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Dealing With and Responding to IEQ Issues Risk Management and Safety Conference J. Michael Taylor, MSPH, CIH Manager Health and Environmental Issues LDS Church, Risk Management Division 801-240-1576 August 10, 2006 Slide 2 Mold Risks Recognized Anciently n Leviticus 14:33-48 n Homeowners with mold contamination on their walls were instructed to scrape it off, then have the area checked by a priest. n If successive scraping or cleaning did not keep the mold from returning, the house was to be destroyed with the debris dumped in an unclean place Slide 3 Church Unit: VariousFlorida USA Date: August-September 2004 Impact: Wind and water damage to 27 meetinghouses Florida Hurricanes Charlie, Francis, Ivan, Jeanne Slide 4 Name: Hurricane Katrina, Monday, August 29, 2005 Description: Over eight million dollars damage to over 40 buildings. Four buildings over one million. Slide 5 Name: Waveland, MS Description: Beachfront house Slide 6 Name: Waveland, MS Description: Bathtub near beachfront Slide 7 Name: Waveland, MS Description: Damage from twenty foot tidal surge Slide 8 Name: Waveland, MS Description: Remains of chapel (not LDS) Slide 9 Name: New Orleans 1, 2 Meetinghouse Description: Exterior Slide 10 Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Water line on meetinghouse fence Slide 11 Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Hallway Slide 12 Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Clerks desk on rostrum Slide 13 Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Rostrum Slide 14 Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Chapel Slide 15 Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Sacrament preparation room Slide 16 Name: New Orleans 1,2 Meetinghouse Description: Sisal Slide 17 Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Exterior Slide 18 Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: South hallway Slide 19 Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Cultural Hall Slide 20 Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Moisture meter measurement, mens restroom Slide 21 Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Hex Screws not tightened on automated OA damper, manual OA damper open Slide 22 Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Condensation on coil housing, water on mechanical room floor Slide 23 Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Water leaking from rusted out drain pan Slide 24 Name: Pascagoula Meetinghouse Description: Make up air from chapel air handler coming from attic. Manual damper closed. Slide 25 Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Building Exterior Slide 26 Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Manual damper shut. Automated damper not functional. Slide 27 Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Building remediation and air sampling Slide 28 Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Moisture-saturated plywood Slide 29 Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Condensation on chapel ceiling Slide 30 Name: Waveland Meetinghouse Description: Visible mold growth on base of rostrum Slide 31 Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Building exterior Slide 32 Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Automated OA damper disconnected Slide 33 Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Humidification system Slide 34 Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Carpet water stains in cultural hall Slide 35 Name: Slidell LA Meetinghouse Description: Relief society room diffuser with mold growth Slide 36 Name: Jacksonville Beach FL Meetinghouse Description: Building exterior Slide 37 Name: Jacksonville Beach FL Meetinghouse Description: Automated OA damper for cultural hall open and disconnected Slide 38 Name: Jacksonville Beach FL Meetinghouse Description: Aspergillus mold growth on organ Slide 39 Name: Pocatello Welfare Family Services Office Description: Building exterior Slide 40 Name: Pocatello Welfare Family Services Office Description: Sampling for trace VOCs Slide 41 Name: Pocatello Welfare Family Services Office Description: Sampling for mold Slide 42 Lessons Learned n Water-damaged buildings have a higher risk of mold problems likely related to residual moisture n Most meetinghouses have HVAC problems n HVAC fans should run continuously in occupied mode n HVAC systems not designed to reduce elevated moisture loads n Outdoor air damper management is critical in hot, humid climates Slide 43 Lessons Learned n Control of structural moisture and airborne humidity prevents mold growth and reoccurrence of mold growth n Best practices should be followed for water damage restoration and mold remediation Continued Slide 44 HVAC Systems in Older Buildings n Each building is unique n Most buildings were designed with a ventilation rate of 5 cfm of outdoor air per occupant n OA dampers are often open bringing hot, humid air into buildings. Slide 45 Outdoor Air Dampers n In hot, humid climates, OA dampers should be closed in unoccupied mode n Automated dampers should open in occupied mode n Manual OA should be balanced n Manual OA dampers may be closed temporarily after water damage n OA dampers should be regularly inspected and maintained Slide 46 IAQ Assessment Guideline IAQ Assessment Guideline is core process n Log complaints n Conduct a background assessment n Conduct a building walk-through n Assess HVAC system performance n Determine possible sources of mold problems n Develop an action plan n Get professional help if needed n Communicate with occupants and management Slide 47 Log Complaints Log Complaints using Indoor Air Quality Report Slide 48 Log Complaints Review forms for the following: n IEQ discomforts n Signs or symptoms of health problems n When did the discomforts or symptoms begin and how often did they occur? n Did the discomforts and symptoms continue outside the building? n Dates and nature of IEQ episodes n Comments that may help identify sources of IEQ problems Slide 49 Conduct Background Assessment Gather the following historical information: n Age of the building n Type of construction n Types of finishing materials n Age and type of HVAC system n Recent renovations n Previously reported air quality problems n Quality and frequency of maintenance and custodial service Slide 50 Conduct Walk-Trough Look at the building and record all your findings: n Layout and potential air-flow problems n HVAC equipment for potential chemical or microbiological problems. n Storage places for chemicals and supplies n Outside air-intake locations n Outside air dampers to see if they are open and operating n Temperature levels outside and inside n Check humidity and carbon dioxide levels if monitoring equipment is available Slide 51 Carbon Dioxide n Ambient levels 390-500 ppm n Exhale about 4.5% or 40,000 ppm n Occupational limit 5,000 ppm n IDLH level 50,000 ppm n ASHRAE 62-2004 no greater than about 700 ppm above outdoor levels will satisfy most peoples perception of body odor n Levels greater than 1000 ppm does not necessarily indicate poor IEQ Slide 52 Human Occupancy Factors n Use oxygen n Produce carbon dioxide n Produce heat n Produce moisture n Produce odors - Body odor - Fragrances - Chemicals (e.g., perchloroethylene) Slide 53 Assess HVAC System Performance n Look closely at HVAC equipment to see if it is working properly n Look for drain pans, heating and cooling coils, heat exchangers, and other potential contaminant sources n Review maintenance schedules for filter changes and cleaning n Record all findings Slide 54 Determine Possible Causes 1. Inadequate Ventilation n Closed dampers n Blocked or clogged intake and exhaust vents n Not enough outdoor air n Poor air distribution n Draftiness n Temperature and humidity differences n Incorrect air filtration n Dirty filters, coils, ductwork, etc. Slide 55 Determine Possible Causes 2. Inside Contamination n Air fresheners n Copy machine toner n Stored cleaners and maintenance chemicals n Stored paints and adhesives n Stored lawn and garden chemicals n Incorrectly diluted cleaning agents n Insecticides, pesticides and other chemicals n Leaking heat exchangers n Loose and disconnected flues n Dry traps in floor drains n Broken sewer lines Continued Slide 56 Determine Possible Causes When reviewing finishing materials, look for- n Recently installed carpets and wall covering n Recently installed excessive uncured adhesives n Recently installed material that is fibrous, odd smelling, or unfamiliar n Recently installed paints, varnishes, and other finishes n Ask about plans, specifications, and labels that might indicate the actual products installed Continued Slide 57 Determine Possible Causes 3. Outside Contamination n Airborne pollutants from on-site and off-site sources n Exhaust stacks too close to air intake ducts n Air intake ducts close to sources of automobile exhaust n Pollen and allergy-causing plaints near air intakes n Blocked and broken flues n Blocked air intake grilles Continued Slide 58 Determine Possible Causes 4. Microbiological Contamination n Standing water in the HVAC system or signs that it has occurred n Water damage to carpets and other furnishings n Accumulation of dust and dirt Continued Slide 59 Sources of Building Moisture n Airborne humidity from OA n Storm water (gray) n Flood water (brown) n Sewage water (black) n Plumbing leaks n Frozen plumbing or sprinklers n Irrigation water infiltration n Groundwater infiltration n Condensation n Vapor barrier failure Slide 60 Dehumidification Systems n HVAC systems should be properly maintained and operated to control indoor humidity to less that 60% relative humidity n In hot, humid climates, dehumidification systems should be installed - Low level priority, Ave. summer dew point < 60F (135 gr/lb) - Medium, < 65F (140 gr/lb) - High, < 70F (145 gr/ lb) Slide 61 A PPROVED A REAS FOR D EHUMIDIFICATION 140 Grains, Authorized for Dehumidification Options II & III 135 to 139 Grains, Authorized for Dehumidification Option II < 135 Grains, Not Authorized for Dehumidification Slide 62 Develop an Action Plan n Once you have identified potential sources of indoor air contaminants, develop an action plan to contain or eliminate them, then carry out the plan. n If the steps taken in your plan do not eliminate the sources of the contaminants and eliminate the air quality complaints, get an industrial hygienist with expertise in indoor environmental quality to conduct a professional investigation which may include air sampling. Slide 63 Keep Building Occupants Informed n Keep management informed about complaints received and actions taken n Provide building occupants information on the assessment findings and action plan Slide 64 Types of IEQ Complaints n Determine if you are dealing with a problem building or if you are dealing with sensitive building occupants n Building-associated symptoms formerly known as sick building syndrome may or may not be associated with building deficiencies n Building-related illness are rare situations which can include infectious, allergic, or toxic diseases Slide 65 The Human Side Characteristics of situations that are not resolved by improving the environment: n Initial response inadequate n Investigation inadequate (or perceived to be inadequate) n Anger n Group is formed n Distrust and fear n Goals change Slide 66 Indoor Air Quality Progression If Psycho-social factors are not considered: n Stage One: Trigger Directs attention towards the environment. Sets things in motion n Stage Two: Promotion Reinforcement with the idea that there is a problem with the environment n Stage Three: Reaction Perceived inadequate response. Anger and polarization n Stage Four: Spread Escalation of the conflict. Anxiety, panic, and fear n Stage Five: Undesirable Resolution Loss of control. Third party involvement Slide 67 Additional Resources n IAQ Assessment Guideline, Section 5, Safety, Health, and Environmental Manual n Construction Guidelines for IEQ Fact Sheet n Ozone Generator Fact Sheet n Water Damage Restoration Fact Sheet n Portable Air Cleaner Fact Sheet n Humidity Monitoring Fact Sheet