EFFECT OF GREEN RENOVATION ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN LOW INCOME HOMES Tiina Reponen, PhD University of Cincinnati June 9, 2016

Presentation Outline Background and Motivation −CDC/HUD Cincinnati Green Housing Study Experimental Design − Sampling Methodology − Sample Analysis Preliminary Results

Motivation Contaminants in homes are known to exacerbate respiratory conditions: – Moisture – Poor heating and ventilation – Environmental tobacco smoke – Wall-to-wall carpeting – Pet allergens CDC partnering with HUD to explore the potential of promoting healthy homes principles −Target one of the most sensitive populations: low-income children with asthma. −Cincinnati and Boston were first sites; currently study going on in New Orleans. – Dust mites – Cockroach allergens – Pesticides – Nitrogen dioxide – Combinations of the above

Background Villages at Roll Hill has undergone a $36M rehabilitation (Wallick Companies). − Department of Housing and Urban Development − City of Cincinnati − Fay Limited Partnership Largest green renovation of an affordable housing community in the nation to-date −Silver Award LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by Green Building Council)

What does “Green” housing mean? Recycled building materials Integrated Pest Management Optimized heating and air conditioning system Energy Star appliances Improved Insulation Low chemical carpets and paint

Working Hypotheses Integrated Pest Management Low VOC Materials Insulation Ventilation Decreased Pests Decreased Indoor Chemicals Less Respiratory Tract Inflammation Decrease Asthma Morbidity Green Housing GuidelinesHypothesized Outcomes Increased Microbial Diversity Increased Microbial Growth with Higher RH Increased Mold and Dust mite Decreased ventilation; Increased humidity Increased Indoor pollutants

Experimental Design 60 units in low-income housing complexes *** all with an asthmatic child (ages 7-12) *** 30 control homes30 green homes Environmental Measurements – Temperature – Relative humidity – Particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) – VOCs/aldehydes – Air exchange rate – Pesticides – Allergens – Fungi (ergosterol, ERMI, Illumina) – Bacteria (454 Pyrosequencing) Health-related Measurements – Blood – Urine – Lung Function Test – Exhaled Nitric Oxide – Respiratory Symptoms – Cold/Flu Assessment

6 months Visit 1Visit 2Visit 3 6 months A. Green homes vs. non-green control homes Green Homes Control Homes N = 28N = 22 N = 20 N = 14N = 8N = 6 < 3 months6 months12 months

6 months Visit 1Visit 2Visit 3 6 months A. Green homes vs. non-green control homes Green Homes Control Homes Visit 1Visit 2Visit 3Visit 0 B. Before and after renovation of the same homes N = 28N = 22 N = 20 N = 14N = 8N = 6 N = 8 N = 7N = 6 6 months Renovation < 3 months6 months12 months

Allergens and microbes –Vacuum dust (floor and bed) PM2.5 - Air sampling Pesticides –Kitchen floor wipes Volatile organic chemicals – Passive badges Environmental Sampling

Air sampling devices

Indoor and Outdoor testing

Biological sampling

What were common allergies?

Allergens Levels of concern are red lines

Level of concern

Why do people use pesticides? Bees Wasps and hornets Silverfish Ants SpidersCockroaches Bedbugs

Pesticides ChlorpyrifosPermethrin Note: Chlorpyrifos was phased out by EPA for people using in their own homes in 2001

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - Formaldehyde - particle board, cigarette smoke, insulation, and carpet - Isopropanol (Rubbing alcohol) - cleaning agents and perfumes - Toluene – paint, nail polish, rubber cement and other adhesives, and cigarette smoke

Comparison of volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) Level of concern

Comparison of volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) Levels of concern Formaldehyde - particle board, cigarette smoke, insulation, and carpet

PM2.5 concentration Possible sources: Smoking Candle burning Cooking Outdoor sources Level of concern

Home characteristics

24 Differences in occupant behavior: opening of windows decreased from visit 0 to visit 1 Chatterjee-Coombs et al., 2015

Microbial Levels by city and renovation Courtesy of Dr. Ju-Hyeong Park Control > Green (p=0.02) Control > Green (p=0.08)

MOLDINESS INDEX ERMI Patterns over 12 Months Control Renovated 0123 Visit p=0.06 <

Microbiome analysis using next generation sequencing

Air Bed Floor Green Housing Study Principal Component Analysis comparing sample types Based on weighted UniFrac distance matrix Chatterjee-Coombs et al., 2015 Fungal taxa different in air, floor dust and bed dust.

PCoA plot comparing Baseline and 12-month samples Baseline 12 months Chatterjee-Coombs et al., 2015 Fungal taxa different at baseline and 12 months.

Green renovation of low-income housing Changes in Indoor Air Quality Black carbon Formaldehyde CONCLUSIONS Chatterjee-Coombs et al., 2015

Conclusions Black carbon decreased whereas formaldehyde increased; likely due to reduced opening of windows. PM2.5 was higher in green than controls homes, most likely due to smoking. Occupant activities had more influence in most measured air pollutants than the renovation status. Slight decrease was observed in some biological contaminants (and house dust mite, cockroach and dog allergens, ergosterol, moldiness index) in green versus control homes.

Acknowledgments Department of Environmental Health (UC) –Kanistha Chatterjee-Coombs, Sergey Grinshpun, Eric Kettleson, Reshmi Indugula, Christopher Schaffer Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center - Patrick Ryan CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Ginger Chew, Mary Jean Brown, Jacquelyn Mason (National Center for Environmental Health, NCEH) - Ju-Hyeong Park, Brett Green (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH) Environmental Protection Agency – Stephen Vesper U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Peter Ashley Harvard University, School of Public Health: - Gary Adamkiewicz

Funding CDC Green Housing Study (5UO1EH000990) US EPA

Green Building Renovations at Villages of Roll Hill Window and door replacement (energy efficient) New roofing and whole house insulation New low VOC carpets, tile, cabinets, countertops, and paint Energy efficient central heating/cooling systems New bathroom exhaust fan Integrated pest management plan New low flow toilets New energy efficient lighting and bulbs Designated parking for low emission vehicles New landscaping and tree installation