Download PPt RES135 Wk 1 Intro IAQ 2013

Healthy Buildings & Indoor Air Quality
NSCC - RES 135
Week 1 - Introduction to IAQ
Cate O’dahl, Instructor
Class Orientation
Syllabus
Class Administration
Course Format
Quizzes
Class Schedule
Week 1:
Introduction to Green Building as it relates to Green
Real Estate, including definitions and concepts
related to healthy building and indoor air quality,
Class Outcomes and Procedures, Class Input on
schedule, syllabus, and field trips
Week 2:
Creating good indoor air quality with thoughtful
design, begin construction practices
Week 3:
Ensuring good indoor air quality with careful
construction practices and jobsite operations
Week 4:
Maintaining good indoor air quality through
homeowner / occupant operations and maintenance
Final Class Presentation
Class Introductions
Name
Brief History in Real Estate
Brief Level of Exposure to Green Bldg

Interested

Familiar

Knowledgeable
Scariest thing about IAQ
Introduction to Green Building
Definitions for Green Building
Green Building Programs & the MLS

Built Green®

LEED for Homes

NW Energy Star for Homes
Indoor Air Quality Concepts
Health Risks

Health Risk = Toxicity X Exposure
Mold, Dust, Chemical, and
Combustion Dangers
Volatile Organic Compounds
Chemical Sensitivity
Indoor Air Quality Concepts
Design, Construction Practices,
Material Selection, and
Operations & Maintenance
can Improve Indoor Air
Natural Light as an Asset
Material Safety Data Sheets
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality
(IAQ) refers to the
air quality within and
around buildings and
structures, especially
as it relates to the
health and comfort of
building occupants.
- wikipedia.com
Image: www.lifemaxsolutions.net/indoor_air_quality.jpg
Poor indoor air quality
Causes or contributes to the
development of chronic respiratory
diseases such as asthma and
hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Causes headaches, dry eyes, nasal
congestion, nausea and fatigue.
4 Classifications of Indoor
Air Pollutants
Microbes – Mold & bacteria
Particles – Dust
Chemical – VOCs, gases
Photo: US EPA
courtesy of John
Martyny, Ph.D
American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology
Hgtv.com
Radiation – Radon, EMF
Ghosthuntingsecrets .com
Health Risk: Sources
Biological Contaminants
Sources


Plants, animals, birds, humans,
pillows, bedding, house dust,
wet or damp materials, standing water,
humidifiers, evaporative coolers, hot
water tank
Almost all related to “dampness”
Lifebreath.com
Health Risk:
Molds
Biological Contaminants
Mold and Bacteria
Mold and bacteria can produce
volatile organic compounds that produce
health effects
 Mold can also produce allergens
and mycotoxins
 Mycotoxins – Mold compete for territory
with chemical warfare which can be toxic
to humans
– only 0.5% or 1.0% of molds are toxic

Bacteria
Health Risk:
Biological Contaminants
Dust
Causes eye, nose, and throat
irritation
 Can be carrier for mold spores, dust
mites and other contaminants,
including lead

www.funsci.com/fun3_en/dust/
Health Risk Sources
Chemical Contaminants
VOC Sources


Perfumes, hairsprays, furniture polish, cleaning solvents,
hobby and craft supplies, pesticides, carpet dyes and fibers,
and glues, adhesives, sealants, paints, stains, varnishes,
strippers, wood preservatives, dry cleaned clothes, moth
repellents, air fresheners, stored fuels, and automotive
products, contaminated water, plastics, computers, other
electronic equipment
After the first month or so, the rate at which VOC's off gas
from building materials may fall off, but research indicates
that off-gassing will continue at a slow and steady pace for
months or even years.
Red Light Challenge
What is the major source of
formaldehyde in building products?
Answer on Next Slide
Red Light Challenge
What is the major source of
formaldehyde in building products?
Adhesives
Health Risk Sources
Chemical Contaminants
Formaldehyde Sources

Particleboard, interior-grade plywood
cabinetry, furniture, urea formaldehyde foam or
fiberglass insulation, carpet, fabrics
Health Risk Sources
Chemical Contaminants
PAH’s - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Sources

Fireplace, woodstove, candles, unvented kerosene heater,
tobacco products
Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide

Improperly operating gas or oil furnace/hot water heater,
fireplace, wood stove, unvented gas heater/kerosene heater
Health Risk Sources
Chemical Contaminants
Asbestos Sources

Pipe and furnace
insulation, ceiling
and floor tiles,
shingles and siding
Photo: www.adrworks.com/asbestos.htm
Combustion Products
Environmental tobacco smoke


Major indoor air pollutant
Contains about 4,000 chemicals,
including 200 known poisons,
such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide,
as well as 43 carcinogens.
At Risk Communities
Young Families
Aging Population
Chemically-sensitive
Chemical Sensitivity
Definition

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
In broad terms, it means an unusually severe sensitivity or
allergy-like reaction to many different kinds of pollutants,
including solvents, VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds),
perfumes, petrol, diesel, smoke, "chemicals" in general,
and often encompasses problems with regard to pollen,
house dust mites, and pet fur & dander.
www.multiplechemicalsensitivity.org
Extra Credit Field Trip Possibility
Blower Door Test
Duct-Blaster Test
Next Class –
Design & Construction Practices
More IAQ Concepts


Natural Light
MSDS
Design creates healthy indoor air
quality
HVAC design affects healthy indoor air
Start on Construction Practices that
ensure healthy indoor air quality
Next Class – Assignment
Find two articles or publications
on indoor air quality
Assignment

Bring both articles or publications
to class next week
Read Nisqually Building Guide article,
Healthy and Safe Indoor Environments,
page 18
Optional reading from book page 1-17