"Indoor Environmental Quality," as the name implies, simply refers to the quality of the air in an office or other building environments. Workers are often concerned that they have symptoms or health conditions from exposures to contaminants in the buildings where they work. One reason for this concern is that their symptoms often get better when they are not in the building. While research has shown that some respiratory symptoms and illnesses can be associated with damp buildings, it is still unclear what measurements of indoor contaminants show that workers are at risk for disease. In most instances where a worker and his or her physician suspect that the building environment is causing a specific health condition, the information available from medical tests and tests of the environment is not sufficient to establish which contaminants are responsible. Despite uncertainty about what to measure and how to interpret what is measured, research shows that building-related symptoms are associated with building characteristics, including dampness, cleanliness, and ventilation characteristics.

Indoor environments are highly complex and building occupants may be exposed to a variety of contaminants (in the form of gases and particles) from office machines, cleaning products, construction activities, carpets and furnishings, perfumes, cigarette smoke, water-damaged building materials, microbial growth (fungal / mold and bacterial), insects, and outdoor pollutants. Other factors such as indoor temperatures, relative humidity, and ventilation levels can also affect how individuals respond to the indoor environment.

Understanding the sources of indoor environmental contaminants and controlling them can often help prevent or resolve building-related worker symptoms. Practical guidance for improving and maintaining the indoor environment is available.

Workers who have persistent or worsening symptoms should seek medical evaluation to establish a diagnosis and obtain recommendations for treatment of their condition.

Building Air Quality

Building Air Quality Action Plan

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-123 (June 1998) The Building Air Quality Action Plan is intended to be used in concert with the more comprehensive Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers (BAQ). (See below.) This resource meets the needs of building owners and managers who want an easy-to-understand path for taking their building from current conditions and practices to the successful institutionalization of good IEQ management practices.

Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 91-114 (December 1991) In recognition of the need for practical indoor air quality advice for building owners and facility managers, EPA and NIOSH worked jointly to produce this written guidance on preventing, identifying, and correcting indoor air quality problems.

Health Hazard Evaluations

NIOSH conducts investigations of possible health hazards in the workplace. These investigations, called Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs), are conducted under the authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the authority of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, following a written request from employees, authorized representative of employees, or employers, to determine whether any substance normally found in the place of employment has potentially toxic effects in such concentrations as used or found.

Some recent HHE reports related to indoor air quality have been listed below, but for a comprehensive listing, please search the HHE Database.

• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA- 2005-0138-3004, International Marine Terminal, Scotia Prince Cruises and Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Portland, Maine PDF only 1.0 MB (32 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA- 2005-0112-2980, Taft Elementary School Santa Ana, California PDF only 1.0 MB (32 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA- 2005-0290-2992, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina PDF only 1.9 MB (56 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA- 2005-0234-2984 (and 2005-0033-2984), Liberty Central School District Liberty, New York PDF only 1.5 MB (27 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA- 2005-0167-2983, Indian River Memorial Hospital Center for Emotional and Behavioral Health Vero Beach, Florida PDF only 1.4 MB (18 pages)
• Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-2003-0300-2993, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources - Webster Springs District Office, Webster Springs, West Virginia PDF only 1,013 KB (49 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA- 2003-0080-2905, Norwin Middle School East North Huntington, Pennsylvania PDF only 367 KB (14 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA- 2001-0067-2896, Somerset County Assistance Office, Somerset, PA. PDF only 1.65 MB (121 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA-2001-0109-2835, Lac Vieux Desert Resort and Casino, Watersmeet, Michigan PDF only 991 KB (28 pages)
• Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-2000-0255-2868, Benefis Healthcare, Great Falls, Montana PDF only 662 KB (44 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA-2000-0168-2871, Nassau Community College, Garden City, New York PDF only 875 KB (62 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA-2000-0091-2803, Horry County Assessor's Office, Conway, South Carolina PDF only 502 KB (24 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA-2000-0268-2812, Southwest Airlines - San Antonio Reservations Center, San Antonio, Texas PDF only 374 KB (41 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA-2000-0283-2823, Rehabilitation Services Commission, Columbus, Ohio PDF only 342 KB (22 pages)
• Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA-2000-0176-2829, The Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona PDF only 282 KB (27 pages)

Other NIOSH Resources and Topics

Asbestos Bibliography

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-162 (September 1997) 8252 KB (224 pages)
This publication is a compendium of NIOSH research and recommendations on asbestos. It updates and supercedes the NIOSH document Asbestos Publications dated June 1992.

Guidance for Filtration and Air-Cleaning Systems to Protect Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub No. 2003-136
Provides preventive measures that building owners and managers can implement to protect building air environments from a terrorist release of chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants.

Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-139 (May 2002) 841 KB (40 pages)
This document identifies actions that a building owner or manager can implement without undue delay to enhance occupant protection from an airborne chemical, biological, or radiological attack. Includes information about: what you can do; specific recommendations; things not to do; physical security; ventilation and filtration; maintenance, administration, and training.

National Occupational Research Agenda - Indoor Environment
The goal of the NORA Indoor Environment (IE) Team is to focus and facilitate research, through broadly based multi-sector partnerships, that will improve the health of workers in indoor environments.

• Asbestos
• Asthma and Allergies
• Chemical Safety
• Construction Safety and Health
• Emergency Preparedness for Business
• Occupational Respiratory Disease Surveillance (ORDS)
• Tuberculosis

NIOSH Interim Recommendations for the Cleaning and Remediation of Flood-Contaminated HVAC Systems: A Guide for Building Owners and Managers This guide contains recommendations to help ensure that HVAC systems contaminated with flood water are properly cleaned and remediated to provide healthy indoor environments.

Hazard Controls

HCs are brief 1-2 page, user-friendly documents that describe control techniques documented to substantially reduce hazardous exposures to workers in a particular application/industry process.

Dampness and Mold in Buildings

Dampness results from water incursion either from internal sources (e.g. leaking pipes) or external sources (e.g. rainwater). Dampness becomes a problem when various materials in buildings (e.g., rugs, walls, ceiling tiles) become wet for extended periods of time. Excessive moisture in the air (i.e., high relative humidity) that is not properly controlled with air conditioning can also lead to excessive dampness. Flooding causes dampness. Dampness is a problem in buildings because it provides the moisture that supports the growth of bacteria, fungi (i.e., mold), and insects.

In the presence of damp building materials the source of water incursion is often readily apparent (e.g., leaks in the roof or windows or a burst pipe). However, dampness problems can be less obvious when the affected materials and water source are hidden from view (e.g., wet insulation within a ceiling or wall; excessive moisture in the building foundation due to the slope of the surrounding land).

What is mold?

Mold is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter. There are many different mold species that come in many different colors. Molds are sometimes referred to as mildew. They are found both indoors and outdoors in all climates, during all seasons of the year. Outdoors, molds survive by using plants and decaying organic matter such as fallen leaves as a source of nutrition. Indoors, molds need moisture to grow as well as a carbon source from building materials or building contents.

Excess moisture is generally the cause of indoor mold growth. Molds reproduce by releasing tiny spores that float through the air until landing in other locations. When they settle on wet or moist surfaces, the spores can form new mold colonies. Moderate temperatures and available nutrient sources make most office buildings ideal for mold growth.

Recent media attention has increased public awareness and concern over exposure to molds in the workplace. While this may seem to be a new problem, exposure to molds has actually occurred throughout history. In fact, the types of molds found in office buildings are not rare or even unusual. It is important to understand that no indoor space is completely free from mold spores – not even a surgical operating room. Molds are everywhere, making our exposure to molds unavoidable, whether indoors or outdoors, at home or at work.

“Toxic Mold” & Stachybotyrs chartarum

Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (mycotoxins), but the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous. Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house or workplace. Contradicting research results exist regarding whether toxigenic mold found indoors causes unique or rare health conditions such as bleeding in the lungs. Research is ongoing in this area.

Mold growing in buildings, whether it is Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) or another mold, indicates that there is a problem with water or moisture. This is the first problem that needs to be addressed.

Remediation of dampness and mold contamination

First and foremost, determine the source of moisture and take appropriate measures to make repairs. Damp or wet building materials and furnishings as a result of leaks or flooding should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent the growth of mold. Mold can be cleaned and removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mold in or under carpets typically requires that the carpets be removed. Once mold starts to grow in insulation or wallboard, the only way to deal with the problem is removal and replacement. (CDC- Facts about Stachybotrys chartarum and Other Molds) For complete remediation guidelines go to the New York City Department of Health and Hygiene’s Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments at www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml (External link). For “green” environmentally friendly cleaning solutions, go to Greenguard Environmental Institute at www.greenguard.org (External link).

I suspect mold in my workplace. How do I test for mold?

CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds. Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in a building. Measurements of mold in air are not reliable or representative. If mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health risk; therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you should arrange for its removal. Furthermore, sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable or tolerable quantity of mold have not been established.

Symptoms related to dampness and mold

Health problems associated with excessive damp conditions and mold include:

ALLERGIES

Allergic responses like those to pollen or animal dander are the most common types of health problems related to mold. Typical symptoms include sneezing; irritation of the nose, mouth, or throat; nasal stuffiness and runny nose; and red, itchy or watery eyes. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can cause a person who was not previously allergic to mold to become allergic to mold. For people with known allergies, molds can trigger asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough. Irritation can also occur in non-allergenic (non-sensitized) people. Additionally, scientific studies indicate that exposure to molds in the workplace can make pre-existing asthma worse. Recent NIOSH investigations document that some damp buildings are associated with developing new asthma.

HYPERSENSITIVITY PNEUMONITIS

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a kind of lung inflammation that occurs in persons who develop immune system sensitization (similar to an allergy) to inhaled organic dust. It can be mistaken for pneumonia, but it does not get better with antibiotics for infection.

Symptoms of HP can vary. Some persons have shortness of breath, cough, muscle aches, chills, fever, night sweats, and profound fatigue. These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and then recur on return to work. With continued exposure, the persistent lung inflammation of both kinds of symptoms can lead to scarring and permanent damage. The slow progression of symptoms and the persistence of symptoms away from work may result in delayed recognition of work-related lung disease by both workers and physicians.

HP has been referred to as Bird breeder’s lung and Mushroom picker’s disease in specific occupations with a risk of HP from biological dusts. HP has been documented in workers in buildings with mold and bacteria contaminated air-conditioners (including spray-water cooling systems), and contaminated ductwork and filters. This lung disease has also occurred in workers who worked in water-damaged buildings with roof leaks, plumbing leaks, poorly draining condensation pans, and high indoor relative humidity.

HP is not contagious and is due to a person’s immune system reaction to inhaled microorganisms, whether dead or alive. It is possible for workers to have both dampness-related HP and asthma at the same time. Additionally, workplaces that have workers with HP may also have workers with building-related asthma.

ASTHMA

Asthma is a form of lung disease in which the airways develop inflammation and bronchospasm (reversible narrowing) in response to sensitizing or irritating exposure. Affected individuals can experience episodes of shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, and wheezing. These symptoms occur after exposure to nonspecific irritating substances in the air or after exposure to substances to which an individual is allergic. Medical testing typically reveals evidence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness such as an abnormal methacholine challenge test or reversible airways obstruction on spirometry (a test of lung function). It is important for affected individuals to have a comprehensive asthma treatment plan and regular follow-up with their physician. Early diagnosis and removal from the impacted damp office environment can cure asthma caused by workplace exposures.

In approximately 15% of asthmatics, the illness may have been caused, or made worse, by workplace exposures. Some occupational exposures are well known risks for asthma development (e.g., western red cedar; isocyanates). Indoor environment research has identified evidence of an association between damp buildings and asthma symptoms in individuals with pre-existing asthma. There is also new evidence of an association between damp buildings and new-onset asthma. In an individual with new-onset asthma or worsening of stable pre-existing asthma, measurements of lung function made several times a day at work and at home over several weeks may reveal a pattern of changing lung function that suggests a workplace cause.

For individuals with new-onset asthma or worsening of stable pre-existing asthma that is suspected to be related to the indoor environment, controlling or eliminating the sources of indoor contaminants, along with optimal medical treatment, may lead to symptoms of improvement or resolution.

What workers can do

When workers suspect their health problems are caused by exposure to building-related mold and dampness, workers should:

• Report concerns immediately to supervisors or those persons responsible for building maintenance
• See your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment
• Ask your doctor whether you should be medically restricted from the affected environment

What management and building owners can do

When health problems are believed to be caused by exposure to mold in the workplace, owners and managers should:

• Advise workers to see their doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment
• Evaluate the work area for evidence of mold and dampness
• Repair leaks and remediate water damaged materials
• Communicate with workers about areas of the building with evidence of mold or moisture damage and provide the status of remediation plans
• Arrange for relocation of workers whose doctors restrict them from the implicated work environments

Resources

• Facts About Mold - American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
  External Link: http:/www.aiha.org/Content/AccessInfo/consumer/factsaboutmold.htm

• Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Indoor Mold Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association 2008. ISBN 978-1-931504-91-1
  External link: http://iweb.aiha.org/iweb/Purchase/ProductDetail.aspx?Product_code=IMOM08-679

• Facts About Mold and Dampness - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Mold Resources - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  External Link: http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html

• Damp Indoor Spaces and Health - Institute of Medicine (IOM)
  External Link: http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3793/4703/20223.aspx

• Preventing Mold-Related Problems in the Indoor Workplace - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  External Link: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/preventing_mold.pdf

• Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments - New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH)
  External Link: http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml

References

• Brandt M, Brown C, Burkhart J, Burton N, Cox Ganser J, Damon S, Falk H, Fridkin S, Garbe P, McGeehin M, Morgan J, Page E, Rao C, Redd S, Sinks T, Trout D, Wallingford K, Warnock D, Weissman D. Mold prevention strategies and possible health effects in the aftermath of hurricanes and major floods. MMWR. 2006 June; 55(RR-8):1-27.

• Cox-Ganser JM, White SK, Jones R, Hilsbos K, Storey E, Enright PL, Rao CY, Kreiss K. Respiratory Morbidity in Office Workers in a Water-Damaged Building. Environ Health Perspect. 2005 April; 113(4): 485-490.

• Fink JN, Ortega HG, Reynolds HY, Cormier YF, et al. Needs and Opportunities for Research in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2005 April 1.

• Hoffman RE, Wood RC, Kreiss K. [1993]. Building-related asthma in Denver office workers. Am J Public Health 83:89-93. Environ Health Perspect. 2005 April; 113(4): 485-490.

• Park J, Cox-Ganser J, Rao C, Kreiss K. Fungal and endotoxin measurements in dust associated with respiratory symptoms in a water-damaged office building. Indoor Air 2006 Jun; 16:192-203.

• Park JH, Cox-Ganser JM, Kreiss K, White SK, Rao CY. Hydrophilic fungi and ergosterol associated with respiratory illness in a water-damaged building. Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Jan; 116(1):45-50.

• Sahakian NM, White SK, Park JH, Cox-Ganser JM, Kreiss K. Identification of mold and dampness-associated respiratory morbidity in 2 schools: comparison of questionaire survey responses to national data. J Sch Health. 2008 Jan; 78(1):32-37.

Building Ventilation

Building ventilation is the circulation of air throughout a building. The ventilation or the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of a building supplies and removes air either naturally (windows) and/or mechanically to and from a space. HVAC systems consist of mechanical parts which should provide air to building occupants at a comfortable temperature and humidity that is free of harmful concentrations of air pollutants. Building ventilation may be an important factor determining the relationship between airborne transmission of respiratory infections and the health and productivity of workers.

Why is the operation and maintenance of HVAC systems important?

Improper operation and maintenance of HVAC systems is one of the most common problems that impact workplace indoor environmental quality (IEQ). HVAC systems include all of the equipment used to ventilate, heat, and cool the building; to move the air around the building (ductwork); and to filter and clean the air. These systems can have a significant impact on how pollutants are distributed and removed. Maintaining good IEQ requires constant attention to the building's HVAC system, which includes the design, layout and pollutant source management or air filtration.

There are a variety of pollutants and sources of pollutants in a building such as:

• carbon dioxide (CO2)
• tobacco smoke
• molds and bacteria
• cleaning products
• copy machines
• pesticides
• vehicle exhaust

HVAC systems alone can act as sources of pollutants. If not appropriately maintained, ventilation air filters can become contaminated with dirt and/or moisture. Microbial growth results from stagnant water in drain pans or from uncontrolled moisture inside of air ducts and cooling coils.

HVAC management for better IEQ

Ventilation System Design

The amount of air required to be delivered to a given space by an HVAC system is based primarily on the number of people occupying the space, the type and amount of equipment, and the overall size of the space. Proper distribution of ventilation air throughout all occupied spaces is essential. When areas in a building are used differently than their original purpose, the HVAC system may require modification to accommodate these changes. For example, if a storage area is converted into space occupied by people, the HVAC system may require alteration (balancing) to deliver enough conditioned air to the space.

Outdoor Air Supply

Adequate supply of outdoor air, typically delivered through the HVAC system, is necessary in any office environment to dilute pollutants that are released by equipment, building materials, furnishings, products, and people. Carbon dioxide (CO2), a normal constituent of exhaled breath, is an indicator of whether sufficient quantities of outdoor air are being introduced to an occupied space for acceptable odor control. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) develops consensus standards and guidelines for HVAC systems. ASHRAE notes in an informative appendix to standard ANSI/ASHRAE 62.1-2007: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality that indoor CO2 concentrations no greater than 700 ppm above outdoor CO2 concentrations will satisfy a substantial majority (about 80%) of visitors with regard to odor from sedentary building occupants (body odor) [ANSI/ASHRAE 2007]. This would typically correspond to indoor concentrations below 1050 ppm since outdoor CO2 concentrations usually range between 300 to 350 ppm. However, CO2 is not an effective indicator of ventilation adequacy if the ventilated area is not occupied at its usual occupant density at the time the CO2 is measured. Elevated CO2 concentrations suggest that other indoor contaminants may also be increased. If CO2 concentrations are elevated, the amount of outdoor air introduced into the ventilated space may need to be increased.

ASHRAE guidelines provide specific details on ventilation for acceptable IEQ. A ventilation system expert can help meet ASHRAE ventilation guidelines in the building. ANSI/ASHRAE 62.1-2007 recommends outdoor air supply rates that take into account people-related sources as well as building-related sources. For office spaces, conference rooms, and reception areas, 5 cubic feet per minute of outside air per person (cfm/person) is recommended for people-related sources, and an additional 0.06 cfm for every square foot (cfm/ft2) of occupied space is recommended to account for building-related sources. In elementary and high school classrooms, 10 cfm/person plus 0.12 cfm/ft2 of outdoor air is suggested. To find rates for other indoor spaces, refer to Table 6-1 also found in ANSI/ASHRAE 62.1-2007.

Past research has shown that the lack of adequate outdoor air supplied into buildings contributes to occupant health symptoms. Buildings with ventilation systems designed to supply outdoor air only when indoor temperatures require adjustment may experience an increase in sick leave among employees.

Outdoor Air Quality

When present, outdoor air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, pollen, and dust may affect indoor conditions when outdoor air is taken into the building's ventilation system. It is important to properly install and maintain HVAC system filters, which can trap many particles. Controlling gaseous or chemical pollutants may require more specialized filtration equipment and sometimes relocation of the outdoor air intakes.

Equipment Maintenance

Diligent maintenance of HVAC system equipment is essential for the adequate delivery and quality of building air. All well-run buildings have preventive maintenance programs that help ensure the proper functioning of HVAC systems.

Main building units in need of cleaning, maintenance or repair:

Improperly sized filter stuffed into a unit:

What workers can do

When workers suspect their health problems are caused by poor ventilation in their work areas, workers should:

• Report concerns immediately to supervisors or those persons responsible for building maintenance.
• See their doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What management and building owners can do

To prevent health problems associated with poor ventilation in the workplace, owners and managers should:

Respond to building-related health concerns of workers.

It is important that clear procedures for recording and responding to IEQ complaints be established to ensure an adequate and timely response. These include:

• Logging all complaints or problem reports
• Collecting information about each complaint
• Ensuring confidentiality
• Determining a plan for response
• Identifying appropriate resources for response
• Applying remedial action
• Providing frequent feedback to building occupants regarding the complaint and response actions
• Follow-up to ensure that remedial action has been effective

• Regularly clean or replace HVAC system filters.

Use the most efficient filters possible while still maintaining the ability to supply adequate air flow to the spaces. Ensure that filters are installed in the correct orientation relative to airflow, that they are the appropriate size, and that they are seated in the filter rack properly. Take precautions to minimize air flowing around the filters instead of through them.

• Regularly inspect outdoor air intakes

Open all outdoor air intakes that are closed. Adjust or repair those that are not working properly. Regardless of the air flow required for heating and cooling, the minimum outdoor air flow recommended by ASHRAE should always be provided to each space.

• Regularly inspect office building exhaust fans to make sure all are working properly.

Dysfunctional exhaust fans can result in suboptimal pressure differences throughout the building and can create or exacerbate IEQ problems.

• Use less conservative cycle times for the HVAC system.

Start the HVAC system earlier in the morning before workers arrive to reduce temperature fluctuations and control humidity levels. Simply providing a more thermally- comfortable working environment may reduce the number of IEQ complaints.

• Never store paints, cleaners, or other chemicals in HVAC equipment rooms.

Odors and potentially harmful vapor contaminants can easily be circulated throughout the entire space being supplied by an HVAC system.

HVAC checklists to assist with maintenance and record keeping from USEPA/NIOSH Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers:

HVAC Checklist - Long Form (39KB; 15 pages) HVAC Checklist - Short Form (20KB; 4 pages)

Resources

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). For information on heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning systems and IEQ, call 1-800-527-4723.
External link: http://www.ashrae.org/

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, Inc. (SMACNA)
External link: http://www.smacna.org/

Environmental Protection Agency -Ventilation and Air Quality in Offices
Externeral link: http://www.epa.gov/

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
External link: http://www.osha.gov/

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
External link: http://eetd.lbl.gov/ied/sfrb/vent-summary.html

Maintaining Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) during Construction and Renovation

Construction and renovation projects in office settings can adversely affect building occupants by the release of airborne particulates, biological contaminants, and gases. Careful planning for IEQ and the prevention of exposure during these activities is essential.

Particulates

Particulate material such as dusts and fibers are likely to be produced during construction and renovation activities. Sources include drywall, plaster, concrete, soil, wood, masonry, flooring, roofing, and ductwork. Non toxic dusts are irritants and can exacerbate lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease.

Materials that contain fibers such as fiberglass composite materials or insulation can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract when disbursed in the air and/or inhaled. Toxic dusts containing asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or lead can cause serious long-term health effects.

For all construction and renovation dusts, a plan to minimize exposure should be implemented. Appropriate containment should be in place to prevent disbursement into occupied areas. Certified and licensed contractors are required to conduct renovation.

Biological Materials

Chronic dampness from water intrusion leads to increased bacteria, mold and other microbes in a building environment. Microbial-contaminated materials require special precautions prior to demolition to prevent biological dusts from dispersing in the occupied space. Another example of biological contamination is an accumulation of bird or rodent droppings. In both cases, uncontrolled disturbances could spread potentially allergenic or infectious dust to occupied building areas. It is therefore important to implement appropriate engineering controls and decontamination techniques to minimize all occupant exposure.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Some building materials release gases called VOCs. Common VOC sources include:

• Caulks, sealants, and coatings
• Adhesives
• Paints, varnishes and/or stains
• Wall coverings
• Cleaning agents
• Fuels and combustion products
• Carpeting
• Vinyl flooring
• Fabric materials & furnishings

Occupants with VOC exposure often report disagreeable odors, exacerbation of asthma, irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, headaches and drowsiness. Health symptoms associated with VOC exposure can be minimized by choosing low VOC emitting products.

What workers can do

When workers suspect their health problems are caused by construction and renovation exposures in their work areas, workers should:

• Report concerns immediately to supervisors or those persons responsible for building maintenance.
• See your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What management and building owners can do

To prevent health problems from being caused by construction and renovation in the workplace, owners and managers should:

Respond to building-related health concerns of workers. It is important that clear procedures for recording and responding to IEQ complaints be established to ensure an adequate and timely response. These include:

• Logging all complaints or problem reports
• Collecting information about each complaint
• Ensuring confidentiality
• Determining a plan for response
• Identifying appropriate resources for response
• Applying remedial action
• Providing feedback to building occupants regarding the complaint and response actions
• Follow-up to ensure that remedial action has been effective

• Identify all key personnel including representatives from the building and the general contractor who are responsible for addressing construction or renovation-related activities and airborne contaminant control. Other personnel such as building staff, engineers, and subcontractors, should be involved as necessary.

• Develop a plan describing anticipated work activities and their location, associated source contaminants, and areas potentially affected.

• Schedule construction or renovation work during periods of low building occupancy or when occupants are not in the building.

• Isolate construction work areas from occupied areas using appropriate containment barriers.

• Negatively pressurize construction work areas and/or positively pressurize occupied areas to prevent migration of air contaminants from work areas to occupied areas.

• Dusts, fibers and contaminants can be released and carried to other areas in a building by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems during construction and renovation activities if not properly contained. Consult HVAC professionals and engineers on how to modify HVAC operations to ensure isolation of construction work areas from occupied areas.

• Avoid storing construction materials and equipment in HVAC mechanical rooms.

• Maintain an adequate unoccupied buffer zone around the work areas to allow for construction or renovation traffic. If work is being done when occupants are still in the building, a buffer zone could require temporarily relocating occupants in the immediate vicinity of the work areas.

Resources

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - IAQ Building Education and Assessment Model (I-Beam)
  Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
  External link: http://www.epa.gov/

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Construction
  External link: http://www.osha.gov/

• New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH) - Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments
  External link: http://www.nyc.gov/health

• Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLOSH) Boston College Environmental Health and Safety - Maintaining Indoor Air Quality

Related Topics

• CDC - Floods
  http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/

• Mold Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods
  http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5508a1.htm

• U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Floods and Tornadoes
  External link: http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/flood-tornado-recovery.html

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  External link: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/midwestfloods.shtm

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies
  External link: http://www.epa.gov/naturalevents/flooding.html

NIOSH Resources

NIOSHTIC-2 Search

• NIOSHTIC-2 search results on Indoor Environmental Quality
• NIOSHTIC-2 search results on IEQ and Mold
• NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.

References

• SMACNA [2008]. IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction, 2nd Edition.
  Chantilly, VA: Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, Inc. http://www.smacna.org (External link: http://www.smacna.org)

Kuehn, Thomas [1996]. Construction/Renovation Influence on Indoor Air Quality.
ASHRAE Journal 38(10):22-29.