Assessment:
Chapter 10

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Indoor Environment & Air Quality

Executive Summary

Air quality has been dramatically compromised worldwide since the Industrial Revolution. Air is a global commons, and pollution does not stay within the borders of the country that produced it. While it is uncertain how low-level doses of atmospheric pollutants affect human health over time, incidences of respiratory illnesses such as asthma are on the rise, a fact that is strongly linked to increased smog. Indoor air quality, as it is dependant on outdoor air quality, must be closely monitored to protect building occupant health.

Since the 2003 Assessment, the number of indoor air quality complaints has dramatically decreased from 74 in 2003, to 19 in 2005. This is chiefly due to the new system for reporting incidents managed by Environmental Health & Safety and Facilities Management, which increases the efficiency of a response and allows for better problem-solving.

Formerly a source of complaints, the Hall building's main ventilation system was upgraded, improving air quality and saving a considerable amount of energy by operating on variable drive frequency. As well, the ventilation system in half of the painting studios in the VA building have been completely changed, and art programs that use toxic substances have moved to the new EV building. While asbestos is still present in the Hall building, it is in places that do not pose a health hazard and is steadily being removed as funds become available.

During this assessment period, Concordia's contractor for cleaning services switched to chemical-free cleaning products. This will significantly improve the campus indoor air quality for all community members, and reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship through reducing the pollutants in our local water system. To reduce indoor air quality pollutants, Facilities Planning is currently developing indoor air quality standards based on the principles from the LEED Green Building Rating System, creating standards and guidelines for the purchasing of building materials, floor coverings, and furnishings to be stipulated in bids. The adoption of such standards would create healthier and more pleasant spaces for campus members.

Key Directions

• Develop an information package explaining indoor air quality issues and how to report them, so that campus members can better take part in promoting indoor air quality.

• Adopt indoor air quality standards based on the LEED Green Building Rating System, and use as a guideline in the purchase of new furnishings, equipment and materials.

• Support city initiatives to improve outdoor air quality.