Examples include Legionnaires disease, Pontiac fever, humidifier fever, asbestosis and lung cancers caused by radon exposure. These diseases can be diagnosed by a doctor using X-rays, blood tests or other techniques to pinpoint the nature of the problem. These diseases are often considered the most serious consequences of poor IAQ and frequently result in worker s compensation claims and lawsuits. Good HVAC maintenance practices are the most important activities that can be performed to maintain indoor air quality. The most common HVAC problem is lack of outside air.
Outside air is necessary to dilute any contaminants that are present in the classrooms.
For energy conservation reasons, dampers are often closed, resulting in no outside air being brought into the building. Filter changes and filter efficiency are important factors in maintaining indoor air quality. In many schools and universities, air filter efficiency ranges from 10 to 40 percent. These efficiencies are generally not adequate to minimize dust levels from human activity, nor do such filters remove large quantities of pollen from the air. If possible, facilities managers should upgrade filters to a minimum of an 85-percent filter.