Asthma & Indoor Air Asthma & Indoor Air Quality WorkshopQuality Workshop

Asthma & Indoor Air Asthma & Indoor Air Quality WorkshopQuality Workshop

National EnvironmentalNational Environmental

Health AssociationHealth Association

Washington DC, February 18-20, 2004Washington DC, February 18-20, 2004

Indoor Environmental Quality: Indoor Environmental Quality: Defining The ProblemDefining The Problem

Why should you be interested in IAQ?Why should you be interested in IAQ?

Regulatory actionsRegulatory actions Civil lawsuitsCivil lawsuits Employee productivityEmployee productivity Employee satisfactionEmployee satisfaction Worker compensation claimsWorker compensation claims Insurance costsInsurance costs

Mold related claims increasing dramaticallyMold related claims increasing dramatically

LiabilityLiability Over 9,000 toxic mold and mildew-related suits Over 9,000 toxic mold and mildew-related suits

filed in U.S. & Canada over past 10 years.filed in U.S. & Canada over past 10 years. $8,000,000,000 class action suit in New York$8,000,000,000 class action suit in New York $32,000,000 award to Texas homeowner.$32,000,000 award to Texas homeowner. $18,500,000 award to California homeowner.$18,500,000 award to California homeowner.

Not only a concern, but precedents have been Not only a concern, but precedents have been established.established.

Range of Symptom Complaints Range of Symptom Complaints Found in 14 Metro Schools Found in 14 Metro Schools

Low School High SchoolHeadache 22% 69%Nasal 29% 54%Sinus Cong. 20% 42%Sinus Inf. 4% 31%Eye Irritation 22% 31%Sore Throat 16% 27%Hoarseness 18% 23%Runny Nose 10% 38%Fatigue 22% 31%

Possible causes of the increase in Possible causes of the increase in IAQ complaints?IAQ complaints?

Lower ventilation ratesLower ventilation rates Non-opening windowsNon-opening windows Interior officesInterior offices Media attentionMedia attention MicrochemophobiaMicrochemophobia Less “natural” indoor environmentLess “natural” indoor environment

““Mythconceptions”Mythconceptions”

Tight buildings cause indoor air pollution.Tight buildings cause indoor air pollution. Opening windows will help IAQ problems.Opening windows will help IAQ problems. Plants and a “natural environment’ will reduce Plants and a “natural environment’ will reduce

IAQ problems.IAQ problems. Carbon dioxide is a major cause of IAQ Carbon dioxide is a major cause of IAQ

problems.problems.

Indoor Pollutant LevelsIndoor Pollutant Levels

Levels are 2 - 5 times higher indoors.Levels are 2 - 5 times higher indoors. Some activities substantially increase indoor Some activities substantially increase indoor

pollutants.pollutants. Remodeling, print shops, copy machines, etc.Remodeling, print shops, copy machines, etc.

New buildings may have VOC levels that may be New buildings may have VOC levels that may be 100 times higher than outside.100 times higher than outside.

IAQ DefinitionsIAQ Definitions

Building Related Illness Building Related Illness

vs.vs.

Sick Building SyndromeSick Building Syndrome

Building Related IllnessBuilding Related Illness

A set of symptoms that can result in a specific A set of symptoms that can result in a specific diagnosis by a physician.diagnosis by a physician.

Examples:Examples: Hypersensitivity pneumonitisHypersensitivity pneumonitis Occupational asthmaOccupational asthma Legionella Legionella TuberculosisTuberculosis

Causes of Building Related IllnessCauses of Building Related Illness Chemical exposuresChemical exposures

IsocyanatesIsocyanates PaintsPaints

Methacrylates Methacrylates CarpetsCarpets

Cleaning agents.Cleaning agents. Bioaerosol exposuresBioaerosol exposures

Legionella, molds, bacteria, virusesLegionella, molds, bacteria, viruses Insects (cockroach, dust mites, etc)Insects (cockroach, dust mites, etc) Pets (dogs, cats, and birds)Pets (dogs, cats, and birds)

Sick Building SyndromeSick Building Syndrome

A set of general symptoms or complaints that A set of general symptoms or complaints that

defy a specific diagnosis but seem to be related to defy a specific diagnosis but seem to be related to

a specific building.a specific building.

Large number of workers complaining of Large number of workers complaining of

symptoms in a building.symptoms in a building. ASHRAE used to use guideline of 20%ASHRAE used to use guideline of 20%

Typical SBS SymptomsTypical SBS Symptoms

Mucous membrane irritationMucous membrane irritation Eye irritationEye irritation Upper respiratory symptomsUpper respiratory symptoms

Cough and sneezingCough and sneezing Systemic symptomsSystemic symptoms

Headache and fatigueHeadache and fatigue Other: rash, hearing difficultyOther: rash, hearing difficulty

Sources of IAQ PollutantsSources of IAQ Pollutants

Outdoor pollutionOutdoor pollution Indoor pollutionIndoor pollution Building material off-gassingBuilding material off-gassing Inadequate ventilationInadequate ventilation

DesignDesign MaintenanceMaintenance During renovationsDuring renovations

Outdoor PollutionOutdoor Pollution

Vehicle exhaustVehicle exhaust

Ventilation system exhaust placementVentilation system exhaust placement

Ventilation system intake placementVentilation system intake placement

Construction activityConstruction activity

Outdoor air pollutionOutdoor air pollution

Indoor PollutionIndoor Pollution

Cleaning compoundsCleaning compounds Photocopy machinesPhotocopy machines Manufacturing processesManufacturing processes Smoking policiesSmoking policies ConstructionConstruction Humidity or water infiltrationHumidity or water infiltration

MoldMold

Building Material Off-GassingBuilding Material Off-Gassing

Formaldehyde from wood productsFormaldehyde from wood products

VOC’s from carpetingVOC’s from carpeting

Paint odorsPaint odors

Fiberglass materialsFiberglass materials

GluesGlues

Inadequate VentilationInadequate Ventilation Inadequate pre-filtration or dehumidificationInadequate pre-filtration or dehumidification Poor maintenancePoor maintenance Inadequate outdoor air Inadequate outdoor air Poor distributionPoor distribution Lack of local exhaust for processesLack of local exhaust for processes

Accumulation of moisture and other vaporsAccumulation of moisture and other vapors Uncontrolled entry of unconditioned airUncontrolled entry of unconditioned air

MoistureMoisture ParticulatesParticulates