july 19, 2013 ucsf capital programs 654 minnesota street san...

428 13th Street, 4th Floor, Oakland, California 94612 tel 510.839.0688 fax 510.839.4350

www.ngem.com Certified Bay Area Green Business

July 19, 2013

Ms. Sandra Beck Associate Director UCSF Capital Programs 654 Minnesota Street San Francisco, California 94107 RE: Indoor Air Quality Sampling

UCSF Child Care Center, 1555 Sixth Street San Francisco, California Project No. 1226.04

Dear Ms. Beck:

Northgate Environmental Management, Inc. (Northgate) is pleased to submit this report

summarizing indoor air sampling completed at the University of California, San Francisco

(UCSF) Child Care Center (Center) at Mission Bay in San Francisco, California (the Site;

Figure 1). At the request of UCSF, Northgate collected indoor air quality samples from nine

indoor locations and one exterior ambient air sample located at the Site and tested the samples

for formaldehyde. The indoor air sampling locations are shown on Figure 2.

BACKGROUND

The Center is located within the Mission Bay Redevelopment Area at the southern corner of the

Sixth Street and Owens Drive intersection. The Center is a modular building with several rooms.

During the Mission Bay Parent meeting on July 8, 2013, Dr. Mark Miller discussed potential

ways in which children might be exposed to chemicals in the environment. Dr. Miller mentioned

a University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) study1 that found formaldehyde in the air

inside a number of day care facilities in California. This study noted that formaldehyde

concentrations were generally higher in day care centers located in prefabricated (i.e., modular)

buildings, in some cases exceeding recommended exposure guidelines.

1 Environmental Exposures in Early Childhood Education Environments, prepared by Asa Bradman et al. (Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health, U. of California – Berkeley). April 5, 2012.

Indoor Air Quality Sampling UCSF Child Care Center San Francisco, California

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July 19, 2013

In light of the UC Berkeley study, UCSF requested Northgate to conduct indoor air sampling at

the Site to measure formaldehyde concentrations. This letter report describes the sampling and

analysis procedures, summarizes the data, and compares the results to applicable screening

criteria in order to assess whether or not indoor air at the Site poses a potential health risk to

children and other occupants within the Center.

SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS

Northgate collected one ambient air sample (AA1) and nine indoor air quality samples (IA1

through IA9) within the Center on July 6 through July 7, 2013. All sampling monitors were

refrigerated (or kept on ice) both before and after sample collected. Aldehyde x580 monitors

were placed in the central portion of the rooms within the Center at a height of approximately

three feet above the floor to analyze the breathing zone of a child. The sampling monitors were

hung from the ceiling and the two end covers were removed. After a sample collection time of

approximately 34 hours, the monitors were collected with caps replaced, placed in sealed bags,

and shipped on ice to the analytical laboratory under proper chain-of-custody protocol for

analysis. Photographs of the Center and the sampling locations are included in Appendix A.

Samples were analyzed by Assay Technology, Inc. (Assay Tech), located in Livermore,

California. The laboratory is an AIHA LAP, LLC accredited industrial hygiene laboratory

accredited for the analysis performed. The nine indoor air quality samples and one ambient air

sample were analyzed for formaldehyde by the Modified OSHA 1007 Method. The laboratory

report and chains-of-custody are included in Appendix B.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The analytical results are summarized in Table 1. Formaldehyde was detected at trace levels in

the air samples, as is typical for indoor air in urban environments. The mean formaldehyde

concentration was 0.0057 parts per million (ppm) and the 95% upper confidence limit (UCL)

concentration was 0.0072 ppm. The source(s) of formaldehyde detected at the Site are not

known, but may be associated with typical materials used to construct the building (e.g.,

plywood, particle board, and insulation), furniture (e.g., wood veneers, resins, and upholstery),

carpets, and other fabrics.

The mean formaldehyde concentration at the Site (0.0057 ppm) is approximately half of the

mean concentration (0.0134 ppm) reported by the UC Berkeley study for 40 child care facilities

throughout California. Based on the UC Berkeley Study, formaldehyde concentrations at the


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July 19, 2013

Site are consistent with or less than typical concentrations at other child care facilities in

California.

Additionally, we have compared the Site data to State and federal guidance for formaldehyde in

indoor air. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has

developed a Reference Exposure Level (REL) of 0.007 ppm for both 8 hours/day and chronic

exposure. This REL incorporates an uncertainty factor to account for potential asthma

exacerbation in children. The 95% UCL formaldehyde concentration calculated for data from

the Site is equal to the REL, indicating that the measured concentrations in indoor air would not

adversely impact children or other occupants at the Site.

At the federal level, the Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry (ATSDR; division of the

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC) has established a Minimal

Risk Limit of 0.008 ppm for formaldehyde. The 95% UCL formaldehyde concentration for the

Site is less than the ATSDR Minimal Risk Limit.

CONCLUSION

The results of the indoor air quality sampling and analysis program indicate that average

formaldehyde concentrations at the Site do not represent a significant health risk to children or

other occupants at the Site. This conclusion is based on the upper 95% UCL value which does

not exceed the OEHHA Reference Exposure Level or the ATSDR Minimal Risk Limit.

Additionally, the 95% UCL formaldehyde concentration for the Site is less than the average

concentration reported by UC Berkeley for 40 child care facilities throughout California.

CLOSING

We appreciate this opportunity to provide the UCSF with environmental consulting services.

Please feel welcome to contact me at (510) 839-0688, ext. 220, or via e-mail at

[email protected] should you have any questions.

Sincerely, Northgate Environmental Management, Inc.

Elizabeth Nixon, P.E. Associate Engineer


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July 19, 2013

Enclosures: Table 1 – Indoor Air Sampling Analytical Results Figure 1 – Site Plan

Figure 2 – Indoor Air Sampling Locations Appendix A – Site Photographs Appendix B – Laboratory Analysis Data Sheets cc: Travis Clark, UCSF Mark Smolley, Cambridge CM

TABLE 1Indoor Air Sampling Analytical Results

AA1 0.0012 0.00095

IA1 0.0055 0.0044

IA2 0.012 0.0092

IA3 0.0084 0.0068

IA4 0.0091 0.0073

IA5 0.0042 0.0034

IA6 0.0031 0.0025

IA7 0.0046 0.0037

IA8 0.008 0.0064

IA9 0.0098 0.0079

95% Upper Confidence Level 1 0.0090 0.0072

Mean 1 0.0072 0.0057

OEHHA Reference Exposure Level (chronic and 8-hour) 0.009 0.007

ATSDR Minimal Risk Limit 0.01 0.008

Notes:1) The values were calculated using the indoor air quality samples only (IA1 through IA9).

mg/M3: milligrams cubic meterppm: parts per millionOEHHA: California Office of Environmental Health Hazard AssessmentATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry

Sample Identification

Formaldehyde Concentration

mg/M3 ppm

Indoor Air Quality SamplingUCSF Child Care Center, San Francisco, California

1 of 1 July 19, 2013

FIGURES

³0 60

Scale: Feet

FIGURE 1Site Plan

UCSF Child Care CenterSan Francisco, California

Project No. 1226.04

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APPENDIX A SITE PHOTOGRAPHS

Indoor Air Quality Sampling A-1 July 19, 2013 UCSF Child Care Center San Francisco, California

Sampling location AA1 on fence in parking lot on west side of building (upwind).

Typical indoor air quality sampling set up of monitoring device – hanging white tube in central portion of the room.

Indoor Air Quality Sampling A-2 July 19, 2013 UCSF Child Care Center San Francisco, California



APPENDIX B LABORATORY ANALYSIS DATA SHEETS

LABORATORY REPORT(Air Sampling)

Batch No: 2013071290Customer: NORTHGATE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Contact No:Attention: AXEL RIEKE Project No:Address: PO No:

Date Received:City, State: OAKLAND, CA 94612 Date Reported:

Country: USDate(s) Analyzed: 07/11/13

Tel No: Fax No:

Lab Sample ID / Lab CodeDate

Sampled Media Code - Client Sample ID Media Lot / Serial # Chemical Analyzed (Method, Chemist)Quantity

Found (µg)Reporting Limit (µg)

Sample Volume (L)

Sample Time (min)

Reporting Limit (mg/M3)

Reporting Limit (ppm)

2013026465 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - AA1 6B13 - KB1597 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 0.27 0.1 228 2071 0.0012 0.00095 0.00044 0.000352013026467 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - IA9 6B13 - KB1739 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 2.2 0.1 225 2042 0.0098 0.0079 0.00044 0.000362013026469 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - IA4 6B13 - KB1656 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 2 0.1 225 2045 0.0091 0.0073 0.00044 0.000362013026471 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - IA5 6B13 - KB1638 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 0.95 0.1 225 2044 0.0042 0.0034 0.00044 0.000362013026472 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - IA1 6B13 - KB1780 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 1.2 0.1 225 2046 0.0055 0.0044 0.00044 0.000362013026473 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - IA8 6B13 - KB1809 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 1.8 0.1 225 2043 0.008 0.0064 0.00044 0.000362013026475 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - IA2 6B13 - KB1539 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 2.6 0.1 225 2046 0.012 0.0092 0.00044 0.000362013026477 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - IA3 6B13 - KB1701 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 1.9 0.1 225 2045 0.0084 0.0068 0.00044 0.000362013026478 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - IA7 6B13 - KB1708 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 1 0.1 225 2042 0.0046 0.0037 0.00044 0.000362013026479 - ATOH 7/6/13 J580B - IA6 6B13 - KB1729 FORMALDEHYDE (1,101) 0.69 0.1 225 2044 0.0031 0.0025 0.00044 0.00036

Messages

Lab Sample ID Message Method Chemist Analyzed By Approved By1 MOD OSHA 1007 (OSHA PEL: 0.75 PPM, STEL: 2.0 PPM) 101 J. ZATCHOK W. EWING

Method Name

Concentration/Exposure(mg/M3) (ppm) .

Exposure results are the average concentration for the period of time monitored. ND = None Detected. The results relate only to the items tested. Unless noted below, samples were received in acceptable condition, all applicable quality control were within method specifications, lab blanks were subtracted before a result was reported, and any customer supplied field blanks were not subtracted from sample results. The molar volume at 22 C (24.1 L/mole) was used to calculate parts per million, ppm. Air concentrations reported are based upon field sampling information provided by the customer. For assistance with the content of this report, please visit the Customer Services section of our web site at http://www.assaytech.com or contact Technical Support at 1-800-833-1258. For details of significant method modifications go to www.assaytech.com/methmod.html.

428 13TH ST 4TH FLOOR

(510) 839-4350

568211226.04

July 9, 2013July 11, 2013

(510) 839-0688

LAB CODE: ATCA-Lab 101728, ATOH-Lab 100903 S. GREEN-Laboratory Director K. TAYLOR-Ohio Supervisor 1 of 1

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