Air within our homes and workplaces in Metro Vancouver can often be more polluted than the outdoor air. It can be a cumulative effect of many small problems or one contaminant that cause an indoor air quality problem. ABM Environmental provides indoor air quality testing and solutions throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in residential houses, condos, offices and commercial buildings.
What we test for
Indoor air quality problems often have more than one cause. Depending on the building and the symptoms reported, an ABM Environmental air quality assessment can measure:
- Mold spores — airborne concentrations and species, compared with outdoor air.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — from paints, adhesives, cleaning products, furnishings and new building materials.
- Formaldehyde — from laminate and engineered flooring, cabinetry and pressed-wood products.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) — an indicator of whether a building is getting enough fresh air for its occupancy.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) — from fuel-burning appliances, attached garages and vehicles.
- Temperature and relative humidity — the conditions that allow mold and dust mites to thrive.
- Particulates and dust — including the fine particles that reach deep into the lungs.
- Odour sources — musty, chemical, smoke and off-gassing odours are common issues we assess.
Who calls us about indoor air quality
Homeowners and tenants with unexplained headaches, fatigue, congestion or asthma flare-ups. Property managers and strata councils responding to occupant complaints. Employers and building managers investigating sick building syndrome or meeting WorkSafeBC obligations. Buyers and owners of newly built or recently renovated homes where new materials are off-gassing. Parents concerned about a child’s bedroom or a daycare space.
What you receive
A written assessment report with the measured results, a comparison against Health Canada and industry guidelines, an explanation of what is causing the problem and practical recommendations to fix it — from ventilation changes to source removal. Often the fix is something you can do yourself at no cost, and we will tell you so. Where a problem needs further investigation, we tell you that too. The cost of an assessment is based on the size of the area assessed and the number of samples sent for laboratory analysis. Call (604) 568-5177 for a free phone consultation or fill out our online assessment form for a quote or to book.
Green Building & Rezoning Air Quality Testing in Vancouver
The City of Vancouver’s Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings requires pre-occupancy indoor air quality testing on qualifying residential rezoning projects. The policy covers formaldehyde, particulates (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, total volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide, and sets maximum allowable concentrations for each. Testing coverage is required on at least 10% of the first 100 units and 5% of all units above 100. ABM Environmental provides this compliance testing for developers, project managers and architects working on rezoning projects in Vancouver, with a written report documenting results against the City’s required limits.