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Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Is your work place "killing" you?

The term "sick building syndrome" (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and discomfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building. In contrast, the term "building related illness" (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants.

A 1984 World Health Organization Committee report suggested that up to 30 percent of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be the subject of excessive complaints related to INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ). Often this condition is temporary, but some buildings have long-term problems. Frequently, problems result when a building is operated or maintained in a manner that is inconsistent with its original design or prescribed operating procedures. Sometimes indoor air problems are a result of poor building design or occupant activities.

Indicators of SBS Include:

Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.

The direct cause of the symptoms is not known, however, some of the complainants report much relief soon after leaving the affected building.

Indicators of BRI Include:

1. Building occupants complain of symptoms such as cough; chest tightness; fever, chills; and muscle aches
2. The symptoms can be clinically defined and have clearly identifiable causes.
3. Complainants may require prolonged recovery times after leaving the building.
4. It is important to note that complaints may result from other causes. These may include an illness contracted outside the building, acute sensitivity (e.g., allergies), job related stress or dissatisfaction, and other psychosocial factors. Nevertheless, studies show that symptoms may be caused or exacerbated by indoor air quality problems.

Causes of Sick Building Syndrome

The following have been cited as some causes of or contributing factors to sick building syndrome:

Inadequate Ventilation

In many cases outdoor (fresh) air ventilation rates are found to be inadequate to maintain the health and comfort of building occupants. Inadequate ventilation, which may also occur if ventilating, and air conditioning (AHU) systems do not effectively distribute air to people in the building, is thought to be an important factor in SBS.

Chemical Contaminants From Indoor Sources

Most indoor air pollution comes from sources inside the building. For example, adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde. Environmental tobacco smoke contributes high levels of VOCs, other toxic compounds, and respirable particulate matter. Research shows that some VOCs can cause chronic and acute health effects at high concentrations, and some are known carcinogens. Low to moderate levels of multiple VOCs may also produce acute reactions.

Chemical Contaminants From Outdoor Sources

The outdoor air that enters a building can be a source of indoor air pollution. Pollutants from motor vehicle exhausts; plumbing vents, and building exhausts (e.g., bathrooms and kitchens) can enter the building through poorly located air intake vents, windows, and other openings. In addition, combustion products can enter a building from nearby highways.

Biological Contaminants

Bacteria, molds, pollen, and viruses are types of biological contaminants. These contaminants may breed in stagnant water that has accumulated in ducts, humidifiers and drain pans, or where water has collected on ceiling tiles, carpeting, or insulation. Sometimes insects or bird droppings can be a source of biological contaminants. Physical symptoms related to biological contamination include cough, chest tightness, fever, chills, muscle aches, and allergic responses such as mucous membrane irritation and upper respiratory congestion. One indoor bacterium, Legionella, has caused both Legionnaire's Disease and Pontiac Fever.

These elements may act in combination, and may supplement other complaints such as inadequate temperature, humidity, or lighting. Even after a building investigation, however, the specific causes of the complaints may remain unknown.

Solutions to Sick Building Syndrome

The solutions to sick building syndrome are varied but will usually include combinations of the following:

Pollutant Source Removal or Modification

This is an effective approach to resolving an IAQ problem when the sources are known and control is feasible. Examples include routine maintenance of AHU systems, institution of smoking restrictions, venting contaminant emissions to the outdoors, proper storage of chemicals and other products which might off gas, and allowing time for new or remodeled office spaces to cure before occupancy.

Increasing Ventilation Rates

Increased ventilation rates and more effective air distribution can be a cost effective means of reducing indoor pollutant levels. Often, IAQ consultants will claim, "dilution is the solution for indoor air pollution." Although not the first method to consider (source removal is the preferred method) dilution will help to reduce the concentration of pollutants until more effective control methods can be determined.

Air Filtration

The proper selection and implementation of air filtration is an effective method to consider when it can be used in conjunction with source control or increased ventilation. A particle control device such as a typical building’s air filter is inexpensive, but generally does not effectively capture small particles. High performance like HEPA air filters designed to capture the smaller particles may be a more effective choice, although their price will be greater. Specialized filters can remove certain gases, but these are usually quite expensive.

Surface Treatment

The treatment of all surfaces with a non-leaching anti microbial for walls, concrete ceiling, ceiling tiles, floors, carpeting, and upholstered furniture especially areas where humidity is expected to be high such as wash rooms and pantry areas. It will eliminate the growth of micro-organism which depends strongly on these surfaces for growth. This treatment is most effective when used in conjunction with keeping the humidity low.

Solving the Indoor Air Quality Problem and Certifying a Building as Healthy (Healthy Building Certification Program).

Many IAQ problems are simple to resolve when facility staff has been educated about the investigation process. In other cases, however, a time comes when outside assistance is needed. Professional help might be necessary or desirable in the following situations, among others:

• Mistakes or delays could have serious consequences (e.g., health hazards, liability exposure, and regulatory sanctions).
• Building management feels that an independent investigation would be better received or more effectively documented than an in-house investigation.
• Investigation and mitigation efforts by facility staff have not relieved the IAQ problem
• Preliminary findings by staff suggest the need for measurements that require specialized equipment and training beyond in-house capabilities.

What we do:

We discuss your concerns and symptoms, as well as where and when you are having problems. We do a walk-through inspection of your school or office building carrying instruments that will measure the following conditions:

• Temperature and relative humidity of the air
• Moisture content of walls, ceilings, and floors
• Chemical gasses including outgassing from carpets, furniture, furnace etc.
• Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide levels
• Fine dust levels in the air

What we inspect:

We look at the entire building. Environmental problems are not always from one source. Often several things interact to cause a problem. We inspect your:

• AHU ducts and filters, ventilation system
• Pollutants - Pesticides, solvents, deodorizers, cleaning products
• Moisture leaks
• Materials - Carpets, pads and subfloor, cabinets, shelves, trim, textured (plaster) ceilings and insulation

Testing options:

We recommend minimum testing or sampling in most buildings to find out what is there that is not visible.

Minimum assessment tests include one air test and one settled dust test although this depends on the size of the building inspected. The air test captures, identifies and counts the molds, yeast and dust particles in the breathing air. Each mold species is identified and counts are given in spores per cubic meter. The total dust concentration as well as a list of all the different kinds of particles found is also given. The air test is a “snapshot” of what people were breathing on the day we tested.

The settled dust test collects dust from locations in the inspected area on a sterile swab. The swab is sent to a lab and grown out on a Petri-dish. The results are given in colony forming units per swab.

This dust test detects mold spores that have been settling into the dust over the past several weeks or months.

Both tests together give a good picture of past and present conditions. Your results are compared with the outside environment conditions and recommended practice by DOSH. Results that are significantly higher than the median level in our database usually indicate an Indoor Air Quality problem in your building.

What you will receive:

You will receive a comprehensive report after the inspection that will describe our observations, all test results with interpretations, conclusions and recommendations.

1. Findings – Observations and test results
   • What the walk-through found
   • What were the test results
   • What the levels and units mean
   • Description of instruments used
2. Interpretations – What the findings mean
   • How bad is it? – a slight, moderate or severe problem
   • How these results compare to other similar buildings in your area and the outside environment
   • Most probable cause of the problems?
   • How concerned should you be? A few square inches of mold on one window will not be a problem for most people. A wall or closet full of mold will be a problem for almost everyone.
3. Recommendations – What to do about it
Every problem has a solution. We give step-by-step instructions on how to deal with any problems found.
• Effective and safe clean-up procedures
• Resources for remediation and repair services and healthier products
• Ways to prevent reoccurrence of problems
• Air conditioning and air filtration improvements
• Ventilation improvements

Conclusion:

Indoor Air Quality is one of the major health concerns of modern time. It needs to be addressed swiftly for long term well being and continued optimum productivity. The annual Healthy Building Certification Program will ensure the health and safety of the occupants and increased productivity and profitability for the owners.

Kirit Kumar
Indoor Air Quality Specialist

BBA (Spore), Grad Dip Mkt Comms (Spore), Certified Mold Remediation Specialist (American Indoor Air Quality Council - USA), Certified Indoor Air Quality Technician (American Indoor Air Quality Council - USA), Certified Indoor Air Quality Technician (Association of Energy Engineers - USA), Senior Carpet Inspector (IICRC - USA), Master Cleaner (IICRC- USA), Master Restorer (IICRC - USA), Certified Restorer (ASCR-USA).

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