The New Indoor Air Quality Trends

eBook

Indoor Air Quality is crucial to ensuring healthy buildings.Since we spend most of our time indoors compared to outdoors, the air we breathe, whether in homes, offices, schools or hospitals, can increase the risk of health problems. There are several factors and sources of pollution that make managing indoor air quality (IAQ) a challenge to real estate property managers and building engineers. Some of the pollutants are chemicals or gases, while others can be microbes such as mold and pests. Real estate property managers and owners are prioritizing IAQ and are taking steps to improve and sustain a healthy building as part of their sustainability strategy. Read our eBook as we discuss 5 topics related to IAQ - an introduction to IAQ, the importance of monitoring IAQ, the challenges in monitoring IAQ, sample data and recent applications of IAQ monitors.

INTRODUCTION

02

The Importance of Monitoring IAQ Why Monitor IAQ? Which Pollutants Should We Care About? Indoor Air Quality Standards

Challenges of Monitoring IAQ What Does IAQ Data Look Like? Real-Time Monitoring Sample Data Technology Insights - New IAQ Trends

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Standard Definition of IAQ What Constitutes a Healthy IAQ?  05

06

08

09

10

11

13

14

15

16

Part 1: What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Part 2: The Impact & Importance of Monitoring IAQ

Part 3: Challenges of IAQ Monitoring

Part 4: IAQ Monitoring Applications IAQ Use Case - California Wildfires IAQ Use Case - Real-Time Visibility & Alerts IAQ Use Case - Construction IAQ Use Case - Temperature & Humidity IAQ Use Case - Carbon Dioxide in Office Space IAQ Use Case - Carbon Monoxide

20

21

22

23

23

23

What is Indoor Air Quality?

Part 1

THE DEFINITION OF IAQ

Indoor Air Quality is a term that references the air inside of a building that meets occupant requirements. The definition contains subjective and objective components making it difficult to quantify.

05

WHAT IS THE STANDARD DEFINITION OF IAQ - IS THERE ONE?

WHAT CONSTITUTES A HEALTHY IAQ?

2. Air quality should meet people’s expectations of being “acceptable.” Occupants should describe their environment as fresh and pleasant. To an extent this is somewhat “subjective.” People are relatively aware of healthy indoor air quality or if there is a dangerous level of pollutants in the air.

1. IAQ should not have a negative impact on health and productivity. This is somewhat quantifiable due to studies conducted to investigate how cognitive abilities can be influenced by exposure to various air pollutants.

Two main components dictate whether you have good IAQ:

06

The Impact & Importance of Monitoring IAQ

Part 2

IAQ impacts the health and wellness of occupants.Monitoring indoor air quality has become a priority in several buildings due to the impact it has on the health and wellness of building occupants. Poor indoor air quality is caused by a wide variety of issues such as pollutants, air borne particles, chemicals and emissions from equipment inside the building. Poor IAQ leads to many health issues such as asthma, sneezing, and an increase in allergies as well as long-term illness such as heart disease and cancer in extreme cases. This makes it even more important for buildings such as schools, hospitals, and hotels to invest their resources in maintaining high IAQ.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING IAQ

08

WHY MONITOR IAQ?

09

Monitoring IAQ ensures the benefit of:

Measuring things we cannot easily perceive. Early warning of Hazards and dangerous conditions.

Ability to track building and system performance over time. Heating and cooling

systems degrade over time and may be polluting air with dust, mold, and more.

IAQ pollutants are present everywhere - the levels matter.

One study conducted uses pollutant levels and its impact on Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY). DALY is a measure of overall disease burden, expressed as the number of years lost due to ill-health, disability or early death. With research being conducted, the importance of monitoring continues to increase and standards continue to evolve. Experts have quantified pollutants that are harmful in some quantity to human health. The graph above represents the number of years a persons life is reduced due to external factors i.e poor IAQ and exposure to pollutants. It also illustrates life years lost based on exposure (per 100,000/yr). As you can see, PM 2.5 is one of the most influential pollutants on a person’s DALY. On average it accounts for 1000 total years lost /100,000 people it affects. The second data point on the graph is second hand smoke. It accounts for about 100 years lost for 100,000 affected by second hand smoke. With this data, the message is consistent - one can positively impact health by limiting exposure to pollutants.

WHICH POLLUTANTS SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT?

10

Logue, Price, Sherman, Singer (2017) LBLN

The graph below represents the number of years a person’s life is reduced due to poor IAQ.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY STANDARDS

IAQ pollutants are present everywhere and we are constantly breathing in various levels of Particulate Matter (PM), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), etc. It’s the levels that matter. Different organizations have set unique standards for what they quantify as being acceptable levels of various pollutants. Above, we see 3 different organizations and the difference in standards they recommend for maximum defined levels. The organizations also provide additional aspects of acceptable IAQ. For example, OSHA refers to ASHRAE 62.1 which defines building ventilation rates for acceptable IAQ. Healthy IAQ goes beyond organizations standards and some states have imposed regulations to ensure healthy indoor environments. California and New Jersey have IAQ regulations that reference various contaminants but IAQ levels are rarely defined. While there is no consensus on pollutants limits, organizations acknowledge that daily dose and exposure averages over time matter. Extensive research in this field is still establishing and redefining standards for IAQ pollutants. As more indoor air research continues forward, standards will similarly move to match science. As we learn more about health effects, more limits will be set and redefined.

Pollutant WHO EPA OSHA

PM2.5 25 µg/m3 (1 day avg.) 35 µg/m3 (1 day avg.) 5 ppm

PM10 50 µg/m3 (1 day avg.) 150 µg/m3 (1 day avg.) 15 ppm

SO2 20 µg/m3 (1 day avg.) 75 ppb (1 hr. avg.) 0.5 ppm (3 hr. avg.)

5 ppm (8 hr. avg.)

NO2 200 µg/m3 (1 hr. avg.) 40 µg/m3 (1 yr. avg.)

53 ppb (1 yr. avg.) 100 ppb (1 hr. avg.)

5 ppm (8 hr. avg.)

CO 10 ppm (8 hr. dose) 9 ppm (8 hr. avg.) 35 ppm (1 hr. avg.)

50 ppm (8 hr. dose)

Formaldehyde 0.1 ppm 0.1 ppm

Each organization has a differing set of standards.

11

Challenges of IAQ Monitoring

Part 3

Potential for high upfront equipment costs.

Uncontrolled environments.

Subjective perception of IAQ.

There are 100s of 1000s of compounds and particles that affect us and our health; however, not all are measurable without precise controlled environments and equipment.

Some occupants are more sensitive to some pollutants. Others who are less sensitive may not discuss effects on cognitive ability.

$

CAN IAQ BE QUANTIFIED AT ALL? NOT EASILY.

CHALLENGES IN MONITORING IAQ

13

Inaccurate measurements.

Difficulty to measure in low concentration.Certain compounds are hard to measure in low concentration. For example, measuring Particulate Matter (PM) with a sensor that is meant to measure at 2.5 microns or greater will be effective in measuring cigarette smoke (particle diameter of 2.5 micron) but ineffective in measuring the levels of PM of wood burning or food cooking as they do not meet the threshold of the sensor.

Cross talks with other pollutants can skew results and lead to faulty measurements.

Initial equipment and installation costs require a significant investment of time and money.

WHAT DOES IAQ DATA LOOK LIKE?TIME INTEGRATED VS. REAL-TIME SAMPLING

Real-time monitoring provides you with visibility into your IAQ immediately. With real-time IAQ sensors you can monitor several pollutants and create thresholds for each individual pollutant. By monitoring specific pollutants in real-time, you gain visibility into trends and are able to take proactive actions/measures in order to bring yourself or building occupants out of potentially dangerous situations. With real-time IAQ monitoring, you are also able to maintain mechanical equipment that shows degradation based on air quality profiles being measured. It is increasingly important to know both if IAQ reaches unhealthy levels and also when it reaches those levels. Real-time gives you clear visibility of specific trends and events.

Time-integrated is a one off sample set in which you put out a sensor, (i.e radon puck) to collect data over a given amount of time - week, month, etc. The pollutant is captured and is sent to a laboratory and you receive an average quantity of pollutant. This type of sampling is sufficient for certain situations when needing to know an average level - for example radon is known to be variable. Although this type of data can be beneficial, there are also some issues. Mainly, the sampling provides information after the fact, preventing you from learning about a dangerous situation as it occurs. This makes it less helpful than knowing about situation and the trends beforehand so you can take action to bring yourself into a safe environment.

When discussing IAQ data there are two type of data that people use.

Time-Integrated Real-Time

14

REAL-TIME MONITORING SAMPLE DATA

15

The graph illustrates CO2 data over time. In this instance, two separate thresholds have been created - 1000 parts per million for a warning alert and 2000 parts per million for a critical warning level. With this real-time IAQ monitoring, the facility manager or building engineer receives real-time alerts via email as levels of CO2 reach thresholds. This enables proactive action to happen to reduce critical levels of CO2.

The graph below shows real-time CO2 monitoring with two different thresholds.

If this was time-integrated sampling it would be the average of all data so the value might actually appear below the 1000 threshold; however, when looking at real-time data you can see instances when CO2 levels went above the 1000 threshold and when CO2 levels got close to the critical warning level. You wouldn’t normally receive this data if looking at a time-integrated sample but can easily see with real-time samples.

Real-Time IAQ conditions with alerts

Multiple sensors within the building

Cost effective

Wireless

Cloud Based

Flexible to adapt to new standards

Simple Installation

Continuous Monitoring

TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTS - NEW IAQ TRENDS

Single Point Measurements

Continuous Monitoring Available but:

Unreliable as pollutants vary

Expensive

Usually wired

Very Expensive

Quickly Obsolete

What is being done today and what are the new trends in IAQ monitoring?

16

As new research is conducted and standards are imposed, new solutions are created. Real-Time IAQ sensors allow you to:

Receive real-time alerts if thresholds are met. Install devices simply due to wireless solution.

Save money - Sensors are very cost effective. Monitor data in the cloud where various analytics can be run.

TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTS - NEW IAQ TRENDS

17

$

TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTS - NEW IAQ TRENDS

New IAQ devices are unobtrusive and can be placed on a wall to begin collecting different IAQ data - providing you with trends every minute. There are different packages on the market depending on what you want to achieve and which standards you want to follow. You can monitor several data points within one device. Some include - Particulate Matter (PM), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), Ozone (O3) and more. You can go further and be compliant with WELL Building Standards and monitor Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Formaldehyde (HCHO).

New IAQ sensors integrate seamlessly and unobtrusively.

18

IAQ MonitoringApplications

Part 4

2017 California WildfiresOne application of IAQ sensors involves the Bay Area fires in 2017. The IAQ in buildings was very poor due to impact of fire. A company installed IAQ monitors across facilities in order to receive real-time data and determine various pollutant levels

IAQ Monitoring Results: IAQ monitoring gave them visibility to determine whether or not they allowed outside air to enter the building. They were able to see outside conditions such as wind direction and speed. After diagnosis, they could determine that the air entering the building had much higher Particulate Matter levels than normal and the building filter was unable to filter it. Based on Particulate Matter (PM) level and data, the company adjusted the HVAC settings to stop or reduce outside air bringing in when Particulate Matter (PM) high. Not only was the company able to adapt to IAQ conditions, they were able to show building occupants in real-time that IAQ was compliant with standards. The company shared, “within a day of ordering the system, we were up and running, gathering important data and implementing measures to improve conditions immediately.”

IAQ USE CASES

20

Air Quality reduced by sustained wildfires

No visibility on vulnerable areas within the building to come up with an effective

solution for the critical IAQ issue.

Real-Time Monitoring and Reports

Perform what-if analysis on different building HVAC settings (e.g. compare air

tightness and filtration efficiency) and measure impact on IAQ in real-time.

Real-Time Compliance

Reduced in real time Outdoor Air rates during the peak Particulate Matter

(PM2.5) conditions. This helped keep PM 2.5 levels within standards.

Real-Time Visibility & AlertsMonitoring levels is difficult to interpret. Air Quality standards and recommendations are sourced from the EPA and the Well Building Standard. The EPA Air Quality Index provides numbers between 0-500 based on danger levels for different pollutants. For example, a Moderate Air Quality Index of 52 may lead to respiratory systems in unusually sensitive individuals and possible aggravation of heart or lung disease in people with cardiopulmonary disease and older adults. An Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Air Quality Index of 120 has increased likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive groups including older adults, children, and people of lower socioeconomic status as well as aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in people with heart or lung disease.

IAQ Monitoring Results: Real-time air quality monitoring allows you to see data in real-time enabling better decision making.

IAQ USE CASES

21

ConstructionReal-time IAQ monitoring can be useful in several aspects of construction projects - from IAQ flush outs to renovations. Often times construction happening in one section of the building impacts the whole building i.e- spread of pollutants created by projects.

IAQ Monitoring Results: By monitoring IAQ in real-time during construction projects, companies are able to:• Protect and monitor occupied zones of the building when there is construction or renovation. • Protect workers and equipment sensitive to IAQ such as servers, etc.• Provide protection from liability of health issues or equipment failure.• Provide data that enables building engineers to be proactive in maintaining a healthy IAQ i.e - adding

additional HVAC filtering.

IAQ USE CASES

22

Temperature & Humidity

Carbon Dioxide in Office Space

Carbon Monoxide

While discussing IAQ, sometimes we overlook the most basic data points that impact occupants health and comfort in a building. Many of the tickets that property managers and engineers respond to are often related to temperature discomfort. Although many buildings have a BMS that monitors these temperatures in different areas, often no one looks at the data.

Real-time monitoring of CO2 has become increasingly important as research has verified its impact on productivity and cognitive tasks. When levels of CO2 are above 1000 ppm, people complain about drowsiness. Studies show that if you increase ppm levels by 100 you can impact the capacity for people to make critical decisions. Conference rooms are especially important to have fresh air filtered in often.

Many places have detectors but based on latest standards, for example WELL Building Standards, it’s recommended to monitor Carbon Monoxide in real-time around kitchens, boiler rooms, etc. This ensures that CO levels don’t meet critical thresholds. Basic CO detectors trigger an alarm at 700 ppm within 1-4 hours or 400 ppm between 4-15 minutes. Usually it is too late. According to ASHRAE standards, exposure to CO levels of 9ppm is dangerous.

IAQ Monitoring Results: With real-time monitoring, you can place sensors in those areas and show tenants real-time data, reduce hot and cold tickets, and inform engineers for changes to HVAC settings.

IAQ Monitoring Results: Ensure CO2 levels are always below 800 pm enabling an efficient HVAC system.

IAQ Monitoring Results: With real-time CO monitoring you know you if and when your need to investigate - enabling proactive behavior.

IAQ USE CASES

23

Care about your air. Indoor Air Quality is becoming an important aspect of building and occupant health. All buildings face IAQ challenges and should begin implementing an IAQ strategy. IAQ monitoring solutions represent a new class of IoT devices that were built to produce actionable insights in the commercial and industrial marketplace at a fraction of the cost. The industry is wholly unprepared for the need to incorporate IAQ sensing into the built environment. Industry demand fueled by tenant demands, portfolio initiatives, and government regulation will ensure that the market for IAQ sensing will be dominated by the market of existing buildings.

CARE ABOUT YOUR AIR

REQUEST DEMO

24