2. Arch 432 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

3. 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? A.Shed skins B.Corpses C.Droppings D.Regurgitated food E.Eggs

8. Good Morning Arch 432 students How are you this fine morning.

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

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

12. Terms Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Bioeffluents 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

13. 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

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

15. Filters When it comes to HVAC systems found in residential construction, they are sized mostly by a rule-of-thumb calculation based on outdated information and performance specification using high, medium, and low guesses (LaLiberte, 2011.)

16. Filters Central air system where a filter system is used, most filters are designed to filter the air entering the furnace chamber and protect it from dust (EPA, 2008; EPA, 2009). Their purpose is not solely to benefit human health. The minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) for these flat filters is 1 to 4.

17. Filters ASHRAE Standard 62.1 2010 requires a minimum filter requirement of a MERV 6. The International Mechanical Code IMC- 2009 does not state a minimum MERV value for filters (Mudarri, 2010).

18. Filters MERV ratings (from 11 to 16), pre-filters and their effectiveness on dust, pollens, emission particles before entering a ventilation system Higher MERV rated filters would increase air volume and air pressure

19. Sick Building Syndrome “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 62.1-2004

20. Sources of IAQ Problems Vapors and gases Chemicals Respirable particles Mold, fungus and viruses

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

22. Chemicals IAQ and health is a very new area of scientific exploration Flame retardants & Electronic devices polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs)

23. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) PAHs are found naturally & can also be man-made. In their purest form, PAHs are solid and range in appearance from colorless to white or pale yellow/green. PAHs are created when products like coal, oil, gas, and garbage are burned but the burning process is not complete.

24. Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including electrical, heat transfer, and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in paints, plastics, and rubber products; in pigments, dyes, and carbonless copy paper; and many other industrial applications.

25. PBDEs are not chemically bound to plastics, foam, fabrics, or other products in which they are used, making them more likely to leach out of these products. Despite the United States having phased out the manufacture and import of penta- and octaBDE in 2004, their component congeners are being detected in humans and the environment. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

26. PBDEs (cont.) Some reports indicate that levels are increasing. One potential source is imported articles to which these compounds have been added. Another is the possible breakdown of decaBDE in the environment to more toxic and bioaccumulative PBDE congeners.

27. Respirable Particles Asbestos Cyanide Dust mite droppings Others?

28. One Example

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

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

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

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

33. More Mold

36. Strategies Addressing IAQ Concerns Source Elimination/ Capture Filtration Dilution

37. 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.”

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

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

40. 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