Indoor Air Quality IAQ and Its Impact upon Building Occupants

1
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Its Impact upon
Building Occupants

• Andrew Burgie, MS

Center for Occupational Environmental Health at
Hunter College
2
Overview

• Which Factors Affect Indoor Air Quality?
• How Does One Approach IAQ Problems?
• Recognize
• Evaluate
• Control

3
Definition of IAQ Investigator

• Scientist, Detective, Public Relations, etc.

Health Safety Professional
4
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

• Acute health and comfort effects linked to the
  time spent in workplace, but no specific illness
  or cause can be identified
• (Upper respiratory complaints, irritation,
  fatigue)

5
Building-related Illness (BRI)

• Symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified
  and attributed to environmental agents in
  workplace
• (Legionnaires disease hypersensitivity
  pneumonitis)

6
Factors that Affect Building IAQ

• Sources of Contamination
• The Heating Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
  System
• Pollutant Pathways
• Building Occupants

7
Sources of Contamination

• Sources Outside Building (nearby factory)
• Equipment (photocopier)
• Human Activities (micro-waving popcorn)
• Building Components and Furnishings (carpets)
• Other Sources

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Equipment

• HVAC System (heating, ventilation, air
  conditioning system)
• Office Equipment Supplies (photocopier)
• Other Sources

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Human Activities

• Personal Activities (smoking)
• Housekeeping Activities (mopping with strong
  cleaners)
• Maintenance Activities (painting)

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Building Components and Furnishings

• Locations that Produce or Collect Dust, Fibers,
  or Odors (bathrooms)
• Unsanitary Conditions/Water Damage (faucet drip)
• Chemicals Released from Building Components or
  Furnishings (roof tarring)

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Other Sources

• Accidental Events (substance spills)
• Special Use Areas/Mixed Use Buildings (pantry)
• Redecorating, Remodeling, Repair Activities
  (plumbing)

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The HVAC System (air circulation)
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The HVAC System

• Thermal Comfort (heating and cooling air)
• Ventilation (circulating fresh air)
• Odor and Contaminant Control (filtering air
  devices)

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Pollutant Pathways

• Stack Effect - Pressure by Convection
• Air rises when heated and falls when cooled
• Wind Effect - High to Low Pressure
• Air moves from high to low concentrations

15
Building Occupants

• Hypersensitive or Susceptible Individuals (people
  who get sick easily)

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IAQ Investigations Measurements

• Only when you know what you are looking for do
  the measurements become significant

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Recognizing Building IAQ Problems

• Key Questions for IAQ Investigation
• Looking for IAQ Problem Identifiers

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Key Questions for IAQ Investigation

• How Was this Building Originally Supposed to
  Function?
• Is the Building Functioning as Designed?
• What Changes in Building Layout and Use Have
  Occurred Since Original Design and Construction?
• What Changes May Be Needed to Prevent Future IAQ
  Problems?

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Look for IAQ Problem Identifiers

• Odors
• moldy, chemical, exhaust fume
• Signs of Moisture Damage or Accumulation
• damp or wet surfaces, puddling of water
• Staining or Discoloration
• brownish or yellowish ceiling or carpet tiles
• Presence of Hazardous Substances
• chemical containers, spray bottles, etc.
• Dirty or Unsanitary Conditions
• unclean bathroom, dusty storage room, etc.

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Look for IAQ Problem Identifiers

• Visible Fungal/Bacterial Growth
• mold or slime growth
• Unusual Noises from Lights or Machinery
• may be caused by loose or broken parts
• Inadequate Maintenance
• cracked/peeling walls equipment poorly taped
• Signs of Occupant Discomfort
• cough, watery and/or red eyes, headache)
• Overcrowding
• too many desks, chairs, etc. in room

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Look for IAQ Problem Identifiers

• Blocked Airflow/Poorly Located Vents, etc.
• cardboard covering vent books stacked on vent
• Ceiling Plenums
• (space between the ceiling tiles and ceiling)
• Heat Sources
• space heaters, desk fans
• Special Use Areas
• food pantries, kitchens, copy rooms, bathrooms

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Look for IAQ Problem Identifiers

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentration (ppm)
• exhaled air removed from room (stuffiness)
• Temperature (0F or 0C)
• warmth of room (hot or cold)
• Relative Humidity ()
• moisture level in room - dry (5) or damp (95)
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration (ppm)
• generated by faulty burning (stove/heater/car/et
  c.)
• Air Circulation
• Is air sucked in (negative pressure) or pushed
  out (positive pressure) of room when door opened?

ppm parts per million measurement of volume
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Look for IAQ Problem Identifiers
Indoor Air Quality direct-reading instrument
Gives air quality measurements instantaneously
in the field without having air samples sent to a
laboratory for analysis
Sampling wand Computer display screen Function
control board
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Whats Wrong with this Room?
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Evaluating Building IAQ Problems

• Key Questions for Walkthrough
• Conducting Initial Walkthrough
• Collecting Additional Information, Including
  Sampling (If Necessary)

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Key Questions for Walkthrough

• Are There Obvious Pollutant Sources? If so, Are
  They Adequately Controlled?
• Are There Any Deficiencies in the HVAC System
  that Serves the Complaint Area?
• Are there Pathways and Pressure Differences
  Moving Contaminants into Complaint Area(s) from
  Outdoors or from Other Parts of Building?

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Initial Walkthrough

• Collect Info on History of Building and
  Complaints
• Identify Known HVAC Zones and Complaint Areas
• Notify Building Occupants of Upcoming
  Investigation
• Identify Key People Needed for Access
  Information

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Collecting Additional Information

• Occupant Complaints Data (previous surveys,
  complaint letters)
• HVAC System Data (maintenance schedule, standard
  operation)
• Pollutant Pathways Data (how does the air
  circulate)
• Pollutant Sources Data (where is the problem
  coming from)
• Air Sampling for Contaminants Identifiers
• Building and Room Occupancy (potential crowding
  issues)
• Identify Complaints Not Caused by Poor Air
  Quality (ergonomic issues poor office furniture
  or lighting)

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Controlling Building IAQ Problems

• Source Control
• Ventilation
• Air Cleaning
• Exposure Control

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Controlling Building IAQ Problems

• Source Control
• remove contaminant contaminant generator
• Ventilation
• improve and/or increase air flow
• Air Cleaning
• filter out impurities with specialized air
  filters
• Exposure Control
• pressurize room to control air flow in and out

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Controlling Building IAQ Problems
Chemical fumes in tent are pumped through large
air filtering device and clean air comes out of
stacks
Air duct cleaning
Tent Air filter Stacks
Air scrubbing device
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CONCLUSION

• QUESTIONS DISCUSSION
• _____________________________________
• ANDREW BURGIE, M.S.
• Center for Occupational
• Environmental Health at Hunter College
• [phone]