Transcript General
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Its
Impact upon Building Occupants
Andrew Burgie, MS
Center for Occupational & Environmental Health
at Hunter College
Overview
Which Factors Affect Indoor Air Quality?
How Does One Approach IAQ Problems?
Recognize
Evaluate
Control
Definition of IAQ Investigator
Scientist, Detective, Public Relations, etc.
=
“Health & Safety” Professional
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)
Building-related Illness (BRI)
Symptoms of diagnosable illness are
identified and attributed to
environmental agents in workplace
(Legionnaire’s disease; hypersensitivity
pneumonitis)
Factors that Affect Building IAQ
Sources of Contamination
The Heating Ventilation, Air Conditioning
(HVAC) System
Pollutant Pathways
Building Occupants
Sources of Contamination
Sources Outside Building (nearby factory)
Equipment (photocopier)
Human Activities (micro-waving popcorn)
Building Components and Furnishings (carpets)
Other Sources
Equipment
HVAC System (heating, ventilation, air conditioning system)
Office Equipment & Supplies (photocopier)
Other Sources
Human Activities
Personal Activities (smoking)
Housekeeping Activities (mopping with strong cleaners)
Maintenance Activities (painting)
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)
Other Sources
Accidental Events (substance spills)
Special Use Areas/Mixed Use Buildings (pantry)
Redecorating, Remodeling, Repair Activities
(plumbing)
The HVAC System (air circulation)
The HVAC System
Thermal Comfort (heating and cooling air)
Ventilation (circulating fresh air)
Odor and Contaminant Control (filtering air devices)
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
Building Occupants
Hypersensitive or Susceptible Individuals
(people who get sick easily)
IAQ Investigations & Measurements
Only when you know what you are looking
for do the measurements become significant
Recognizing
Building IAQ Problems
Key Questions for IAQ Investigation
Looking for IAQ Problem Identifiers
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?
Look for IAQ Problem Identifiers
Odors
moldy,
Signs of Moisture Damage or Accumulation
damp
chemical, exhaust fume
or wet surfaces, puddling of water
Staining or Discoloration
“brownish”
Presence of Hazardous Substances
chemical
or “yellowish” ceiling or carpet tiles
containers, spray bottles, etc.
Dirty or Unsanitary Conditions
unclean
bathroom, dusty storage room, etc.
Look for IAQ Problem Identifiers
Visible Fungal/Bacterial Growth
mold
Unusual Noises from Lights or Machinery
may
or slime growth
be caused by loose or broken parts
Inadequate Maintenance
cracked/peeling
Signs of Occupant Discomfort
cough,
walls; equipment poorly taped
watery and/or “red” eyes, headache)
Overcrowding
too
many desks, chairs, etc. in room
Look for IAQ Problem Identifiers
Blocked Airflow/Poorly Located Vents, etc.
cardboard
Ceiling Plenums
(space
between the ceiling tiles and ceiling)
Heat Sources
space
covering vent; books stacked on vent
heaters, desk fans
Special Use Areas
food
pantries, kitchens, copy rooms, bathrooms
Look for IAQ Problem Identifiers
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentration (ppm*)
exhaled
Temperature (0F or 0C)
warmth
air removed from room (stuffiness)
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/etc.)
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
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
What’s Wrong with this Room?
Evaluating
Building IAQ Problems
Key Questions for Walkthrough
Conducting Initial Walkthrough
Collecting Additional Information,
Including Sampling (If Necessary)
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?
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
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)
Controlling
Building IAQ Problems
Source Control
Ventilation
Air Cleaning
Exposure Control
Controlling Building IAQ Problems
Source Control
remove
contaminant & contaminant generator
Ventilation
improve
Air Cleaning
filter
and/or increase air flow
out impurities with specialized air filters
Exposure Control
pressurize
room to control air flow in and out
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”
CONCLUSION
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION
_____________________________________
ANDREW BURGIE, M.S.
Center for Occupational &
Environmental Health at Hunter College
(212) 481-7652