Looking for a business growth opportunity? It might be time to jump on the indoor air quality (IAQ) bandwagon.

In a study of more than 10,000 North American homes and businesses, it was found that almost 96% suffer from IAQ problems in at least one of six areas: particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), humidity, temperature, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Nearly four out of five homes were outside of recommended ranges in two or more categories.

The study was conducted by AirAdvice, Inc., Portland, OR. Results are based on tests of 10,254 homes and businesses tested throughout 2004 using the AirAdvice IAQ monitor. The tests were conducted in partnership with more than 1,000 AirAdvice HVAC contractors nationwide.

Measurements most often fell outside of recommended ranges in three areas: particulates, VOCs, and carbon dioxide.

For more information, visit www.contractingbusiness.com/editorial/articles/0105/airadvice_news.pdf or www.airadvice.com.