INDOOR AIR QUALITY

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INDOOR AIR QUALITY

• OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT
• LOSS PREVENTION UNIT

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PRE-TEST

• Name some building locations where mold can be
  seen.
• Smoke poses no Indoor Air Quality problem.
• T / F

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PRE-TEST

• Ventilation systems can control and/or cause IAQ
  problems.
• T / F

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GOALS

• Understanding/Reducing Mold Growth
• Minimize/Prevent Mold Poor Indoor Air Quality
• Education in Prevention Recurrence

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OBJECTIVES

• Educate State agencies on Indoor Air Quality
  Issues
• Provide control methods
• Assist in addressing issues

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INTRODUCTION

• Keeping your workplace healthy is good business
  for employees

CAN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
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• MOLD
• Causes Routes of Exposure
• ASBESTOS
• Location Health Hazards

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MOLD

• Definition Organic substance that requires
  oxygen water to grow.
• Mold breaks down plant matter by digesting for
  food.

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WITHOUT MOLD

• We would be struggling w/large amounts of dead
  plant matter.
• We would not have penicillin

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MOLD cont.

• All mold spores cannot, practically, be
  eliminated indoors
• Can be managed by controlling indoor moisture

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MOLD cont.

• Growth Factors
• Moisture
• ALL Surfaces
• Temperature

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MOLD cont.

• Moisture
• Leaks in pipes, roof, windows, etc.
• HVAC systems

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MOLD cont.

• 2. Any Surfaces
• Mold can exist on any surface!!!
• Examples include
• Wood
• Paper
• Carpet
• Food
• Plastic
• Rock

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MOLD cont.

• 3. Temperature
• Decreased temperature--air holds less moisture
  promotes condensation
• Increased temperature--air retains more moisture
  promotes humidity

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MOLD cont. ROUTES OF EXPOSURE

• Sources that allow mold indoors
• - Ventilation Systems
• - Papers Books
• - Leaks
• Attics
• Behind Walls
• Ceilings
• Under Carpeting
• Behind Furnishings

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MOLD--ROUTES OF EXPOSURE cont.

• Routes of Indoor Exposure

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MOLD

• Preventing/Reducing Mold Growth
• Find/repair internal leaks ASAP
• Watch for condensation wet spots
• Prevent moisture/ condensation - Increase
  temperature or reduce humidity (below 60)
• Roof/window inspectionsrepair leaks ASAP

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MOLD Preventing/Reducing Mold Growth cont.

• 5. Regular building/HVAC
• inspections maintenance
• 6. Keep heating HVAC drip
• pans clean flowing properly
• 7. Dont let foundations stay wet
• provide drainage

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• If you only remember one thing
• NEVER IGNORE A COMPLAINT--
• DO SOMETHING!

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• ASBESTOS

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ASBESTOS

• Mineral fiber used in construction of insulation
  AND as a fire retardant
• Found in
• Older buildings
• Pipe furnace insulation
• Millboard
• Floor tiles

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ASBESTOS cont.

• DANGEROUS ASBESTOS FIBERS ARE TOO SMALL TO BE
  VISIBLE
• If inhaled, can remain, accumulate in lungs can
  cause
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis

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ASBESTOS cont.

• Do not cut, rip, or sand asbestos-containing
  materials
• Inspect for damage or deterioration
• Repair or removal should be done by a
  professional
• Suspect asbestos, have professional check

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POSSIBLE ASBESTOS/LEAD EXPOSURE

• Identify aspects of projects
• Redecorating, renovation, remodeling
• Relocation of personnel or functions
• New construction

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ASBESTOS cont.

• If you suspect presence of asbestos
• DO NOT DISTURB!!!!

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• ASTHMA

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ASTHMA

• Indoor environmental asthma may be triggered by
• - Secondhand smoke
• - Dust Mites
• - Mold

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ASTHMA cont.

• Environmental factors that stimulate asthmatic
  conditions
• Air we breathe
• Surfaces we touch

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• INDOOR AIR QUALITY
• IAQ Standards
• Good Indoor Air Quality
• Poor Indoor Air Quality
• Resolving/Correcting

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IAQ STANDARDS

• Climate controlled environments can improve
  indoor air quality

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GOOD INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)

• Introduce/distribute adequate air ventilation
• Control airborne contaminants
• Maintain acceptable temperature and relative
  humidity

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VENTILATION

• HVAC systems typically mix outside air with
  recirculated indoor air.
• To conserve heat and a/c, offices typically use a
  mix of about 20 fresh and about 80 recirculated
  air.

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POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY

• Indoor Sources of Poor IAQ
• Disturbances of asbestos and/or lead, and
  formaldehyde (in pressed wood products)
• Carpet
• Copy machines
• Dirty ventilation systems
• Water-damaged walls

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POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY--Indoor Sources of Poor
IAQ (cont.)

• Ventilation Systems
• Poorly designed, operated or maintained
• Not being used to conserve energy
• Spreading contaminants through building

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POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY--Indoor Sources of Poor
IAQ (cont.)

• Use of Building
• Portions used for specialized purposes
• - Restaurants
• - Print Shops
• - Dry Cleaning

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POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY cont.

• Neglect of Maintenance
• -Basic custodial duties
• -Reports of Hazards
• -Basic maintenance duties

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POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY

• EQUIPMENT -HVAC
• Dust/dirt in ductwork
• Microbiological growth
• Improper use of cleaning compounds
• Improper venting
• Refrigerant leakage

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POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY

• External Sources
• Pollen, dust, fungal spores
• Industrial pollutants
• General vehicular contamination
• vehicle exhaust
• fumes and gases

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POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY External Sources (cont.)

• Emissions from nearby sources
• Dumpsters
• Parking areas or garages
• Loading docks
• Roads

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• RESOLVING, CORRECTING,
• REMEDIATION

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RESOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS

• SOURCES OF CONTAMINANTS

• HVAC UNIT

• PATHWAYS
• DUCTWORK

• OCCUPANTS

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Resolving Air Quality Problems

• HVAC System Operation Maintenance
• Operate system in manner consistent w/design
• Maintenance inspections on regular basis
• Record Keeping
• All HVAC problems routine maintenance
  inspections
• Document complaints remedies

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Resolving Air Quality Problems

• Pollution Control
• Identify sources
• Implement removal and/or remedy
• Occupant Activities
• Eliminate activities that restrict air movement
• Building Maintenance Activities
• Increase of air exchanges per hr/per day based
  on daily operation.

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Resolving Air Quality Problems

• Ventilation Standards Codes
• Keep abreast of revisions to standards building
  codes
• Energy Conservation
• Re-examine practices w/regard to IAQ, employee
  health, productivity costs

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OCCUPANTS

• Employees, clients, visitors
• Groups possibly more susceptible
• Allergic or asthmatic individuals
• Individuals with respiratory disease
• Individuals w/suppressed immune systems

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WHAT ALL EMPLOYEES CAN DO TO PROVIDE GOOD IAQ

• Do not block air vents or grilles
• Comply with no smoking policy
• Clean up water spills promptly
• Report water leaks immediately
• Store dispose of food properly

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WHAT MANAGEMENT CAN DO TO PROVIDE GOOD IAQ

• Maintain good working relationship w/Maintenance
  Dept.
• Ensure allocation of funds for repair/maintenance
• Coordinate design, operation maintenance of
  HVAC

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WHAT MANAGEMENT CAN DO TO PROVIDE GOOD IAQ

• 4. Integrate IAQ concerns into
• Purchasing Policies
• 5. Work w/contractors maintenance BEFORE
  remodeling and/or renovations
• 6. Support employee concerns

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WHAT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?

• MOST IMPORTANTLY
• DO NOT IGNORE A REPORTED COMPLAINT EVER

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WHAT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?

• 4 steps to Combating Poor Indoor Air Quality
• Solve water problem
• Get suspected area tested
• Vacate people near area suspected
• Get professional remediation help

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WHAT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?

• If has not been corrected within 30 days,
• Report to the Office of Risk Management

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HIRING A PROFESSIONAL

• CHECK
• - Company/individuals experience
• - Knowledge of local codes and regional climate
  conditions

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REMEMBER

• A perceived hazard can create as many problems
  (with employees) as a real hazard
• Report all suspicions of possible mold and/or
  asbestos

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QUESTIONS
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POST-TEST

• Mold can be managed through controlling
  ________________
• Name some sources of Indoor Mold Exposure.

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POST-TEST

• New furniture or carpeting can give off
  irritating gases. T / F
• Name some office equipment that can contribute to
  poor IAQ.

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POST-TEST

• Which of the following are some preventative
  measures for mold growth
• Watch for condensation wet spots
• Roof inspections
• Keep HVAC heating drip pans clean flowing
  properly
• None of the above
• All of the above

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POST-TEST

• IAQ is solely managements responsibility.
  T / F
• It is OK to ignore IAQ complaints. T / F

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POST-TEST

• Circle all of the applicable methods to combat
  mold
• Solve water problem
• Get mold tested
• Remediation
• Burn building

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POST-TEST

• If carpet is wet due to a leak, you can let it
  dry for 72 hrs. then determine if more action
  is needed. T / F

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