IAQ Testing and Validation
Indoor Air Quality Solutions
Independent testing is critical for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) decision-makers such as facility managers, building owners, and safety officers because it provides unbiased, scientifically validated data that ensures occupant health, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Unlike manufacturer -provided data, independent third-party verification guarantees that air filtration, purification systems, and building materials perform as claimed, avoiding the pitfalls of "greenwashing" or ineffective, costly, or even harmful solutions.
Here is why independent testing is critical for IAQ decision-makers:
1. Ensures Unbiased, Validated Performance
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Verification of Claims: Independent, third-party laboratories (such as those providing UL, AHAM, or MERV certifications) verify the efficiency of HVAC filters and air purifiers in capturing pollutants like VOCs, particles (PM2.5), and pathogens.
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Eliminates Conflicts of Interest: Using an independent testing company that does not perform remediation ensures that the results are not biased towards recommending expensive, unnecessary repairs.
2. Protects Occupant Health and Safety
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Targeted Remediation: Independent testing identifies the specific types and concentrations of pollutants (e.g., mold, radon, VOCs, CO2), allowing for targeted, effective interventions rather than generic, inefficient solutions.
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Reducing Long-Term Risks: Exposure to poor IAQ is linked to headaches, fatigue, and chronic diseases; validated testing helps mitigate these risks, improving occupant well-being.
3. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Defense
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Meeting Standards: Regular, independent IAQ testing ensures compliance with OSHA, EPA, and local, state, or federal regulations, reducing the risk of fines.
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Defensible Documentation: In legal disputes or insurance claims regarding sick building syndrome or mold, independent testing provides legally admissible, defensible, and chain-of-custody documentation that DIY kits lack.
4. Financial and Operational Efficiency
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Return on Investment (ROI): While independent testing has an upfront cost, it saves money by preventing the purchase of ineffective equipment and avoiding premature, costly, or unnecessary renovations.
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Optimizing Energy Use: Accurate, independent data allows for demand-controlled ventilation, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 70% in some cases.
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Productivity Boost: Better air quality, validated by testing, has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce absenteeism, boosting employee productivity.
5. Facilitates Informed Decision-Making
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Evidence-Based Decisions: Independent reports give decision-makers a clear, actionable list of recommendations to improve the environment, rather than relying on manufacturer marketing claims.
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Sustainability and Certification: For green building certifications (e.g., WELL, LEED, RESET), independent testing is often required to prove that the building meets high-performance, healthy standards.
In summary, independent testing transforms IAQ management into a structured, data-driven, and reliable process, protecting both the people inside the building and the building's, and the organization's, reputation.
Dielectric Barrier Discharge Bi-Polar Ionisation is a globally recognised as a leading HVAC air purification technology.
Its field validated bi-polar ionization (BPI) systems are supported by independent IAQ Studies, peer-reviewed evidence, accredited laboratory testing, and real-world field - validated studies across multiple building types.
DBD BPI technology has been evaluated by:
• Accredited third-party laboratories
• Universities and research institutions
• Environmental and engineering firms
• Healthcare and commercial building operators
Across this independent air purification performance testing, the evaluations evaluation reveals that HVAC-integrated bi-polar ionization has consistently demonstrated measurable reductions in airborne contaminants within occupied indoor environments delivering significantly improved whole-building commercial indoor air quality.
Does air purification reduce viruses and bacteria indoors?
Yes. Properly designed air purification systems have been shown to significantly reduce airborne bacteria and viruses in indoor environments.
Independent laboratory testing has demonstrated that bi-polar ionization technology can neutralize pathogens by disrupting their molecular structure. Ions and reactive oxygen species remove hydrogen from the outer protein layers of viruses and bacteria, rendering them inactive and unable to replicate.
This process occurs both in the air and on surfaces, reducing overall microbial load rather than relying solely on filtration or ventilation. Unlike passive systems that require pathogens to pass through HVAC equipment, active air purification treats contaminants throughout the occupied space.
Validated testing has shown reductions exceeding 99% for certain viruses and bacteria, including influenza strains, coronaviruses, and common bacterial species, under controlled conditions.
Air purification should not be viewed as a replacement for ventilation or hygiene protocols, but as a complementary layer of protection - particularly in healthcare, education, hospitality, and high-occupancy buildings where airborne transmission risk is elevated.
Dr. Philip Tierno NYU Professor
Peer-Recognised Scientific Validation
In this video Dr Philip M Tierno talks about public health infrastructure, indoor air quality and the role of air purification and IAQ verification. He talks about the greatest risks in the healthcare sector, notably Nosocomial infections and their impact. He also talks about the technologies available for active air purification and the maintenance of IAQ, allowing for reduction of infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as reduction in allergens and other particulates, in public health infrastructure
especially useful in hospitals and other medical facilities.
Dr. Philip M. Tierno Jr.,
Professor of Microbiology and Pathology,
New York University School of Medicine, states:
“There is only one technology that satisfies all of the tenets for providing clean indoor air quality for an entire building, and this is accomplished by the production of positive and negative ions (bi-polar ionization). That system is AtmosAir Bi-Polar Ionization.”
This evidence-based assessment reflects AtmosAir’s ability to address whole-building air quality, not just localized air treatment.
Terrapin Bright Green LLC
Cognitive performance is often measured as the aggregate of myriad mental processing domains. In this Harvard evidence-based assessment reviewed by Terrapin Bright Green LC, participants were subjected to nine separate cognitive functioning tests in offices of differing indoor air quality.
Industry Peer-Reviewed Studies, Laboratory and Field Testing
AtmosAir: Independently Tested
Review the real world field - validated testing of AtmosAir versus a wide range of contaminants:
Coronavirus, C Diff, Staph.
MRSA, MS2, E. Coli,
VOCs,
PM 0.3 micron,
Spores,
Micro organisms
As well as versus other air purification systems
Airborne Particle Reduction
Independent testing shows AtmosAir significantly accelerates the reduction of airborne particles compared to natural decay alone, validating its effectiveness in everyday indoor environments.
Elimination of Bacterial Bioaerosols
Custom microbiological air quality field - validated studies confirm that AtmosAir ionization systems effectively reduce bacterial bioaerosols suspended in indoor air.
Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
Hospital-focused evidence - based studies demonstrate that AtmosAir active air purification significantly reduces airborne C. diff, a critical concern in public health infrastructure.
Human Coronavirus (229E)
Independent laboratory testing confirms the effective reduction of Human Coronavirus (Strain 229E), a widely accepted surrogate for enveloped respiratory viruses.
AtmosAir: Field Performance Validation
IAQ And Healthcare
Healing Starts with Healthy Air.
AtmosAir is proud to support leading hospitals and healthcare systems worldwide with advanced air purification solutions that safeguard medical staff, patients, and their loved ones.Our active air purification using bipolar ionization technology continuously reduces airborne and surface contaminants, creating cleaner, safer environments where trust and healing can thrive.For healthcare providers, this means more than technology - it means:
✅ Protecting frontline staff
✅ Reassuring patients and families
✅ Supporting faster recovery in healthier spaces
By delivering real-time HVAC-integrated air quality improvements, AtmosAir enables hospitals to focus on what truly matters: the important work of healing and saving lives.
Better Air, Better Learning
In schools and universities, indoor air quality is more than comfort - it shapes focus, cognition, and well-being.
With AtmosAir’s active air purification using bipolar ionization technology in HVAC-integrated systems, classrooms become healthier, safer spaces where faculty, staff, and students can concentrate on what matters: teaching, learning, and growth.
For education leaders, investing in the improvement of whole-building commercial indoor air quality is an investment in academic performance, staff well-being, and student success.
IAQ And Education
