Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is defined as the air quality within and around buildings and structures. It is known to affect the health, comfort and well-being of building occupants. A number of factors can affect indoor air quality, including:
- Physical layout of the building.
- Building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
- Outdoor climate or contaminants.
- Number of people who occupy the building.
- Contaminants inside and outside the building.
Contaminants may include dust, mould, carbon monoxide (i.e., from vehicles parked near air intakes), volatile organic compounds (e.g., given off by office printers and photocopiers, paint, glue, etc.), formaldehyde (e.g., from insulation and carpets), bacteria, and smoke from wildfires.
Reporting of indoor air quality issues
Any questionable or abnormal odours must be reported to Risk and Safety Services to investigate with Facilities and Security. Please provide:
- Location
- What does “it” smell like
- If anyone injuried
Contact Risk and Safety Services at 250-371-5807 or 250-828-5139 and/or Facilities at 250-828-5388
Contact Security after hours using the TRU Safe app or calling 250-828-5033 or 5033 from any campus phone.
Radon awareness and survey results
TRU partnered with Interior Health (IH) on their radon awareness project for post-secondary institutions. This initiative was part of IH’s broader work, which began with daycares in 2017 and expanded to public schools in 2022.
Earlier this year, TRU joined other schools and universities in measuring radon levels in our community. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can accumulate in low-lying indoor spaces, particularly in basements and ground floors. Long-term exposure to high radon levels has been linked to health risks.
To assess potential exposure, TRU deployed 84 passive radon detectors across both the Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses, with a focus on basements, split levels and ground floors of frequently occupied spaces. The detectors remained in place for just over three months, from January to May 2025 — a period selected intentionally during winter, when radon levels are typically highest.
The results? All measured levels were well below Health Canada’s exposure guideline of 200 Bq/m³, ranging from less than 15 to 90 Bq/m³, with an average of just 22 Bq/m³. These results reflect the highest expected radon levels within TRU buildings and student residences, providing confidence in the safety of our indoor spaces.
TRU remains committed to providing a safe and healthy environment. We will continue working with Interior Health to assess ongoing monitoring needs based on these results and regional recommendations.
The Radon Survey Report is now available.
For questions, email safety@tru.ca
