Air quality
Precise measurements to ensure a healthy environment that meets current standards
The air we breathe inside a building can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, yet we don't see it, we don't always smell it, and we ignore it until symptoms appear: headaches, fatigue, irritation, respiratory problems, or repeated occupant complaints we can't explain.
That's the reality of indoor air in many buildings, according to Health Canada and the U.S. EPA. Air we don't see, but breathe for hours a day.
VP Expert-Conseil conducts rigorous assessments using recognized sampling methods and reports that meet the requirements of project owners and the relevant authorities.
What it changes
Why "just looking" isn't enough
Many people believe a visual inspection is enough to assess air quality. In reality, most contaminants are invisible, undetectable without measuring instruments or laboratory-analyzed samples.
What you can see
- Visible surface mold stains
- Visible signs of humidity
- General equipment condition
- Visible damage to materials
What we actually detect
- Airborne fungal spores
- CO₂, VOC and formaldehyde levels
- Fine particles invisible to the naked eye
- Mold hidden behind walls
- Actual humidity level inside materials
- Odorless and colorless contaminants
A building can look clean, smell good and still have contaminant concentrations well above acceptable thresholds. That's exactly why a rigorous assessment with instruments and laboratory makes a real difference.
To better understand
Why indoor air can be problematic
Pollution was long thought to be an outdoor problem. We now know that indoor air can concentrate far more contaminants, because of modern building insulation, construction materials, human activities and often insufficient ventilation.
That's the average according to epidemiological studies. Home, office, school, car, we essentially breathe indoor air. What it contains has a direct impact on our health, focus and energy.
The problem is that these symptoms are often blamed on something else, stress, a cold, seasonal allergies, without ever linking them to the building. An assessment lets us confirm or rule out the environment as the source of the problem.
What we measure
The contaminants we look for
Depending on the context (building type, history, reported symptoms, recent work), our experts choose the most relevant analyses. Here are the main contaminants we evaluate.
Allergenco sampling to identify the presence and type of mold, even when invisible to the naked eye.
Allergens, bacteria, organic fragments circulating in the air that can trigger reactions.
Key indicator of ventilation quality. A high level means stale air and a lack of fresh air supply.
Emitted by paints, glues, furniture, cleaning products. Present in almost every building.
Present in many construction materials and household products. Irritant and potentially carcinogenic over the long term.
Microscopic, they penetrate deep into the respiratory tract. Linked to heart and lung problems.
Too low: irritation, viruses that survive longer. Too high: mold, dust mites, material degradation.
Carbon monoxide (CO), radon, asbestos, lead, depending on the age of the building and risk situations.
Allergenco is a cascade air sampling technique that captures biological particles (spores, pollens, fungal fragments) on a slide analyzed in the laboratory. It's the reference method for assessing mold presence, more reliable than a simple visual inspection because it detects what we can't see.
How it works
An assessment, step by step
You don't need to be a specialist to understand what we'll do at your site. Here's how an air quality assessment by VP Expert-Conseil concretely unfolds.
We start by listening. What symptoms have been reported? Have there been recent renovations, water damage, a persistent odor? This information lets us target the most relevant analyses and avoid charging you for unnecessary tests.
Before taking any samples, our experts walk through the premises: ventilation condition, visible signs of mold or humidity, at-risk materials, layout of the spaces. This step guides sampling and provides an initial picture of the situation.
Depending on the chosen analyses, we collect Allergenco samples and measure CO₂, VOCs, humidity, fine particles and other parameters. Biological samples are sent to an accredited laboratory. Physical and chemical measurements are recorded in real time.
Results are compared to applicable standards (MSSS, ASHRAE, CNESST, Health Canada). It's not just a number we hand you, it's an interpretation: is it normal? Does it explain the symptoms? What does it actually mean?
You receive a structured report with results, interpretation, comparison to standards and clear recommendations. Written to be understood by you, your manager, your insurer or public health authorities.
If corrections are needed, we can guide you and, if you wish, perform a follow-up sample after the work to confirm the situation has been resolved.
Our stance
A view free of conflict of interest
VP Expert-Conseil is an assessment and consulting firm, not a construction contractor, not an equipment vendor, not a duct cleaning company. We don't recommend work and then offer to do it ourselves.
When a company performs both the assessment and the corrective work, there's a real risk that results get steered to justify intervention. At VP Expert-Conseil, our only interest is to give you an accurate and honest picture of the situation. If everything is fine, we say so. If corrections are needed, we explain which, and you choose who carries them out.
This independence is also what gives our reports value with insurers, project owners and authorities: they know our conclusions aren't influenced by a commercial interest.
For whom and why it matters
Four sectors, the same rigor
Suspect mold, just finished renovations, or someone in the house is developing unexplained symptoms? An assessment gives you concrete answers, not guesses. It's also a useful step during a real estate purchase or after water damage.
After demolition, renovation or remediation work, an independent air quality report confirms the site was handled by the rules and that contaminants have been eliminated. It's protection for you, for your clients, and often a requirement of specifications or insurers.
A workplace with healthy air means less absenteeism, fewer complaints and lower risks. Whether you manage an office building, a warehouse or a retail space, a periodic assessment lets you act proactively rather than manage a crisis.
In daycares, schools, senior residences and healthcare facilities, air quality is not just a matter of comfort, it's a legal and ethical obligation. Our assessments follow the guidelines of MSSS, CNESST and applicable ASHRAE standards. Reports are structured to meet the requirements of regional public health authorities.
What you receive
A report that holds up
The report delivered after an assessment is not just a form. It's a professional document, signed by our experts, that can be used in official proceedings.
Raw analytical data, presented clearly with units and source.
Each result is placed in context against applicable reference values (MSSS, Health Canada, ASHRAE).
What the numbers mean, without jargon. You understand the situation without needing a technical dictionary.
What should be fixed first, what can wait, and what should be monitored over time.
Visual observations are documented with supporting photos, useful for insurers and contractors.
Structured to be accepted by public health authorities, insurers and funding agencies.
What's next?
When the results arrive, what happens?
Receiving a report is fine. Knowing what to do with it is even better. Here are the three possible scenarios depending on what the assessment reveals.
Good news: your air is healthy. You have an official document confirming it, useful for your records, your insurer, or simply for peace of mind.
The report identifies the problems, their priority level and suggested interventions. You then choose the professionals to perform the work.
Once corrections are made, we can confirm that the situation is resolved. This report is often required by insurers before reoccupying the premises.
In summary
An air quality assessment by VP Expert-Conseil is a scientific, independent and documented process, to know exactly what you breathe and what to do if it isn't acceptable.
VP Expert-Conseil, Air Quality. NADCA ACR 2025 certified.