1. Asthma & Indoor Air Quality Workshop National Environmental Health Association Washington DC, February 18-20, 2004

2. Indoor Environmental Quality: Defining The Problem

5. Why should you be interested in IAQ? n Regulatory actions n Civil lawsuits n Employee productivity n Employee satisfaction n Worker compensation claims n Insurance costs l Mold related claims increasing dramatically

6. Liability n Over 9,000 toxic mold and mildew-related suits filed in U.S. & Canada over past 10 years. l $8,000,000,000 class action suit in New York l $32,000,000 award to Texas homeowner. l $18,500,000 award to California homeowner. n Not only a concern, but precedents have been established.

8. Range of Symptom Complaints Found in 14 Metro Schools Low SchoolHigh School Headache22%69% Nasal29%54% Sinus Cong.20%42% Sinus Inf.4%31% Eye Irritation22%31% Sore Throat16%27% Hoarseness18%23% Runny Nose10%38% Fatigue22%31%

9. Possible causes of the increase in IAQ complaints? n Lower ventilation rates n Non-opening windows n Interior offices n Media attention n Microchemophobia n Less “natural” indoor environment

10. “Mythconceptions” n Tight buildings cause indoor air pollution. n Opening windows will help IAQ problems. n Plants and a “natural environment’ will reduce IAQ problems. n Carbon dioxide is a major cause of IAQ problems.

11. Indoor Pollutant Levels n Levels are 2 - 5 times higher indoors. n Some activities substantially increase indoor pollutants. l Remodeling, print shops, copy machines, etc. n New buildings may have VOC levels that may be 100 times higher than outside.

12. IAQ Definitions Building Related Illness vs. Sick Building Syndrome Sick Building Syndrome

13. Building Related Illness n A set of symptoms that can result in a specific diagnosis by a physician. n Examples: l Hypersensitivity pneumonitis l Occupational asthma l Legionella l Tuberculosis

14. Causes of Building Related Illness n Chemical exposures l Isocyanates F Paints l Methacrylates F Carpets l Cleaning agents. n Bioaerosol exposures l Legionella, molds, bacteria, viruses l Insects (cockroach, dust mites, etc) l Pets (dogs, cats, and birds)

15. Sick Building Syndrome n A set of general symptoms or complaints that defy a specific diagnosis but seem to be related to a specific building. n Large number of workers complaining of symptoms in a building. l ASHRAE used to use guideline of 20%

16. Typical SBS Symptoms n Mucous membrane irritation n Eye irritation n Upper respiratory symptoms l Cough and sneezing n Systemic symptoms l Headache and fatigue n Other: rash, hearing difficulty

17. Sources of IAQ Pollutants n Outdoor pollution n Indoor pollution n Building material off-gassing n Inadequate ventilation l Design l Maintenance l During renovations

18. Outdoor Pollution n Vehicle exhaust n Ventilation system exhaust placement n Ventilation system intake placement n Construction activity n Outdoor air pollution

19. Indoor Pollution n Cleaning compounds n Photocopy machines n Manufacturing processes n Smoking policies n Construction n Humidity or water infiltration l Mold

20. Building Material Off-Gassing n Formaldehyde from wood products n VOC’s from carpeting n Paint odors n Fiberglass materials n Glues

21. Inadequate Ventilation n Inadequate pre-filtration or dehumidification n Poor maintenance n Inadequate outdoor air n Poor distribution n Lack of local exhaust for processes l Accumulation of moisture and other vapors n Uncontrolled entry of unconditioned air l Moisture l Particulates