Indoor Air Quality - Chesapeake Region Safety Council · Indoor Air Quality Presented by Katherine...
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Indoor Air Quality Presented by Katherine Cavanaugh, CSP Manager, Occupational Safety and Health & Loss Control University of Maryland Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk
Transcript of Indoor Air Quality - Chesapeake Region Safety Council · Indoor Air Quality Presented by Katherine...
Indoor Air QualityPresented by
Katherine Cavanaugh, CSPManager, Occupational Safety and Health & Loss Control
University of MarylandDepartment of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk
Indoor air quality introduction Discuss primary concerns typically associated with indoor air quality
(IAQ) Case studies of indoor air quality surveys Current IAQ initiatives at UMD
Objectives
Indoor Air Quality Can Impact
HeathWell-beingProductivity
What is indoor air quality?
What is “good indoor air quality”?
What are some challenges for staff when investigating IAQ concerns?
“Good indoor air quality”
Indoor air with acceptable ventilation (according to ASHRAE standards).
Sources of indoor air contaminants are minimized. 75% or more of building occupants are comfortable at work.
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American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers
General IAQ Pollutants
Chemical Particles (non-biological) Biological
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Carbon monoxide Carbon dioxide Pesticides Radon Biological Contaminants Damp Indoor Environments VOCs Legionella
Chemical
Products used in the building Chemical spills Pesticides Construction supplies Products of combustion (CO and Formaldehyde)
Particles (non-biological)
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Dust, dirt, or other particles drawn into the building from the exterior Construction activities inside the building (Silica standard) Printing Copying Equipment operations
Chemical and Particulate Health Effects
Particulate health effects varySilicaTotal dust
Depends on chemicalConsult SDS
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VOCs and Formaldehyde short-term exposure effects may include Eye, nose, and throat irritation Headaches Nausea
Biological
Bacteria Viruses Mold/fungi Dust mites Animal dander Pollen
Biological Health Effects
Allergenic Respiratory system irritation Asthma Molds can cause localized skin or mucosal infections. Some may be more susceptible than others.
Mold Facts
Mold can be found almost anywhere. Mold requires moisture to grow. All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Health effects vary and are dependent on the individual.
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Cannot eliminate all mold spores from the indoor environment.
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https://www.chapmanengineering.net/blog/surprising-facts-about-indoor-air-quality; https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/indoor-air-pollution.htm; https://www.angieslist.com/articles/black-mold-lurking-your-house.htm;
https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/aspergillosis/index.html
https://mycology.adelaide.edu.au/descriptions/hyphomycetes/penicillium/
https://mycology.adelaide.edu.au/descriptions/hyphomycetes/cladosporium/
https://www.inspq.qc.ca/en/moulds/fact-sheets/ulocladium-chartarum
Mycotoxins
Molds can produce mycotoxins What we know is limited to effects after ingestion. Mycotoxins are not always present when mold is in a building. More research is needed on this topic.
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Early 1940’s large number of ukranian horses died and stalin wanted to have the vets shot. Salem witch trails attributed to ergot on rye ingestion. Only one regulated is aflatoxin, which grows on peanuts and some people try to weaponize.
Primary sources of IAQ problems(500 IAQ investigations by NIOSH)
Inadequate ventilation – 52% Contamination from inside the building – 16% Contamination from outside the building – 10% Microbial colonization – 5% Contamination from building fabric – 4% Unknown sources – 13%
Encouraging Good IAQ Office Behaviors
Purchasing furniture with low VOC/Formaldehyde Keeping HVAC in mind during renovations Exclude the use of air fresheners/ionizing air cleaners Reporting floods/water-intrusion promptly
MOISTURE CONTROL is the key to MOLD CONTROL
Proactive IAQ Practices
Building is under slight positive pressure (air comes out of the building when exterior doors are opened.)
Monitor carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity Regularly maintain HVAC system Regularly conduct inspections
Roof Walls Foundation Windows
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Operate your building at a slightly positive pressure with respect to the outdoors. ��The amount of outside air supplied to a building should slightly exceed the amount of air that is exhausted. The imbalance between the supply and exhaust air creates a positive pressure inside the building relative to the pressure outside. This positive pressure forces air out of the building through open doors and cracks around window and door seals. ��The airflow being forced out of the building prevents the infiltration of unconditioned and unfiltered outdoor air as well as the infiltration of ground level pollutants, such as car exhaust, pesticide/herbicide odors, pollen, etc. ��The difference between the amount of outdoor air supplied to the building and the amount of air exhausted should be only large enough to maintain the positive pressure inside the building relative to the outdoors. A substantial pressure differential could result in the excessive loss of conditioned air, leading to increased energy costs. At an extreme, it could even damage systems like the roof, so proceed with caution and a light hand.
Conducting an IAQ Survey
Interviews and Investigation
Challenges with IAQ Surveys
Building history.Sometimes are called in months or years after the
issue was first observed. The source(s) of the concern can be hidden. Coordination with personnel.
What do you do first?
Interview employees Interview building personnel Visual inspection Data/Sample collection (if warranted)
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https://www.iconfinder.com/icons/4777518/avatar_female_investigator_private_investigator_spy_user_woman_icon
Building Personnel Interviews
What is the configuration of the HVAC system?What preventative maintenance is performed on the system? Any recent floods/moisture intrusion?
If so, what was the cleanup response? More questions
cleaning chemicals furniture purchasedrecent alterations
IAQ Survey Tools
Air samples run for 2-10 minutesDependent on time of day and weatherCan cause false alarm or assurance
Air Sampling for Mold
Mold Regulations – Where are they?
Currently there are no federal or state regulations for mold remediation.
Developing regulations is difficult because there are no typical buildings.
Accepted industry guidelines have been developed by the EPA, AIHA, and IICRC.
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IICRC – Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification AIHA – American Industrial Hygiene Association
There are no federal limits for mold in building air. This includes standards or threshold limit values (TLV). The EPA states if visible mold growth is present, sampling is
unnecessary. Surface samples may occasionally be obtained to determine if an area
has been adequately cleaned or remediated.
EPA and Air Sampling for Mold
Current evidence indicates allergies are the diseases most associated with mold.
The susceptibility of individuals can vary greatly either because of the amount or type of mold.
Sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining an individual’s health risk.
If an individual is susceptible to mold, and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health risk, and it should be removed.
Standards for judging acceptable or tolerable quantities have not been established.
CDC and Air Sampling for Mold
Visible mold growth on materials indoors is not an acceptable condition and should be corrected
Questions Before Remediating
Are there hazardous materials present? Are there existing moisture problems in the building? Have building materials been wet more than 48
hours? Are there hidden sources of water or is the humidity
too high (high enough to cause condensation)? Are building materials or furnishings visibly
damaged? What is the area (SF) of materials affected?
Mold Remediation PlanArea LESS than 10 square feet
Can be performed in-house Enrolled in University Respiratory Protection Program Departmental involvement varies Requires specialized training for front line staff and supervisors
Recommends repairing the sources of moisture. Remove or clean affected materials. Repair as necessary.
Mold Remediation PlanArea GREATER than 10 square feet
Performed by an outside contractor. Repair source(s) of moisture. Containment (environmental controls) and personal protective
equipment in use. Remove and/or clean affected materials. Reconstruct as necessary.
Performed by qualified personnelNo visible dust/debrisNo moisture-affected materialsNo visible mold growth
Verification Inspection
Case Studies
McKeldin LibraryHJ Patterson
Flood Response
Respond to clean water within 24-48 hours UMD FM has an incident response unit on call 24 hours Specialized training for area maintenance personnel in FM Residential Facilities has trained housekeeping staff in mold remediation for
<10SF. Refer to EPA “Mold in Schools and Commercial Buildings” Check subfloor under carpeting or other flooring. Remove cove base from walls if carpeting is affected If drywall is wet, remove it. REMEMBER: ALWAYS CHECK ASBESTOS INVENTORY
SOP developed to address ACM in emergencies
HJ Patterson Renovation
IAQ concerns during construction
Diesel Fumes
Occupants in offices near the elevator closest to the construction were observing diesel fumes intermittently.
Odors were strongest when generators and diesel powered equipment was operated next to the adjacent wing.
Why were they observing the fumes indoors?
Observations
Offices were directly adjacent to the elevator and the stairwell. Both the elevator and stairwell entrances were next to areas where
equipment was in operation. Air moved from the elevator shaft/stairwell into the hallway towards
the offices as the return was down the hall.
Contractor and FM Responses
The contractor installed plastic sheeting over the stairwell and elevator entrances. This would allow for easy egress in emergencies, but would block diesel fumes from being entrained indoors.
FM switched the outdoor air intake for the space to the opposite side of the building.
Observations
Brick dust was observed in the hallwayThe partition was no longer effectiveDust suppression methods were not in use during drilling activities
MacGyver was wrong.
Duct tape does not fix everything.
ESSR and FM Responses
Foreman who responded by cleaning up the brick dust using wet methods.
Contractors built new barrier. FM reported they would inform the contractor wet
methods or HEPA vacuum attachments should be used when performing masonry work.Response would be a bit different in 2019 with the new Silica regulation.
McKeldin Library – What We Knew
Mold growth on books during the cooling seasons. Several studies had been performed (with air testing) HVAC upgrades were installed Dehumidifiers and fans were in use Problem continued
Responses
Books were inspected and sequestered (cleaned by a specialty contractor)
Several supply registers were redirected
Conditions Observed
Data showed relative humidity levels above 70-80% Supply air blows directly onto books Construction dust from recent activities was not being controlled
ESSR and CCMS
ESSR contacted CCMS personnel and looked at the history of relative humidity levels in the library.
CCMS adjusted controls. Noticed one of the gates was an “or” gate when it should be an “and” gate. Changed and relative humidity levels stabilized.
ESSR and CCMS continue to monitor this area. It was suggested contractors use dust control methods if they perform
work in the library.
Summary
Learned basic facts about mold and its health effects. Covered the parameters mold requires to grow indoors. Explored the basics of performing mold visual inspections. Reviewed the guidelines for mold remediation. Discussed two IAQ case studies.
Questions?
