Indoor Air Quality

Trina Redford Industrial Hygienist National Naval Medical Center IH Services North

OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of Indoor Air

Quality, including the various factors that can impact an office-type building.

Objective (Contd)
To familiarize participants with typical

health complaints, environmental measurements collection and remedial actions .

Terms
Building Related Illness-Diagnosable

illness whose symptoms can be identified and whose cause can be be directly attributed to airborne building pollutants (e.g., hypersensitivity pneumonitis or Legionnaires disease)

Terms
Sick Building Syndrome(Tight Building Syndrome) Used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and /or comfort effects that appear to be linked to the time spent in a particular building.
No specific illness can be identified. Complaints may be localized in a particular room zone or widespread throughout the building.

Four Elements of IAQ Dilemma

Source
HVAC Pathway Occupants

Sources Indoor Air Contaminants

Contaminated outdoor air
Emissions from nearby sources Moisture or standing water promoting

excessive microbial growth Equipment Human Activities Housekeeping Activities

Source of Indoor Air Contaminants

Human activities
Maintenance Activities Building Components and Furnishings Unsanitary conditions and water damage Chemicals released by building

components Other Sources

HVAC SYSTEM DESIGN AND OPERATION

Provides thermal comfort.
Distributes adequate amounts of outdoor

air. Isolates and removes odors and contaminants through pressure control, filtration and exhaust fans

Targeted groups of IAQ Dilemma

Allergic or asthmatic individuals.
People with respiratory disease. People whose immune system are

suppressed due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, disease or other causes. Contact lens wearers.

Component of a HVAC System

Outdoor intakes Mixed-air plenum and Return air system
Exhaust or relief fans and

outdoor air control Air filter Heating and cooling coils Humidification and dehumidification equipment Supply fan Ducts Terminal device

air outlet Self-contained heating or cooling unit Control Boiler Cooling tower Water Chiller

Types of Symptoms and Complaints

Headache
Fatigue Shortness of breath

Sneezing
Cough Dizziness

Sinus congestion
Eye, nose and throat irritation

Nausea
Skin irritation

Conducting and IAQ Investigation

Collect and Review Existing Records
Conduct a Walkthrough Inspection Collect Detailed Information

Instruments and Methodology Used for IAQ

Thermal Comfort-Temperature, Relative

Humidity Tracking Air Movement with Chemical Smoke CO2 as a indicator of good ventilation. Measuring Airflow Estimating Outdoor Air Quantities

Instruments and Methodology Used for IAQ

Air Contaminant Concentrations
Biological Contaminants Airborne Dust Combustion Products

Regulatory Requirements
OSHA-General Duty Clause
OPNAVINST 5100.23F ASHSHARE 62-1999 Ventilation for

Acceptable Indoor Air Quality

Summary
A healthy indoor environment is one

which the surroundings contribute to the productivity, comfort and sense of health and well being. A healthy environment may be achieved by proper building maintenance and communication.