Indoor Air Quality
The IAQ Program provides a comprehensive approach to address potential indoor air quality
issues that could arise on campus and the standard response to those issues. This IAQ Program
is applicable to all members of the Dartmouth community, including faculty, staff, and students,
who have any issues or inquiries regarding IAQ in their workspaces, offices, residence halls, or
classrooms. The concerns raised by individuals may vary, ranging from mild discomfort to issues
that impact health or hinder work performance.
About the Program
The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program has been established to offer guidance on identifying various air quality concerns that may impact spaces within Dartmouth College (Dartmouth). It outlines how Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) assesses and, when necessary, takes corrective actions in collaboration with Facilities Operation and Management (FO&M), Facility Managers, Project Managers, Residential Operations, Work Control or other relevant departments for each issue.
Several environmental factors, among others, have the potential to influence indoor air quality:
• Unusual or atypical odors
• Presence of dust and particulate matter
• Temperature variations
• Relative humidity levels
• Malfunctioning or imbalanced Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems
• Presence of chemicals and other gases
• Noise levels
• Lighting problems
• Presence of microbial contamination
These factors can cause mild to severe discomfort in indoor environments. The IAQ Program aims to address these issues proactively and provide a healthier indoor environment for the Dartmouth community.
Employees and/or students who are experiencing discomfort in a Dartmouth College owned or occupied building should report it immediately to their Supervisor, Facility Manager, Residential Operations, Project Managers, or Work Control (as appropriate). Students who have health concerns should contact Student Health Services. Employees with health concerns should consult their primary care physician.
Questions about this program should be directed to Environmental Health and Safety at 603-646-1762 or at ehs@dartmouth.edu.