Indoor Air Quality

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Indoor Air Quality

• Trina Redford
• Industrial Hygienist
• National Naval Medical Center
• IH Services North

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OBJECTIVE

• To provide an overview of Indoor Air Quality,
  including the various factors that can impact an
  office-type building.

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Objective (Contd)

• To familiarize participants with typical health
  complaints, environmental measurements collection
  and remedial actions .

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Terms

• Building Related Illness-Diagnosable illness
  whose symptoms can be identified and whose cause
  can be be directly attributed to airborne
  building pollutants
• (e.g., hypersensitivity pneumonitis or
  Legionnaires disease)

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Terms

• Sick Building Syndrome(Tight Building Syndrome)
  Used to describe situations in which building
  occupants experience acute health and /or
  comfort effects that appear to be linked to the
  time spent in a particular building.
• No specific illness can be identified.
• Complaints may be localized in a particular room
  zone or widespread throughout the building.

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Four Elements of IAQ Dilemma

• Source
• HVAC
• Pathway
• Occupants

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Sources Indoor Air Contaminants

• Contaminated outdoor air
• Emissions from nearby sources
• Moisture or standing water promoting excessive
  microbial growth
• Equipment
• Human Activities
• Housekeeping Activities

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Source of Indoor Air Contaminants

• Human activities
• Maintenance Activities
• Building Components and Furnishings
• Unsanitary conditions and water damage
• Chemicals released by building components
• Other Sources

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HVAC SYSTEM DESIGN AND OPERATION

• Provides thermal comfort.
• Distributes adequate amounts of outdoor air.
• Isolates and removes odors and contaminants
  through pressure control, filtration and exhaust
  fans

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Targeted groups of IAQ Dilemma

• Allergic or asthmatic individuals.
• People with respiratory disease.
• People whose immune system are suppressed due to
  chemotherapy, radiation therapy, disease or other
  causes.
• Contact lens wearers.

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Component of a HVAC System

• Outdoor intakes
• Mixed-air plenum and outdoor air control
• Air filter
• Heating and cooling coils
• Humidification and dehumidification equipment
• Supply fan
• Ducts
• Terminal device

• Return air system
• Exhaust or relief fans and air outlet
• Self-contained heating or cooling unit
• Control
• Boiler
• Cooling tower
• Water Chiller

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Types of Symptoms and Complaints

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Sinus congestion
• Eye, nose and throat irritation

• Sneezing
• Cough
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Skin irritation

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Conducting and IAQ Investigation

• Collect and Review Existing Records
• Conduct a Walkthrough Inspection
• Collect Detailed Information

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Instruments and Methodology Used for IAQ

• Thermal Comfort-Temperature, Relative Humidity
• Tracking Air Movement with Chemical Smoke
• CO2 as a indicator of good ventilation.
• Measuring Airflow
• Estimating Outdoor Air Quantities

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Instruments and Methodology Used for IAQ

• Air Contaminant Concentrations
• Biological Contaminants
• Airborne Dust
• Combustion Products

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Regulatory Requirements

• OSHA-General Duty Clause
• OPNAVINST 5100.23F
• ASHSHARE 62-1999 Ventilation for Acceptable
  Indoor Air Quality

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Summary

• A healthy indoor environment is one which the
  surroundings contribute to the productivity,
  comfort and sense of health and well being.
• A healthy environment may be achieved by proper
  building maintenance and communication.