IAQ Indoor Air Quality What is poor IAQ

IAQ Indoor Air Quality

What is poor IAQ • Excessive pollutants in the air. This would be the same for a residence or work environment. • The condition can be controlled by either limiting the pollutants or by dilution of pollutants.

What are pollutants • Combustion Sources • Deteriorated Building Materials • Off gassing of new carpet and furniture • Cleaning Products • • Maintenance Products HVAC/Humidifiers Occupant Products Outdoor Sources

Combustion Sources • The combustion of oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, candles, and tobacco products. • Devices: gas water heater, kerosene portable heaters, gas stove, gas dryer, etc. • CO is the product of concern. • CO sensor/alarm cost about $30 and plug into an outlet.

Deteriorated Building Materials • Continuously wet surfaces or excessive humidity (>70%). • Wet carpet, wet or actively stained ceiling tiles, wet wall bases, etc. • Mold is the product of concern • Report or investigate suspicious locations.

New Carpet and Furniture • Off gassing of new manufactured building products. • New carpet and furniture. • VOC / Formaldehyde is the product of concern. • Purchase low VOC / Formaldehyde containing products or air out products before placement in the space.

Cleaning Products • Air fresheners, toilet cleaners, bleach, ammonia, glass cleaner, etc. • Unsealed containers and/or use of highly volatile products. • All chemicals are the product of concern. • Use green cleaning products.

Maintenance Products • Pesticides, HVAC cleaning products, parts cleaner. • Unsealed containers and/or use of highly volatile products. • All chemicals are the product of concern. • Use green maintenance products.

Occupant Products • Fine Arts, Sciences Labs, Photo Labs, etc. • Chemicals, paints, powders, etc. • All products that would be harmful in a small confined space are products of concern. • Occupants must put on their safety hat and use common sense.

HVAC / Humidifiers • Wet dirty surfaces • Dehumidification during the late summer to early fall on all cooling coils. Humidifiers during the winter. • Mold is the product of concern. • Clean coils and UVC lights.

Outside Air and CO 2 Levels Home • No automatic outside air. • Elevated CO 2 levels Office (SMU) • Required outside air • SMU monitors return CO 2 and continually adjusts the amount of outside air.

IAQ Complaint Home • Owner must investigate or pay a professional to investigate. Office (SMU) • All complaints are investigated by certified IAQ personnel. SMU has five.

Pets and Smoke Home • Depends on the home owner. Office (SMU) • Not possible, SMU is smoke free and pets are not allowed.

Filtration Home • Poor to good. • Usually MERV 4. Office (SMU) • Good to excellent. • MERV 8 in most locations.

Chemicals Home • Depends on the home owner. Office (SMU) • Cleaning chemicals – Housekeeping. • Office Chemicals and New Furniture – Purchasing • Pesticides – Exterminator • New Carpet – Ca. Pa. Ls • Department Chemicals - Occupant

Mold • Can grow everywhere • For mold to to active, the following conditions are necessary: – Mold Spores (everywhere) – Temperature (40 o. F – 120 o. F) – Food (most all building materials) – Moisture (even humidity above 70%)

What can be done • Get educated on the subject. The EPE has excellent information. http: //www. epa. gov • When dealing with pollutants, use common sense. Keep them sealed. • The HVAC system has a small probability of being the cause of poor IAQ, but almost always assists in spreading pollutants while trying to dilute them.