Indoor Air Quality

2. Indoor Air Quality Sean Mahar, PhD, CIH, CSP, PE

3. Problems Sick Building Syndrome Asthma Allergies Building Related Illnesses

4. Sick Building Syndrome In "sick building syndrome" (SBS) building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. In "building related illness" (BRI) symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants

5. Sick Building Syndrome • 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 cause of the symptoms is not known. • Most report relief soon after leaving the building.

6. Asthma Characterized by episodes of airflow obstruction in the bronchial tubes. Symptoms caused by this obstruction include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. Although problems are often separated by symptom-free periods, asthma is a chronic illness.

9. Common Asthmagens • Isocyanates • Solder fume • Metals • Latex • Vegetable dusts • Animal proteins • Enzymes

10. Allergic Reactions Include: • Allergic Alveolitis • Rhinitis

11. Allergic Alveolitis Also known as: Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis(HP) or Extrinsic Allergic alveolitis (EAA) Other names include: • farmers lung • bagassosis • pigeon fanciers lung

12. Allergic Alveolitis Acute symptoms include fever, chills, dyspnea, leukocytosis 4-6 hours after exposure and may recur on re-exposure. Chronic disease shows progressive dyspnea, fatigue, low-grade fever, weight loss, chronic nonproductive cough, and bibasilar crackles.

13. Allergic Alveolitis a restrictive type impairment type III and IV hypersensitivity reaction

14. Farmers Lung source: moldy crops organisms: Thermoactinomyces sacchari Thermoactinomyces vulgaris Micropolyspora faeni

15. Bagassosis source: moldy sugar cane organisms: Thermoactinomyces vulgaris Micropolyspora faeni Aspergillus species

16. Pigeon Fancier’s Lung source: pigeon dustand bloom substance: proteins

17. Rhinitis A reaction that occurs in the eyes, nose and throat when airborne irritants or allergens trigger the release of histamine. Histamine causes inflammation and fluid production in the fragile linings of nasal passages, sinuses, and eyelids.

18. Rhinitis • sneezing • congestion • runny nose • itchy nose, throat, eyes, and ears

19. Rhinitis Allergic rhinitis • pollen • dust mites • mold • animal dander

20. Rhinitis Nonallergic rhinitis • fumes • odors • temperature • smoke • other irritants

21. Building Related Illnesses Include: • Legionairres Disease (Legionllosis) • Pontiac Fever • Humidifier Fever

22. Legionella pneumophila Discovered in 1976 when an outbreak of pneumonia at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia led to 29 deaths. Causative agent for both Legionellosis and Pontiac Fever

23. Legionella pneumophila motile, Gram-negative, anaerobic rod reproduce to high numbers in warm, stagnant water (90°-105° F)

24. Legionellosis Symptoms include fever, chills, and a cough, which may be dry or may produce sputum. Can also include muscle aches, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, and, occasionally, diarrhea. Laboratory tests may show kidney function abnormalities.

25. Legionellosis Chest X-rays often show pneumonia. Difficult to distinguish from other types of pneumonia by symptoms alone. Time between exposure to the bacterium and the onset of illness is 2 to 10 days.

26. Legionellosis Middle-aged and older persons, particularly those who smoke cigarettes or have chronic lung disease at primary risk. Immunocompromised people (AIDS, cancer patients, etc ) also at increased risk.

27. Pontiac Fever Symptoms include fever and muscle aches and do not have pneumonia. Recovery in 2 to 5 days without treatment. Time between exposure and illness generally a few hours to 2 days Anyone is at risk

28. Primary Components, Dry Air Nitrogen 78.084 % Oxygen 20.9476 % Argon 0.934 % Carbon Dioxide 0.0314 % CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 1997

29. Minor Components, Dry Air Neon 0.001818 % Methane 0.0002 % Helium 0.000524 % Krypton 0.000114 % Hydrogen 0.00005 % Xenon 0.0000087 % CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 1997

30. Airflow in buildings • Infiltration • Exfiltration

31. Asbestos Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Carbon Monoxide (CO) Formaldehyde (HCHO) Lead (Pb) Mold Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Odor Ozone (O3) Particles Radon (Rn) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Water Vapor Contaminants

32. WARNING CONTAINS ASBESTOS a Breathing asbestos dust is dangerous to health Follow safety instructions Asbestos Building materials, insulation Diseases of IAQ concern: • Lung cancer • Mesothelioma UK Legislation CAWR requires assessment and management in all UK commercial properties

33. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Often used as a surrogate for IAQ measures • No health effects below 7000 to 20,000 ppm • As a surrogate it is kept below outdoor conc. + 700 ppm Maintaining CO2 concentrations within 700 ppm of outdoors should provide acceptable perceived air quality in terms of human body odor, it does not necessarily imply adequate control of these other pollutant sources

34. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Leaking vented combustion appliances, unvented combustion appliances, parking garages Recommended IAQ level • 3 ppm above outdoor level (alert) • 9 ppm (health) Alert level an indication of abnormal indoor concentration; Health level based on effects on persons with coronary artery disease, average exposure for 8 hours.

35. Formaldehyde (HCHO) Pressed-wood products, furniture and furnishings Recommended IAQ level • 120 µg/m3 (0.1 ppm) Based on irritation of sensitive people, 30-minute exposure (WHO).

36. Lead (Pb) Paint dust, outdoor air Recommended IAQ level • 1.5 µg/m3 Based on adverse effects on neuropsychological functioning of children, average exposure for 3 months (WHO: 0.5-1 µg/m3 for 1 year).

37. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Leaking vented combustion appliances, unvented comb. appl. Outdoor air Recommended IAQ level • 100 µg/m3 Based on providing protection against adverse respiratory effects, average exposure for 1 year.

38. Odor Occupants, fungal (mold) sources, VOC sources, outdoor air Predicted acceptability to 80% or more of occupants or visitors CO2 concentration can be used as a surrogate for occupant odors (odorous bioeffluents).

39. Ozone (O3) Electrostatic appliances, Office machines, Ozone generators, Outdoor air Recommended IAQ level • 100 µg/m3 (50 ppb) Based on potential for adverse acute and chronic effects, and an additional margin of protection, 8-hr exposure (WHO); continuous exposure (FDA)

40. Mold Current bogeyman of US IAQ community

41. Particles PM10, PM2.5, Dust, Smoke, Deteriorating materials, Outdoor air 50 µg/m3 Based on protecting against respiratory morbidity in the general population and avoiding exacerbation of asthma, average exposure for 1 year, no carcinogens. Indoor concentrations are normally lower; guideline level may lead to unacceptable deposition of "dust."

42. Radon (Rn) Soil gas Recommended IAQ level • 4 pCi/liter Based on lung cancer, average exposure for 1 year. Rn

43. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Unvented space heaters (kerosene), outdoor air Recommended IAQ level • 80 µg/m3 Based on protecting against respiratory morbidity in the general population and avoiding exacerbation of asthma, average exposure for 1 year (WHO: 50 µg/m3 if with PM)

44. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) organic (carbon-based) compounds that evaporates at ambient temperatures New building materials and furnishings, consumable products, maintenance materials, paint, mold, outdoor air Recommended IAQ level • 300-3000 µg/m3 (complaints possible) • >3000 µg/m3 (complaints likely)

45. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Odor and irritation responses to organic compounds are highly variable. The three guidelines for this class of compounds represent ranges where odor and irritation complaints are seldom observed (comfort range); where complaints can become significant in buildings (comfort - discomfort range); and where significant complaints are likely (discomfort range). Average indoor concentrations in most buildings are well below 1000 µg/m3.

46. Water Vapor • Humidity shouldn't exceed 60% during occupied periods, and no greater than 70% during unoccupied periods • (to minimize the potential for microbial growth in indoor spaces. Moisture is the primary factor that limits the growth of fungi on construction and finishing materials.)

47. Diagnosis • Determine fresh air • Measure temperature • Measure likely contaminants • CO2 as surrogate • Question occupants

48. Summer Temp

49. Winter Temp

50. Humidity