Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Basics Strategies for Maintaining Good Indoor Air Quality Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities 1

Presentation How Lungs Work What is IAQ? Basic Strategies to address IAQ Source Reduction Ventilation Air Cleaning 2

Mansel Nelson, ITEP 3

Lungs 4

Cardiovascular Connection Gases and small particles distributed widely after entering bloodstream If lungs are not functioning properly, heart must work harder 5

Protect the Lungs of Young Children Lungs of young children are very sensitive Air pollution can damage lungs for a lifetime Exposure to air pollutants can cause asthma, which can last a lifetime Lung infections can damage lungs for a lifetime 6

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What Is Indoor Air Quality? Two types Acceptable Air in occupied space toward which substantial majority of occupants express no dissatisfaction and in which there are not likely to be known contaminants at concentrations leading to exposures that pose a significant health risk (as opposed to occupational/industrial settings) Unacceptable Majority of occupants in an occupied space that express dissatisfaction or one or more individuals “perceive” a problem with indoor air 8

Risk Factor Components for IAQ Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) equipment Carbon Dioxide concentrations Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) Microbial Organisms (mold, bacteria) Temperature Relative Humidity Bio-effluents Other sources (radon, noise, light, asbestos, lead, ETS, vermin) Build-up of outdoor air contaminants inside 9

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Basic Principles 1. Source Control 2. Ventilation 3. Air Cleaning 11

Source Control Improving quality of indoor air is vital for human health Preferred strategy Increasing ventilation – higher energy costs 12

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) No risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Eliminate from indoor environment Following actions DO NOT protect nonsmokers Separating smokers from nonsmokers Cleaning the air Ventilating buildings 13

Consider alternative heating sources 14

Cleaners and Air Fresheners Average US household uses 40 lbs of chemicals each year Average household stores more than 60 hazardous products Many of the products are loaded with fragrances and petroleum-distilled chemicals (Volatile Organic Compounds / VOCs) 15

DO NOT “clean” the air They add more air pollutants 16

Read and follow label instructions IPM preferred 17

Carbon Monoxide (CO) All burning emits CO Alarms are backup 18

Radon Radioactive gas Radon Resistant Construction (Keep it out) 19

Outside Sources Reduce idling of buses Location of dumpsters Watch for fresh air intakes 20

Designated Smoking Area? 21

Walk-Off Mats 22

Carpets 23

Mold 24

Art and Science Classrooms 25

Floor Drains 26

Occupant Sources Physiological “equilibrium” Sweat/perspiration Perfume, cologne 27

Basic Principles 1. Source Control 2. Ventilation 3. Air Cleaning 28

Ventilation Higher energy costs Tension between weatherization and indoor air quality Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) Heat Capacity of air is LOW 29

Source Ventilation Exhaust out of building 30

Source Ventilation (cont.) 31

Gas stoves release low CO and lots of moisture Cooking releases moisture Make sure range hood vents to outside 32

Gas stoves release low CO and lots of H2O 33

Source Ventilation (cont.) 34

Art and Science Classrooms 35

Ventilation – Outside Air ASHRAE provides guidelines ASHRAE

Classroom Ventilation 37

How Much Outside Air (OA)? ASHRAE Offices= 17 cubic feet/minute (cfm)/person Libraries= 17 cfm/person Science Labs= 1 cfm/sq. ft. Auditoriums= 5 cfm/person Indoor Gymnasium= 0.3 cfm/sq.ft. Art Classrooms= 0.7 cfm/sq.ft. Health Care (patients’ rooms)= 25 cfm/person pdf 38

Heating, Ventilation, and Air- Conditioning System Location of outside air intakes Air handlers inspected periodically Filters changed periodically, wet/dirty, appropriate for occupancy (office, school, hospital, automotive garage, etc.) Exchange indoor air frequently (flush) Sufficient outside air brought in? Standing water anywhere in system; moisture on interior duct surfaces Heating/Cooling coils free of dirt and debris Visible “slimes” on duct surfaces 39

Basic Principles 1. Source Control 2. Ventilation 3. Air Cleaning Air cleaning is only recommended after proper source control and ventilation steps are taken. 40

Air Cleaners Generally not effective for gaseous pollutants Efficiency for collecting pollutants (HEPA = 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles) Moving air through cleaning element On going maintenance Combine with source removal and ventilation 41

Air Cleaners Buyer beware! No Ozone Air Cleaners True HEPA Filter Activated Charcoal Size for the space and air flows 42

Air Cleaning – Don’ts These methods may make air quality WORSE DO NOT USE Ozone (sold under many different guises) Ozone is an air pollutant Chemical reactions may lead to even more dangerous air pollutants Air Fresheners typically attempt to cover up odors and add more air pollutants Electronic or electrostatic cleaners that may add ozone 43

Summary – Maintaining Healthy IAQ Connected to health of building occupants No silver bullets – If it is too good to be true… Source control is preferred strategy 44

More Information… Guides/Home/The-Inside-Story-A-Guide- to-Indoor-Air-Quality/ Guides/Home/The-Inside-Story-A-Guide- to-Indoor-Air-Quality/ lity.html lity.html 45

Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Mansel A. Nelson, Senior Program Coordinator Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities Northern Arizona University (NAU) Voice FAX PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ