Indoor Air Quality 101: The Basics. Historical Information IAQ issues are not new –Old Testament Leviticus, Chapter 14, verses 34-47 –1970s is significant.

Indoor Air Quality 101:Indoor Air Quality 101:The BasicsThe Basics

Historical InformationHistorical Information

• IAQ issues are not ‘new’– Old Testament

• Leviticus, Chapter 14, verses 34-47– 1970’s is significant – Increase in IAQ-related problems

• Buildings designed/constructed ‘tighter’• Buildings maintained more efficiently• Heightened ‘public’ awareness

– Influx of Litigation• Celebrity Lawsuits – Ed McMahon; Erin Brockovich• Texas – Ballard Case• Ohio – Builder sued for $75 million

– More Recently• Mold exclusions in insurance policies• More clarification from “experts”

Indoor Air QualityIndoor Air Quality

• There is no such thing as “bad” air.

• There are simply pollutants and pollutant pathways.

Indoor PollutantsIndoor Pollutants

• Chemicals– volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Biologicals– bacteria– fungi (mold)

Indoor Pollutant SourcesIndoor Pollutant Sources

• Chemicals– office equipment/supplies– cleaning solutions– air deodorizers

Indoor Pollutant SourcesIndoor Pollutant Sources

• Biologicals– Mold primary pollutant

• What do you need to grow mold?– Mold spores– Moisture source– Food source– Temperature 40-100 degrees

Indoor Pollutant SourcesIndoor Pollutant Sources

• Biologicals– moisture sources

• ventilation systems• roof/wall/floor system penetrations

– moisture-contacted materials• sheetrock• ceiling tiles• carpets• furnishings

Pollutant PathwaysPollutant Pathways

• Ventilation systems

• ‘Passive’ migration indoors

Major causes of poor IAQMajor causes of poor IAQ

• Pollution sources

• Improperly operated and maintained HVAC

• Building occupants and their activities

More causes of poor IAQMore causes of poor IAQ

• Reduced ventilation• Building materials and furnishings• Water intrusion -- mold growth• Deferred maintenance• Pests/vermin• Pesticides – inside or outside • Cleaners• Dirty carpets• Personal care products

But these aren’t Root Causes !

So … what are “Root” Causes?So … what are “Root” Causes?

1. Lack of awareness of how everyone’s typical activities affect IAQ.

““Root” Causes (continued)Root” Causes (continued)

2. Lack of clear communication between school and district staff on issues affecting IAQ.

““Root” Causes (continued)Root” Causes (continued)

3. Lack of awareness by all of a basic knowledge of IAQ in general and the workings of the school, including the mechanics of the school, e.g. Ventilation.

Root Causes RecapRoot Causes Recap

• Typical activities

• Communication

• Basic knowledge

Identify these in the photos. Identify these in the photos.

Actual ConditionsActual Conditions

Mold

Algae

BlockedBlockedReturnReturn

For air to come out of here

It has to get in there

Ventilation Unit of Ventilation Unit of Portable Classroom Portable Classroom

Outside air intake

Bathroom exhaust

Air Intake located by…Air Intake located by…

A hole in the wallA hole in the wall

Storage area on other side Storage area on other side of wallof wall

What About Our Schools?What About Our Schools?

The Fallacy of Air TestingThe Fallacy of Air Testing

• Lack of standard testing methodology– Tape sample– Settling plate– Air-O-Cell– Andersen N-6

The Fallacy of Air TestingThe Fallacy of Air Testing

• Lack of standard interpretation– Indoor vs. Outdoor

• Speciation• Concentration

Let’s Do A Couple Of ExamplesLet’s Do A Couple Of Examples

• Example One– Outdoor Concentrations

• O1 1,000 M• O2 500 M

3

3

Average 750 M3

Let’s Do A Couple Of ExamplesLet’s Do A Couple Of Examples

• Example One– Outdoor Average 750 M

• Room 1 250 M• Room 2 500 M• Room 3 600 M

3

3

3

3

– Interpretation: Rooms are all good

Let’s Do A Couple Of ExamplesLet’s Do A Couple Of Examples

• Example Two– Outdoor Concentrations

• O1 500 M• O2 600 M

3

3

Average 550 M3

Let’s Do A Couple Of ExamplesLet’s Do A Couple Of Examples

• Example Two– Outdoor Average 550 M

• Room 1 250 M• Room 2 500 M• Room 3 600 M

3

3

3

3

– Interpretation: Room 3 is bad

Commercial Testing KitsCommercial Testing Kits

Sample Commercial ReportSample Commercial Report

A Cheaper AlternativeA Cheaper Alternative

So When Is There A Problem?So When Is There A Problem?

Most experts agree, mold is problematic when Most experts agree, mold is problematic when it can be detected by your senses.it can be detected by your senses.

Tools for Schools ProgramTools for Schools Program

What is What is Tools for SchoolsTools for Schools??

• A program for making all school-site staff educated advocates for good IAQ practices.

• A program for the entire school to learn to recognize/prevent IAQ problems in their building.

IAQ Tools for Schools IAQ Tools for Schools ProgramProgram

• Voluntary EPA program used in over 10,000

schools nationwide

• EPA provides training, awards, technical

assistance, publications

• Many EPA partners working to implement

program

IAQ Tools for Schools IAQ Tools for Schools ProgramProgramOriginal Kit Co-SponsorsOriginal Kit Co-Sponsors

NATIONAL PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION

NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

COUNCIL FOR AMERICAN PRIVATE EDUCATION

ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

IAQ Tools for SchoolsIAQ Tools for SchoolsProgram PartnersProgram Partners

American Association of School Administrators (AASA)American Association of School Administrators (AASA) American Federation of Teachers (AFT)American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Association of School Business Officials (ASBO)Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI)Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) National Education Association (NEA)National Education Association (NEA) National Association of School Nurses (NASN)National Association of School Nurses (NASN) American Lung Association (ALA) American Lung Association (ALA) Asthma & Allergy Network*Mothers of Asthmatics (AAN*MA)Asthma & Allergy Network*Mothers of Asthmatics (AAN*MA) National Association of County Officials (NACo)National Association of County Officials (NACo) National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) National Catholic Education Association (NCEA)National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council of Catholic Facility Managers (CCFM)Council of Catholic Facility Managers (CCFM) National School Board Association (NSBA) National School Board Association (NSBA) And others…. And others….

IAQ Tools for Schools IAQ Tools for Schools Kit Kit ContentsContents

Coordinator’s Guide

Checklists for the Entire Building

Instructional Videos

Road Map

Asthma Guide

Problem Solving Wheel

TfS Six Key DriversTfS Six Key Drivers

Effective IAQ ProgramEvaluate

Act Plan

Assess

OrganizeCommunicate

James Notter(IAQ Coordinator)

Risk Management(Occupational Health & Environmental Compliance)Jeffrey S. Moquin, Director Risk ManagementAston Henry, Supervisor Risk ManagementEd See, Project Manager Occupational Health & Environmental Compliance

Physical Plant Operations(Preventative Maintenance / Repairs)

Mark Dorsett, Manager I, Zone IRichard Lees, Supervisor I HVAC

Jack McDonald, Supervisor I Evening HVACRobert Crawford, Supervisor I Roofing

Rob Jindracek, Project ManagerEMS

Physical Plant Operations(Custodial Maintenance / Pest Control / Grounds)

Roy Norton, Manager I, Custodial/Grounds Ron Eggenberger, Manager Grounds

William Swartz, Certified Pest Control OperatorCustodial Supervisors

Facilities(Major Abatement / Project Management / Design)Robert Krickovich, Coordinator, LEADerrick Ragland, Executive Director Project ManagementClaudia Munroe, Executive Director Design ServicesRick Rosa, Project Manager I

FACILITIES TASK FORCE

Indoor Air Quality ProgramIndoor Air Quality Program Management StructureManagement Structure

Implementation of TfS ProgramImplementation of TfS Program

• Decision to participate• Notification letter to parents outlining

location’s involvement with TfS• Establish an IAQ committee• Introductory training• Overview to staff• Complete survey• Participate in validation walkthrough process• Ongoing communication of results and

corrective actions• IAQ committee provides ongoing

communications on IAQ issues as necessary

AnnualAnnual Cycle Cycle

Conduct Annual Assessment

to Identify Potential

IAQ Issues

Validate Issues of Concern and Identify Corrective Action Plan

Initiate and Complete Corrective

Actions

Two Primary Mechanisms of Two Primary Mechanisms of AssessmentAssessment

• Annual TfS Occupant Survey

• IAQ Response Protocol

IAQ Response ProtocolIAQ Response Protocol

Online IAQ Assessment RequestOnline IAQ Assessment Request

Fill in all fields and click “Click Here” button

Answer Yes or No and click the “Submit” button

If “No” a separate window will open with the IAQ Response Protocol

If “Yes” your request for an assessment has been submitted

What’s Next:What’s Next:

IAQ Assessment ReportIAQ Assessment Report

Accessing Online ReportsAccessing Online Reports

Click on “Location Assessment Profile” folder

Choose school type and click folder

Choose school name

View IAQ Assessments

View IAQ Work Orders

Numbers on the IAQ ProgramNumbers on the IAQ Program

• With Phase VI participation, there are now currently 165

schools participating in the TfS program.

• Through the 1st five phases of the program, there have

been…

– 26,747 concerns identified through the on-line survey

– 145 walkthroughs conducted

– 615 work orders generated for corrective action

• Through the IAQ Assessment Protocol, there have been…

– 1,209 requests for assessment

– 1,197 evaluations conducted

– 1,210 work orders generated for corrective action

Questions ???Questions ???