Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of symptoms such as headaches, eye irritations, respiratory problems and drowsiness. These in turn can lead to excessive absenteeism, loss of productivity and poor morale.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends the following tips to prevent indoor air quality problems:

• Inspect all HVAC condensation pans and clean them of debris. This should be done without the HVAC running. Sanitize the pan; then rinse with clear water.
• If you have a rooftop outdoor air intake on your HVAC unit, find out if you need to install a bird screen. Make sure that rooftop exhaust fans conform to operational guidelines.
• Be sure that all air filters fit tightly in their racks, without gaps.
• Make sure intake air vents are not blocked. Blocked vents lead to negative air pressure. Significant negative pressure causes imbalances in HVAC systems, which leads to more moist, untempered air and moisture control problems.
• Clean accumulated dust on coils, drain pans or fiber glass liners. Replace soiled fiber glass liners.
• Properly exhaust building before starting up the air conditioning. Warm humid air left after a night or weekend without the HVAC running can condense when mixed with cold air-conditioned air. The added moisture can create a “rain forest effect.”

For more information on health and safety issues that impact your workplace, contact the program administrator for GlassInsure, NGA’s sponsored insurance program, at 800/640-7601, or www.glassinsure.com.

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