Presented to the Greater Houston

Industrial Hygiene Council

Sick Building – Home

Syndrome

I smell something and I want it tested.

I have been sick for a long time and believe it is something in the indoor air.

People are getting sick and we want the indoor air tested.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a term used to describe

Certain health effects people Certain health effects people experience that may be related to poor experience that may be related to poor air in buildings. air in buildings.

The problem may be localized, for The problem may be localized, for example - employees in only one example - employees in only one section of the building, section of the building,

The problem is widespread and The problem is widespread and experienced throughout the building.experienced throughout the building.

Symptoms Eye, Nose, Throat irritationEye, Nose, Throat irritation Dry CoughDry Cough DizzinessDizziness NauseaNausea Itchy SkinItchy Skin Difficulty concentratingDifficulty concentrating Experience sensitivity to odorsExperience sensitivity to odors FatigueFatigue HeadachesHeadaches

Studies

The World Health Organization estimates The World Health Organization estimates that up to 30% of office buildings that up to 30% of office buildings worldwide have significant indoor air worldwide have significant indoor air quality problems.quality problems.

The EPA in a 1995 study found that about The EPA in a 1995 study found that about 50% of schools in the US had poor 50% of schools in the US had poor ventilation and sources of pollution inside ventilation and sources of pollution inside the buildings. the buildings.

What should we be concerned about?

Everything and Anything until we Everything and Anything until we can find and eliminate the potential can find and eliminate the potential for risk.for risk.

What should we do?Ask a million questionsAsk a million questions

Collect Data to identify issuesCollect Data to identify issues

Inspect to find answersInspect to find answers

Make recommendationsMake recommendations

Solve the problem Solve the problem

Everything and Anythingso lets start out with

Lead• Paint inside/outside homes & buildings prior to Paint inside/outside homes & buildings prior to

19781978• Soil from previous paint or leaded gas from carsSoil from previous paint or leaded gas from cars• Dust from deteriorating paint or tracked in from Dust from deteriorating paint or tracked in from

the outsidethe outside• Drinking water – plumbing with lead or lead solderDrinking water – plumbing with lead or lead solder• Bringing it home from the job - clothes – bootsBringing it home from the job - clothes – boots• Painted toys or furniture (mini-blinds)Painted toys or furniture (mini-blinds)• Food and liquids – stored in lead crystal or lead Food and liquids – stored in lead crystal or lead

glazed pottery or porcelainglazed pottery or porcelain• Hobbies – stained glass-pottery-refinishing Hobbies – stained glass-pottery-refinishing

furniturefurniture• Folk Remedies that contain lead – Greta – AzarconFolk Remedies that contain lead – Greta – Azarcon• Surrounding Industrial neighborhood - Smelter?Surrounding Industrial neighborhood - Smelter?

Asbestos from 1935 – 1970 applied extensively to buildings and homes

Spray on insulationSpray on insulation Floor and roof feltFloor and roof felt Pipe wrapPipe wrap Millboard or roll boardMillboard or roll board Cooling tower fill –exterior boardCooling tower fill –exterior board Auto brakes-mufflers-transmission disks-packings- gasketsAuto brakes-mufflers-transmission disks-packings- gaskets Insulation on wires or appliancesInsulation on wires or appliances Asbestos cement pipesAsbestos cement pipes Floor tile, sealants, adhesives, mastics, paintsFloor tile, sealants, adhesives, mastics, paints Textiles – curtains-blankets-mattresses-gloves-hatsTextiles – curtains-blankets-mattresses-gloves-hats Road surfacing and pavementRoad surfacing and pavement Shotgun shell base wadsShotgun shell base wads

Formaldehyde

Commonly found in man made products – used Commonly found in man made products – used in manufacturing processes and is a key in manufacturing processes and is a key ingredient in building supplies & furnishings ingredient in building supplies & furnishings

Plywood, particle board, insulation, cleaners, Plywood, particle board, insulation, cleaners, fabrics, carpeting, and furniturefabrics, carpeting, and furniture

Automobile exhaustAutomobile exhaust Tobacco smokeTobacco smoke Electrical issues that heat upElectrical issues that heat up

Legionella• First discovered in 1976 following a First discovered in 1976 following a

pneumonia outbreak at the Convention of pneumonia outbreak at the Convention of American Legion in PhiladelphiaAmerican Legion in Philadelphia

• Transmitted from environment to humansTransmitted from environment to humans• No evidence of human to human or animal No evidence of human to human or animal

to human transmission of these bacteriato human transmission of these bacteria• Potable water is the most important source Potable water is the most important source

of Legionellaof Legionella• Inhaled contaminated aerosols – From Inhaled contaminated aerosols – From

Where?Where?

Cleaning Chemicals, Storage & Everyday Use

Voc’s from cleanersVoc’s from cleaners DisinfectantsDisinfectants Air FreshenersAir Fresheners Paints & SolventsPaints & Solvents HerbicidesHerbicides PesticidesPesticides FungicidesFungicides

Computers, Printers, Office Supplies

• OzoneOzone• VOC’sVOC’s• Carbon black particulatesCarbon black particulates• Electromagnetic fieldsElectromagnetic fields• Worker Ergonomics – lighting – work Worker Ergonomics – lighting – work

positions – sitting positions – tablespositions – sitting positions – tables• Felt tip pensFelt tip pens• Newspaper inkNewspaper ink• Adhesive tapeAdhesive tape

Inhabitants• SmokersSmokers• Communicable diseases – someone as simple Communicable diseases – someone as simple

as having a cold - flueas having a cold - flue• Skin fragmentsSkin fragments• Body perfumes & colognes Body perfumes & colognes • Nail Polish removerNail Polish remover• Hair SprayHair Spray• Body odorsBody odors• Dust mites, ticks, fleasDust mites, ticks, fleas• Carbon Dioxide - breathingCarbon Dioxide - breathing

Bathrooms – Locker Rooms• VOC’s from air freshenersVOC’s from air fresheners• Personal products – perfumes – soaps - deodorantsPersonal products – perfumes – soaps - deodorants• Candle sootCandle soot• Leaky drains, standing water – mold – black water Leaky drains, standing water – mold – black water

and bacteriaand bacteria• RadonRadon• Lack of proper ventilationLack of proper ventilation• Sewage Gas back up – improper plumbingSewage Gas back up – improper plumbing• Legionnaires Disease from faucets, showers, & hot Legionnaires Disease from faucets, showers, & hot

tubstubs

Indoor Plants• Insects, insect fragments and allergensInsects, insect fragments and allergens• Pollens and allergensPollens and allergens• MoldMold• Standing waterStanding water• Herbicides, insecticides, fungicidesHerbicides, insecticides, fungicides

Exterior structure• Poor drainage, grading, wicking, standing waterPoor drainage, grading, wicking, standing water• Exterior cracks, gaps, sealant failuresExterior cracks, gaps, sealant failures• Improper vapor barriers – vapor intrusionImproper vapor barriers – vapor intrusion• No gutters, gutter blockage, ice damsNo gutters, gutter blockage, ice dams• Tree roots causing cracked underground plumbing – Tree roots causing cracked underground plumbing –

natural gas and sewagenatural gas and sewage• Exterior plants causing moisture problemsExterior plants causing moisture problems• Exterior pesticides & herbicides infiltrationExterior pesticides & herbicides infiltration• Pollen infiltrationPollen infiltration• Parking lot fuel leaks & idling vehicles VOC’s-COParking lot fuel leaks & idling vehicles VOC’s-CO• Sprinkler systems spraying on exterior wallsSprinkler systems spraying on exterior walls

Chimneys & Exhaust Vents• Improper combustionImproper combustion• Down drafting of fumesDown drafting of fumes• Improper chimney flashing resulting in water leaks Improper chimney flashing resulting in water leaks

which results in potential mold growthwhich results in potential mold growth• Poor masonry and cracks which allow water leaks Poor masonry and cracks which allow water leaks

which results in potential mold growth which results in potential mold growth • Animals – bats – bees – wasps - hornetsAnimals – bats – bees – wasps - hornets

• VOC’s from stored chemicalsVOC’s from stored chemicals• Forklift diesel particulate matter, carbon monoxide, Forklift diesel particulate matter, carbon monoxide,

Nox, SoxNox, Sox• Electric forklifts – battery acid, hydrogen, lead dustElectric forklifts – battery acid, hydrogen, lead dust• Propane forklifts – aldehydes, CO, NoxPropane forklifts – aldehydes, CO, Nox• Pesticides & HerbicidesPesticides & Herbicides• Vehicle exhaust infiltrationVehicle exhaust infiltration• Off gassing of stored fuelsOff gassing of stored fuels• Trash Storage IssuesTrash Storage Issues

Loading ramp

• VOC’s from stored cleaning chemicalsVOC’s from stored cleaning chemicals• Cooking odorsCooking odors• Poor ventilation or exhaustPoor ventilation or exhaust• Plumbing leaks – refrigerator leaks - moldPlumbing leaks – refrigerator leaks - mold• Allergens from cockroaches & rodentsAllergens from cockroaches & rodents• Poor hygiene practices – brought in from the factory Poor hygiene practices – brought in from the factory

floorfloor• Waste disposal of trash - foodWaste disposal of trash - food• Food storage practicesFood storage practices• Dishwashing Dishwashing

Break Room - Kitchen

• VOC’s from stored chemicalsVOC’s from stored chemicals• Degreasing, milling, cutting, welding operations – Degreasing, milling, cutting, welding operations –

chlorinated solvents, metals, fumes & oilschlorinated solvents, metals, fumes & oils• Faulty electric water heater – Legionella riskFaulty electric water heater – Legionella risk• Boiler leaks - Improper boiler ventilation & Boiler leaks - Improper boiler ventilation &

combustion causing gases & particulatescombustion causing gases & particulates• Lack of and or improper air filtrationLack of and or improper air filtration• Intake vent near trash receptacle or factory/other Intake vent near trash receptacle or factory/other

exhaust systemsexhaust systems• Air exhaust vent too close to air intakeAir exhaust vent too close to air intake• Bird nestsBird nests• Ozone from UV modules in HVAC systemsOzone from UV modules in HVAC systems

Facilities, Furnace area, Boiler room

• Asbestos floor tilesAsbestos floor tiles• VOCs from carpeting and cement paint & stainsVOCs from carpeting and cement paint & stains• Formaldehyde from off gassingFormaldehyde from off gassing• Improperly sealed concrete – vapor intrusionImproperly sealed concrete – vapor intrusion• NON HEPA vacuuming – carpet doubles its weight NON HEPA vacuuming – carpet doubles its weight

in dusts, particulates, other things within 3-4 yearsin dusts, particulates, other things within 3-4 years• Potential microbial & chemical reservoirs in carpet Potential microbial & chemical reservoirs in carpet

from spills of water and cleaning chemicalsfrom spills of water and cleaning chemicals

Flooring and Carpeting

• Asbestos & vermiculiteAsbestos & vermiculite• Dead ends on plumbing or ductworkDead ends on plumbing or ductwork• Leaking pipesLeaking pipes• Improper exchange ratesImproper exchange rates• Improper negative pressurizationImproper negative pressurization• System not balanced–not properly sized-dampers closedSystem not balanced–not properly sized-dampers closed• System oversizedSystem oversized• Dust and debris from leaking ductsDust and debris from leaking ducts• Improper venting of bathroom fan into plenumImproper venting of bathroom fan into plenum• Temperature and relative humidity extremesTemperature and relative humidity extremes• Furnace – Carbon MonoxideFurnace – Carbon Monoxide

Ceiling Plenum, Ductwork, HVAC Systems

Ask Questions, Ask Questions, Ask Questions

Data Drives Your Program

Presented byRobert J Reda CIH, CSP, MAC

PresidentRobert J Reda & Associates LLC

5341 Nolda St. Unit DHouston, TX 77007Phone 281-814-7638