Introduction to IAQ Testing

Indoor Air Quality Testing (IAQ) plays a critical role in safeguarding occupant comfort, health, and overall building performance. Contaminants can originate from building materials, ventilation systems, human activities, or outdoor air infiltration. AGT Labs provides comprehensive IAQ testing services combining real-time diagnostics and accredited laboratory testing to help organizations understand indoor conditions, identify pollutant sources, and maintain compliance with industry standards such as ASHRAE 62.1 and OSHA recommendations.

Purpose

IAQ testing evaluates chemical, physical, and biological parameters that influence occupant comfort, health, and productivity.

Poor Indoor Air Quality can stem from inadequate ventilation, off-gassing from materials, microbial contamination, or outdoor infiltration. AGT Labs provides end-to-end Indoor Air Quality assessments to identify contaminants, quantify comfort parameters, and verify compliance with ASHRAE 62.1 and OSHA recommendations.

Common Indoor Contaminant Sources & HVAC-Linked Issues

Buildings can accumulate pollutants through a combination of internal activities, material emissions, and ventilation system behavior. Low outdoor air intake, clogged filters, poorly balanced HVAC systems, and moisture buildup can elevate indoor concentrations of gases, particles, VOCs, and bioaerosols. Identifying source pathways helps determine whether contaminants originate indoors or are driven indoors from external environmental conditions.

Testing Overview

AGT Labs combines real-time monitoring with laboratory analysis for a complete Indoor Air Quality profile. Parameters include:

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Particulate Matter (PM_2.5 / PM₁₀)
Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs)
Formaldehyde and aldehydes
Temperature, humidity, differential pressure, and ventilation rates
Bioaerosols (spores, bacteria) when required

Sampling employs integrated monitors, direct-reading instruments, and TO-15 canister analysis for VOC speciation.

IAQ Testing Options

Baseline Surveys

Establish reference IAQ levels for new or existing facilities.

Occupant Complaints

Investigations to identify sources of discomfort or health concerns.

Continuous Monitoring

Data logging for trend analysis and near real-time IAQ tracking.

Post-Remediation Verification

Assess effectiveness of cleaning, remediation, or renovation work.

HVAC Performance Testing

Airflow, ventilation rate, and filtration efficiency evaluation.

Sampling Media & Equipment

Portable multi-parameter Indoor Air Quality testing (data logging)
SUMMA canisters and sorbent tubes for VOCs
Formaldehyde DNPH cartridges (NIOSH 2016)
Spore trap cassettes for bioaerosols

All media are provided pre-calibrated with certification documentation.

IAQ Conditions That Elevate Health & Comfort Risks

Indoor air conditions such as elevated particulates, high CO₂, off-gassing VOCs, temperature swings, or humidity imbalances can lead to discomfort, reduced productivity, or health complaints. Extended exposure to poor indoor air quality testing may worsen respiratory symptoms and support mold growth in susceptible environments. Identifying these conditions early ensures building systems maintain safe and healthy indoor environments.

Sampling Guidelines

Place samplers at breathing height (~4–6 ft).
Collect simultaneous indoor and outdoor reference samples.
Record HVAC operation, occupancy, and activities during sampling.
For formaldehyde, collect 8-hour full-shift or 1-hour short-term samples as needed.

Accreditation & Standards

ASHRAE 62.1 EPA TO-15 / NIOSH 2016 ISO/IEC 17025 (NABL Accredited) AIHA-LAP Industrial Hygiene Program

Deliverables & Value-Added Services for IAQ Testing

Comprehensive Indoor Air Quality monitoring report
Comparison to ASHRAE, OSHA, and WHO limits
Trend graphs and building condition summary
Recommendations for ventilation, filtration, and humidity control
Real-time IAQ dashboards and cloud data hosting
HVAC performance testing and rebalancing
Occupant health correlation studies
Building commissioning support

Summary

AGT Labs’ IAQ Testing delivers a complete, defensible picture of indoor air quality—combining real-time diagnostics with laboratory confirmation to guide ventilation, filtration, and building health decisions.

Indoor Air Quality Testing (IAQ)