Indoor Air Quality Presented by Katherine Cavanaugh, CSP Manager, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Indoor Air Quality Presented by Katherine Cavanaugh, CSP Manager, Occupational Safety and Health & Loss Control University of Maryland Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk Objectives Indoor air quality
Presented by Katherine Cavanaugh, CSP Manager, Occupational Safety and Health & Loss Control University of Maryland Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk
Indoor air quality introduction Discuss primary concerns typically associated with indoor air quality
(IAQ)
Case studies of indoor air quality surveys Current IAQ initiatives at UMD
Heath Well-being Productivity
What is “good indoor air quality”? What are some challenges for staff when investigating IAQ concerns?
Indoor air with acceptable ventilation (according to ASHRAE
standards).
Sources of indoor air contaminants are minimized. 75% or more of building occupants are comfortable at work.
Chemical Particles (non-biological) Biological
Products used in the building Chemical spills Pesticides Construction supplies Products of combustion (CO and Formaldehyde)
Silica Total dust
Consult SDS
Bacteria Viruses Mold/fungi Dust mites Animal dander Pollen
Allergenic Respiratory system irritation Asthma Molds can cause localized skin or mucosal infections. Some may be more susceptible than others.
Mold can be found almost anywhere. Mold requires moisture to grow. All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Health effects vary and are dependent on the individual.
https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/aspergillosis/index.html https://mycology.adelaide.edu.au/descriptions/hyphomycetes/penicillium/ https://mycology.adelaide.edu.au/descriptions/hyphomycetes/cladosporium/ https://www.inspq.qc.ca/en/moulds/fact-sheets/ulocladium-chartarum
Molds can produce mycotoxins What we know is limited to effects after ingestion. Mycotoxins are not always present when mold is in a building. More research is needed on this topic.
Inadequate ventilation – 52% Contamination from inside the building – 16% Contamination from outside the building – 10% Microbial colonization – 5% Contamination from building fabric – 4% Unknown sources – 13%
Purchasing furniture with low VOC/Formaldehyde Keeping HVAC in mind during renovations Exclude the use of air fresheners/ionizing air cleaners Reporting floods/water-intrusion promptly
Building is under slight positive pressure (air comes out of the building
when exterior doors are opened.)
Monitor carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity Regularly maintain HVAC system Regularly conduct inspections
Roof Walls Foundation Windows
Interviews and Investigation
Interview employees Interview building personnel Visual inspection Data/Sample collection (if warranted)
What is the configuration of the HVAC system? What preventative maintenance is performed on the system? Any recent floods/moisture intrusion?
If so, what was the cleanup response?
More questions
cleaning chemicals furniture purchased recent alterations
Currently there are no federal or state
regulations for mold remediation.
Developing regulations is difficult
because there are no typical buildings.
Accepted industry guidelines have been
developed by the EPA, AIHA, and IICRC.
There are no federal limits for mold in building air. This includes standards or threshold limit values (TLV). The EPA states if visible mold growth is present, sampling is
unnecessary.
Surface samples may occasionally be obtained to determine if an area
has been adequately cleaned or remediated.
Current evidence indicates allergies are the diseases most associated
with mold.
The susceptibility of individuals can vary greatly either because of the
amount or type of mold.
Sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining an individual’s
health risk.
If an individual is susceptible to mold, and mold is seen or smelled,
there is a potential health risk, and it should be removed.
Standards for judging acceptable or tolerable quantities have not been
established.
Are there hazardous materials present? Are there existing moisture problems in the building? Have building materials been wet more than 48
hours?
Are there hidden sources of water or is the humidity
too high (high enough to cause condensation)?
Are building materials or furnishings visibly
damaged?
What is the area (SF) of materials affected?
Area LESS than 10 square feet
Can be performed in-house
Enrolled in University Respiratory Protection Program Departmental involvement varies Requires specialized training for front line staff and supervisors
Recommends repairing the sources of moisture. Remove or clean affected materials. Repair as necessary.
Area GREATER than 10 square feet
Performed by an outside contractor. Repair source(s) of moisture. Containment (environmental controls) and personal protective
equipment in use.
Remove and/or clean affected materials. Reconstruct as necessary.
McKeldin Library HJ Patterson
Respond to clean water within 24-48 hours
UMD FM has an incident response unit on call 24 hours Specialized training for area maintenance personnel in FM Residential Facilities has trained housekeeping staff in mold remediation for
<10SF.
Refer to EPA “Mold in Schools and Commercial Buildings” Check subfloor under carpeting or other flooring. Remove cove base from walls if carpeting is affected If drywall is wet, remove it. REMEMBER: ALWAYS CHECK ASBESTOS INVENTORY
SOP developed to address ACM in emergencies
IAQ concerns during construction
Occupants in offices near the elevator closest to the construction were
Odors were strongest when generators and diesel powered equipment
was operated next to the adjacent wing.
Offices were directly adjacent to the elevator and the stairwell. Both the elevator and stairwell entrances were next to areas where
equipment was in operation.
Air moved from the elevator shaft/stairwell into the hallway towards
the offices as the return was down the hall.
The contractor installed plastic sheeting over the stairwell and elevator
block diesel fumes from being entrained indoors.
FM switched the outdoor air intake for the space to the opposite side of
the building.
Response would be a bit different in 2019 with the
Mold growth on books during the cooling seasons. Several studies had been performed (with air testing) HVAC upgrades were installed Dehumidifiers and fans were in use Problem continued
Books were inspected and sequestered (cleaned by a specialty
contractor)
Several supply registers were redirected
Data showed relative humidity levels above 70-80% Supply air blows directly onto books Construction dust from recent activities was not being controlled
ESSR contacted CCMS personnel and looked at the history of relative
humidity levels in the library.
CCMS adjusted controls. Noticed one of the gates was an “or” gate
when it should be an “and” gate.
Changed and relative humidity levels stabilized.
ESSR and CCMS continue to monitor this area. It was suggested contractors use dust control methods if they perform
work in the library.
Learned basic facts about mold and its health effects. Covered the parameters mold requires to grow indoors. Explored the basics of performing mold visual inspections. Reviewed the guidelines for mold remediation. Discussed two IAQ case studies.