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Certification and Indoor Air Quality |
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Certification of IAQ investigators has been the subject of a very spirited debate in several venues over the recent months. Most recently, the issue was raised in an IAQ discussion group on the Internet as well as in a major trade publication.
In the debate, many have expressed the belief that meaningful certification in this complex area is impossible to achieve. They express a hope that the move to provide certifications will just fade away. Others in the debate however, believe that certification of IAQ consultants is an issue that needs to be addressed, and that efforts should be made to develop a single all-encompassing program.
It appears that debate is occurring because IAQ is such a diverse issue. Common IAQ concerns can be related to particles, gases, biological organisms, or even a building's occupants. This often requires the expertise of air filtration experts, industrial hygienists, chemical engineers, microbiologists, toxicologists, and of course, mechanical engineers. The real debate however, lies in the question of whether mechanical engineers (for example) have the background and education to address industrial hygiene issues. While most freely admit that they don't, they also note that they can't afford to bring an industrial hygienist with them on each project. It then becomes an issue of hiring a consultant with well-rounded skills, who also knows his or her limitations.
Some of the brightest minds in the industry are currently arguing against certification because they feel that no single rating can provide all of the training required to address an IAQ complaint.
It does not appear that the issue of certification will be resolved until a consensus is developed, and that won't happen any time soon. As with any consultant you hire, we recommend that you consider the background, experience, and presentation made (by an IAQ investigator) before putting your business in their hands. |
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