Proactive Indoor Air Quality and

Risk Management

U.S. Army Corps of EngineersLouisville District

Presented to

Jeff Prewitt BA Geology, Earlham College MS Geology, University of Vermont Executive Board, American Council for Accredited

Certification (formerly American Indoor Air Quality Council)

Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant, ACAC Certified Indoor Air Quality Professional, Association of

Energy Engineers Certified Environmental Infection Control Consultant,

ACAC Certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor, ACAC Certified Structural Drying Supervisor, ACAC Professional Geologist: Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Florida Over 27 years Environmental Consulting

Indoor Air Quality • Indoor Air Quality – Why is it Important?• HVAC Systems and IAQ• Why is Indoor Air Quality an Issue?• Indoor Air Quality is a Function of …• Pitfalls and Threats• Proactive Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality – Why is it Important?

Worker Satisfaction

Indoor Air Quality – Why is it Important?

Productivity

Decrease absence rate Decrease Sick Building Syndrome

Symptoms

Wargocki et al. – For each 10% decrease in IAQ dissatisfaction productivity will increase by 1.1%

Indoor Air Quality – Why is it Important?

Productivity

Berkley Labs 2012

Indoor Air Quality – Why is it Important?

ProductivityDo the math on employee productivity.• Assume a 100,000 square foot office building with

seven employees per 1000 square feet (per ASHRAE 62-2001), and an average salary of $30,000 per employee.

• Assume occupant dissatisfaction and/or absenteeism due to poor indoor air conditions reduce productivity by 2% yielding $420,000 per year in lost productivity, or Productivity Cost = $420 per square foot.

• Increasing average HVAC energy costs of $0.64 per square foot by even 5% to $0.67 is negligible compared to the productivity increases that may be realized through a clean and comfortable indoor environment.

Indoor Air Quality – Why is it Important?

Indicator of Building Health – Are Systems Working

Properly?

Indoor Air Quality – Why is it Important?

Risk Management

$Lawmakers share health concerns at Navy homes

WBRZ News Mold forces airmen out of dorms

Navy Times Marines fighting mold problem at Parris Island

Viral video spurs Army into action on Fort Polk's moldy bathrooms

Indoor Air Quality – Why is it Important?

High Risk = High cost to avoid liability and

re-build trust Damage = High cost for building

repair Delayed

Reporting = More damage High CO2 = High cost to business –

perception, performance indicator and satisfaction

HVAC Systems and IAQ

A/C Orifice Tube

A/C Evaporator CoreA/C Condenser

A/C Compressor

HVAC Systems and IAQ

From EPA

HVAC Systems and IAQ

Buildings are like a living animal Draw in fresh air, expel CO2 and

contaminants

Kitchen Exhaust

Bathroom Exhaust

Infiltration at windows and doors

+ -

HVAC Systems and IAQ

Buildings are like a living animal Blow in fresh air, exhaust

Outdoor Air/ Supply Air

Return Air

Leakage at doors

+ -

Exhaust

Why is Indoor Air Quality an Issue? Building Construction

Each decade new concerns:70’s – Energy 80’s – Asbestos, New Cheap Building Materials90’s – Radon, Sick Building Syndrome00’s – MoldNext – Teflon?

Why is Indoor Air Quality an Issue?

People – Construct, Use, Operate, Maintain

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of:

Building Envelope

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Roof

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Walls

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Floor/Foundation

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Conditioning = Moderate Temp + Moderate

Humidity Comfort = High Temp + Low Humidity Comfort = Low Temp + High Humidity

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Conditioning = Remove Particulates

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Contaminant Sources

Building Materials

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Contaminant Sources

Occupants – bring contaminants in on clothes, belongings

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Contaminant Sources

Occupants – Bioaerosols/Bioeffluents – viruses, bacteria, particulates Talking, coughing, sneezing Flushing toilets, sweeping floors, washing

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Contaminant Sources

Occupants – Cleaning chemicals and methods

Green Purchasing

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Contaminant Sources

Occupants – dry erase markers, air fresheners, finger nail polish, hand sanitizers, solvents, ozone generators

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of:

Ventilation

Indoor Air Quality is a Function of: Maintenance

Pitfalls and Threats Non-detection Perception Inaction Occupant Dissatisfaction Occupant Frustration Group Symptoms, and

Commiseration Occupant Reaction to Frustration

Complaints, calls, internet, media

Laurel Bay schools continue to be scrutinized by environmental teams

Risk Management Be Proactive Be Responsive Be Empathetic Be Sincere Limit internal fix attempts to 2-3 then

get help Communicate – Efforts, Plans, Results,

Solutions Follow up

Proactive Indoor Air Quality

Work environment surveys Develop reaction plan for clients Feedback mechanisms Respond to complaints with visible

efforts Proactive IAQ Surveys Implement Low-cost Solutions Communicate results

If in doubt…

Photograph and email photo to Jeff Prewitt, or

Call Jeff while you are looking at it for suggestions

Phone Consulting is always FREE!

(904) 501-2525 Tropicalsciencesllc@yahoo.com