Poor indoor air quality following disasters is a significant but often overlooked public health issue, and restoration professionals play a critical role in identifying and addressing IAQ problems in disaster-affected structures.
Disasters can introduce a range of indoor air quality hazards into structures, including mold spores, bacteria, volatile organic compounds from damaged building materials, combustion products from fires, and particulate matter from smoke and dust.
The health effects of poor indoor air quality following disasters can be severe, particularly for vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Long-term exposure to poor indoor air quality in disaster-damaged structures can cause chronic health problems.
Restoration professionals who are trained in indoor air quality assessment and remediation are well-positioned to identify and address IAQ problems in disaster-affected structures. Proper remediation of IAQ hazards is an essential component of comprehensive disaster recovery.
The EPA's indoor air quality guidance provides a framework for assessing and addressing IAQ problems in disaster-affected structures. Restoration contractors who follow this guidance and document their work carefully are better positioned to demonstrate the effectiveness of their remediation work.
