Indoor Air Quality 101: The Basics

Historical Information IAQ issues are not new –Old Testament Leviticus, Chapter 14, verses –1970s is significant –Increase in IAQ-related problems Buildings designed/constructed tighter Buildings maintained more efficiently Heightened public awareness –Influx of Litigation Celebrity Lawsuits – Ed McMahon; Erin Brockovich Texas – Ballard Case Ohio – Builder sued for $75 million –More Recently Mold exclusions in insurance policies More clarification from experts

Indoor Air Quality There is no such thing as bad air. There are simply pollutants and pollutant pathways.

Indoor Pollutants Chemicals –volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Biologicals –bacteria –fungi (mold)

Indoor Pollutant Sources Chemicals –office equipment/supplies –cleaning solutions –air deodorizers

Indoor Pollutant Sources Biologicals –Mold primary pollutant What do you need to grow mold? –Mold spores –Moisture source –Food source –Temperature degrees

Indoor Pollutant Sources Biologicals –moisture sources ventilation systems roof/wall/floor system penetrations –moisture-contacted materials sheetrock ceiling tiles carpets furnishings

Pollutant Pathways Ventilation systems Passive migration indoors

Major causes of poor IAQ Pollution sources Improperly operated and maintained HVAC Building occupants and their activities

More causes of poor IAQ Reduced ventilation Building materials and furnishings Water intrusion -- mold growth Deferred maintenance Pests/vermin Pesticides – inside or outside Cleaners Dirty carpets Personal care products But these arent Root Causes !

So … what are Root Causes? 1.Lack of awareness of how everyones typical activities affect IAQ.

Root Causes (continued) 2.Lack of clear communication between school and district staff on issues affecting IAQ.

Root Causes (continued) 3.Lack of awareness by all of a basic knowledge of IAQ in general and the workings of the school, including the mechanics of the school, e.g. Ventilation.

Root Causes Recap Typical activities Communication Basic knowledge Identify these in the photos.

Actual Conditions

Mold Algae

Blocked Return For air to come out of here It has to get in there

Ventilation Unit of Portable Classroom

Outside air intake Bathroom exhaust

Air Intake located by…

A hole in the wall

Storage area on other side of wall

What About Our Schools?

The Fallacy of Air Testing Lack of standard testing methodology –Tape sample –Settling plate –Air-O-Cell –Andersen N-6

The Fallacy of Air Testing Lack of standard interpretation –Indoor vs. Outdoor Speciation Concentration

Lets Do A Couple Of Examples Example One –Outdoor Concentrations O1 1,000 M O2 500 M 3 3 Average 750 M 3

Lets Do A Couple Of Examples Example One –Outdoor Average 750 M Room M Room M Room M – Interpretation: Rooms are all good

Lets Do A Couple Of Examples Example Two –Outdoor Concentrations O1 500 M O2 600 M 3 3 Average 550 M 3

Lets Do A Couple Of Examples Example Two –Outdoor Average 550 M Room M Room M Room M – Interpretation: Room 3 is bad

Commercial Testing Kits

Sample Commercial Report

A Cheaper Alternative

So When Is There A Problem? Most experts agree, mold is problematic when it can be detected by your senses.

Tools for Schools Program

What is Tools for Schools? A program for making all school-site staff educated advocates for good IAQ practices. A program for the entire school to learn to recognize/prevent IAQ problems in their building.

IAQ Tools for Schools Program Voluntary EPA program used in over 10,000 schools nationwide EPA provides training, awards, technical assistance, publications Many EPA partners working to implement program

IAQ Tools for Schools Program Original Kit Co-Sponsors NATIONAL PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION COUNCIL FOR AMERICAN PRIVATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

IAQ Tools for Schools Program Partners American Association of School Administrators (AASA) American Association of School Administrators (AASA) American Federation of Teachers (AFT) American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) National Education Association (NEA) National Education Association (NEA) National Association of School Nurses (NASN) National Association of School Nurses (NASN) American Lung Association (ALA) American Lung Association (ALA) Asthma & Allergy Network*Mothers of Asthmatics (AAN*MA) Asthma & Allergy Network*Mothers of Asthmatics (AAN*MA) National Association of County Officials (NACo) National Association of County Officials (NACo) National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council of Catholic Facility Managers (CCFM) Council of Catholic Facility Managers (CCFM) National School Board Association (NSBA) National School Board Association (NSBA) And others…. And others….

IAQ Tools for Schools Kit Contents Coordinators Guide Checklists for the Entire Building Instructional Videos Road Map Asthma Guide Problem Solving Wheel

TfS Six Key Drivers Effective IAQ Program Evaluate ActPlan Assess OrganizeCommunicate

James Notter (IAQ Coordinator) Risk Management (Occupational Health & Environmental Compliance) Jeffrey S. Moquin, Director Risk Management Aston Henry, Supervisor Risk Management Ed See, Project Manager Occupational Health & Environmental Compliance Physical Plant Operations (Preventative Maintenance / Repairs) Mark Dorsett, Manager I, Zone I Richard Lees, Supervisor I HVAC Jack McDonald, Supervisor I Evening HVAC Robert Crawford, Supervisor I Roofing Rob Jindracek, Project Manager EMS Physical Plant Operations (Custodial Maintenance / Pest Control / Grounds) Roy Norton, Manager I, Custodial/Grounds Ron Eggenberger, Manager Grounds William Swartz, Certified Pest Control Operator Custodial Supervisors Facilities (Major Abatement / Project Management / Design) Robert Krickovich, Coordinator, LEA Derrick Ragland, Executive Director Project Management Claudia Munroe, Executive Director Design Services Rick Rosa, Project Manager I FACILITIES TASK FORCE Indoor Air Quality Program Management Structure Management Structure

Implementation of TfS Program Decision to participate Notification letter to parents outlining locations involvement with TfS Establish an IAQ committee Introductory training Overview to staff Complete survey Participate in validation walkthrough process Ongoing communication of results and corrective actions IAQ committee provides ongoing communications on IAQ issues as necessary

Annual Cycle Conduct Annual Assessment to Identify Potential IAQ Issues Validate Issues of Concern and Identify Corrective Action Plan Initiate and Complete Corrective Actions

Two Primary Mechanisms of Assessment Annual TfS Occupant Survey IAQ Response Protocol

Online IAQ Assessment Request

Fill in all fields and click Click Here button

Answer Yes or No and click the Submit button

If No a separate window will open with the IAQ Response Protocol

If Yes your request for an assessment has been submitted

Whats Next:

IAQ Assessment Report

Accessing Online Reports

Click on Location Assessment Profile folder

Choose school type and click folder

Choose school name

View IAQ Assessments

View IAQ Work Orders

Numbers on the IAQ Program With Phase VI participation, there are now currently 165 schools participating in the TfS program. Through the 1 st five phases of the program, there have been… –26,747 concerns identified through the on-line survey –145 walkthroughs conducted –615 work orders generated for corrective action Through the IAQ Assessment Protocol, there have been… –1,209 requests for assessment –1,197 evaluations conducted –1,210 work orders generated for corrective action

Questions ???