Indoor Air Quality Services

Extreme Temperatures Inc. has staff of experienced professionals, certified Industrial Hygienist-directed, who can conduct indoor environment quality evaluations with inspection and measurement of a wide range of building issues. These include mold and other allergens, chemicals, odors, comfort indices, and ventilation system assessments. Surveys have been conducted in industry, health care facilities, office buildings, retail establishments, and homes.

Common Exposure Concerns

Asbestos, Carbon Monoxide, Formaldehyde, Lead, Radon are a few of the most common exposure concerns raised by building occupants or owners, the list of potential contaminants is extensive. Selection is generally based on building configuration and history, or specific client requests.

Laboratories used for analysis of samples are CIHA accredited, unless not applicable to special situations such as radon, in which case province accredited laboratories are utilized. Building-wide or area surveys, consisting of bulk samples and air sampling (if warranted), are conducted for special cases such as asbestos and lead.

Building Remediation Surveillance

We develop remediation plans for contaminant removal, establish criteria for post-remediation assessment, and conduct follow-up inspections. Services include development of protective measures for remediation personnel and building occupants.

Comfort and Acceptability Indices

Measurements of air temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide are almost always included in building air quality surveys. These are made with direct reading instruments and results compared to those contained in CSHRAE (Canadian Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) standards for indoor air.

Occupant Interviews and Questionnaires

One-on-one interviews to assess occupant concerns are preferred when dealing with relatively small groups. Questionnaires or survey forms can be used for larger populations, depending on client preferences and depth of assessment required. Understanding the extent and developmental history of occupant concerns are often key in defining problems and identifying solutions. Sampling for Bacteria, Mold, and other Allergens or Pathogens We collect samples from all mediums (air, HVAC equipment, carpet, floors, walls, etc.) for analysis of a wide range of potential biological contaminants, depending on site-specific circumstances. Examples of analysis available include culturable and non-culturable fungi (mold and yeast), bacteria including special cases such as Legionella and Mycobacterium, common allergens such as dust mites, cat, dog and cockroach; and endotoxins, to name those most often analyzed.

Ventilation System Assessment

In order for ventilation systems to effectively remove contaminants from the work environment, they must be designed properly and maintained in good working order. Ducts often become blocked over time when handling dusty materials or after collecting large objects (bags, hats, etc.). Many times, fan belts become worn, filters clogged or blast gates improperly adjusted. A program to ensure continued performance of ventilation systems is necessary to verify protection is being maintained.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Measurement and Source Identification These classes of chemicals are often associated with off-gassing from building furnishings and components; construction activities, operations within the building using chemical agents, fuel combustion, or outside sources. Odor, irritation, and headache are complaints often associated with this large class of chemicals. Air sampling and analysis, along with information gained in the course of the building inspection, can identify potential sources along with alternatives available to eliminate or control the source. If necessary, samples of building components can be collected and analyzed to identify possible sources of offending components.

Extreme Temperatures Inc. Indoor Air Quality Service: AIHA, Air Exchange, Air Sampling, Air Temperature, Air Testing, Air Turnover, Aldehydes, Allergens, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, Area Surveys, Asbestos, Bacteria, Biological Contaminants, Building Air Quality, Building Related Sickness, Building Remediation Surveillance, Bulk Samples, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Cat Allergen , Certified Industrial Hygienist, Chemicals, Cockroach, Comfort and Acceptability Indices, Culturable Fungi, Dog Allergen, Dust Mites, EMLAP, Endotoxin, Environmental Agents, Formaldehyde, Fungi, Fungi Monitoring, Humidity, HVAC Equipment, Lead, Legionella Sampling, Measurement, Medical Case Review, Medical Issues, Mildew, Moisture, Mold, Mold Evaluation, Mold Experts, Mold Sampling, Mold Testing, Mycobacterium, Occupant Interviews, Occupant Questionnaires, Odor, Outdoor Air, Pathogen, Radon, Remediation Plan, Sampling, Sick Building, Source Identification, Spore, Spore Trap, Surface Sample, Tape Lift, Toxics, Vacuum Sample, Ventilation System Assessment, VOC, VOCs, Volatile Organic Compounds, Workplace Applications, Workplace Group, Yeast, Hexavalent, Hexavalent Chromium, Chromium, Chrome VI, Cr+6