What is an Indoor Environmental Professional or an IEP?

An independent and unbiased professional, qualified through knowledge, skill, education, training, certification, and experience, can assess various aspects of a built environment. This includes evaluating microbial risk, chemical exposures, air quality and contaminants, thermal comfort, building science, water quality, and toxic materials in structures, systems, and assets.


Their role involves implementing a sampling strategy, submitting samples to an appropriate laboratory when necessary, and interpreting the data. They then communicate the results clearly, addressing any complex issues that may arise.

Additionally, they develop a scope of risk factors, mitigation protocols, and validate whether an acceptable indoor environment can be or has been provided for human use and safe occupation.


Note: There is no single qualification or certification program that fully encompasses an Indoor Environmental Professional's (IEP) competence. Confidence in an IEP is often built through a combination of technical qualifications, specialized training, and substantial experience. This blend of credentials helps define an expert suited to meet specific needs, as not all IEPs possess a comprehensive skillset for every indoor environmental challenge.

What Can an IEP Do for You?

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The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has identified eight essential parameters that all Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEPs) should understand. These parameters, while specifically relevant to mold remediation, form a multi-disciplinary approach to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and include:


  • Exposure Assessment
  • Indoor Environmental Quality
  • Assessment and Remediation
  • Microbiology/Mycology
  • Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Hygiene
  • Building Science
  • Legal/Communication
  • Health Effects


An IEP's scope of service may extend beyond mold and cover a broader range of disciplines related to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), including but not limited to:


  • Chemical exposures, including volatile organic compounds (VOC)
  • Toxic materials
  • Methamphetamine and other drug laboratories
  • Water Damaged Buildings (WDB)
  • Fire damage
  • Water quality
  • Clean room validation
  • Asbestos

When should you engage an IEP?


Indoor environments are influenced by numerous factors, requiring the expertise of a qualified professional to identify and address potential issues. The need for an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) may arise due to several factors, including:


  • Verifying and validating that an environment has been restored to a “normal or acceptable” condition.


  • Identifying risks that are not detectable through standard observation.


  • A need to determine that water in water damaged structures contains contaminates or the extent of contamination.


  • Ensuring the health and safety of workers and occupants.


  • Addressing reports of adverse health effects.


  • Managing public health concerns or perceived potential issues.


  • Ensuring safety in critical care environments occupied by immunocompromised individuals, other vulnerable populations, or where sterility is essential, such as hospitals, childcare centers, elderly care facilities, food preparation areas, pharmaceutical manufacturing sites, and laboratories.

As an Environmental Consultant, I believe it is important for potential customers to be well-informed, regardless of whom they choose to hire. In Alabama, where mold testing and remediation are not regulated, it is crucial for property owners to verify the professional credentials of those they consider hiring. Unfortunately, anyone can offer these services without formal education or certifications. Additionally, according to accredited institutions, it is a conflict of interest for a single company to conduct both assessments/testing and remediation on the same project.


With over 10 years of experience working with restoration companies in our local area, I have observed that companies performing their own testing often manipulate results to suit their needs. I encourage you to visit ACAC.org, click on the Code of Conduct, and review the ethical guidelines for industry professionals. Additionally, you can search for certified professionals by entering any zip code in our surrounding area. You will find my company, Indoor Environmental Solutions, LLC, listed there, as well as myself, Michael W. Warner. I also hold certifications as a Commercial and Residential Mold Inspector, Mold Protocol Developer, Mold Remediator, and in Water Damage Restoration from two other respected institutes, all of which can be verified.


In addition, as a Certified Residential Indoor Environmentalist and Mold Inspector, I will provide an unbiased assessment, remediation protocol, and post-remediation verification to ensure the health and safety of both the occupants and the structure during any remediation project.