During the winter season, most people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Pollutants such as dust, dirt, and gaseous fumes from household chemicals can accumulate to levels that may pose health and comfort problems.

Dent Consulting Services Ltd. has experts with the ability to investigate, test and correct Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems such as mould, bacteria, chemicals, allergens, asbestos and lead. If employees or building occupants are complaining of poor air quality or increased illnesses as colds, flu, asthma, weakness, burning eyes, itching skin, rashes, sore throats, allergies, lethargy, or headaches, then there is a possibility this could be Building Related Disease or Sick Building Syndrome.

Dent Consulting Services Ltd. offers a complete range of IAQ services, from initial assessments to complete evaluation programs – or an immediate response to an emergency situation. We can develop practical, cost effective solutions for your IAQ problems, including MSDS Review (WHMIS), general IAQ parameter monitoring (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, relative humidity and airborne mould), work site assessment and review of site processes and work procedures.

Dent Consulting Services Ltd. uses a step-by-step approach to IAQ assessments including:

Initial Assessments

A 1 day to 1 week investigation of the indoor environment and may include the following actions, depending on the situation:

• We identify complaints through preliminary discussion with occupants and building services personnel.
• Thorough inspection of HVAC Systems and occupied spaces.
• Direct reading instrument testing for temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
• Limited testing for highly suspect agents such as mould, bacteria, chemical, insects and dusts.
• A formal report identifying problems and recommended corrective measures, OR recommendations for additional tests based on initial findings.

Pending the results of the preliminary investigation, further investigation may be warranted to confirm a problem hypothesis from the preliminary investigation. In many investigations, further investigation is not required to identify the problem cause and solution. In 70-80% of the time we can identify the problems in this assessment. In cases where further investigation is required, its scope can be highly focused based on the findings of the preliminary investigation.

In-Depth Studies

Where situations cannot be resolved by an initial assessment and the extent of the problem is greater than anticipated, or more testing and evaluation is necessary; an in-depth study 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 moulds, bacteria or chemicals.
• Testing and analysis of airborne bacteria;/fungi (Bioaerosols), Mycotoxins or Endotoxins.
• Particulate assays - microscopic identification of fibers, pollens, fungi, or asbestos.
• Chemical assays - Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), specific chemicals and identification of unknowns.
• Indoor allergens - dust mites, cat and dog dander, cockroach allergens, endotoxins.
• Final formal report identifying problems and solutions.