INTRODUCTION
The recent media attention given to the health effects of toxic mold, the outbreak of infectious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and the increase in chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma have resulted in a new interest in, and attention to, indoor air quality in homes, commercial buildings, schools, and hospitals. Homeowners and facility operators are purchasing large quantities of indoor air quality-related equipment and services in the hope of reducing or eliminating these contaminants from their buildings.
The goal of this study is to characterize the indoor air quality (IAQ) industry and define the markets that are targeted for growth. Specifically, this report attempts to determine the size of the overall indoor air quality market and its subcategories such as IAQ equipment and technologies, IAQ consulting services, and environmental services.
The report also defines and outlines the end-use market segments and settings that are expected to absorb most of the IAQ equipment and services. In addition, this report discusses the indoor air contaminants that are of highest concern in these end-use markets, including mold and other biological contaminants, allergens, airborne pollutants, and radon.
SCOPE OF STUDY
This report covers:
METHODOLOGY
The author first reviewed extensive secondary sources on the general topic of indoor air quality, on equipment such as air cleaners, HVAC replacement filters, HVAC systems, and IAQ instrumentation, on environmental services, and on the settings in which these services and products are used. This information was supplemented with primary research, including extensive first person interviews with industry experts, consultants, manufacturers of equipment, service providers, government officials, trade and professional associations, and personnel from public health, environmental, and regulatory agencies.
Based on information obtained from these sources, the author determined the size of the overall indoor air quality market through extensive research including first person interviews and secondary sources of information. Through these same avenues, the author broke down the overall market into distinct subcategories and determined the size and growth potential for each category and environmental service.
The author then determined which settings were most in need of IAQ equipment and services and how much of this each setting might absorb. The potential market for IAQ products and services for each setting was determined based on the number of buildings in each category and the number of these establishments potentially affected by IAQ problems.
AUTHOR'S CREDENTIALS
This report is an updated version of an earlier report prepared by Joy LePree, an experienced freelance writer, editor, researcher, and author with extensive experience in the IAQ market through her work for publications such as Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation, Industrial Safety & Hygiene News and Industrial Product Bulletin. Andrew McWilliams, the author of this updated report, is a partner in the Boston-based international technology and marketing consulting firm, 43rd Parallel, LLC. He is the author of numerous other BCC Research business opportunity analyses, including Catalysts for Environmental and Energy Applications, Nanotechnology in Life Sciences Applications, and Nanosensors.
