Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program

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Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings.

The Environmental Health Unit (EHU) evaluates questions and concerns about indoor air quality to ensure guidance and resources are appropriate. Investigation by the Unit depends on a number of factors including type of health effect, type of structure and potential source of concern.

There are currently no standards for indoor air quality in residential structures.

Some common indoor air quality concerns:

Mold

Molds are part of the natural environment and can be found indoors and outdoors. The best way to control mold is to control moisture.

There are no federal standards (threshold limit values) or regulations for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores.

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Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of naturally occurring uranium in soil and rock. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless, and can only be detected by specialized tests.

Radon enters homes through openings that are in contact with the ground, such as cracks in the foundation, small openings around pipes, and sump pits.

Testing your home for radon is easy and homes with high levels of radon can be fixed (mitigated). The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recommends that all homes be tested for radon.