Indoor Environmental Health Specialists

Indoor environmental health specialists identify and remediate health and safety risks such as unhealthy indoor air (e.g., smoke, excessive levels of carbon monoxide), poor water quality, microbial contaminants, environmental contaminants (e.g., radon, asbestos, volatile organic compounds), pest infestations (e.g., cockroaches, fire ants, termites, rats), and safety hazards (e.g., electrical issues, leaky pipes, fire hazards, improper sanitation).

When a suspected issue arises (for example, the potential for a severe mold issue caused by an unidentified water leak), the IEHS visits the site. They talk with the building owner to learn about its history (inspections, testing, or other documented history of past water leaks and damp conditions, remediation and cleaning efforts). Then they inspect or evaluate building envelopes (roof, doors, windows, floors, and walls), mechanical systems, and other building components using the naked eye, video- and camera-equipped drones, and simple and advanced diagnostic equipment. For example, they might use a temperature/relative humidity sensor to determine the location of a water leak causing mold growth. Advanced technology includes infrared thermography, radar, thermal imaging cameras, lasers, and ultrasound. They might also collect samples that require laboratory analysis.

After they identify the issue, the IEHS prepares a written report that summarizes and interprets their findings and provides recommendations to address the issue and information on the overall scope and cost of the work. After the client reviews the report, the IEHS meets with the client to discuss the issue and create an action plan. If remediation/cleaning efforts are necessary, they do the work (e.g., fix the water leak, or remediate the mold) or supervise workers who perform these tasks. After the job is completed, they follow up with the client to ensure that the issue has been addressed. The specialist may conduct additional testing to ensure that the leak has been fixed and the mold issue has been properly remediated.

Some IEHSs work for government agencies to help enforce health and safety codes. Others are employed by colleges and universities, hospitals, and manufacturers to evaluate building infrastructure and work practices for health and safety hazards, develop health and safety protocols and create educational programs to reduce risks, and evaluate trends of work-related incidents, illnesses, and injuries to identify potential indoor environmental health issues.