PowerPoint Presentation

.Mansel A NelsonInstitute for Tribal Environmental ProfessionalsBasics of Indoor Air QualityIndoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities

#PresentationHow Lungs WorkWhat is IAQ?Basic Strategies to address IAQSource ReductionVentilationAir Cleaning

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#How Lungs WorkMansel Nelson, ITEP#30 minutes3Lungs

#Cardiovascular ConnectionGases and small particles distributed widely after entering bloodstream If lungs are not functioning properly, heart must work harder

#CO causes heart problemsSome fumes can make us dizzyPeople with COPD end up with Congestive heart failure5Protect the Lungs of Young ChildrenLungs of young children are very sensitiveAir pollution can damage lungs for a lifetimeExposure to air pollutants can cause asthma, which can last a lifetimeLung infections can damage lungs for a lifetime

#What is IAQ?#What Is Indoor Air Quality?Two typesAcceptable Air in an occupied space toward which a substantial majority of occupants express no dissatisfaction and in which there are not likely to be known contaminants at concentrations leading to exposures that pose a significanthealth risk (as opposed to occupational/industrial settings) Unacceptable Majority of occupants in an occupied space that express dissatisfaction or one or more individuals perceive a problem with indoor air

#Illnesses Associated With Poor Indoor Air QualitySick Building Syndrome (SBS) Office building in which ill-defined illness develops in one or more workers. Illness demonstrates great variability among workers; no causative agent apparent or found despite significant evaluation Building-related illness (BRI) Office building where one or more workers develop an accepted, well-defined illness for which a specific cause is found

#Building-Related IllnessDiagnosable illnessesKnown causeCan be serious and occasionally life-threatening

#Sick Building Syndrome Non-diagnosable illnessesNo known causeCan be serious and occasionally life-threatening irritation (eyes, nose, throat)Symptoms can vary greatly among individuals

#SBS Nonspecific SymptomsDry mucous membranes and skinHeadacheFatigueHoarseness of voice and wheezingNauseaDizzinessRespiratory infections and coughPsychogenic (Its all in your head!)Sociogenic (We want a new building)

#Risk Factor Components for IAQHeating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) equipment Carbon Dioxide concentrations Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Microbial Organisms (mold, bacteria)TemperatureRelative HumidityBioeffluents Other sources (radon, noise, light, asbestos, lead, ETS, vermin)Concentration of outdoor air contaminants#Basics Strategies to Improve IAQ#Basic PrinciplesSource ControlVentilationAir Cleaning

#Source ControlImproving quality of indoor air is vital for human healthPreferred strategyIncreasing ventilation higher energy costs

#Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)No risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smokeEliminate from indoor environment

Following actions DO NOT protect nonsmokersSeparating smokers from nonsmokersCleaning the airVentilating buildings

#Wood / Coal Burning Stoves

Consider alternative heating sources#

Cleaners and Air FreshenersAverage US household uses 40 lbs of chemicals each yearAverage household stores more than 60 hazardous productsMany of the products are loaded with fragrances and petroleum-distilled chemicals (Volatile Organic Compounds / VOCs)

#Air Fresheners

They DO NOT clean the airthey add more air pollutants#Pesticides

Read and follow label instructionsIPM preferred#Carbon Monoxide (CO)All burning emits COAlarms are backup

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Radon

Radioactive gasRadon Resistant Construction (Keep it out)

www.radonleaders.org

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Outside Sources

Reduce idling of buses

Location of dumpstersWatch for fresh air intakes#Designated Smoking Area?

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Walk-Off Mats

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Carpets

#Moldnau.edu/iaqtc

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Art and Science Classrooms

#Floor Drainsnau.edu/iaqtc

#Occupant SourcesPhysiological equilibriumSweat/PerspirationPerfume, cologne

#Basic PrinciplesSource ControlVentilationAir Cleaning

#VentilationHigher energy costsTension between weatherization and indoor air qualityHeat Recovery Ventilators (HRV)Heat Capacity of air is LOW

#Source Ventilation

Exhaust out of building#Source Ventilation (cont.)

#Source Ventilation (cont.)

Gas stoves release low CO and lots of moistureCooking releases moistureMake sure range hood vents to outside#Source Ventilation (cont.)Gas stoves release low CO and lots of H2O

#Source Ventilation (cont.)

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Art and Science Classrooms

#Ventilation Outside AirASHRAE provides guidelines

#Classroom Ventilation

#How Much Outside Air (OA)?ASHRAE 62.1-2007Offices= 17 cubic feet/minute (cfm)/personLibraries= 17 cfm/personScience Labs= 1 cfm/sq. ft.Auditoriums= 5 cfm/personIndoor Gymnasium= 0.3 cfm/sq.ft.Art Classrooms= 0.7 cfm/sq.ft.Health Care (patients rooms)= 25 cfm/person

#Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning SystemLocation of outside air intakesAir handlers inspected periodicallyFilters changed periodically, wet/dirty, appropriate for occupancy (office, school, hospital, automotive garage, etc.)Exchange indoor air frequently (flush)Sufficient outside air brought in?Standing water anywhere in system; moisture on interior duct surfacesHeating/Cooling coils free of dirt and debrisVisible slimes on duct surfaces

#Basic PrinciplesSource ControlVentilationAir Cleaning

Air cleaning is only recommended after proper source control and ventilation steps are taken

#Air CleanersGenerally not effective for gaseous pollutantsEfficiency for collecting pollutants (HEPA = 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles)Moving air through cleaning elementOn going maintenanceCombine with source removal and ventilation#Air Cleaners (cont.)

Buyer beware!No Ozone Air Cleaners

True HEPA FilterActivated Charcoal

Size device for the space and air flows#Air Cleaning DontsThese methods may make air quality WORSEDO NOT USE ozone (sold under many different guises)Ozone is an air pollutantChemical reactions may lead to even more dangerous air pollutantsAir fresheners typically attempt to cover up odors and add more air pollutantsElectronic or electrostatic cleaners that may add ozone

www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/residair.html#Summary Maintaining Healthy IAQConnected to health of building occupantsNo silver bullets If it is too good to be trueSource control is preferred strategy

#More Informationhttp://www.epa.gov/iaqhttps://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Home/The-Inside-Story-A-Guide-to-Indoor-Air-Quality/http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/http://www.cdc.gov/healthyhomes/bytopic/airquality.html

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Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)

Mansel A. Nelson, Senior Program CoordinatorIndoor Air Quality in Tribal CommunitiesNorthern Arizona University (NAU)nau.edu/iaqtc/mansel.nelson@nau.eduVoice 928 523 1275FAX 928 523 1280PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ 86011

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