indoor air quality.ppt

8/10/2019 indoor air quality.ppt

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A study of Indoor Air Qualityin

indoor spaces/environments


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Acceptable indoor air quality refers to air in which

there are no known contaminants at harmful

concentrations as determined by the public health

authorities, and with which a substantial majority of

the people exposed do not express dissatisfaction.

Indoor air refersto the air inside a building, including air which is within a

room and air which is removed from a room by mechanical means.

Outdoor air refersto the air in the external surroundings.

Building-related illness refers to any illness which occurs directly as a

result of human exposure to a specific health hazard present in the

building.

Glossary


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Air-conditioningrefers to the process of treating air to meet

requirements of a conditioned space by controlling its

temperature, humidity, cleanliness and distribution.

Air temperature refers to the dry-bulb

temperature of the air surrounding the occupant.

Sick building syndrome refers to an excess of work-related

irritations of the skin and mucous membranes and other

symptoms (including headache and fatigue) reported by

occupants in modern office buildings.


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Indoor environmental quality (IEQ)

It refers to the quality of the air and environment inside

buildings, based on pollutant concentrations and conditions that

can affect the health, comfort and performance of occupants--

including temperature, relative humidity, light, sound and other

factors.

Good IEQ is an essential component of any building.


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Ventilationrefers to the process of supplying and removing air by natural

or mechanical means to and from any space. Such air may or may not

be conditioned.

ACMV system refers to the air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation

system of the building.

Contaminantrefers to an unwanted airborne constituent that may reduce

acceptability of the indoor air quality.

voc-(volatile organic compounds): volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

are chemicals used to manufacture and prepare many building

materials, interior furnishings, textiles, office equipment, cleaners,

personal care supplies, and pesticides.


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Why is Indoor Air Quality Important?

Indoor air quality is a major concern to businesses,

building managers, tenants, and employees

because it can impact the health, comfort, well

being, and productivity of building occupants.

Good indoor air quality is important to human health

because people spend a significant fraction of their

time indoors (Bernestein et al. 2008).


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Indoor air quality has become a huge concern over the past

decade.

The EPA has acknowledged indoor air quality as one of the topfive environmental health risks.

This is compounded further by the fact that we spend the

majority of our time indoors: whether we are in school, at work,

or at home.

These indoor environments often emit and harbor harmful

particles and vapors that frequently cause what is referred to as

"sick building syndrome".

Prolonged exposure to indoor environments often results in

occupants complaining about fatigue, headaches, nausea, andirritation- all due to the off-gassing of many common products

such as carpeting, household cleaners, and furniture.

significance of iaq


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Air pollution has become a major concern in India in

recent years both because it is now clear that largeparts of the Indian urban population are exposed to

some of the highest pollutant levels in the worldand

also because new studies around the world on the

health effects of air pollution have increased

confidence in estimates of the risks posed by air

pollution exposures .

Why now..


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Indoor Air is 2 to 5 Times More Polluted Than

Outdoor Air

Most of our exposure to environmental pollutants

occurs by breathing the air indoors. These pollutants

come from activities, products and materials we useevery day. The air in our homes, schools and offices

can be 2 to 5 times more polluted, and in some cases

100 times more polluted, than outdoor air.


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Office -definition

An officeis generally a room or other area in which

people work, but may also denote a position withinan organization with specific duties attached to it.

A workplace is any physical or virtual space where working

relationships exist, where employer-employee relations exist.

Office layout types

Open cell layout

Closed Cell layout

Hybrid Layout


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Office spaces

The main purpose of an office environment is to support its occupants in

performing their job - preferably at minimum cost and to maximumsatisfaction.

With different people performing different tasks and activities, however, it is

not always easy to maintain good iaq in office spaces.

Typologies of Offices:

Government /Public offices

Company owned offices/private offices


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Objective: Why good iaq is important in offices

Good IAQ in office buildings is an important component

of a healthy indoor environment.

It contributes to a favorable and productive environment for building

occupants, giving them a sense of comfort, health, and well-being.

Significant increases in worker productivity have also been demonstrated

when the air quality was adequate .

Research has also shown that workers in buildings with adequate air

quality have reduced rates of symptoms related to poor air quality .


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Research into economics

Benefits that result from improving air quality should be added

in

Less sick leave days

Less worker complaints

Change in workers comfort level

Increase in productivity

Increase in moral

Reduced healthcare costs Less maintenance costs

Less turnover of employees


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THE KEY ELEMENTS OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY:

VENTILATION


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Indoor air quality assessment in a school building in

Chennai City, India .

Author(s):S. M. Shiva Nagendra & P. Sri Harika

Abstract:

During recent years, concerns over the effects of poor indoor air

quality (IAQ) have been increased and wide spectrums of

symptoms/illnesses are related to indoor air pollution in many urban

centers of the world.

In India, it is estimated that about half a million women and children

die per year due to indoor air pollution.

Therefore, maintaining an acceptable IAQ is important in places

such as schools, corporate office buildings, hospitals and houses.

Desktop study -1


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It is hypothesized that the higher indoor pollutant concentrations of

the buildings located near busy traffic roads are mostly influenced by

elevated outdoor vehicular pollutant concentrations.

In this paper an attempt has been made to analyze the indoor air

quality of a naturally ventilated school building, Kendriya Vidyalaya,

located in the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai,

India.

This building is located close to an urban road with heavy traffic flow,

within a range of 100 m from the busy traffic junction.

Desktop study -1


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The indoor pollutants, namely carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon

dioxide (CO2), along with meteorological parameters such as

temperature and relative humidity, have been measured inside the

school building.

The vehicular pollutant CO has also been measured at the road side

to develop the indoor and outdoor CO relationship.

Desktop study -1


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the vehicular pollutant CO has also been measured at the road side to

develop the indoor and outdoor CO relationship.

Further, a questionnaire survey has also been conducted to evaluate the

general environmental conditions (sick building syndrome) of the school

building. The result indicated that hourly the CO2 concentration inside the

school room is 927 ppm during morning working hours (10.00a.m).

This concentration is close to standard value of 1000 ppm specified by theNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), USA.

The measured concentrations inside the school building are within the

standard.

Desktop study -1


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Productivity and Indoor Air Quality

Olesen, Bjarne

International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy

Technical University of DenmarkNils Koppels Alle, Build. 402, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

People spend in industrialized countries more than 90 % of there lives in an artificial indoor

environment (home, transportation, work).

In typical office buildings the cost of people is a factor 100 higher than energy costs, which

make the performance of people at their work significantly more important than energy

costs.

Studies on people sick leaves show a very high loss of work time and performance, which

have significant economical consequences for companies.

Recent studies in offices and schools show that comfortable room temperatures,increased

ventilation above normal recommendation, reduction of indoor pollution sources and more

effective ventilation increases the performance of people.

The results indicate increase of productivity of 5-10 %. KEYWORDS: health, comfort, productivity, indoor

Desktop study -2


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Negative effects of poor Indoor Air Quality:

Pollutants may contribute to short-term and long-term health

problems, like asthma, respiratory tract infections, allergic reactions,

headaches, congestion, eye and skin irritations, coughing, sneezing,

fatigue, dizziness and nausea.

Indoor air pollutants can cause uneasiness or discomfort, and

reduces attendance and productivity.

Recent data conveyed that poor IAQ could reduce a persons skill to

complete particular mental tasks requiring concentration, calculation,

or memory.


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Indoor air pollutants accelerate building degradation. For example,

uncontrolled moisture can result in mold growth of mold or fungi that

leads to the architectural decay of building components. Poor indoor air quality causes stress in relationships among

employees, family members, parents, teachers, students, and

school administrations.

Indoor air quality problems can also lead to liability issues, lawsuits,

or disputes.

Negative effects of poor Indoor Air Quality:


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IAQ Standards are given by:

Ashrae- American society of Heating, Refrigerating,

and Air Conditioning Engineers

Oshaoccupational safety and health administration

Niosh- National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health.


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NIOSH found that the primary sources of indoor air quality

problems are:

Inadequate ventilation 52%

Contamination from inside

building16%

Contamination from outsidebuilding

10%

Microbial contamination 5%

Contamination from

building fabric4%

Unknown sources 13%

RECOMMENDED VENTILATION RATES


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RECOMMENDED VENTILATION RATES.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers

(ASHRAE) established recommended ventilation rates for indoor environments in

1973.

ASHRAE amended this standard in 1975 to specify the minimum value of 5 cubic

feet per minute (CFM) of outdoor air per person be used in building design. This

standard has been incorporated into the building codes of many cities and states.

The 62-1989 standard recommends a minimum of 15 CFM of outdoor air per person

for offices (reception areas) and 20 CFM per person for general office space with a

moderate amount of smoking.

Sixty cubic feet per minute per person is recommended for smoking lounges withlocal mechanical exhaust ventilation and no air recirculation.


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Volatile organic compounds are found in a number

of products including:

Furniture ,Paint ,Paint strippers ,Adhesives/glues ,

Solvents ,Upholstery , Contaminated water Draperies ,

Carpet, Spray cans ,Clothing

Cleaning products ,Copy machine toners ,

Felt-tip markers/pens ,Correction fluidCarbonless (NCR) copy paper ,Building materials

Aerosol sprays ,Disinfectants ,Fuels,Tobacco smoke

Air fresheners/deodorizers

Pesticides ,Mothballs ,Dry-cleaned clothing

Hairsprays ,Perfumes ,Nail polish ,Fabric softeners


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TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds)

Less than 0.20 mg/m - No irritation or discomfort

expected

0.20-3.0 mg/m - Irritation and discomfort may be

possible

3.0-25.0 mg/m - Discomfort expected and headache

possible

Greater than 25 mg/m - Toxic range where other

neurotoxic effects may occur


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Carbon Dioxide-NIOSH recommendations:

250-350 ppm normal outdoor ambient concentrations

600 ppm minimal air quality complaints

600-1,000 ppm less clearly interpreted

1,000 ppm indicates inadequate ventilation; complaints such as

headaches, fatigue, and eye and throat irritation will

be more widespread; 1,000 ppm should be used as

an upper limit for indoor levels


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Concentrations and Emission Rates of VOCs for Common Materials

Building Material VOC Concentration, mg/m3 VOC Emission Rate,

mg/m2h

Concrete with water-based

form-release agent

0.018 0.003

Acrylic latex paint 2.00 0.43

Epoxy, clear floor varnish 5.45 1.3

Felt carpet 1.95 0.080

Gypsum board N/A 0.026Linoleum 5.19 0.22

Particle board N/A 2.0

Plastic silicone sealer 77.9 26.0

Plywood paneling N/A 1.0

Putty strips 1.38 0.34

PVA glue cement 57.8 10.2

Sheet vinyl flooring 54.8 2.3

Silicone caulk N/A


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Standards and Guidelines for IAQ

There is no legislation regulating indoor air quality.

The standard most widely used was produced by theAmerican

Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Thisstandard defines acceptable indoor air quality as air inwhich....a substantial majority (80% or more) of the

people exposed do not express dissatisfaction.

Recommendations include:

temperatureof 20 - 23.5 degrees Celsius in

winter and 23 - 26 degrees Celsius in summer

relative humidity (measure of moisture in the air)

between 30% - 60%. carbon dioxide levels can be measured to see if

the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning

(HVAC) system is working properly.

Q ( Q)


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Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is enhanced by utilizing materials that meet the

following criteria: Low or non-toxic: Materials that emit few or no carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, or irritants

as demonstrated by the manufacturer through appropriate testing.

Minimal chemical emissions: Products that have minimal emissions of Volatile Organic

Compounds (VOCs). Products that also maximize resource and energy efficiency while

reducing chemical emissions.

Low-VOC assembly: Materials installed with minimal VOC-producing compounds, or no-VOCmechanical attachment methods and minimal hazards.

Moisture resistant: Products and systems that resist moisture or inhibit the growth of biological

contaminants in buildings.

Healthfully maintained:Materials, components, and systems that require only simple, non-

toxic, or low-VOC methods of cleaning.

Systems or equipment: Products that promote healthy IAQ by identifying indoor air pollutants

or enhancing the air quality.


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Indoor Air Quality

In the news since the energy crisis of the 70snecessitated tighter construction

Same time frame more workers become whitecollar due to the computer revolution

More people in tighter environment

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is born

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings

Si k b ildi d


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Sick building syndrome:

Workers become ill at workplace and get better at

home.

NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health )uses the term Indoor environmental quality

(IEQ) to describe this.

Examples include:

Legionellosis

Allergic reactions Mold and Fungus

Hypersensitivity


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NIOSH believes the problem is not just what

one breathes

Factors in Building-Related Illness

Job stress

Ergonomic stress

Lighting Noise

Temperature extremes

These factors may occur individually orcombined


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Symptoms of SBS

Itching, burning eyes

Irritated skin

Nasal congestion

Fatigue

Dry irritated throats

Nausea

headaches


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NIOSH found that high stress environments include:

Humidity problems

Unacceptable noise levels

Adverse ergonomic conditions

Improper temperature conditions

Inadequate ventilation

S f l d A i k i


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Seventy percent of employed Americans work in non-

agricultural, non-industrial environments


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Improving building environments

There are 89 million workers in the US who mainly work

indoors

Cleaner indoor environments could help an estimated 15million of them

There is no OSHA regulation regarding indoor air quality

in offices


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OSHAs recommendations

There is no mention of office standards

Inquiries are delegated to either NIOSH, EPA or ASHRAE

ASHRAE standards were set in 1973 and updated in 1975

Recommend an exchange rate of 5 cubic feet of outside air per

minute for every person working in a building

OSHA M j I d Ai C i


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OSHA Major Indoor Air Contaminants

Compound Source Health Effects

Acetic Acid Silicone caulk, x-ray equipment Mucous membrane irritant

Carbon Dioxide Unvented appliances, human respiration,

combustion

Loss of concentration, sleepy, quicker

respirations

Carbon Monoxide Tobacco smoke, improperly ventedexhaust or appliances Headache, nausea, cyanosis,cardiovascular effects, death

Formaldehyde Foam insulation, plywood, particle board,

paneling, carpeting, fabrics, glues

Allergic reactions, rashes, eye, respiratory,

and mucous membrane irritation, odor

Nitrogen Oxides Improperly vented exhaust or appliances,

tobacco smoke, welding

Irritation to mucous membranes

OSHA Major Indoor Air Contaminants


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OSHA Major Indoor Air ContaminantsSource: OSHA Technical Manual: Section III: Chapter 2, pp.2-3

Ozone Copy machinery, air cleaners, electrical

arcing, smog

Mucous membrane irritation,

aggravated chronic respiratory

diseases

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Copiers, glue, paint, asphalt, gasoline andtobacco smoke, cosmetics, glue, dried

floor drains, cleaning compounds

Dizziness, nausea, mucous membraneirritation, fatigue, headache

Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide Microfilm, window cleaner, drain cleaners

blue-print equipment, tobacco smoke,

combustion products

Mucous membrane irritation, aggravated

chronic respiratory diseases

Synthetic Fibers Fibrous glass and mineral wool Dermatitis, eye, skin, lung irritant

Tobacco Smoke Pipe, cigar, cigarette smoking Respiratory system, eye and nasal

irritation, coughing, wheezing, sneezing,

headache, sinus problems, contains

several hundred toxic substances

Microorganisms and biological

contaminants

Air conditioning condensate, cooling

towers, water damaged materials, indoor

high humidity, hot water systems, plants,

animals, insects, food and food products

Allergic reactions, pneumonias, humidifier

fever, infections such as legionellosis.

Symptoms include chills, fever, aching

muscles, tight chest, cough, headaches,

diarrhea and nausea


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Smoking.

Smoking should be banned from inside buildings

Outside smoking areas should be kept away

from ventilation uptakes and away from doors or

windows


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Ventilation is key

Good ventilation moves a lot of air

Humidity should be kept low indoors to prevent

mold and fungus growth.

Moisture should not accumulate in drip pans and

there should be no water damage due to leakyroofs


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Molds

Biological threat to indoor air quality

Moisture either due to water damage orhigh humidity.

Mold will grow where it has food andwater.

Eliminating water from the indoor

environment will limit mold growth.


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Places mold loves

Leaking roofs

Substandard maintenance

Cold spots Localized flooding

Malfunctioning humidifiers

Leaky plumbing


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Mold

Mold is big business and business is thriving


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Mold in buildings can cause

Aggravation of asthma symptoms Headaches

Allergic reactions

Some molds are toxic Severity of symptoms

Depend on the ages of the individuals that areexposed

Length of exposure

Sensitivities that might already exist

R d


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Radon

Radioactive gas produced as radium decays

Present in almost all soils and in rocks

Migrates through groundwater and soil

Seeps into homes and buildings through the

foundations Second to smoking in causing lung cancer

EPA had success in homes now wants to test incommercial buildings


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Asbestos

Fibrous mineral found in rocks

Extruded into filaments that cannot be seen with the

naked eye

Under the right conditions can suspend in the air andbe inhaled

Causes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma

Can take up to 20 years after exposure to manifest

Asbestos


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Asbestos

More of a threat to maintenance workers because it

was used as insulation in boiler rooms and service

areas

If it is intact OSHA does not recommend moving it, just

monitoring

NIOSH advocates its removal in all cases and believes

there is no safe amount of asbestos

More of a danger during demolition or renovation


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Asbestos


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Asbestos

EPA estimates that friable (easily crumbled) asbestos

exists in 700,000 public and commercial buildings

EPA and NIOSH 5 facts about asbestos:

Asbestos is dangerous but only if airborne

Average amount in buildings is low making healthrisks low

Ill advised removal is more dangerous than

monitoring

Removal is only necessary in renovation or demolition

Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants


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Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants

1. Building Site or Location:

The location of a building can have implications for indoor

pollutants.

Highways or busy thoroughfares may be sources of

particulates and other pollutants in nearby buildings.

Buildings sited on land where there was prior industrial use

or where there is a high water table may result in leaching

of water or chemical pollutants into the building.

2. Building Design:


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u d g es g

Design and construction flaws may contribute to indoor

air pollution.

Poor foundations, roofs, facades, and window and Door

openings may allow pollutant or water intrusion.

Outside air intakes placed near sources where

pollutants are drawn back into the building (e.g., idling

vehicles, products of combustion, waste containers, etc.)

or where building exhaust reenters into the building can

be a constant source of pollutants.

Buildings with multiple tenants may need an evaluation to

ensure emissions from one tenant do not adversely

affect another tenant.


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3. Building Systems Design and Maintenance:

When the HVAC system is not functioning properly for any

reason, the building is often placed under negative pressure.

In such cases, there may be infiltration of outdoor pollutants

such as particulates, vehicle exhaust, humid air, parking

garage contaminants, etc.


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Also, when spaces are redesigned or renovated, the HVAC system may not

be updated to accommodate the changes.

For example, one floor of a building

that housed computer services may be renovated for offices.

The HVAC system would need to be

modified for office employee occupancy (i.e., modifying temperature, relative

humidity, and air flow).

3. Building Systems Design and Maintenance:

4 R ti A ti iti


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4. RenovationActivities:

When painting and other renovations are being

conducted, dust or other by-products of the

construction materials are sources of pollutants

that may circulate through a building.

5 L l E h t V til ti


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5. Local Exhaust Ventilation:

Kitchens, laboratories, maintenance shops, parking

garages, beauty and nail salons, toilet rooms, trash

rooms, soiled laundry rooms, locker rooms, copy

rooms and other specialized areas may be a source

of pollutants when they lack adequate local exhaust

ventilation.


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6.Building materials

Disturbing thermal insulation or

sprayed-on acoustical material, or the

presence of wet or damp structural surfaces

(e.g., walls, ceilings)or non-structural

surfaces (e.g., carpets, shades),may

contribute to indoor air pollution.


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7.Building Furnishings:

Cabinetry or furniture made

of certain pressed-wood products

may release pollutants into the

indoor air.

8 B ildi M i t


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8.Building Maintenance:

Workers in areas in which pesticides,

cleaning products, or personal-care

products are being applied may be exposed

to pollutants.

Allowing cleaned carpets to dry

Without active ventilation may promote

microbial growth.


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9. Occupant Activities:

Building occupants may be the

source of indoor air pollutants;

such pollutants include perfumes

or colognes.

Common Pollutant Categories


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Although there are numerous indoor air pollutants

that can be spread through a building, they typically

fall into three basic categories: biological, chemical,

and particle .

Biological

Excessive concentrations of bacteria, viruses, fungi,

dust mites, animal dander, and pollen may result

from inadequate maintenance and housekeeping,

water spills, inadequate humidity control,

condensation, or water intrusion through leaks in

the building envelope or flooding.

Ch i l


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Chemical

Sources of chemical pollutants (gases and

vapors)include emissions from products used in

the building (e.g., office equipment; furniture,

wall and floor coverings; pesticides; and

cleaning and consumer products), accidental

spills of chemicals, products used during

construction activities such as adhesives and

paints, and gases such as carbon monoxide,

formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide, which are

products of combustion.


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Particle (Non-biological)

Particles are solid or liquid, non-biological,

Substances that are light enough to be

suspended in the air.

Dust, dirt, or other substances may be

Drawn into the building from outside.

Particles can also be produced by activities

that occur in buildings such a construction,

sanding wood or drywall, printing, copying,

and operating equipment.

Category Air Pollutant Source


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Particles

Respirable particles Dust, soot, smoke particles, aerosols

Tobacco smoke Tobacco products

Asbestos Insulation, acoustic material, floor tiles

Allergens Pet dander, dust, pollen

Pathogens Mold, bacteria

Vapors and Gases

Carbon monoxide Combustion products from grills,

kerosene heaters, vehicle exhaustNitrogen oxides

Volatile Organic

Compounds (VOCs)

Formaldehyde Many building products such as

plywood, fabrics, insulation, furniture,

combustion, etc.

Benzene Photocopying material, office supplies,

cosmetic products, paints, cleaning

products, tobacco smoke, etc.Toulene

Phenols

Ammonia

Alcohols

P i id

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indoor air quality.ppt