Case Study: Indoor Air Quality Evaluation

Introduction 

Maypole is NYC’s most trusted partner for environmental inspection management for a reason: our clients’ health and happiness is central to how we operate, at every level. We thrive on seeing the positive impact our services have on our clients’ lives. 

In this new blog series, Case Studies, we break down real, anonymized versions of our more impactful projects, detailing how Maypole crafts tailored solutions for even the most difficult client problems.

*This information is provided in layman's terms for ease of understanding and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.

Case Study: VOCs in Newly-Applied Construction Materials 

Background 

Our client is a tenant in a residential apartment who noticed a strange, chemical-like smell that worsened as temperatures increased. The client was concerned about the potential health effects of breathing in these chemicals and contacted Maypole to conduct an indoor air quality (IAQ) evaluation.

The client provided the following background information: 

• The apartment, a top floor unit, is directly below the building’s roof. 

• The client noticed chemical-like smells and associated discomfort (such as headaches, nausea, watery eyes, and coughing) after the completion of the roof repair work, particularly as temperatures rose with the advent of summer. 

Based on the above information, Maypole hypothesized that pollutants of concern were likely volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a group of organic chemicals that readily evaporate into the air and are known for their strong smells. They are frequently found in everyday products, including those used during construction.

Maypole requested a list of products used by the roof contractor and located the relevant consumer products’ safety data sheets. Maypole then reviewed the safety data sheets and prepared a list of compounds that were substantially present across products used by the roofers. 

Scope 

Maypole tested the apartment’s indoor air quality via sampling following the EPA’s TO-15 method, which covers the full list of target compounds. 

Objectives 

1. Determine whether there are VOCs/target compounds in the client’s apartment. 

2. If yes, determine whether Maypole can make a statistically significant link between the detected compounds and products used by the roof contractors. 

3. Determine whether the total VOC level is a respiratory health hazard for the client. 

Findings

1. Is the chemical smell in the apartment VOCs? 

Yes, the results of the IAQ test indicated that elevated levels of VOCs were present in the client’s apartment. 

2. If there are VOCs present, are they related to the products used in the roof repair? 

Yes, the presence of specific compounds Maypole tested for supported the hypothesis that products used during construction were a contributing source of elevated VOC levels. 

3. Regardless of whether the VOCs are related to the chemicals used in the roof repair, what are the exposure risks for the VOCs present? 

Maypole utilized the EPA’s risk assessment calculator, adding project-specific data such as the compounds detected from the IAQ test, to determine there was some evidence suggesting negative health effects as a result of chronic exposure to the VOCs present. 

Key Takeaways 

In this project, the initial scope of work required no adjustments. Maypole’s hypotheses were correct, namely that the IAQ pollutants present in the apartment were VOCs. 

By using the EPA’s TO-15 method, Maypole identified specific chemical compounds present that were listed as ingredients in the roofing products’ safety data sheets. 

Based on these findings, Maypole was able to provide the client with recommendations for mitigating the potential health risks of exposure to VOCs.

Relevant Links:

• Indoor Air Quality Testing

• 6 common factors that affect your IAQ