Something’s in the Air The Factors for Creating Health Supporting

Indoor Environments

Presented by: Larry Gust, Gust Environmental,Ventura, CA

www.GustEnviro.com • 805-644-2008

Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology A Florida 501 (c) 3 educational non-profit

Why Is This An Issue?

You breathe 1500 quarts of air a day.One of the Top Five Health Risks (EPA)First on the List of Environmental Cancer

Risks (EPA)Home air: 6-10 times more polluted than

city (EPA)90% of our time is spent indoors where

60+% of offices are polluted andhomes are worse (tighter).

Why Is This An Issue?

Allergists – 50% of Illness caused or worsenedby indoor pollution

Fifty years ago 1 in 30 had allergies Ten years ago 1 in 3 had allergies Today 1 in 2.5 have allergies

Asthma has doubled since 1980 – heavilykids

MCS has grown to about 18% of thepopulation

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

EPA: 65% of office buildingsAcute health & comfort effects

linked to time in bldg.No specific cause can be identifiedSymptoms abate outside of building

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Classed as SBS if 20% of population isaffected

Social security admin union survey (1993): Fatigue – 39% Sneezing / coughing – 45% Sinus / nasal congestion – 49% Eye, nose, throat irritation – 38%

Building Induced Illness

Conditions induced by building conditionsSymptoms do not abate outside building

The Rain & Barrel & Total Load

Manipulating The Barrel toReduce Loading

Clean up your diet / habitsClean up your waterClean up your home / office

Manipulate the Politicians

Chernoble radiation reaches Canadaand NY in 24 hours

Pesticide sprayed in South Africareaches Key West in 5 days

Pesticide sprayed in Texas reachesCincinnati in 36 hours

Indoor air is outdoor air PLUS …

Sources of Indoor Pollutants

1. Human activity2. Combustion products3. Biological agents4. Radon5. Pesticides6. Volatile organic compounds7. Particulates8. Electromagnetic energies (Another Lecture)

Pollutant ConcentrationFactors

Number of sources and volumeRate of removal

Removal Strategies

Source control: Exclusion Capture at source

Pollutant removal (dilution): Air changes per hour (bldg. tightness) Air cleaning

Ventilation is for People

For all pollutants except people it is best toapply source control

Removal Strategies

Pollutant Source #1

Human Activity Carbon dioxide, water vapor, odors Handled by dilution & removal (trapping)

Pollutant Source #2

Combustion Products

• Carbon monoxide, dioxide and by-products

• Source removalKeep sources out of living space

Combustion Products

Exclusion & Source Capture

Fireplace – external air source, tight doors Furnace, water heater – Use closed system Range exhaust hood– Vent outside Built-in oven– Vent outside

Monitoring

Carbon monoxide monitor/alarm

Pollutant Source #3

Biological Agents: Mites, Bacteria, Virus, Fungi

Symptoms Infectious disease Exacerbation of asthma Runny nose Conjunctive inflammation Recurrent fever Diarrhea Breathing Difficulty

Malaise Fatigue Chest tightness Cough Dermatitis Headache

Mold: Leviticus 14: 37 - 47… And you shall examine the house for plague;

and if the plague is on the walls of thehouse with ingrained streaks, greenish orreddish, which appear to be deep in thewalls, then close the house up for sevendays.

If you return and the plague has spread, thenremove the stones and walls and the dustthey scrape off.

Now if the plague comes back after he hastaken away the stones and plaster, then thehouse indeed has the plague.

And he shall break down the house, its stonesand timbers and all the plaster of the house,and he shall carry them outside the city toan unclean place. And he who is inside thehouse shall wash his clothes …

Causes of Fungal Reactions:

Allergenic cell wall proteinsMicrobial Volatile Organic CompoundsFungal generated Mycotoxins

Conditions for Fungi Growth

Food sourceSporesMoisture (as low as 70% RH for some)

Moisture Sources

Moisture producing appliances & activitiesFoundation capillary actionStructural water leaksCondensation on cold surfaces

Surface Temperature Control

Dew Point depends on % RH and SurfaceTemperature

Surface Temperature depends on Insulation from cold temperatures Correct installation

Whole HouseHumidityControl Ultra Aire by Therma-stor

Flooding- Correct Clean UpStop water at the sourceRemove Porous Materials ImmediatelyDry out remaining materials within 36 -48 hours

After this mold quickly becomes a big problem• Use a Certified Restorer from• American Indoor Air Quality Council (AmIAQC)• Institution of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC)

Sewage is another issue • Already contaminated with virus, bacteria & parasites • Biocides are used a several steps of remediation

Testing for Mold

Air Samples: Spore Trap Culturable

Surface Samples: Tape lift Culturable

Another Fungus. . .

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Caused by fungus that grows in the bed

and produces a neurotoxin gas. Caused by use of flame resistant

mattresses. More danger from hand me down

mattresses because the fungus growsstronger over time.

Can be avoided by simply placing aplastic bag over mattress.

Sources of Indoor PollutantsOur Lecture Roadmap

Human activityCombustion productsBiological agentsRadonPesticidesVolatile organic compoundsParticulates

Pollutant Source #4 Radon

• Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas• Found in bedrock & soil from decay of radium 226• Radon half life is 3.8 days• Decay products are solid particles that live minutes• Decay energy is dangerous to lung tissue• The lungs take in radioactive particles riding on dust• Second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking

Radon Enters via Cracks inFoundation Parts

Basements are the main problemSeal foundation cracks, penetrations, jointsUse Sub-slab suction

Screening: Radon kit (Home Depot)

Pollutant Source #5 Pesticides

4 billion applications per year85% of households store 3 to 4 pounds20,000 household pesticide products140,000 reported exposures in 1993, 93%

home use, 50% children under six

Types of Pesticides

Chlorinated (chlordane, lindane, heptachlor)Carbamate (carbaryl) anti-cholinesteraseOrganophosphate (chlorpyrifos)

anti-cholinesteraseNewer pesticides have lower acute toxicityLittle research into subtle effects

Immune function issues Cognitive damage

300 active (controlled) ingredients

Pesticides Continued

1700 inert (uncontrolled) ingredients Manufacture decides with FDA agreement Some product’s inerts are actives in others Toluene, xylene – central nervous system

depressant Ethyl benzene – know carcinogen

Pesticide Exposure HampersDevelopment in Children

• Study: Sonora Technological Institute, Mexico• Children ages 4-5 from Sonora’s Yaqui Valley

45 pesticide applications times per crop cycle• Children ages 4-5 from nearby foothills

Pesticide used is avoided • Pesticide exposure impairs cognitive development

Disturbing Development:

Pesticide Facts:

Significant source of indoor pollution (esp. Southern climates)

Binds strongly to synthetic materialsCarpeting is contaminated even after

repeated cleaning

Pesticide Facts:

Binds to dust which can float in the airRemediation is partial at best & may not be

enough for the sensitiveRemediation of older chlorinated pesticides

is probably impossible

Remediation Approaches

Discard exposed syntheticsSteam clean remaining items with minimum 150

degrees steamClean all hard surfaces with vinegar, detergent

and waterReduce air concentration with carbon/zeolite

filtrationGet additional info from HEAL 404-248-1898,

http://members.aol.com/HEALNatnl

Pollutant Source #6 Volatile Organic Compounds

Symptoms

Eye irritation Nose, throat discomfort Headache Allergic skin reaction Breathing Difficulty Serum cholinerterase decline Nausea, vomiting Nose bleeds (formaldehyde) Fatigue Dizziness

Volatile Organic Compounds

Sources Carpet, furnishings Vinyl flooring Building materials: paint, glue, flooring Cleaning products Finishes & sealants Dry cleaning

Volatile Organic Compounds

Sources (cont.)

Garaged cars Formaldehyde from urea-formaldehyde

glue (Particle board, carpet padding,caulking, paint)

Personal care products Air fresheners

VOC Control Strategy

Primary: Source reduction or eliminationSecondary: activated carbonTesting:

Air sample collection Mass spec/gas chromatography analysis Expensive

Synthetic Fragrances (VOCs)

National Academy of Sciences to US Congressin 1992: Test fragrances for Neurotoxicity

Makers are not required to disclose chemicalsused

95% of chemicals are synthetic hydrocarbons Benzene derivatives Aldehydes Phthalates (hormone mimics)

Synthetic Fragrances (VOCs)

Known to cause: Cancer Birth defects CNS disorders Allergy: inhalant & skin Asthma triggering in children (up 40% in 10 years)

No routine industry testing for neurotoxicityor respiratory affects

Synthetic Fragrances (VOCs)

Safety of ingredients is not assured

Warning label is required by law

There are no warning labels

The chemical equivalent of physical assault

Sources of Indoor PollutantsOur Lecture Roadmap

1. Human activity2. Combustion products3. Biological agents4. Radon5. Pesticides6. Volatile organic compounds

7. Particulates

Relative Size of Contaminants

Pollutant Particle Sizes

Particulates

Body Removal Efficiency Over 3 microns easily removed Under 0.5 microns go deep into lungs

Mortality increases with dirtier air EPA Study of PM10 < 10 microns PM 10: 30 grams/ liter of air vs 11 gr/l Steubenville, OH was 31% > than Portage, WI EPA standard: 50 gr/l

Particulate Control Strategies

Source control Use hard surface floors, not carpets Housekeeping

Most vacuums trap only about 30% of thedust

Fantom Vacuum with HEPAAbsolute Air Filter

Uses Centrifugal large particle separatorThere is no bag

Last stage is a True HEPA filter

Particulate ControlStrategies

Source control Exclusion from living space, positive airpressure and a tight building envelope Suppression of biologicals via humiditycontrol to under 50%

Removal by air filtration Particulate removal Gas removal

MERV Air Filter RatingSystem

Common Throw-AwayFiberglass Filter (MERV 2)

Electrostatic Filter (MERV 6)

WashableMetal or plastic frameHeavily advertisedOffered by HVAC dealersPoor performance for the cost

Increased Efficiency PleatedFilter (MERV 6-8)

Higher Efficiency FilterRequiring Special Installation (MERV 12)

April Aire / Air Bear

Filtrete Ultra Model 1250 (MERV 11)

Made by 3M CompanyMeets the American Lung Association

Healthy House Guidelines.Replaces standard fiberglass filters.

Hepa Sheild House CarbonFilter (MERV 20 )

Filter Comparison

Carbon Filter

• Combined particulate filter& carbon (ounces)

Used to remove odors• Filters with pounds of carbon are available for

heavy duty VOC removal, but requirespecially fabricated holders

Honeywell QuietCare HEPAAir Cleaner #17200

Rooms up to 220 square feet.Features a systems to monitor filter lifePlastic housingAvailable with carbonSound reducing features

Austin Air Health Mate +Metal Cabinet, Bakedfinish15 Lbs of carbonThree Speeds

Water Quality

Water Quality

Water Quality is declining

Disease up 250 times in 10 years

Microorganism contamination rising (E. coli test)

Water testing is periodic and limited

90% is not for human consumption

EPA sets contamination levelsPoison is purposely added

Chlorine is purposely added (Cl test) 21% increased risk of bladder cancer 38% increased risk of rectal cancer Heart disease & stroke

Reacts with organic matter => Trihalomethanes

Increased spontaneous abortion Spinabifidal Neutral Tube defects

Fertilizer runoff increases nitratesBlue baby syndrome (nitrate to nitrite into blood reduces O2)Spontaneous abortion

Water Quality

Increasingly acidic (pH test) causing leaching

Lead (Pb test) Anemia CNS damage Impaired mental function Size & Hearing in infants

Copper Gastrointestinal disturbances Liver & Kidney damage (years of exposure

Water Quality

Herbicides & Pesticides (Pe test) Carcinogenic Mutagenic (alters genic information) Teratogenic (birth defects) Immune suppression CNS damage Liver & Kidney damage

Water Quality

Do not Drink or cook with tap water

Reverse osmosis purification is best Filters at the size of an atom => 95+% removal Mineral content not an issue unless you eat rocks Must be maintained annually

Bottled water is dicey Very poor oversight by FDA Resource usage and trash disposal Bottle your RO water in a stainless steel container

Water Quality for Ingestion

Do not shower or bathe in tap water

Carbon filtered water is best (not KDF) Shower filter Whole house filter Must be maintained

Water Quality for Bathing

What you can do NOW:

Stop water leaks & moisture Intrusion.

Dry wet materials within 36 hours.

Clean carpets every 6 months.

Install reverse osmosis water for cooking & drinking.

Install whole house water filtration or

Install carbon shower filters.

What you can do NOW:

Upgrade furnace filter to 3M Filtrete 1250.

Eliminate toxic pesticides, use non-toxic or leasttoxic methods.

Use safe paints and sealers (No VOC’s) [Seewww.GustEnviro.com]

Avoid the use of flexible plastics made frompolyvinyl chloride/PVC/vinyl

Install solid surface floors in bedrooms

What you can do NOW:

Cultivate a positive mental attitude.Get exercise.Eat macrobiotically and organic.

Institute forBuilding Biology& Ecology, Inc

www.buildingbiology.net

A 501 c3 Non Profit

• Teaching the use of healthy building principles

• Improving the health of living & work spaces

• Improving the health of people

For information on educational materials & services:

Something’s in the AirThe Factors for Creating HealthSupporting Indoor Environments

Thanks for listening

Presented by: Larry Gust, Gust Environmental,Ventura, CA

www.GustEnviro.com • 805-644-2008

Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology A Florida 501 (c) 3 educational non-profit

www.BuildingBiology.org