Dealing With and Responding to IEQ Issues

Dealing With and Responding to IEQ Issues Risk Management and Safety Conference J. Michael Taylor, MSPH, CIH Manager Health and Environmental Issues LDS Church, Risk Management Division 801-240-1576 August 10, 2006

Mold Risks Recognized Anciently • Leviticus 14:33-48 • Homeowners with mold contamination on their walls were instructed to scrape it off, then have the area checked by a priest. • If successive scraping or cleaning did not keep the mold from returning, the house was to be destroyed with the debris dumped in an unclean place

Hurricanes Charlie, Francis, Ivan, Jeanne Florida Church Unit: Various—Florida USA Date: August-September 2004 Impact:Wind and water damage to 27 meetinghouses

Name: Hurricane Katrina, Monday, August 29, 2005 Description: Over eight million dollars damage to over 40 buildings. Four buildings over one million.

Name: Waveland, MS Description: Beachfront house

Name: Waveland, MS Description: Bathtub near beachfront

Name: Waveland, MS Description: Damage from twenty foot tidal surge

Name: Waveland, MS Description: Remains of chapel (not LDS)

Name: New Orleans 1, 2 Meetinghouse Description: Exterior

Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Water line on meetinghouse fence

Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Hallway

Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Clerk’s desk on rostrum

Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Rostrum

Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Chapel

Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Sacrament preparation room

Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Sisal

Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Exterior

Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: South hallway

Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Cultural Hall

Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Moisture meter measurement, men’s restroom

Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Hex Screws not tightened on automated OA damper, manual OA damper open

Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Condensation on coil housing, water on mechanical room floor

Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Water leaking from rusted out drain pan

Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Make up air from chapel air handler coming from attic. Manual damper closed.

Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Building Exterior

Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Manual damper shut. Automated damper not functional.

Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Building remediation and air sampling

Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Moisture-saturated plywood

Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Condensation on chapel ceiling

Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Visible mold growth on base of rostrum

Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Building exterior

Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Automated OA damper disconnected

Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Humidification system

Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Carpet water stains in cultural hall

Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Relief society room diffuser with mold growth

Name: Jacksonville Beach FL Meetinghouse Description: Building exterior

Name: Jacksonville Beach FL Meetinghouse Description: Automated OA damper for cultural hall open and disconnected

Name: Jacksonville Beach FL Meetinghouse Description: Aspergillus mold growth on organ

Name: Pocatello Welfare Family Services Office Description: Building exterior

Name: Pocatello Welfare Family Services Office Description: Sampling for trace VOCs

Name: Pocatello Welfare Family Services Office Description: Sampling for mold

Lessons Learned • Water-damaged buildings have a higher risk of mold problems likely related to residual moisture • Most meetinghouses have HVAC problems • HVAC fans should run continuously in occupied mode • HVAC systems not designed to reduce elevated moisture loads • Outdoor air damper management is critical in hot, humid climates

Lessons Learned • Control of structural moisture and airborne humidity prevents mold growth and reoccurrence of mold growth • Best practices should be followed for water damage restoration and mold remediation Continued

HVAC Systems in Older Buildings • Each building is unique • Most buildings were designed with a ventilation rate of 5 cfm of outdoor air per occupant • OA dampers are often open bringing hot, humid air into buildings.

Outdoor Air Dampers • In hot, humid climates, OA dampers should be closed in unoccupied mode • Automated dampers should open in occupied mode • Manual OA should be balanced • Manual OA dampers may be closed temporarily after water damage • OA dampers should be regularly inspected and maintained

IAQ Assessment Guideline IAQ Assessment Guideline is core process • Log complaints • Conduct a background assessment • Conduct a building walk-through • Assess HVAC system performance • Determine possible sources of mold problems • Develop an action plan • Get professional help if needed • Communicate with occupants and management

Log Complaints Log Complaints using Indoor Air Quality Report

Log Complaints Review forms for the following: • IEQ discomforts • Signs or symptoms of health problems • When did the discomforts or symptoms begin and how often did they occur? • Did the discomforts and symptoms continue outside the building? • Dates and nature of IEQ episodes • Comments that may help identify sources of IEQ problems

Conduct Background Assessment Gather the following historical information: • Age of the building • Type of construction • Types of finishing materials • Age and type of HVAC system • Recent renovations • Previously reported air quality problems • Quality and frequency of maintenance and custodial service

Conduct Walk-Trough Look at the building and record all your findings: • Layout and potential air-flow problems • HVAC equipment for potential chemical or microbiological problems. • Storage places for chemicals and supplies • Outside air-intake locations • Outside air dampers to see if they are open and operating • Temperature levels outside and inside • Check humidity and carbon dioxide levels if monitoring equipment is available

Dealing With and Responding to IEQ Issues