Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality
Introducing
Please tell us
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Your name Where you work What you do Your indoor air quality experience & concerns
Is IAQ Important?
30% of newly constructed or remodeled facilities have IAQ problems Indoor contaminants are responsible for half of all illnesses Liability issues
Liability
Owners and managers Architects, builders and developers Product manufacturers Insurers Unions Real estate agents, bankers and sellers
Deferred maintenance
Building-Related Illness
Clinically defined illness or disease
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QUIZ
What are some of the most common IAQ health effects? What four factors determine the health effects of an exposure to hazardous compounds?
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
CHEMICALS
PESTICIDES - Symptoms
Headache Dizziness Lack of coordination Nervousness Irritability Insomnia Confusion Loss of concentration Speech difficulties Depression Impaired judgment Memory deficits Visual disturbances ECG changes Weakness Fatigue Paralysis
Formaldehyde
Used in plywood, paneling, particleboard, wallboard, fiberglass, adhesives Sometimes in ceiling tiles, wallpaper, furniture, draperies, clothing Even low levels can cause difficulties in breathing, burning of eyes nose and throat, coughing; a human carcinogen PEL 0.75 ppm; TLV ceiling limit 0.3 ppm
Perchloroethylene
Solvent used in dry cleaning, metal cleaning and degreasing Can cause irritation of eyes, nose, throat and skin, liver and kidney damage, CNS depression Considered an animal carcinogen and probable human carcinogen PEL 100 ppm; TLV 25 ppm
QUIZ
What are VOCs? What are some sources of VOCs What are some alternatives to pesticides?
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
Combustion Products
Carbon monoxide (CO) Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) Oxides of sulfur (SOx) Carbon dioxide (CO2) Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Tobacco Smoke components
Carbon Monoxide
Symptoms are headache, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea Severe exposure results in vomiting, collapse, coma and death PEL 50 ppm; TLV 25 ppm Body systems most affected are the brain, the heart, and the developing fetus
Carbon Monoxide
Low levels of exposure - more frequent attacks of angina, reduced athletic performance, heart attacks Moderate exposures - loss of attentiveness, decreased visual perception, manual dexterity, learning ability and driving ability Smoking cause of the greatest human exposure
Carbon Dioxide
CO2 levels above 800 ppm may indicate inadequate ventilation ASHRAE recommended indoor air quality limit for CO2 is 1000 ppm PEL 5000 ppm; TLV 5000 ppm
Tobacco Smoke
Respirable particles and gases, including benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and VOCs Sidestream smoke from cigarette contains higher concentrations of some toxic and carcinogenic substances than mainstream smoke inhaled by smoker
Tobacco Smoke
Causes lung cancer in nonsmokers as well as smokers Increased respiratory infections in children Irritation of upper respiratory tract, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, headache, sinus problems, asthma, increased cardiovascular risk
QUIZ
Which combustion by-products would you expect to see in smog? Which compound is sometimes used as a measure of ventilation efficiency?
Radon
Asbestos
Group of indestructable highly fibrous minerals Separated fibers are long, thin, flexible, heat resistant, able to be spun and woven Health effects: lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques Airborne concentration in homes and schools 30 to 6,000 fibers/m3 PEL 0.1 fiber/cc; TLV 0.1 fiber/cc
Lead
Indestructable, non-biodegradable, adaptable metal Romans used lead to line aqueducts, as mortar, in plumbing and to sweeten wine Was used in gasoline, batteries, paints, ceramic glazes, ammunition, fishing sinkers, metal toys
Lead
Three quarters of the nations housing contains lead-based paint Children are at greater risk for lead poisoning than adults
Hand to mouth activity Developing body systems more easily affected o Action level is 10 micrograms per deciliter (g/dl)
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Radon
Naturally occurring radioactive gas Colorless, odorless, tasteless Causes no symptoms of irritation or discomfort No early signs of exposure Testing a building is the only way to evaluate exposure Action level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L)
Sub-Slab Depressurization
QUIZ
What are some of the health effects of lead exposure? How can you tell if a building has elevated radon levels?
BIOAEROSOLS
Bioaerosols
Substances that are living or were released from a living organism Examples
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Dust Mites
Dust Mites
Microscopic relatives of spiders Feed on dead skin scales and other organic debris 2,000,000 in an average bed Dust mite feces - a common allergen Prefer relative humidity level above 55%
Viruses
Smallest and simplest of all life forms Depend completely on their hosts for reproduction Continually undergo evolutionary change Examples
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Hanta Virus
Carried in wild rodents, especially deer mice Can cause respiratory failure and death Approximately 43 % of diagnosed cases have been fatal Infection is caused by inhalation of airborne particles of infected urine, droppings or saliva from infected animals
Bacteria
Single-celled prokaryotic organisms Most are very small spheres, rods or filaments Reproduce by simple cell division Some produce endospores, which are extremely resistant to harsh conditions A few require living hosts
Bacterial Toxins
Exotoxins
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Excreted Clostridium botulinum exotoxin - one of the most powerful poisons known Part of cell wall of gram negative bacteria Highly toxic fever, malaise, changes in white blood cell counts, respiratory distress, shock, even death
Endotoxins
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Mold
Mold? Where??
Mold in a closet
Fungi as Food
Mushrooms Soy sauce Yeast Bread Cheese Wine Beer
Mucor species
Penicillium species
Aspergillus niger
Aspergillus fumigatus
Growing Conditions
Optimum water activity
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Above 0.90 in substrate, for most species 56F to 86F, for most species Inhibits growth of some types of molds Stimulates spore production in many species
Fungal Metabolism
Enzymes secreted to digest external food sources, which are then absorbed Must have adequate moisture available
Metabolic Products
Carbon dioxide, water, ethanol Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) Mycotoxins and antibiotics
MVOCs
VOCs with distinctive offensive odors Possibly responsible for some illnesses Different compounds emitted on different media Type and quantity change with phases of growth Highest MVOC production is prior to and during spore production and mycotoxin production
Mycotoxins
Produced to inhibit or kill competitors May cause serious short term and long term health effects Over 200 recognized mycotoxins, and many more not yet discovered Toxins production varies with the species, the conditions and the substrate
Aflatoxin
One of the most potent carcinogens known to man Linked to a variety of health problems FDA maximum allowable level is 20 ppb Produced by some species of Aspergillus
T-2 Toxin
A tricothecene toxin Produced by species of Fusarium mold One of the more deadly toxins Ingestion in sufficient quantity can cause rapid death due to internal hemorrhage Implicated in alimentary toxic aleukia and pulmonary hemosiderosis Damage is often permanent
Fumonisin
Associated with some species of Fusarium mold Commonly found in corn Has resulted in dozens of deaths of horses and swine Causes crazy horse disease or leukoencephalomalcia, a liquifaction of the brain Chronic low-level exposure in humans has been linked to esophageal cancer
Satratoxin H
Produced by Stachybotrys, Trichoderma and other molds High doses or chronic low doses are lethal Abortogenic in animals Believed to alter the immune system function
Stachybotrys Effects
Chronic exposure effects: cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss, generalized malaise Toxins suppress the immune system, affecting lymphoid tissue and bone marrow
Water-Damaged Ceiling
Water-Damaged Wallpaper
MOLD SAMPLING
N-95 respirator Gloves N-95 respirator Gloves Eye protection Full-body covering
Remediation Resources
NY City Department of Health Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/epi/ moldrpt1.html Mold Remediation in School and Commercial Buildings (EPA) http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/index.html
QUIZ
What is the first thing you should look for when there is a suspected mold problem? What kind of personal protective equipment should you wear if you are removing moldy sheetrock?
VENTILATION
Ventilation
Purpose - Remove or dilute airborne contaminants Supply air - mixture of outside air and re-circulated air
HVAC Systems
Components
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Air intakes, dampers, filters Heating & cooling units, coils, drain pans Ductwork Supply vents Exhaust vents Plenum
Mold spores
Ductwork
Leaks
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Duct liners
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Backdrafting
Pressure imbalance
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QUIZ
How often should ducts be cleaned? What level of carbon dioxide indicates adequate ventilation? Should a shop area be at positive or negative pressure relative to the rest of the building?
IAQ INVESTIGATION
Questionnaires
Can identify the cause of many IAQ problems Building history questionnaires Symptoms questionnaires HVAC questionnaires
Walk-Through Inspection
Outside sources Building exterior HVAC system Boiler room Attic Crawlspace Occupied spaces Wall cavities Storage spaces
Look Into:
Ceilings, walls, floors, furnishings Water damage Odors Remodeling Insulation falling into work area Plumbing leaks and mold in crawlspaces
Look Into:
Fluorescent light fixtures Frequently damp areas Pets & aquariums Humidifiers Backdrafting possiblilities Ergonomic factors Stress & tension
Mold in basement
Ceiling mold
Moldy wall
Mold on AC Ductwork
IAQ Tools
EPAs Building Air Quality EPAs Tools for Schools I-BEAM software Monitoring equipment
Formaldehyde Sampling
Ventilation
Dilution is the solution When all else fails, ventilate
QUESTIONS???