For tenant space – 1 day

For entire buildings – 1 to 4 days

• We identify air quality complaints through preliminary discussion with occupants and building services personnel.
• A thorough inspection of HVAC Systems and occupied spaces for debris, mold, condensate, odors, etc.
• Direct reading instrument testing/sampling for temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, moisture, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
• Limited testing/sampling for highly suspect IAQ agents such as mold, bacteria, chemical, insects, dust, and allergies.
• A formal report identifying IAQ 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. 

PHASE II – IN-DEPTH STUDY

Where situations cannot be resolved by a Phase I evaluation, and the extent of the air quality problem is greater than anticipated, or more testing/sampling 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.

• More extensive examination of the interior of the HVAC System including opening ductwork and test for molds, bacteria or chemicals—both air sampling and bulk/surface sampling.
• Testing/sampling and analysis of airborne mold/bacteria;/fungi (Bio-aerosols), Mycotoxins or Endotoxins.
• Microscopic assays – Air-O-Cells air samples and Transparent Tape Imprints surface samples for mold, bacteria, fibers, dander, or pollen.
• Particulate assays – microscopic identification of fibers, pollens, fungi, or asbestos from air sampling or settled dust. This can include forensic analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
• Microscope (SEM) – Scanning Electron Microscope forensic analysis of the particulate matter.
• Chemical assays – Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), specific chemicals and identification of unknowns including Industrial Hygiene.
• Indoor allergens – dust mites, cat and dog dander, cockroach allergens, endotoxins that can give rise to allergies and asthma.
• Fire residue – in the event a fire was involved either inside or vegetation wildfire, we can test for fire residues.
• Final formal report identifying problems and solutions.

Contact us today at 973-366-4660, e-mail to info@atlenv.com or use our contact form to discuss your unique needs and obtain a complimentary, no-obligation quotation for New Jersey indoor air quality testing/sampling and consulting services tailored to your organization’s requirements. We service New Jersey and beyond. See the areas we service below.

Our primary service areas are New Jersey NJ, New York NY, (New York City), Pennsylvania PA, Connecticut CT, Delaware DE, Massachusetts, (Boston) MA, Rhode Island RI, Washington DC, Wisconsin WI, Maryland MD, Michigan MI, Illinois (Chicago) IL, Virginia VA, Indiana IN, Georgia (Atlanta) GA, Alabama AL, North Carolina NC, South Carolina SC, Tennessee TN, Texas (Dallas, Ft Worth) TX, Oklahoma OK, DC, Arkansas AR, Florida FL. We can service most other areas of the U.S. but with some added travel charges.