Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become a critical concern to design professionals. Environmental contaminants and microbial growth within buildings, on finishes and in furniture may account for the rise in Sick Building Syndrome, Building Related Illness and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Knowledgeable selection of building materials, finishes, furnishings and installation methods can dramatically improve the indoor environment.

One of the easiest and most effective ways a design professional can reduce indoor pollution is to research and specify finished products and installation materials that are neither "original sources" of contaminants nor "sinks" or secondary sources of contaminants. An "original source" contains contaminants as manufactured, and may discharge the contaminants into the environment during installation, during the product’s lifetime in the building, during use or cleaning, or during removal. A "sink" may not contain any contaminants as manufactured, but will absorb contaminants from other sources and may discharge the contaminants later.

Some products are both original sources and sinks. Materials such as carpet, fabrics, upholstery foam, pressed board products, glues and adhesives, plastics and other porous or soft products may act as sinks. These materials may absorb contaminants, such as cigarette smoke or maintenance products, under typical indoor environment conditions. Absorption of contaminants may occur only under certain conditions, such as on weekends when the ventilation system allows the temperature to rise and air circulation to slow. Many experts believe after-hours changes in the temperature and air flow exacerbate the problem. For instance, temperatures above 78 degrees cause measurable increases in VOC outgassing.

Damp or humid areas create greater concerns. Studies show that relative humidity above 50 percent contributes significantly to microorganism growth. These heat or humidity conditions may enhance the ability of a sink to absorb contaminants in the building air. Later, when conditions become favorable, a sink then may release these contaminants into the surrounding environment, creating potentially large concentration levels in the area immediately around the sink.

IAQ concerns are but one factor design professionals must consider. Codes and regulations may limit use of original sources and sinks, but complete avoidance probably is not possible, nor desirable.

Choose materials that will create a space that is warm, attractive and well designed, in addition to being healthy and wise. When good alternatives exist, choose one that fosters IAQ. Because flooring materials form one of the largest surface areas in any space or building, choosing an appropriate flooring material creates enormous potential for improving the indoor environment.

Careful selection of building products is one way to address IAQ concerns. However, proper maintenance and housekeeping are necessary to maintain a clean indoor environment and to prevent the build up of particulate and microbial contaminants.

Cleaning or maintenance materials may contribute to the IAQ problem. Cleaning products may emit VOCs or other chemical contaminants. Some cleaning materials leave behind residues that trap other contaminants or break into the air as particulates. Sealers or other finishes for resilient flooring or other materials also may contribute to contamination, and also may create harmful waste materials when stripped and reapplied.

Simplicity is the key. Specify materials that are easy to clean with simple, basic products. Materials which require very low maintenance automatically contribute a lower volume of contaminants than those requiring high maintenance and frequent cleaning. Select materials that are durable, easy to clean, and that do not require any sealers, waxes, or other protective coatings. Materials that do not trap or absorb dirt or contaminants generally are the simplest and lowest to maintain.

Choose a holistic approach. Products may require significant maintenance at the initial installation and periodically throughout the anticipated lifespan using certain materials and procedures. Daily or normal maintenance may call for other materials and procedures. Frequency of cleaning is as important as the type of cleaning required. Maintenance affects not only IAQ, but our planet’s environment as well. Balance each of these factors to arrive at an appropriate solution for your individual project.

Standards and recommendations for IAQ are changing rapidly. The design professional must always research the current regulations and develop requirements appropriate for each installation.

This information summarizes general product knowledge and is provided as a service to the design professional. However, this information does not substitute each professional’s own research and verification concerning specific product uses and project requirements.

Much IAQ research focuses on HVAC systems and ventilation sources. Design and engineering professionals are addressing these ventilation issues. Particularly in buildings twenty years old or older, improvements in ventilation can bring significant changes in air quality.

Recent studies indicate that IAQ may be a bigger problem in newer buildings, but may be caused by other factors. These studies imply that ventilation plays far less of a role in indoor air contamination for buildings less than 20 years old. Newer buildings contain more formaldehyde, glues, resins, plastics and other chemicals. Experts now hypothesize that these contaminants, as well as microbial growth on finishes and in furniture, may account for the rise in Sick Building Syndrome, Building Related Illness and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Thus, newer buildings may pose a far greater hazard to our health.

For buildings constructed since the mid-1970s, the Design Professional should examine three primary sources of indoor environmental contamination:

Finish products and installation materials may be sources of indoor air pollutants such as bioaerosols, including bacterial, viral or fungal growth; particulates, including dust, paint chips, and fibers; volatile organic compounds (VOCs); and other contaminants and chemicals. These materials may become "sources" in two different ways: the material may be an "original source" or it may be a "sink."

An original source contains these pollutants as manufactured and may discharge the pollutants into the environment during installation, during the product’s lifetime in the building, during use or cleaning or during removal. A sink may not contain any pollutants as manufactured, but will absorb pollutants from other sources and may discharge the pollutants later.

One of the easiest and most effective ways a Design Professional can reduce indoor pollution significantly is to research and specify finish products and installation materials that are neither original sources nor sinks, and that are easy to clean with simple, basic products. One great way to start is with flooring materials. Flooring materials form one of the largest surface areas in any space or building. Flooring materials, therefore, have enormous potential for aiding in good indoor air quality or for contributing to poor indoor air quality.

Many "soft" forms of flooring raise three concerns: 1) Soft flooring may be an original source. For instance, carpet may contain formaldehyde, fiber contaminants or particulates, or dye chemicals which may contribute to indoor air pollution. 2) Resilient flooring may be made with plasticizers. Carpet and resilient flooring also may permit bioaerosol growth, such as mold, bacteria or viruses. Adhesives used to install soft flooring materials also may contain VOCs or other chemicals. 3) Many soft flooring materials also are "sinks" and may require maintenance products and procedures that result in further indoor air pollution.

Tile offers several advantages over both "soft" flooring materials, such as carpet or resilient flooring, and over other "hard" flooring materials, such as stone or agglomerate tile. Tile is not an original source of contaminants. The manufacturers in this catalog use environmentally sensitive processes to make high-quality tile from simple, non-toxic minerals and clays. Common cement-based setting and grouting materials for installing tile generally do not contain VOCs or other suspect chemicals. After tile is installed, it forms a completely inert flooring system. Tile will not support bacterial or fungal growth. Tile will not act as a sink to absorb VOCs or other chemicals from surrounding materials. In fact, a properly designed ceramic tile system can be used to "contain" other hazardous materials, such as vinyl asbestos flooring, further protecting the building occupants from environmental hazards.

Tile also offers ease of maintenance with simple, water-based cleaning materials. They do not require solvent based cleaners or sealers. Thus, tile offers significant advantages for indoor air quality during installation, and for the lifetime of its use in the building.