Indoor Air Quality 101: The Basics

1. Indoor Air Quality 101:The Basics

2. Historical Information • IAQ issues are not ‘new’ • Old Testament • Leviticus, Chapter 14, verses 34-47 • 1970’s is significant • Increase in IAQ-related problems • Buildings designed/constructed ‘tighter’ • Buildings maintained more efficiently • Heightened ‘public’ awareness • Influx of Litigation • Celebrity Lawsuits – Ed McMahon; Erin Brockovich • Texas – Ballard Case • Ohio – Builder sued for $75 million • More Recently • Mold exclusions in insurance policies • More clarification from “experts”

3. Indoor Air Quality • There is no such thing as “bad” air. • There are simply pollutants and pollutant pathways.

4. Indoor Pollutants • Chemicals • volatile organic compounds (VOCs) • Biologicals • bacteria • fungi (mold)

5. Indoor Pollutant Sources • Chemicals • office equipment/supplies • cleaning solutions • air deodorizers

6. Indoor Pollutant Sources • Biologicals • Mold primary pollutant • What do you need to grow mold? • Mold spores • Moisture source • Food source • Temperature 40-100 degrees

7. Indoor Pollutant Sources • Biologicals • moisture sources • ventilation systems • roof/wall/floor system penetrations • moisture-contacted materials • sheetrock • ceiling tiles • carpets • furnishings

8. Pollutant Pathways • Ventilation systems • ‘Passive’ migration indoors

9. Major causes of poor IAQ • Pollution sources • Improperly operated and maintained HVAC • Building occupants and their activities

10. More causes of poor IAQ • Reduced ventilation • Building materials and furnishings • Water intrusion -- mold growth • Deferred maintenance • Pests/vermin • Pesticides – inside or outside • Cleaners • Dirty carpets • Personal care products But these aren’t Root Causes!

11. So … what are “Root” Causes? • Lack of awareness of how everyone’s typical activities affect IAQ.

12. “Root” Causes (continued) • Lack of clear communication between school and district staff on issues affecting IAQ.

13. “Root” Causes (continued) • Lack of awareness by all of a basic knowledge of IAQ in general and the workings of the school, including the mechanics of the school, e.g. Ventilation.

14. Root Causes Recap • Typical activities • Communication • Basic knowledge Identify these in the photos.

15. Actual Conditions

18. Mold Algae

20. BlockedReturn For air to come out of here It has to get in there

22. Ventilation Unit of Portable Classroom

23. Outside air intake Bathroom exhaust

24. Air Intake located by…

25. A hole in the wall

26. Storage area on other side of wall

27. What About Our Schools?

44. The Fallacy of Air Testing • Lack of standard testing methodology • Tape sample • Settling plate • Air-O-Cell • Andersen N-6

45. The Fallacy of Air Testing • Lack of standard interpretation • Indoor vs. Outdoor • Speciation • Concentration

46. Let’s Do A Couple Of Examples • Example One • Outdoor Concentrations • O1 1,000 M • O2 500 M 3 3 3 Average 750 M

47. Let’s Do A Couple Of Examples • Example One • Outdoor Average 750 M • Room 1 250 M • Room 2 500 M • Room 3 600 M 3 3 3 3 • Interpretation: Rooms are all good

48. Let’s Do A Couple Of Examples • Example Two • Outdoor Concentrations • O1 500 M • O2 600 M 3 3 3 Average 550 M

49. Let’s Do A Couple Of Examples • Example Two • Outdoor Average 550 M • Room 1 250 M • Room 2 500 M • Room 3 600 M 3 3 3 3 • Interpretation: Room 3 is bad

50. Commercial Testing Kits