Arch 433 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Attendance The dust mite creates the second most allergic reactions, second only to pollen. What part of the dust mite is the cause of the reaction? l.com/education_books.a sp?mscssid=P30XC0SPW MGM8JXXWJAXH6PUHC4 T73P3 l.com/education_books.a sp?mscssid=P30XC0SPW MGM8JXXWJAXH6PUHC4 T73P3 A.Shed skins B.Corpses C.Droppings D.Regurgitated food E.Eggs

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Accordingly to the EPA, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is up to 5 times worse than outdoor Air

IAQ -Terms Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Bio effluents Dilution Filtration Source capture/elimination Friable Allergen Pathogen Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) Building Related Illness (BRI) Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) –Formaldehyde

IAQ Occupied zone is the region in an occupied space from 3” above the floor to 72” above the floor and greater than 2’ from walls or fixed air conditioning equipment.

IAQ What You Need to Know Be conversant in the various codes and standards relative to healthy indoor environments Know how to design and construct healthy buildings

IAQ What You Need To Be Able To Do Identify and avoid dangerous conditions Select the appropriate strategy to ensure a “healthy” environment

IAQ “Exists when a significant percentage (e.g., more than 20%) of the occupants complain during a two week period of a set of symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, nausea, eye irritation, and throat irritation, that are alleviated by leaving the building, and are not known to be caused by specific contaminants.” ASHRAE Standard Sick Building Syndrome

Building Related Illness (BRI) v. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) BRI has a known contaminant –Vapors and Gases bioeffluents –Respirable particles –ETS Source: Lincoln Journal and Star

IAQ Sources A. Vapors and gases 1. Carbon Dioxide (marker or surrogate) 2. Carbon Monoxide 3. Radon 4. Bio-aerosols 5. Formaldehyde (HCHC) 6. Volatile Organic Compounds

IAQ Sources Repertory particles (5 to 10 microns) 1. Fungal spores (mildew 2. Fibers (asbestos) 3 Pathogens (Legionnella) 4. Allergens (spores, mold, pollens, etc.)

IAQ Sources Environmental Tobacco Smoke 1. Gases and droplets (off- gassing) 2. 4,000 different chemical compounds

IAQ Sources Chemicals Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Cognitive decline Ischemic Strokes Environmentally Induced Epigenetic Trans generational Inhertance of reproductive Disease

IAQ Can Cause Cognitive decline Ischemic Strokes Environmentally Induced Epigenetic Transgenerational Inhertance of Reproductive Disease

IAQ Filters Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) –Flat filters is 1 to 4. –ASHRAE Standard requires a minimum filter requirement of a MERV 6.

IAQ Filters The International Mechanical Code IMC-2009 –does not state a minimum MERV value for filters

IAQ Filters For ventilation purposes –Increase MERV ratings to 16 Add pre-filters –effectiveness on dust –pollens, –emission particles before entering a ventilation system, –utilizing instruments that monitor and manipulate ventilation and filtering based on occupancy and air characteristics

IAQ Filters –Per the 2000 U.S. Census 35% of housing stock lack a ventilation system –Negative to increase filtering Need more Air Pressure

Vapors and Gasses VOCs –Formaldehyde –Cleaning supplies –Chlorine Bio-effluents –Human odors –Organic odors ETS –CO 2 –CO Ozone/smog

Respirable Particles #1 allergen in homes is the dust mite –How best to mitigate dust mites in your bed?

Respirable Particles Dust mite (insect) populations decrease below 50% RH Dust mites die below 40% RH

Respirable Particles Asbestos Cyanide Dust mite droppings Others?

One Example

Bacteria, Viruses & Mold Legionella Viruses –High or low RH Mold

Over 64,000 different types of fungi A few are toxic Considered a “growth industry” for both remediation contractors and the legal profession

Conditions Needed for Mold Growth One viable spore An acceptable temperature range A usable food source Adequate moisture in the food source

Failure Analysis Prof. Kirk’s one- of-a-kind, surefire process guaranteed to result in a mind- numbing law suit.

More Mold

Strategies Addressing IAQ Concerns Source Elimination/ Capture Filtration Dilution

Source Elimination Strategy “If there is a pile of manure in a space, do not try to remove the odor by ventilation. Max Van Pettenkofer (1848) Remove the pile of manure.”

Design Criteria for Capture Walls to deck above and sealed Independent exhaust No return or recirculation air Negative air pressure

Source Elimination/Capture Smoking Rooms Janitors Closets Photocopying rooms Bathrooms Locker rooms Kitchens Others?

Pressurization as an IAQ Strategy?

Source Capture An effective solution if you can’t eliminate the contaminant

Ultra Violet Light (UVC)

Take-aways or the ‘Ah hahs’ Identify the contaminants that are in your building (they will be unique) First try to eliminate them, then capture them, then filter them. If all else fails, dilute them