What pollutants are typically measured during a workplace indoor air quality assessment?

The pollutants measured during an indoor air quality assessment depend on the building and its activities, but there are some common starting points. Carbon dioxide is often included as an indicator of ventilation effectiveness, not because it’s usually harmful at office levels.

Particulate matter, which includes fine dust that can be breathed into the lungs, is another key parameter, particularly in industrial or high-traffic environments. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be measured where paints, solvents, cleaning products, or new furnishings are present.

Humidity and temperature are also important. While not pollutants themselves, they strongly influence comfort and the likelihood of mould growth. In some cases, specific contaminants such as mould spores, carbon monoxide, or formaldehyde are assessed if there’s a clear reason to suspect them.

A good assessment focuses on relevance rather than testing everything “just in case”.