What are the Ontario health guidelines for indoor air quality after construction?

There isn't a single Ontario rule that says how clean the air in a home must be after a renovation, and there is no official "pass mark" a cleaning company can certify your home against. Health Canada publishes guidance on common indoor air pollutants in homes, and that is the kind of reference an indoor air quality testing company will usually compare results against. This answer doesn't quote specific limits — if you want numbers for your home, ask a testing company which guidelines they use and have them explain your results in a written report.

In practice, the pollutants people worry about after construction fall into a few groups:

• Fine dust from drywall sanding, concrete cutting, and wood cutting, which can irritate the lungs and linger in the air.
• Formaldehyde, which can be released by some engineered wood products, adhesives, laminate flooring, and cabinetry, especially when they are new.
• VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from fresh paint, adhesives, sealants, and finishes, which give off odours and fumes while they cure.

Ventilation is the main everyday tool. If your home has an HRV (heat recovery ventilator) or ERV (energy recovery ventilator), ask your HVAC technician or builder how to run it after a renovation, and open windows during milder weather when you can. In an Ottawa winter, when homes are kept closed up against the cold, fumes from new materials can linger longer, so ventilation matters even more. Follow the product labels for how long to ventilate after painting or sealing. Choosing low-VOC products before the work starts also helps.

For dust, the steps are practical: HEPA vacuuming, damp wiping, running HEPA air filtration during and after cleaning, changing the furnace filter, and duct cleaning if dust got into the system. If anyone in your household has breathing problems or symptoms that appeared after the renovation, talk to a doctor and consider an air quality test. If you need post-construction cleaning, the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com is a helpful resource for finding independent cleaning companies.

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