Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within buildings and its relation to the health of their occupants. EHS recognizes this and has developed resources to assist in managing IAQ issues when they arise. The institute strives to maintain a healthy working and learning environment for students, staff, and all campus partners.
General IAQ Information
There are many factors that can adversely affect IAQ, including:
- Mold and other microbial growth
- Excessive moisture, heat, and humidity
- Seasonal allergens from outside air that enter buildings
- Appliances and equipment that produce byproducts from fuel-burning combustion
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning and maintenance products, laboratory chemicals in use without adequate ventilation, and products used in construction projects
- Products containing silica that produce airborne concentrations
- Asbestos containing materials that become disturbed
Reporting Procedures
To report IAQ concerns, submit a work order request to the Facilities Customer Service Center (FIXX) by following the instructions detailed on the FIXX website.
FIXX will send your work order request to the appropriate physical plant shops and will include EHS as need to further evaluate the issue at hand.
Please note that FIXX is available Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 4:30pm.
To report excessive moisture, leaks, or floods, IMMEDIATELY contact the Facilities Customer Service Center (FIXX) at 518-276-2000 during their hours of operation, Monday-Friday 7:00am-4:30pm.
When FIXX is closed and there is an emergency (flooding, system failures that require maintenance, etc.), contact Public Safety at 518-276-6611.
FIXX will send your work order request to the appropriate physical plant shops and will include EHS as need to further evaluate the issue at hand.
IAQ Resources
Assessing and Improving IAQ Concerns in Your Space
Self-assessing IAQ concerns in your space(s) is vital to ensuring proper response actions are taken to remedy the condition at hand. EHS has developed resources for recording information that can be vital in pinpointing root causes and contributing factors for IAQ conditions.
Water Damage - Cleanup and Mold Prevention
EHS and Rensselaer's Administration Portfolio strives to manage campus properties in a proactive manner to prevent conditions that support mold growth.
Occasionally mold growth occurs despite taking preventative measures. EHS has compiled a number of resources to follow in the event that visible mold is present in your space.
