Problem

Despite having extremely low levels for multiple years, a commercial office building discovered high levels of Legionella, which can cause Legionnaires’ Disease, on one particular quarterly assessment. 

Actions

They hired Indoor Science to regularly sample their water for Legionella bacteria. 

Conclusion

Indoor Science recommended instituting a water management plan in conformance with ASHRAE standards and helped the property manager evaluate different remedial actions. Indoor Sciences’ regular water sampling was able to quickly diagnose a serious health risk and help prevent this issue in the future.

Problem

During a construction project in the basement of a commercial building, contractors used an oil-based sealant rather than a low-VOC water-based sealant. The emissions created a strong chemical odor in the property which prompted everyone in the first two floors to evacuate. 

Actions

Indoor Science conducted an indoor air quality assessment and found highly elevated concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) throughout the first two levels. 

Conclusion

Indoor Science recommended improved ventilation of the affected areas and was able to monitor the reduction of TVOC levels. When the concentrations were no longer elevated a few days later, Indoor Science recommended the space be reoccupied.

Problem

A commercial office was experiencing an objectionable odor. Several companies had been hired to determine the source before turning to Indoor Science.

Actions

Indoor Science started the assessment with a thorough olfactory evaluation of the space. Walls, floors, furnishings, and electrical outlets were sniffed for the odor source, without any success.  We then proceeded to slowly and thoroughly sniff the ceiling throughout the office. Indoor Science found the source of the odor on the ceiling of the foyer. The paint used on the foyer ceiling had spoiled and was emitting an objectionable odor.

Conclusion

Indoor Science’s investigation skills were able to identify the problem before any expensive samples were collected.

Problem

A commercial office tenant was concerned about COVID-19 risks in their leased space.   

Actions

Indoor Science measured airflow throughout the office and found several areas with deficiencies.  This was despite the building engineer’s insistence that all was fine based on his computer readouts.  

Conclusion

We were able to demonstrate that the building engineer’s readings were wrong and that ASHRAE ventilation standards were not being met.  Further investigation led to the discovery that two key VAV boxes providing airflow to the office were stuck closed.  The two areas with insufficient airflow exactly matched the two areas of the office where employees were complaining most frequently.

Problem

A performing arts studio sustained severe water damage throughout their property due to an aging roof. Indoor Science was hired to conduct moisture readings and mold air testing in the facility to evaluate the extent of the damage. 

Actions

The assessment showed water damage was present on both floors of the property and that property had highly elevated levels of mold spores in the air. Additional dampness was uncovered in areas with no suspected water damage. 

Conclusion

Indoor Science discovered water-damaged asbestos-containing materials, which was not present in the original scope of the project.

Problem

Indoor Science conducted an assessment to evaluate airborne particulate matter (PM) levels within a museum’s storage facility in response to ongoing dust concerns and complaints. The dust was originating from a neighboring manufacturing tenant. 

Actions

Indoor Science conducted continuous particulate monitoring for PM2.5 and PM10 over one week. It was determined that the museum’s storage room had PM levels that were above the recommended industry limits. Measurements taken away from the neighboring manufacturer were within acceptable limits. 

Conclusion

Indoor Science made recommendations for establishing a positive pressure, sealing up openings along the demising wall, and improving the filtration used in the storage facility.

Problem

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an old high-rise office building was experiencing a low level of occupancy.  Those still working in the building complained that the water looked brown and contaminated. They weren’t sure if it was safe to wash their hands with this water, which was concerning due to the importance of hand-washing during the pandemic.  The building maintenance staff would go around and open the water taps for a minute each working day but there was uncertainty if this approach was sufficient.

Actions

Indoor Science collected water quality samples for regulated metals, total coliform bacteria, E. coli, and Legionella. The domestic hot water lines were elevated for copper at 3 times the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level! Indoor Science worked with the building maintenance staff to develop a plan which involved a more systematic method for water flushing.

Conclusion

Follow-up testing demonstrated that the new water flushing plan was able to keep copper levels below federal regulations.

Problem

During the filming of a Hollywood blockbuster franchise, Indoor Science was hired to conduct indoor air quality in a large abandoned church. The results from the visual inspection and testing indicated a serious concern for mold exposure.

Actions

Indoor Science worked with the producers of the film along with a local restoration company to establish a remediation plan in order to make the location safe for filming activities. 

Conclusion

After the remediation was completed, Indoor Science conducted post-remediation monitoring, which showed filming activities could commence. 

Problem

A client hired Indoor Science to conduct an indoor air quality assessment after feeling unwell in the home after having a lung transplant.

Actions

Indoor Science conducted an assessment on general indoor air quality parameters throughout the client’s property.

Conclusion

We were able to determine the source of the issue was carbon monoxide from a faulty burner on the kitchen stove. There was also elevated particulate matter. Once these were addressed the client’s symptoms improved.

Problem

A senior living community hired Indoor Science to conduct a radon assessment of the property.

Actions

Indoor Science conducted an assessment of radon throughout the ground floor level over a week long test period to determine the levels of radon present in the facility.

Conclusion

We were able to determine that radon was elevated in half the building, while the other half showed normal levels. As a result, Indoor Science recommended a proper mitigation solution and was interviewed by local media to discuss the findings and how they eliminated a potentially severe health hazard.

Problem

A client hired Indoor Science to prove there was tobacco smoke in her unit. This client complained that there was a terrible tobacco odor that she believed came from a tenant next door. The neighbor smoked regularly during the afternoon on the opposite side of a common wall.

Actions

We removed the cover plate of an electrical outlet to expose the interior of the common wall.  We then placed the sorbent tube in very close proximity to this wall cavity during a period of time when we thought the neighbor would be smoking. Fortunately, we could detect the odor of cigarette smoke while running the test. 

Conclusion

By using this device, we were able to show the presence of ETS in the common wall.  Our client was able to present this lab result to building management to address this problem directly with the offending neighbor.

Problem

A high school hired Indoor Science to evaluate the ventilation in their facility. The client wanted to see if recent ventilation upgrades made in regards to COVID-19 had been effective.

Actions

Indoor Science conducted a ventilation study of the facility and conducted general indoor air quality monitoring to determine the effectiveness of the upgrades.

Conclusion

We were able to determine various problem areas in the facility in terms of ventilation and filtration. We were able to make recommendations bringing in additional fresh air into the facility and considering installing portable air quality in problematic areas.

Problem

A homeowner had concerns about the presence of asbestos at their property after a contractor accidentally released vermiculite into the home.  The contractor was trying to install recessed lighting in the home but drilled in to the ceiling near the attic which caused vermiculite to fall into the living spaces.

Actions

Indoor Science conducted Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) aggressive air sampling and asbestos TEM dust sampling to determine the extent of the contamination.

Conclusion

Indoor Science found low levels of asbestos in the air, and was able to connect the client to a local abatement contractor to abate any of the remaining debris.

Problem

A university discovered a room that impacted by mold due to elevated humidity and wanted to have the area remediated.

Actions

Indoor Science developed a remediation protocol for the impacted room to show the best industry practices for mold remediation.

Conclusion

The university retained a remediation contractor to conduct the mold remediation using the protocol that Indoor Science developed to bring the room to pre-loss conditions.