Indoor air quality, or IAQ, describes conditions in building air as they relate to occupants and the use of the space.
What this means at your property
A stuffy office, a room with recurring moisture and an area affected by smoke raise different questions. There is no single observation that describes every aspect of air quality. Building operation, source history and the purpose of the assessment matter.
How can a property owner prepare for an assessment?
Keep a room-by-room timeline of odors, leaks, recent materials and HVAC changes. Ask the assessor to define the question being investigated and explain the limits of any measurements or recommendations.
Related terms
Further reading: EPA: introduction to indoor air quality.