Indoor pollution sources such as upholsteries, carpets, adhesives, cleaning products, printers photocopiers, plastics, building materials (e.g. urea-formaldehyde and creosote infused wood products), inks, paints, and finishes can release toxic gases and particles into the air. Toxins from pesticides, fertilizers, radon, and tobacco smoke can infiltrate from outdoors as well. Poor ventilation can compound the effect of these pollutants, compromising human health, causing headaches, and increasing absenteeism. Indoor air quality can be greatly improved by choosing non-polluting materials and cleaning solutions while providing appropriate ventilation. By creating and implementing an air quality management plan or strategy, co-operatives can provide a healthier environment for their employees, members, customers, and visitors.
Considerations
Clean Air
Install a ventilation monitoring system that tracks air quality (e.g. carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide if you have combustion equipment like gas stoves, and other contaminants of interest) and adjusts fresh air flow.
Distribute fresh air to all regularly occupied areas, and allow occupants to control their access to fresh air directly (e.g. install operable windows).
Design separate exhaust and plumbing systems in rooms where contaminants are used, and architecturally isolate these spaces from other areas to prevent cross contamination.
Use only materials, paints, finishes, carpets, cleaning agents, and furniture that contain low or no VOCs.
Install native indoor plant species to purify the air.
Use an indoor air quality management plan during the fit-up of your space to ensure that construction activities are not going to negatively impact your space during occupancy (e.g. prevention of dust from entering duct work).
Air out your space before occupying it to make sure that any off-gassing that may occur happens before people move in.
Replace all filtration media on incoming air filters prior to occupancy to ensure that they are working at optimum efficiency. For most systems, these should be MERV 13 rated filters.
Ensure that the scheduling of your fit-up and move in protects all soft materials (furniture, clothing, fabrics) from picking up contaminants that are off-gassing from other products. Soft materials are more absorptive and will pick up and hang on to these contaminants for a longer period of time.
Consider performing an indoor air quality test once construction is complete and prior to occupying your space to verify that the air is indeed of the quality you intended.
When constructing or renovating, ensure minimal fumes and dust result from the work.
Avoid Harmful Toxins
Print only when necessary. Printing uses toners and chemicals that get into the air. Avoid products that are flammable, explosive, or poisonous.
Use natural beeswax candles instead of petroleum-based candles.
Implement a scent-free policy in your space to allow those with chemical sensitivities to be comfortable in the space, and to promote the health and well-being of all others.
Indoor pollution sources such as upholsteries, carpets, adhesives, cleaning products, printers photocopiers, plastics, building materials (e.g. urea-formaldehyde and creosote infused wood products), inks, paints, and finishes can release toxic gases and particles into the air. Toxins from pesticides, fertilizers, radon, and tobacco smoke can infiltrate from outdoors as well. Poor ventilation can compound the effect of these pollutants, compromising human health, causing headaches, and increasing absenteeism. Indoor air quality can be greatly improved by choosing non-polluting materials and cleaning solutions while providing appropriate ventilation. By creating and implementing an air quality management plan or strategy, co-operatives can provide a healthier environment for their employees, members, customers, and visitors. 
