Any concerns that pose an immediate threat to personal health or safety report it by calling 911.
UCLA Facilities Management (FM)
Investigates concerns relating to:
- temperature or humidity problems
- air movement/drafts from diffusers
- stale air
- particulates or dirt coming from air handling systems
- areas of mold contamination, including contamination on any component of an air handing system
- natural gas odors.
For FM assistance:
Call 24/7 FM Trouble Call Desk at (310) 825-9236 or
An Industrial Hygienist (IH) will contact you within 24–48 business hours. Depending on the nature of the indoor air quality issue, EH&S may perform one or more of the following actions:
- Conduct an assessment
- Evaluate the finding
- Address Concerns
- Gather information about reported symptoms, observations, and details of the concern
- Take baseline indoor air quality measurements
- Conduct a visual inspection and document findings
- Perform a limited mold and moisture assessment
- Collect air samples
- Collect bulk or tape‑lift samples of building materials
- Measure air supply and exhaust and inspect HVAC system components
- Evaluate nearby areas inside and outside the building for possible contributing factors
- Perform sound level measurements if relevant
- Provide an occupant diary to help track patterns or occurrences
The IH team will evaluate their finding and provide guidance on how to address an IEQ concern such as addressing administrative controls, engineering controls, or personal protective equipment. In may cases IEQ concerns do not have a clear, single cause. In some cases, small adjustments to the building or ventilation system resolve the issue; in others, more extensive repairs or capital improvements may be necessary.
Some people may be more sensitive to certain chemicals, odors, dusts, or allergens than the general population. Individuals who experience symptoms should:
- Seek medical attention as needed
- Inform their supervisor of any specific needs so appropriate accommodations can be made
Information:
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) refers to the conditions inside offices, classrooms, and laboratories. These spaces rely on natural ventilation (openable windows) or mechanical ventilation through HVAC systems.
Common IEQ issues include:
- Ventilation system failures
- Inadequate outdoor air supply
- Odors from indoor or outdoor sources
- Moisture and mold concerns
Some laboratories, classrooms, and industrial areas may generate chemical, particulate, or fume contaminants. These should be controlled by local exhaust systems—such as fume hoods—or increased general ventilation.
UCLA is committed to providing employees, students, and visitors with clean and healthy indoor environments that support comfort, well‑being, and productivity. The IEQ program works to maintain contaminant‑free spaces and responds to concerns from building occupants about their work or study environments.
Maintaining healthy indoor environments requires coordinated monitoring, maintenance, and control of potential contaminant sources. Key practices include:
Maintaining HVAC Performance: Regular monitoring and upkeep of HVAC systems to ensure proper airflow in occupied spaces.
Timely repairs, adjustments, and scheduled filter changes to keep equipment operating efficiently and delivering clean air.
Controlling Outdoor Contamination: Identifying and addressing contaminants near outdoor air intakes.
Relocating equipment or activities—such as asphalt kettles used during roofing—to prevent pollutants from entering the building.
Managing Indoor Contaminant Sources: Identifying internal sources of pollutants and eliminating or substituting materials that contribute to poor air quality (e.g., copier emissions in poorly ventilated areas). Practicing good housekeeping to reduce dust and odors.
Choosing Low‑Emission Products: Using cleaning and maintenance products that do not release strong odors or harmful vapors.
Selecting low‑emitting building materials, furniture, and carpeting to reduce indoor VOC levels.
Protecting Occupants During Construction: Isolating construction or renovation zones to prevent dust and odors from spreading.
Increasing ventilation in affected areas to maintain safe and comfortable air quality for building occupants.
Serious IEQ issues can develop when contaminant levels become excessive. Dusty surfaces, standing water, and damp materials can promote microbial growth. The best way to manage indoor contaminants depends on the source, but source control is typically the most effective approach. Adjustments to the ventilation system may also help.
Environmental Comfort Standards
IEQ comfort parameters are compared to recommendations from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air‑Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE):
- ASHRAE Standard 62‑2001: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
- ASHRAE Standard 55‑2004: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy
ASHRAE guidelines recommend:
- Indoor temperature: Winter: 68–76°F, Summer: 72–80°F
- Relative humidity: Maintain 30%–70%, ideally 40%–60%
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂): No more than 700 ppm above outdoor levels, or 1,000 ppm maximum indoors
- Carbon monoxide (CO): Maximum indoor concentration: 9 ppm
Regulatory Exposure Limits
Cal/OSHA has established Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for an 8‑hour Time‑Weighted Average (TWA):
- Carbon monoxide (CO): 25 ppm
- Total nuisance dust (PNOR): 10 mg/m³
These regulatory limits help ensure safe and healthy indoor environments for building occupants.
While often not toxic, they can create discomfort, anxiety, or the perception of poor air quality. Odors may be from sources from the outdoors or from activities within the building.
If you notice an odor, check with occupants in nearby rooms and floors to determine if the problem is throughout the building or specific to your workspace. Ask if they are conducting any activities or know of any activities that might create a similar odor..
Maintenance activities and many common products can release VOCs, such as floor waxes, perfumes, air fresheners, and cleaning agents. These emissions usually decrease over time but can linger for days.
How to Reduce Odors
- Use exhaust ventilation (kitchen fans, fume hoods)
- Close doors to prevent odors from spreading
- Open windows when possible
- Choose low‑odor or low‑VOC products
- Notify nearby occupants if your activity may produce odors
Particulate matter—including dust, soil, pollen, mold spores, and bacteria—is a common indoor air contaminant. Dust generated indoors or brought in from outside can degrade indoor air quality. While certain dust levels may be acceptable in shop or industrial areas, they are not appropriate for offices or other clean environments.
Biological particulates such as mold, bacteria, and pollen vary seasonally outdoors and are usually present at lower levels indoors. Mold and mold spores can originate from sources like indoor plants, water intrusion, flooding, or damp building materials. Uncontrolled mold growth can damage materials and negatively affect indoor air quality.
Most minor mold growth does not cause significant health effects, but mold-related allergens can trigger flu‑like or allergic symptoms in sensitive individuals.
When products having volatile chemicals or strong odors are used, provide as much ventilation as feasible and schedule work when the building is minimally occupied.
Ventilation refers to the process of supplying and removing air by natural or mechanical means to and from any space. Such air may or may not be conditioned.
Natural ventilation is the movement of outdoor air into a space through provided openings, such as windows and doors, though non-powered ventilators or by natural infiltration into a building. A ventilation system is usually a powered system that moves air throughout the occupied space.
The system may include heating and cooling of the air. Supply air is air delivered to the space and used for ventilation. Exhaust air is air removed from a space and not reused. Where air contaminant or odor control is necessary, local exhaust ventilation is used to remove contaminants from the space.
Most building ventilation systems use a combination of re-circulated air and make-up air to provide ventilation within the occupied space. Re-circulated air is air removed from the space
