Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals . Basics Strategies for Maintaining Good Indoor Air Quality Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals

Presentation How Lungs Work What is IAQ? Basic Strategies to address IAQ Source Reduction Ventilation Air Cleaning

How Lungs Work Mansel Nelson, ITEP 30 minutes

Lungs

Cardiovascular Connection Gases and small particles distributed widely after entering bloodstream If lungs are not functioning properly, heart must work harder CO causes heart problems Some fumes can make us dizzy People with COPD end up with Congestive heart failure

Protect the Lungs of Young Children Lungs of young children are very sensitive Air pollution can damage lungs for a lifetime Exposure to air pollutants can cause asthma, which can last a lifetime Lung infections can damage lungs for a lifetime

What is IAQ?

What Is Indoor Air Quality? Two types Acceptable Air in occupied space toward which 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 significant health 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

Risk Factor Components for IAQ Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) equipment Carbon Dioxide concentrations Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) Microbial Organisms (mold, bacteria) Temperature Relative Humidity Bio-effluents Other sources (radon, noise, light, asbestos, lead, ETS, vermin) Build-up of outdoor air contaminants inside

Basics Strategies to Improve IAQ

Basic Principles Source Control Ventilation Air Cleaning

Source Control Improving quality of indoor air is vital for human health Preferred strategy Increasing ventilation – higher energy costs

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) No risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Eliminate from indoor environment Following actions DO NOT protect nonsmokers Separating smokers from nonsmokers Cleaning the air Ventilating buildings

Wood / Coal Burning Stoves Consider alternative heating sources

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

Air Fresheners DO NOT “clean” the air They add more air pollutants

Pesticides Read and follow label instructions IPM preferred

Carbon Monoxide (CO) All burning emits CO Alarms are backup

Radon Radioactive gas Radon Resistant Construction (Keep it out) www.radonleaders.org

Outside Sources Location of dumpsters Reduce idling of buses Watch for fresh air intakes Reduce idling of buses

Designated Smoking Area?

Walk-Off Mats

Carpets

Mold

Art and Science Classrooms

Floor Drains

Occupant Sources Physiological “equilibrium” Sweat/perspiration Perfume, cologne

Basic Principles Source Control Ventilation Air Cleaning

Ventilation Higher energy costs Tension between weatherization and indoor air quality Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) Heat Capacity of air is LOW

Source Ventilation Exhaust out of building

Source Ventilation (cont.)

Source Ventilation (cont.) Cooking releases moisture Gas stoves release low CO and lots of moisture Make sure range hood vents to outside

Source Ventilation (cont.) Gas stoves release low CO and lots of H2O

Source Ventilation (cont.)

Art and Science Classrooms

Ventilation – Outside Air ASHRAE provides guidelines ASHRAE 62.1-2007

Classroom Ventilation

How Much Outside Air (OA)? ASHRAE 62.1-2007 Offices= 17 cubic feet/minute (cfm)/person Libraries= 17 cfm/person Science Labs= 1 cfm/sq. ft. Auditoriums= 5 cfm/person Indoor Gymnasium= 0.3 cfm/sq.ft. Art Classrooms= 0.7 cfm/sq.ft. Health Care (patients’ rooms)= 25 cfm/person www.mintie.com/assets/pdf/education/ASHRAE%2062.1-2007.pdf

Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning System Location of outside air intakes Air handlers inspected periodically Filters 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 surfaces Heating/Cooling coils free of dirt and debris Visible “slimes” on duct surfaces

Air Cleaning Basic Principles Source Control Ventilation Air cleaning is only recommended after proper source control and ventilation steps are taken.

Air Cleaners Generally not effective for gaseous pollutants Efficiency for collecting pollutants (HEPA = 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles) Moving air through cleaning element On going maintenance Combine with source removal and ventilation

Air Cleaners Buyer beware! No Ozone Air Cleaners True HEPA Filter Activated Charcoal Size for the space and air flows

Air Cleaning – Don’ts These methods may make air quality WORSE DO NOT USE Ozone (sold under many different guises) Ozone is an air pollutant Chemical reactions may lead to even more dangerous air pollutants Air Fresheners typically attempt to cover up odors and add more air pollutants Electronic or electrostatic cleaners that may add ozone

Summary – Maintaining Healthy IAQ Connected to health of building occupants No silver bullets – If it is too good to be true… Source control is preferred strategy

More Information… www.epa.gov/iaq www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety- Guides/Home/The-Inside-Story-A-Guide- to-Indoor-Air-Quality/ www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/ www.cdc.gov/healthyhomes/bytopic/airqua lity.html

Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Mansel A. Nelson, Senior Program Coordinator Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities Northern Arizona University (NAU) www.nau.edu/iaqtc/ mansel.nelson@nau.edu Voice 928 523 1275 FAX 928 523 1280 PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ 86011