OEHS, Inc. specializes in identifying and designing methods to eliminate these agents that cause these types of health problems. Indoor air quality is often related to building issues such as the type and upkeep of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; and the materials used in the building design or the remodeling process.
OEHS helps businesses and manufacturers assess their compliance with requirements and guidelines pertaining to hazardous chemicals and materials and provides step-by-step plans to enable companies to achieve compliance cost effectively and within reasonable time parameters.
Indoor air quality is often related to building issues, such as extreme weather such as floods, or due to the type and upkeep of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; and the materials used in the building design or the remodeling process.
Indoor air quality testing can prevent breathing air contaminated with chemicals or microbiological agents (such as molds and bacteria) can trigger allergic reactions. These reactions include asthma, as well as sinus infections, headaches, coughing, nose bleeds, and eye and throat irritation. More serious complications may include chronic fatigue, loss of balance and memory, irritability and difficulty speaking.
Because so many illnesses are related to the physical aspects of a building, they are commonly referred to as sick building syndrome. However, these types of issues are divided into three sub categories: sick building syndrome, building related illness, and mass psychogenic illness.
Contact OEHS to request indoor air quality testing
Our Process for Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
- Collect background information about the residence or office.
- Conduct an initial walk-through.
- Take specific samples if necessary.
Testing may include air monitoring for compounds such as formaldehyde and carbon dioxide; testing of dust levels; evaluation of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; and microbiological/bioaerosal sampling, among other options.
Once OEHS identifies the culprit, -- or culprits as is often the case -- the industrial hygiene team makes recommendations for correcting existing problems.
After abatement, OEHS can conduct post abatement testing for fungi and/or bacteria to determine if the cleanup has been successful. This testing documents success and is necessary for furture real estate transactions.
Request indoor air quality testing
Illinois Department of Transportation, Headquarters Building, Fungal Identification, Remediation Design Monitoring, Springfield, Illinois
Conducted an indoor air quality survey of the four story 400,000 square foot office facility for the purpose of identifying employee complaints. The survey consisted of the IAQ parameters temperature, relative humidity, dew point, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide the monitoring for fungal contamination through the use of bioaerosol air sampling and culturable swab sampling. In addition, a ventilation survey and moisture survey were conducted throughout the facility.
Carle Surgery Center, & Carle Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Interventional Pain Center Fungal Identification, Remediation Design/Oversight & Post Abatement Verification Monitoring, Champaign, Illinois
Designed the sampling strategy, identified the fungal contamination issues, and developed the remediation strategy through the development of abatement specification and conducted abatement oversight and post abatement verification air monitoring for the outpatient surgery center. Strategy was designed to allow for the continued operation of the facility.
Hickory Glenn Senior Living Facility, 1700 W. Washington Street, Springfield, Illinois
Industrial Hygienist charged with the responsibility of providing an Indoor Air Quality damage assessment resulting from a floor on the sixth floor of the building. The evaluation indicated that the six floor of the South wing of the facility were compromised. Designed a remediation strategy for the 120,000 ft2 area conducted fungal abatement oversight of the contractor and conducted post abatement verification testing.
Bromley Hall Indoor Air Quality Evaluation, Champaign, Illinois
Designed the sampling strategy, Identified the fungal contamination issues for the 14-story University of Illinois dormitory with 350 rooms consisting of 180,000 ft2 of floor space. Provided a report with a remediation protocol.
Illinois Education Association Indoor Air Quality Evaluation Springfield, Illinois
Designed the sampling strategy for the two story 30,000 ft2 office building. Developed the remediation strategy through the development of abatement specifications and conducted abatement oversight and post abatement verification air monitoring.
Eastland Suites Indoor Air Quality Evaluation, Remediation Design and Post abatement Verification Monitoring, Peoria, Illinois
Designed the sampling strategy, identified the fungal contamination issues, and developed the remediation strategy through the development of abatement specification and conducted abatement oversight and post abatement verification air monitoring for the outpatient surgery center.
Champaign County Satellite Jail Indoor Air Quality Evaluation, Abatement Oversight & Post Abatement Testing
Based on prisoner complaints concerning poor conditions conducted fungal and bacteria testing in the jail showers and kitchen. Identified significant human sewage contamination. Developed an abatement protocol, conducted abatement oversight and post abatement testing.
Baptist Health Care, Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Abatement Oversight, Pensacola Florida Industrial Hygienist
Charged with the responsibility of providing an Indoor Air Quality damage assessment resulting from Hurricane Ivan’s impact on sixty buildings in the hospital system. Occupational Environmental Health Solutions, Inc. (OEHS) was retained to conduct an Indoor Environmental Quality Investigation for Baptist Health Care (BHC), headquartered in Pensacola, Florida. Aspects of the investigation included inspection of 752 patient areas located in the facilities.
Roquette America, Inc. Indoor Quality Evaluation, Geneva, Illinois, & Keokuk, Iowa
Designed the sampling strategy, identified the fungal contamination issues for the corporation office and laboratory. The evaluation resulted in the tenant voiding the lease and relocating to new facility.
Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services, Indoor Air Quality Evaluation, Abatement Oversight and Post Abatement Verification Testing, Gibson City, Illinois
Due to a frozen water line and resulting flood Conducted an IAQ evaluation of the new two-story surgery wing of the hospital. Based on the sampling and analytical data, developed an abatement specification, conducted abatement oversight and post abatement testing.
Evans Scholarship House Fungal Identification and Remediation Design/Oversight
Conducted evaluations in chapter houses located Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri. Identified source of fungal and or bacterial problems, developed the remediation strategy, provided remediation oversight, and conducted clearance air monitoring.
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, Fungal Identification, Remediation Design/Oversight & Post Abatement Verification Monitoring, Melrose Park, Illinois
Industrial hygienist charged with providing a damage assessment resulting from a flood event during July 2010 in the basement and ground floor of three health care facilities associated with the above hospital system. OEHS was retained to evaluate the buildings for fungal amplification, design the remediation strategy, provide oversight of the remediation contractor and conduct post abatement verification air monitoring.
Wal-Mart Corporation Fungal Identification and Remediation Design/Oversight Numerous locations throughout the United States. Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, New York, Florida
Identified source of fungal and or bacterial problems, developed the remediation strategy, provided remediation oversight, and conducted clearance air monitoring.
University Of Florida Main Library HVAC Bioaerosol Odor Problem, Gainesville, Fla.
Industrial hygienist for design, investigation and determination of the cause and control measures for a university library that had been experiencing severe odor problems resulting from fungus infestation of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.
Residential Indoor Air Quality Investigations, OEHS, Inc.
Conducted several thousand residential IAQ investigations. This includes inspections for fungal and bacterial infestation as well as inadequate ventilation, and inappropriate IAQ parameters such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity. Fungal abatement protocols were developed, and post abatement verification monitoring conducted.
Social Security Administration Office Indoor Air Quality Investigations, Green Bay Wisconsin
Industrial Hygienists responsible for investigating indoor air quality complaints based on computer burn-out. Investigation included ventilation review, microbiological sampling, IAQ parameter sampling, and employee interviews.
Federal Court House Day Care Center, Indoor Air Quality Investigation, Duluth, Minnesota
Principal industrial hygienists’ investigator for an indoor air quality investigation, which resulted in significant engineering changes.
Illinois State Police Forensic Laboratory Indoor Air Quality Investigation Springfield, Illinois
Preformed an indoor air quality investigation of the 30,000 ft2 facility which included the identification of fungal contamination and local exhaust ventilation issues.
Tri-City Community School District, Fungal Identification & Remediation Design/Oversight, Buffalo, Illinois
Conducted the initial investigation, identified the problem, developed the abatement specifications, and provided remediation oversight and post abatement verification monitoring for a 20,000 square foot building addition.
The Hope School, Fungal Contamination, Identification, and Abatement Oversight, Springfield Illinois
Conducted a survey of the 500,000 ft2 facility for potential fungal contamination. Devised an abatement strategy and provided oversight and air monitoring during remediation activity.