Indoor Environment

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been a priority for the EPA campus from the start. Materials were chosen for low emissions and environmental chamber testing was required for key interior assemblies:

• painted wallboard
• carpet glued to concrete
• ceiling tile
• fireproofing spray

Wet finishes such as paint were applied and allowed to cure before absorbent finishes like carpet and ceiling tile were installed. To help flush contaminants from the building, ventilation was required during construction and air ducts were cleaned when work was complete.

Indoor air was then sampled and analyzed at various locations to ensure that maximum air concentrations were not exceeded for formaldehyde, VOCs and other contaminants. Likewise, furniture was selected for low emissions and tested in environmental chambers, and the building was re-tested after furniture installation to ensure good IAQ.

To sustain good indoor air quality, close attention has been given to custodial practices. Some examples are, HEPA-filtered vacuums help keep small particles out of the indoor air and cleaning chemicals are carefully managed. Aggressive mold prevention measures, such as rapid identification and removal of water-damaged material, are actively followed.