Quality Consultants

Quality Consultants are just like normal human being and like other specialized consultants but with special emphasis given on quality. These Quality Consultants can be in any field to ensure quality in the system. Indoor air Quality Consultants vary in their training and experience. For example, a consultant may be trained in architecture, heating and ventilation, medicine, engineering, microbiology, toxicology, ergonomics, environmental and occupational health, or industrial hygiene. The ideal consultant has a basic understanding of all of the above, with a specialized knowledge in the particular issues present in your workplace.

The following discussion describes several types of Quality Consultants and how they can help:

Industrial Hygienists and Quality Consultants: Most industrial hygienists and Quality Consultants have college degrees in engineering or the natural sciences, such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry or microbiology. This is supplemented by specialized training in industrial hygiene. The science of industrial hygiene is dedicated to anticipating, recognizing, evaluating and controlling the causes of occupational illness. Since industrial hygienists are trained to evaluate environments for factors that affect health and comfort, qualified industrial hygienists are key members in most indoor air quality investigations. In addition, because industrial hygienists have fundamental training in ventilation engineering, environmental health, toxicology and microbiology, an industrial hygienist (IH) can assist you in determining when the input of other professions would be helpful.

Mechanical Engineers and Quality Consultants: Engineers are invaluable in understanding the intended design parameters of HVAC systems. Their input is essential when it comes to designing retrofits to existing HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality. Many mechanical contractors (non-engineers) are helpful in implementing changes to air-handling equipment, but may not have the mechanical engineering background required to design effective solutions.

Architectural Quality Consultants: Architects are in a position to understand how building design can affect indoor air quality. They are also responsible for specifying interior building finishes and building components which are part of the total IAQ (indoor air quality) equation. Look for an architect with formal training or experience in preventing indoor air quality problems.

Medical Quality Consultants: Occupational physicians and occupational health nurses have specific training in aspects of the work environment, and can help IAQ investigators target potential sources of health complaints. An occupational physician should be consulted whenever a specific disease (such as Legionnaires' Disease) is believed to be attributable to indoor air.

Other Quality Consultants: Building occupants often report nonspecific symptoms, such as headaches, eye discomfort or muscle aches. Although occupants may identify these symptoms as being related to building air quality, some of these reports may actually be associated with improper lighting, noise or poorly designed work stations. Many industrial hygienists have the expertise to assess and resolve most lighting, noise or ergonomic problems. If such problems require additional expertise, the IH can refer you to illumination engineers, acoustics specialists or professional ergonomists.