Indoor Air Quality Awareness

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Indoor Air Quality Awareness
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Outline

• IAQ Definition
• Mold Basics
• Moisture Sources
• The OEHS Mold/IAQ Management Plan
• Mold/IAQ Investigation
• How You Can Help

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What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?
According to the Occupational Safety Health
Administration (OSHA) Indoor air quality
(indoor environmental quality) describes how
inside air can affect a person's health,
comfort, and ability to work.  

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What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?

• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
  Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• Acceptable Indoor Air
• Air in which there are no known contaminants at
  harmful concentrations and which a substantial
  majority (usually 80) of the people exposed do
  not express dissatisfaction
• -ASHRAE 62-1999

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IAQ

• Most Americans spend up to 90 of their time
  indoors
• Many spend most of their working hours in an
  office environment
• Pollutants in an indoor environment can increase
  the risk of illness
• May include temperature, humidity, lack of
  outside air, exposure to chemicals, or mold

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Mold Basics

• Diverse group of organisms that are present
  everywhere soil, water, and air
• Some are beneficial such as Yeast and Medicines
• May or may not produce odors
• Some species reproduce by means of spores

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Mold Basics

• Spores may or may not cause health problems in
  individuals
• Symptoms are vague and include runny nose, eye
  and skin irritation, headache, flu-like
  symptoms, fatigue
• Immune suppressed and the young and elderly
  immune systems may be more susceptible to adverse
  health effects
• Large counts indoors vs. outdoors or extensive
  growth constitutes a problem
• Grow on food and other surfaces that contain
  sufficient moisture when right conditions exist

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Moisture Sources

• Water and Potential Mold Pathways
• Roof and Building Envelope
• Pipe Chases
• HVAC Systems
• Air Handlers
• Ducts
• Leaks from Hot Water Tanks
• Sewage Backflows
• Condensation
• Broken Water Lines
• Infiltration Through Building Construction
  Materials

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The OEHS Mold/IAQ Management Plan

• IAQ Problems are Identified By
• Building Occupant Complaint
• First Report of Occupational Injury/Illness
• Routine Inspections
• Facilities Services Request

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Mold/IAQ Investigation Protocol

• Overall Objectives
• Gather information (interviews, questionnaires,
  and surveys) to locate potential causes
• Determine symptoms of those with health issues or
  possible work related illness
• Determine control measures and remediate the
  problem
• Conduct preventive maintenance
• Be proactive to prevent issues

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Mold/IAQ Investigation

• Initial Assessment
• Documentation of Complaint
• Gathering background information through
• - An interview with individual(s) knowledgeable
  about the problem
• An IAQ questionnaire to obtain pertinent data
  about the problem, particular circumstances or
  activities surrounding the problem
• A review of a First Report of Occupational
  Injury/Illness and any other correspondence
  provided

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Mold/IAQ Investigation

• Building Characterization
• Gathering Information on
• - Building Composition
• - Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
  (HVAC) Systems
• - Building Blueprints/Diagrams

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Mold/IAQ Investigation

• Walkthrough Survey
• To ensure that the information collected is
  accurate
• Provide an assessment of the overall condition of
  the building and its systems
• Determine if building systems are functioning
  properly
• Identify Specific Problem Areas
• - Specific pollutant sources or pathways
  (equipment, chemicals)
• - Improper cleaning procedures
• - HVAC problems (cleanliness, location of
  intakes, moisture problems)

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Mold/IAQ Investigation

• Intermediate Assessment Sampling
• If visible mold growth is present
• SAMPLING IS NOT NECESSARY
• Sampling is very complex hard to quantify molds
  
• Sampling only performed
• For documentation of remedial efforts to include
  conditions before, during and after remediation
• 20-25 of individuals are experiencing adverse
  health effects that are believed to be due to
  work environment conditions

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Problems With Quantifying Molds

• No established exposure limits for molds
• Human Responses
• Range from none to serious for a mold
• Exposure limit for one mold/bioaerosol may be
  entirely inappropriate for another
• Not possible to collect and evaluate all
  bioaerosol components using a single sampling
  method

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Mold/IAQ Investigation

• Control Strategy
• Control/fix water intrusion or moisture
• Dry out wet materials ASAP
• Decisions about appropriate remediation
  strategies often can be made on the basis of a
  visible inspection.
• Establish plan to prevent future leaks and water
  episodes
• Follow-up Assessment
• Assess complaints after problem has been
  corrected

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WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?

• Increase Your Awareness
• Immediately report potential problems to
  Facilities Services to ensure prompt clean up and
  dry out of water intrusion
• Properly Maintain Existing Building Systems
• Do Not Open Windows
• Do Not Change Thermostats
• Do Not Block Vents
• Clean Up Spills
• Contact the OEHS and Facilities Services

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Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health
Safety (OEHS) Kim ChapitalManager
Occupational Health [phone]www.tulane.edu
/oehs
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