Transcript Slide 1

IAQ Jeopardy
with your host:
Lynda Martin
Industrial Hygienist
Spokane Public Schools
And able-bodied co-host:
Todd Clouse
Head Custodian
Holmes Elementary
Asthma
Investigation /
Testing
Methods
Common
Sources
Ventilation
Mold
100
100
100
100
100
200
200
200
200
200
300
300
300
300
300
400
400
400
400
400
500
500
500
500
500
IAQ Jeopardy
Ventilation
100
Studies show that over half
the time indoor air quality
problems are due to
inadequate ventilation.
True or False
NIOSH Study - U.S. Dept. of Labor
OSHA Technical Manual
Ventilation
200
Inadequate ventilation in a
classroom can cause the
level of what air contaminant
to increase?
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Levels about 700 ppm above outside levels
are recommended by ASHRAE.
You respond to an IAQ complaint from this office.
Determine the primary problem with this environment
that may affect IAQ.
Ventilation 300
Ventilation
300
This is an old shower room
that was converted into a
workstation.
No supply air ventilation.
Below is an HVAC schematic of supply and
return air locations in a classroom.
Discuss potential IAQ problems with this setup.
No Air
Short –Circuiting
No Air
No Air
Ventilation
400
By studying approximately 500 indoor air quality investigations, the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identified primary sources of
indoor air quality problems and derived percentages of occurrence.
Using the available percentages to the right of the Table, correctly complete the
Ventilation 500
Table below.
IAQ problem Sources
Identified by NIOSH
Study
Microbial contamination
Percent or
occurrence
5%
52 %
Unknown sources
Inadequate ventilation
Contamination from
inside building
Reference - U.S. Dept.
of Labor (OSHA
Technical Manual)
Contamination from
outside building
Other sources
13 %
16%
52 %
10 %
16 %
5%
10 %
4%
Mold growing on indoor
building materials is natural
and should not be
investigated.
Mold 100
True or False
• Clean up the mold
• Fix the water problem
• Dry out the area
If you find
mold indoors it
is generally a
good idea to
have it tested
to see what
type it is.
Mold 200
True or False
• It’s more important to find the water
source, fix it, and clean up the mold.
Although it can be very expensive, sampling
for airborne mold is the most reliable method
for determining whether you truly have a
mold problem or not.
Mold 300
True or False
• Mold is everywhere
• No government standards identifying acceptable or
hazardous levels
• Different levels of sensitivities between individuals
• Testing methods are not standardized
What two main
things are
needed for
mold to grow?
• Water
• Food (plywood, drywall, furring strips,
carpets, and carpet padding, papers)
• Optimal Temperatures (70-90o F)
(Mold can grow in 32-120o F)
• High humidity (above 50%)
• Stagnant Air
Mold 400
Mold 500
You identify 35 Square Feet of Mold contaminated
Wallboard. Review the following work practices and
decide which are considered Good or Bad.
Shut down HVAC system prior to
work
Workers wearing respiratory
protection
Mold contaminated materials disinfected with concentrated bleach
solution
Isolation of the work area using
plastic sheeting sealed with duct tape
Good
Good
Bad
Good
Asthma
100
Normal Airway
Asthmatic Airway
For some, Asthma is a
psychological condition and
is not a real health hazard.
True or False
Asthma 200
List 3 potential Asthma Triggers
• Cigarette smoke
• Pet dander
• Mold
• Dust
• Various Chemicals
• Perfumes, Fragrance
• Pollen
• And many more
Asthma 300
According to the CDC, Asthma
Million lost days
accounts for 114million
of school each year.
True or False
Asthma 400
According to the CDC, if a child with
asthma wants to play with a stuffed toy
it should be washed in hot water (about
130 degrees to kill mites)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Every 2 Weeks
Every 2 Months
Every year
Never, just thrown away when soiled.
List 3 things your school can do
to help control asthma triggers
Asthma 500
•Ventilate well
•Control dust
•Keep the school dry
•Don't keep pets in classrooms
•Pest Management : Prevent insects and other
pests from entering
•Practice good chemical management
Is odor an indication of a hazard?
Investigation /
Testing
Methods 100
Not Always
Carbon
monoxide
Colorless and Odorless. No odor at
levels that can cause death
Benzene
Carcinogen at low levels;
odor is sometimes perceived as
“sweet”
Smells like rotten eggs at levels
lower than health risk occurs
Hydrogen
sulfide
Investigation
/
Testing
Methods200
You receive an odor complaint
believed to be caused by the
restroom.
What is a simple test that can be
done to see if the restroom’s HVAC
is functioning properly?
Investigation /
Testing
Methods300
Are elevated CO2 levels a
health hazard?
YES or NO
Goal for classroom: 1000-1200 ppm
Dept of L&I 8-hour exposure limit is 5000 ppm
Levels up to 10,000 parts per million can be
tolerated without ill effects by healthy people.
If you receive a complaint about
IAQ what are some things you
can evaluate?
Investigation /
Testing
Methods400
• Vents are clear/ Check with EMS
• Clutter in the classroom/stuffed animals
• Recent water damage/stains on ceiling tiles or
walls
• Unapproved chemical use
• Drain traps
• Air fresheners
• Check the refrigerator
Investigation /
Testing
Methods 500
This is the most important step in
identifying a potential IAQ problem.
Visual Inspection
Or
Site Visit
View the image
and name this.
Dust Mite
FACTS
Live on dead skin shed from
humans and pets
Beds, pillows, stuffed animals,
upholstery are prime habitats for
dust mites
The feces and skin shedding of
the dust mites cause the allergic
reaction, not the mite itself
Common
Sources 100
Name three potential sources or conditions in
Mr. H’s classroom that could negatively
impact IAQ.
Common
Sources
200
Study the photo and identify a condition
that could affect IAQ
Air Intakes
Common
Sources
300
Common
Sources 400
Ozone generating air cleaners actually do
reduce indoor particulate levels and can
reduce occupant symptoms.
True or False
However, Ozone is a respiratory irritant and
these types of air cleaners should not be used in
occupied spaces.
Can these help clean the air?
Common
Sources 500
NO
• Cover up odor by numbing our sense of smell
• About 95% of these synthetic compounds are
made from petroleum products
• Fragrances can trigger asthma and other
respiratory conditions due to the irritant effect