MPH Student Walden University Indoor Air Quality Pam Snow, BBA MPH Student Walden University April 18, 2010 Hello, this presentation is designed to give pertinent information regarding indoor air quality. May is Asthma Awareness Month. In honor of this I would like to provide information that could help all of us live healthy cleaner air lives. The presentation is designed for Lay Leaders, community Advocates for clean air, School Nurses and worksite wellness Coordinators.

Learning Objectives Define scope of the problem related to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Techniques Problems causes by poor IAQ Working to make improvements

What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)? Indoor Air Quality refers to environmental characteristics inside buildings that may affect human health, comfort, work or performance. IAQ characteristics include the concentrations of (amounts of) pollutants in indoor air, as well as air temperature and humidity. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Scientific Findings Resource Bank (IAQ-SFRB)

What is the Issue ? Most people spend 90% of their time indoors, home, work and school According to EPA’s Science Board pollutants indoors can be 5 times and up to 100 times higher than outdoor levels. Source: US Environmental Protection Agency

Scope of the Problem IAQ problems are widespread. Poor IAQ is a major health, performance & facility maintenance issue for schools. Mold and other asthma triggers, chemicals (e.g., mercury), ventilation issues, etc. are commonly found in school buildings. Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to a chronic condition, accounting for 14,000,000 missed school days per year. 75% of schools report needing to spend money on repairs, renovations, and modernizations to put schools’ onsite buildings in overall good condition. Source: U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics. “Condition of America’s Public School Facilities.” 1999 Report. The average public school building is 42 years old. School buildings typically begin rapid deterioration after 40 years, if not properly maintained. Source: U.S. DOE 1998 Report. Poor IAQ fuels the production of allergens created by dust, mold and pests to mention a few. Another problem, older facilities with antiquated air handling systems.

Scope of the Problem Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted into indoor air from building materials, furnishings, cleaning compounds, office equipment, personal care products, air fresheners, pesticides, people, and unvented combustion processes such as tobacco smoking or cooking with gas stoves

Scope of the Problem Mold is allergenic and can cause a rash of symptoms—musty odor, discoloration on porous surfaces, pneumonia like symptoms, and eye and nose irritation. EPA does not have mold standards but, offer guidelines to remediate mold growth.

Scope of the Problem Indoor environmental quality is also impacted by indoor and outdoor sources-vehicular exhaust, pollen, ozone, humidity, emissions from surrounding industries, and outdoor temperatures.

Key Facts about School Indoor Air Quality Why Schools are Unique Tight Budgets Old Buildings/Deferred Maintenance Densely Populated Space Special Sources of Pollution Consequences of Poor IAQ in Schools and homes Health Problems Student & Teacher Performance Loss of Public Trust Negative Media Coverage Poor IAQ in Schools is Costly Liability and Law Suits Substitute Teachers & Staff Lower Operating Efficiency of Equipment & Physical Plant Closing Schools and Relocating Students Source: National Association of School Nurses Let’s talk about schools for a moment and their own unique list of problems. Take a moment and think about the various activities occurring daily in homes, schools, restaurants, indoor theatres, auditoriums, classrooms, rest rooms, lounges, doctors offices, gyms, and many more places. What is the quality of the air we breathe in these places? As you read over this slide, can you visualize the downward spiral towards chaos without creating better indoor air quality?

IAQ Contaminants Pests Dust Pet dander Poor ventilation Radon Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Dust Poor ventilation Pesticides Mold Art Supplies These contaminants can be found in our home, on our jobs and in the restaurants we frequent. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can lead to headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, and eye and throat irritations inhibiting performance in the workplace, home and classroom. Source: Environmental Protection Agency

IAQ Contaminants Cleansers Adhesives Paints Carpet Formaldehyde Personal Care Products Aerosol and solid room deodorants Vehicle exhaust In addition to the physical symptoms experienced by indoor occupants, if these contaminants are not managed properly, we all risk spending thousands in remediation costs. Source: Environmental Protection Agency

What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. Your airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. Source: American Lung Association One of the key populations negatively affected by poor indoor air quality are individuals that live with asthma.

What does Asthma Feel Like? When your airways react, they get narrower and your lungs get less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night. Source: American Lung Association IAQ negatively affects those that live with asthma.

Asthma Triggers/Poor IAQ Contributors There are too many different pesticides to list, so I have given you some visuals of things that you may not consider triggers or contributors to poor IAQ.

Asthma Triggers Most common: Pets Cockroaches Mold Secondhand smoke Dust mites Others: Respiratory infections, Pollen, outdoor air, pollution, exercise, food allergies, cold air exposure. Source: Center for Disease Control

Control Pest and Adhere to Good Housekeeping Look for signs of Pest Do not leave food, water, or garbage exposed Check for plumbing leaks Empty waste containers daily Avoid chemicals and pesticides. Explore other options of pest control. Simple solutions to assist in cleaner indoor air quality.

Visible Contributors to Poor IAQ MOLD Mold produces tiny spores that float in the air. Once the spores land on a damp object, it multiplies and feeds off this food source. Mold can grow on wood. Paper, carpet and foods. Common mold sources ool are roof and plumbing leaks, delayed maintenance, and excess humidity. Add website information

Clean up Mold and Control Moisture Reduce the Indoor Humidity: Provide ventilation to maintain 30%-60% humidity level Vent moisture generating sources to the outside Observe your workspace: Check for musty, moldy odors in the building Look for discoloration in the ceilings Respond promptly when you see signs of moisture: Fix leaks to prevent mold growth Clean and dry all damp materials Notify maintenance when you are working in an environment that has mold, cluttered ventilation spaces and filters that need changing. All these factors contribute to upper respiratory issues.

Secondhand smoke causes increased asthma attacks, eye irritation and smelly clothes. Secondhand smoke can also contribute to , coughing ,wheezing, bronchitis and pneumonia, ear infections and reduced lung functions.

Eliminate Secondhand Smoke Exposure Enforce/develop smoking policies Learn about effects of secondhand smoke In the workplace create areas designated smoke free Encourage indoor occupants to insist on smoke free zones/areas

EPA Publications Some resources information includes EPA publications and local publications identifying smoking guidelines and policies in your are.

Dust mites are too small to see Dust mites are too small to see. Their food sources are the dead skin flakes found in our beds, on our furniture, clothing throw pillows etc.

Remove dust from hard surfaces Vacuum carpeting and curtains to reduce dust buildup

WHAT HAS EPA DONE?

EPA Involvement With IAQ 1995: GAO Report found over half of nation’s schools had problems that impact IAQ; Increasing frequency of IAQ complaints in schools; EPA launches Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) program. IAQ TfS is consistent with EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment. People spend 90% of their time indoors. For children, a large portion of this time is in schools. IAQ is voluntary, flexible, hands-on program designed to help , solve and prevent IAQ problems by adopting effective IAQ management practices. EPA has developed an IAQ Tf S Action Kit. The Kit comprehensively assembles best practices, industry guidelines, and practical management actions in a flexible format. These good IAQ management practices reduce exposure to indoor environmental contaminants, such as chemicals, irritants, allergens, and even carcinogens such as radon, and improve the health and performance of individuals

Fundamental Elements of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

IAQ Problems... Pollutant People Pathway There are many contributing factors that create poor or good IAQ.

Take control of your IAQ by understanding the root causes of poor IAQ Basic knowledge Typical activities Poor Communication

Typical setting . I have highlighted a few potential irritants or contributors to poor IAQ.

What are Ways to Improve IAQ? Designate a team coordinator in the home, workplace or school setting Form a team , make sure members of maintenance are part of the team in the workplace or school setting. Review/develop IAQ policies and guidelines. Establish meeting times and responsibilities. In the workplace schedule facility walkthrough activities. Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Outside air gets pulled in here. Learn a little about how your ventilation system works. Outside air gets pulled in here.

Simple things Limit use of scented products and deodorizers. Dispose of sources. Make sure vents are not obstructed. Move sources away from OA intakes. Learn/instruct about ventilation controls. Learn/instruct how to report problems. And many more …

Benefits of Creating Better IAQ Fewer respiratory issues Better homes, workplace and indoor air for everyone Improved living conditions for humans A safer, cleaner, healthier environment

References/ Sources American Lung Association, http://www.lungusa.org National Association of School Nurses, http://www.asthmaandschools.org US Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov.iedweb00/asthma I encourage you to visit these websites for extensive information regarding IAQ. The sites are excellent sources for learning how to improve IAQ. Thus reducing irritants and unhealthy air quality environments.

American Association for Respiratory Care, http://www.aarc.org Additional Resources American Association for Respiratory Care, http://www.aarc.org