Indoor Outdoor Air Quality Whats all the fuss

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Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality What’s all the fuss about “indoor” air pollution? I

Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality What’s all the fuss about “indoor” air pollution? I always thought “outdoor” air pollution was the main problem? What Causes Indoor Air Quality Problems? Interesting Facts §Air pollution is the single greatest environmental threat to human health! • If too little outdoor air enters a building without dilution, pollutants can POOR accumulate to levels that can pose VENTILATION health and discomfort problems. POLLUTANT SOURCES Word Health Organization §Indoor air pollution is estimated to cause approximately 2 million premature deaths per year mostly in developing countries. Almost half of these deaths are due to respiratory conditions in children under 5 years of age. • Building materials and furnishings; biological products for household cleaning, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems; pesticides; oil, gas, kerosene, wood combustion sources and people (CO 2). MERV Rating §Urban outdoor air pollution is estimated to cause 1. 3 million deaths worldwide per year. §Many construction materials offgas for five or more years following manufacture. MERV RATING 1 -4 NOT GOOD FOR filtering the air because they will not stop particles smaller than 10 microns. 1 -4 MERV Rating v. Used to rate the ability of an air conditioning filter to remove dust from the air as it passes. 5 -8 MERV RATING 5 -8 better choice are commonly found in commercial buildings. Collects particles as small as 3 microns. 9 -12 USGBC LEED Rating System 13 -16. 3 3 1 -3 10 Microns WHAT DOES MERV STAND FOR? Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value MERV RATING 9 -12 Stops particles in the 1 to 3 micron range. Clean or replace them when recommended because they will have a negative affect on the air flow. MERV RATING 13 -20 Will stop particles as small as. 3 microns. These filters are used in hospitals and other super clean environments. For more information: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers www. ashrae (800) 527 -4723 MERV FILTER 1 -4 will not stop particle smaller than 10 microns. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) MERV RATING CHART 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 All Combustion smoke Carbon Dust Virus (unattached) <0. 3 pm particle size General Surgery Hospital Inpatient Care Smoking Lunges Superior Commercial Buildings Welding Fumes Auto Emissions Milled Flour Lead Dust Humidifier Dust Legionella 1. 0 -3. 0 pm Particle Size Pudding Mix Cement Dusting Aids Fabric Protector Hair Spray Mold Spores 3. 0 -10. 0 pm Particle Size Carpet Fibers Textile Fibers Spray Paint Dust Sanding Dust Mites, Pollen >10. 0 pm Particle Size Superior Residential Bag Filter- Nonsupported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12 -36 in. Deep, 6 -12 pockets. Box Filters-Rigid -Syle Cartridge 6 to 12” deep may use lofted or paper media v Are a large group of carbon based chemicals that easily evaporate v. Most people can smell high levels of some VOCs v. Some VOCs have no odor Bag Filter- Nonsupported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12 -36 in. Deep, 6 -12 pockets. Box Filters-Rigid Syle Cartridge 6 to 12” deep may use lofted or paper media Better Commercial Buildings Hospital Laboratories Commercial Buildings Better Residential Industrial Workplace Paint Booth Inlet Minimal Filtration Residential Window A/C Units MERV 10 Micron 99% 15 -20 HOSPITAL INPATIENT MERV 15 OR BETTER MERV 10 Micron 99% 13 Pleated Filters- Disposable, extended surface area, thick with cotton-polyester blend media, cardboard frame Cartridge Filter-Graded density viscous coated cube or pocket filters, synthetic media. Throwaway- Disposable fiberglass or synthetic panel filter. 1 Micron 89% 0. 3 Micron 49% Requirements: Develop and implement an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan for the preoccupancy phase. Washable- Aluminum Mesh Electrostatic- Self charging woven panel filter. Washable- Aluminum Mesh RECOMMENDED BY LEED COMMERCIAL BUILDING MERV 13 OR BETTER 1 Micron 30% 0. 3 Micron 19% COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, SUPERIOR HOMES Intent: Reduce indoor air quality problems resulting from the construction and/or renovation process in order to help sustain the comfort and wellbeing of construction workers and buildings occupants Construction IAQ Management Plan Before Occupancy 1 Point Throwaway- Disposable fiberglass or synthetic panel filter. MERV 10 Micron 99% 10 Construction IAQ Management Plan During Construction 1 POINT For more information: Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) www. smacna. org (703) 803 -2980 MERV FILTER EFFICIENCY AT 10, 1, & 0. 3 MICRON LEVELS 1 Micron 0. 3 Micron 98% 78% INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (IEQ) A green building should provide its occupants with superior indoor air quality to support their health, comfort and well-being. Intent: Provide additional outdoor air ventilation to improve indoor air quality for improved occupant comfort, will-being and productivity. Interesting Facts §There are 25, 400 microns in one inch. §A "micron" is an abbreviated term for "micrometer“ §A unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter § Symbol: μ, mu 12 11 10 9 Increased Ventilation 1 POINT MERV Rating 9 -12 stops particles in the 1 -3 micron range. 16 -20 15 14 13 §In homes where biomass fuels and coal are used for cooking and heating, particulate levels may be 10 – 50 times higher than the standard guideline values. MERV 10 Micron 98% 8 MERV 10 Micron 85 -90% 6 1 Micron 0. 3 Micron 12% 2% 1 Micron 0. 3 Micron 0 0 NOT RECOMMENDED green building resource center Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control 1 Point Requirements: Design to minimize and control pollutant entry into buildings and later cross-contamination of regularly occupied areas. Poster Design By Dianne Polo

Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality Indoor Air Pollutants Sources How Our Time Is Spent

Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality Indoor Air Pollutants Sources How Our Time Is Spent Interesting Facts Other indoor VOC sources that are known for their hazard to health benzene carbon monoxide formaldehyde naphthalene nitrogen dioxide polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (especially benzo[a]pyrene) trichloroethylene Tetrachloroethylene Radon is not a VOC but it’s extremely dangerous WHO (World Health Organization) Air quality guidelines (AQGs) are designed to offer global guidance on reducing the health impacts of air pollution. Where Do VOCs Come from? Many products we have in our homes release or “off-gas” VOCs. Some examples of sources of VOCs are : Paint Cleaning And Disinfection Solvents Composite Wood Products Upholstery Fabrics Building Materials Carpet and Adhesive Newspaper Chemicals Sealing Caulks Vinyl Floor Hobbies Cosmetics Air Cleaners that Produce Ozone Fuel Oil, Gasoline Home and Personal Care Products Air Fresheners Moth Ball Non-Electric Space Heaters Photo copiers Dry Cleaning Behaviors Cooking Smoking FORMALDEHYDE v. It’s A Colorless Gas v. Pungent odor v. It’s A VOC v. It’s A Normal Metabolic Product Of Living Cells v. Probable Carcinogen v. Lung & eye irritant Formaldehyde 800 ppb Formaldehyde 100 ppb The typical threshold for developing acute symptoms. Some individuals demonstrate health effects. WHO Guidelines For Indoor Air Quality World Health Organization For each VOC substance, the WHO Guidelines chapter covers a general description, the sources and pathways of exposure, the indoor– outdoor relationship, kinetics and metabolism, the health effects, a health risk evaluation, the guidelines, a summary box and references. 50 ppb http: //www. who. int/en/ Most people can detect levels of formaldehyde. LEED CERTIFIED WOOD 1 POINT Intent: Encourage environmentally responsible forest management. How We Measure Contaminant Concentrations? (What does parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb) mean? ) Forest Stewardship Council’s Principles and Criteria www. fscus. org (877) 372 -5646 LOW-EMITTING MATERIAL 1 POINT Formaldehyde is found in Cosmetics Molding Plastic Insulation Foam Mattress Plywood Fumigant Wood Smoke Automobile Exhaust Emissions From Incinerators South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Cell Phone Particle Board Dinnerware Power Plants Requirements: All adhesives and sealants used on the interior of the building shall comply with the requirements of the reference standards: Adhesives, Sealants and Sealant Primers: Disinfectants Cigarette Smoke • Exhaust fumes from vehicles • Emissions from manufacturing facilities (i. e. factories) • Power generation (i. e. smoke stacks of coal fired power plants) • Residential use of coal and wood for cooking and heating. This pollution takes the form of Particulates and VOC’s (gases). Filters with high MERV ratings will capture many of the particulates (generally more dangerous), but not the gases. Ground level ozone (03) is unstable and ultimately breaks down to O 2 oxygen in a short time, especially if it gets inside. LEVELS OF FORMALDEHYDE IN A “BAD AIR DAY” World Health Organization (Minnesota Dept Health) Indoor Air Quality median formaldehyde level 12. 6 ppb. 012 ppm maximum formaldehyde 120 ppb 0. 120 ppm FYI- FEMA Trailer Case Greenguard Limits Avg formaldehyde level 77 ppb=. 077 ppm Surface Materials 25 ppb=. 025 ppm High formaldehyde level 590 ppb=. 59 ppm Building Materials 50 ppb=. 05 ppm Outdoor Air Quality base formaldehyde level 2. 9 ppb. 0029 ppm green building resource center maximum formaldehyde 11. 5 ppb. 011 ppm www. aqmd. gov/rules/reg 11/r 116 8. pdf (909) 396 -2000 The South Coast Air Quality Management District is a governmental organization in Southern California with the mission to maintain healthful air quality for its residents. Green Guard Standard Green Guard is an independent nonprofit organization that certifies products, materials, , and chemicals emissions. GGTM. P 066 Standard that sets VOC limits for Formaldehyde= 0. 05 ppm www. greenguard. com Poster Design By Dianne Polo

Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality Sun ligh t Stratosphere Good Ozone NO X Deaths

Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality Sun ligh t Stratosphere Good Ozone NO X Deaths from urban air pollution Interesting Facts Troposphere Bad Ozone VO C’s Ozo ne While levels of many pollutants have been decreasing in recent years. What is Ozone? For every 75 deaths per year due to air pollution in the U. S. health scientists have estimated that there are Ozone is a gas that occurs both in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground level. Ozone can be “good” and “bad” for your health and the environment, depending on its location in the atmosphere. What is Happening to the “Good” Ozone Layer? Ozone is produced naturally in the stratosphere and reflects UV rays. But this “good” ozone is gradually being destroyed by man-made chemicals referred to as ozone-depleting substances. These substances are used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, and aerosol propellants and when broken down by the intensity of the sun’s UV rays release chlorine and bromine molecules, which destroy the “good” ozone. What causes air pollution deaths? What Causes “Bad” Ozone? Ground-level or “bad” ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOC. At ground level, ozone is a harmful pollutant. http: //www. epa. gov/air/oaqps/gooduphigh/ozone. pdf Air pollution from smoke and various chemicals kills 3 million people a year. In the United States alone about 3 million tons of toxic chemicals are released into the environment -- contributing to cancer, birth defects, immune system defects and many other serious health problems. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you. Today’s AQI Forecast Saturday, August 27, 2011 § 505 hospital admissions for asthma and other respiratory diseases § 3, 500 respiratory emergency doctor visits § 180, 000 asthma attacks § 930, 000 restricted activity § 2, 000 acute respiratory symptom Low-Emitting Materials Painting and Coating 1 Point Requirements: Paints, coating, and primers applied to interior wall and ceilings; Anticorrosive and anti-rust paints applied to interior ferrous metal substrates Do not exceed the VOC content limits established in Green Seal Standard. Low-Emitting Materials Carpet Systems 1 Point Requirements: All carpet and cushion installed shall meet the testing and product requirements of The Carpet and Rug Institute’s green Label Plus Program. VOC Concentrations in the air Analysis of chemical concentration in residences, daycare centers and school buildings indicate that VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are the most prevalent pollutants, with significantly higher levels in indoor air than in the outdoor atmosphere. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six common U. S. air pollutants: 1. Particle pollution (often referred to as particulate matter) 2. Ground-level Ozone 3. Carbon monoxide 4. Sulfur oxides 5. Nitrogen oxides 6. Lead These pollutants can harm your health and the environment, and cause property damage. Of the six pollutants, particle pollution and ground-level ozone are the most widespread health threats. Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus Testing Program All carpet adhesive shall meet the requirements for EQ Credit 4. 1: VOC limits. Carpet and Rug Institute www. carpet-rug. com (800) 882 -8846 Low-Emitting Materials Composite Wood & Agrifiber Products 1 Point Requirements: Specify wood and agrifiber products that contain no added ureaformaldehyde resin. Specify laminating adhesives for field and shop applied assemblies that contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins. USGBC LEED Rating System Leadership in Energy And Environmental Design Redefining the way we think about the places. where we live, work and learn. An update on Formaldehyde Consumer Product Safety Commission www. cpsc. gov §LEED works throughout a building's life cycle. §LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. FOR THE FAMILY §LEED-certified buildings are designed to: Lower operating costs and increase asset value Reduce waste sent to landfills Conserve energy and water Be healthier and safer for occupants Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities Four Certification Levels Average Savings Of Green Buildings 40 -40 50 -59 60 -79 80+ Points green building resource center Poster Design By Dianne Polo