Action Kit

IAQ Basics IAQ Management Plan Resolving IAQ Problems Appendices

Action Kit Overview n IAQ Coordinator needed n Less expense and effort to prevent problems than resolve n IAQ problems can be prevented by educating staff and students about factors that create them

Importance n Indoor pollutants times higher than outdoor n People spend 90% of their time indoors

Importance n Decrease health complaints u Cough u Eye irritation u Headache u Asthma episodes u Allergic reactions u Severe asthma attacks u Legionnaire’s disease u Carbon monoxide poisoning

Importance n Reduce spread of infectious disease n Produce favorable learning environment n Increase productivity n Reduce absenteeism n Better maintenance of equipment

Importance n Improve relationships n Reduce liabilities

IAQ Coordinator n Team leader

IAQ Coordinator n Implements the IAQ Management Plan (Sections - ) n Prepares and coordinates emergency response (Sections - )

IAQ Coordinator n Central information location u Complaints u Information l Renovation projects l HVAC activities l Chemical use

Team Members n Faculty u Art, science, etc. classes generate sources n Staff u Printing/office equipment generates sources u Temperature/humidity controls n HVAC personnel

Team Members n Custodian/building maintenance u Dust* u Chemical use* n Health officer/school nurse/occupational medicine u Identify complainants u Provide medical advise to exposed persons*

Team Members n Administration u Budget, space, equipment decisions n Contract service providers u Pesticide application, roofing, renovation, housekeeping, etc. u Involve Contracts/ Purchasing* n Students/parents

Team Members n Local news media u Distribute information u Minimize “bad” press

Minimum Team Members* n Safety/IAQ Coordinator n HVAC u Engineer u Maintenance n Supervisor of affected area n Occupational medicine

Understanding IAQ n Sources u Inside, outside, or from mechanical system u Can vary by time and location u Appendix lists by contaminant and describes sources

Sources* n Occupants u CO 2 u Bioaerosols u Heat u VOCs l Hairspray l Dry-cleaning solvents l Perfume

Sources* n Standing water/floods u Mold u Bacteria n Combustion u CO u CO 2 u NO X (diesel) u Particulates u Heat

Sources* n Office machines u Heat u Ozone u Particulates u Noise

Sources* n Chemical use u Cleaning solvents/detergents u Adhesives u Lab chemicals u Pesticides u Markers

Sources* n Renovation/construction u Paint u Thinners u Lacquers u Adhesives u Dust u Asbestos u CO u Mold u Noise

Sources* n Building materials u Formaldehyde u VOCs u Carpet u Carpet adhesives u Light ballasts u Luan

Sources* n Miscellaneous u Dry drain traps u Building exhausts l Sewer l Fume hoods l Combustion u Dumpsters u Plants l Pesticides l Mold

Sources* n Miscellaneous u Pollen u Food l Cooking odors l Brought by employees u Lead-acid batteries

Understanding IAQ n HVAC system u Takes in fresh air u Mixes with return air u Filters u Tempers l Temperature l Humidity u Distributes n Video

Understanding IAQ n HVAC system u Central air u Unit ventilator (fan coil unit)

IAQ Backgrounder (4)

IAQ Backgrounder (3)

IAQ Backgrounder (5)

IAQ Backgrounder (3) Supply only Usually a return Could be either

Understanding IAQ n Thermal comfort u Temperature u Humidity

Thermal Comfort (11)

Understanding IAQ n Ventilation for occupant needs u ASHRAE Standard 62 l Contaminant concentrations l Fresh air supply

Fresh Air Ventilation Recommendations (12)

Understanding IAQ n Pollutant (and fresh air) pathways u Air flow u Positive/negative pressure u Blockage l Covered ducts l Cubicles

Understanding IAQ n Occupants u Susceptibility l Allergy/asthma l Chemical sensitivity l Respiratory disease l Suppressed immune system l Contact lenses l Heart disease (CO) l Children (tobacco smoke)

Understanding IAQ n Complaints u Headache u Fatigue u Shortness of breath u Sinus congestion u Coughing u Sneezing u Eye/nose/throat/skin irritation u Dizziness u Nausea

Understanding IAQ n Causes other than IAQ u Thermal comfort (hot causes fatigue) u Lighting/glare (causes headaches) u Job stress u Illness clusters (get health department and/or medical* advise)

Other Causes* n Do not dismiss because YOU think there is no IAQ problem without fully investigating n Act of investigating may mitigate problem n Investigation may uncover “root” cause, which should be discussed with supervisor

IAQ Management Plan n Fix any existing IAQ problems n Instill IAQ awareness for prevention n Resolve IAQ issues as they occur

IAQ Management Plan n Select IAQ Coordinator n Become familiar with kit

IAQ Management Plan n Gain top administrative support u Note to School Officials (page i of guide) u IAQ Backgrounder u Sections,, u Supposed to be little or no impact on school budget/ time resources (except for ventilation checklist)

IAQ Management Plan n Obtain information on radon* n Obtain information on integrated pest mgmt. u Reduce use of chemicals u EPA 735-F n Obtain information on lead* n IAQ Checklist interval u 1-2 times/year

IAQ Management Plan n Plan for emergency response n Inform appropriate committees and groups u PTA u Safety Committee u Staff/Faculty Senate* u Employee Liaison*

IAQ Management Plan n Establish written policies as needed u Smoking u Pest control u Ventilation system operation u Painting u Spill response* u Chemical use* (Checklist on page 5-6 of IAQ Coordinator’s Forms tab)

IAQ Management Plan n Assess Current Status u Start the Checklists Log (page 9 of IAQ Coordinator’s Forms tab) u Decide who will get Action Packets (checklists + info) l Teachers l Staff l Facility operators l Custodians l Health officers l Log tracks checklist returns

IAQ Management Plan n Distribute packets n Receive and summarize the checklists n Perform a walkthrough u Look for problem areas based on checklist responses

IAQ Management Plan n Walkthrough u Cleanliness u Mold u Chemical use and storage u Dirty air filters u Blocked air vents u Odors u Temperature u Drafts u Airflow

IAQ Management Plan n Walkthrough u Listen to occupants u Look at special use areas l Food preparation l Labs/science rooms l Art rooms l Industrial arts l Smoking lounges l Shops*

IAQ Management Plan n Radon* n Pest control n Lead* n Identify recent changes that affect IAQ u Floods u Night/weekend use and ventilation u Construction (inside or outside)*

IAQ Management Plan n Set repair and upgrade priorities n Gain consensus and approval n Distribute status report n Perform repairs and upgrades n Conduct follow-up inspections

IAQ Management Plan n Develop a schedule n Assess problem-solving performance n Establish/update policies n Distribute a summary report n Check contact list to see if current n File documentation

Choices* n Full IAQ program as defined by this guide n Selected checklists for preventive actions n Respond to complaints

Preventive Actions* n Administrative support n Ventilation Checklist n Building Maintenance Checklist n Renovations and Repairs Checklist

Ventilation Checklist n Outdoor air intakes u Be sure you have one* u Unobstructed u Clear of nearby pollutant sources u Air is entering (dampers open*)

Ventilation Checklist n Cleanliness u Filters l Clean l Fit l Installed for proper direction of airflow

Ventilation Checklist n Cleanliness u Condensate drip pans u Heating and cooling coils u Air handling unit/duct interiors u Mechanical room

Ventilation Checklist n Ventilation controls u Timer appropriate u Pneumatic control system, outdoor air damper, water coil freeze protection etc. function properly u Fans operate continuously even when temperature is satisfied

Ventilation Checklist n Air distribution u Not obstructed by blocked vents or cubicles u Air flow direction l less contaminated to more contaminated

Ventilation Checklist n Exhaust u Fans are operating u Local exhaust (hoods, snorkels) adequate to remove source contaminants

Ventilation Checklist n Outdoor air u Quality u Quantity l CFM per person l CO 2 measurements

Building Maintenance Checklist n Low odor/hazard chemicals used u High odor l Use after hours or late in day l Increase ventilation n Dust control

Building Maintenance Checklist n Floor cleaning u chemicals u dust from vacuum n Drain traps n Combustion sources n Pest control

Renovation and Repair Checklist n Test for asbestos/lead first n Consider mold exposures n Dust barriers n Ventilation modifications n Minimize off-gassing from new products

Renovation and Repair Checklist n Painting n Low VOC paint free of lead or mercury n Schedule n Ventilate

Renovation and Repair Checklist n Flooring n Low VOC products and adhesives n Air out new materials n Schedule n Ventilate

Renovation and Repair Checklist n Roofing n Schedule n Communicate to occupants in advance* n Pot location n Ventilate

Response Actions* n Return to IAQ Coordinator’s Guide Section

Communication n Be honest n Respect your audience n Avoid technical language n Listen n Emphasize action to be taken n Encourage feedback

Communication n Be prepared for questions n Be responsive n Combat rumors with facts n Tell people what you can and cannot do

Resolving Problems n Be prompt n Is it an emergency? (CO, spill, biological) n Evacuate affected areas n Get expert(s) n Provide medical evaluation/ treatment as necessary* n Ventilate/ensure no hazard before reoccupancy*

Diagnosing Problems n Problem solving checklist (page 11 of IAQ Coordinator’s Forms tab) n Problem solving wheel

Diagnosing Problems* n Emergency? n Evaluate symptoms/complaints n Evaluate potential sources n Evaluate HVAC

Solving Problems n Source management u Removal l Mold l Engine exhaust l Smoking restrictions u Substitute less hazardous u Local exhaust of point sources

Solving Problems n Adequate ventilation n Exposure control u Schedule u Ventilate u Relocate n Air cleaning (no ozone generators!!) n Education

Questions?