Identifying and Mitigating Exposure to Airborne Allergens in the Built Environment

Millions of Americans suffer from allergies and asthma. These conditions not only affect a person’s quality of life, each year they cost society billions of dollars in medical care and lost productivity. For children, countless missed school days can be blamed on allergies and asthma.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that allergic reactions occur only after repeated exposure to a specific biological allergen. However, that reaction may occur immediately upon re-exposure or after multiple exposures over time. As a result, people who have noticed only mild allergic reactions, or no reactions at all, may suddenly find themselves very sensitive to particular allergens.

With most people spending up to 90% of their time indoors, exposure to allergens, respiratory irritants and asthma triggers in homes, schools and work environments has a direct impact on health and well-being. Some of the more common indoor allergens include mold, pollen, dust mites, cockroaches, latex, rodents, and pet dander, saliva and urine. People can also experience allergy-like symptoms from exposure to airborne particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), smoke and numerous other substances.

“Allergic responses are unique to the individual,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “It is not uncommon for us to interview a group of people exposed to a known indoor allergen, and for only one or a few to be exhibiting symptoms. The good news is we do not rely solely on the adverse health reactions of people to measure indoor allergens. We can sample air and surfaces for common allergens to determine the condition of the environment. Understanding what is in the indoor air or on indoor surfaces can be essential for helping those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases to manage their condition. At CSC, our building science and indoor air quality professionals provide comprehensive assessments utilizing advanced air monitoring instruments and testing services to identify a wide range of airborne allergens and pollutants. These services identify exposure risks so corrective actions can be implemented to optimize indoor conditions.”

CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about airborne allergens that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/-keSftnwYnc

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, occupational, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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