HVACR416 – Design Effects of IAQ Problems

The effects of IAQ problems are often non-specific symptoms rather than a clearly defined illness. Symptoms commonly attributed to IAQ problems include: o Headache skin irritation o Fatigue eye, nose, throat irritation o Shortness of breath nausea o Sinus congestion dizziness o Cough o Sneezing

Building Occupants It is important to remember that all of these conditions can be caused by other reasons as well and may not always be caused by IAQ issues. Health and comfort are used to describe a spectrum of physical sensations. o Temperature in a room is too warm for a persons activity level and the person experiences mild discomfort. o If the temperature continues to rise, discomfort increases and symptoms such as fatigue, stuffiness, and headaches can appear.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) The term sick building syndrome (SBS) is sometimes used to describe cases in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that are apparently linked to the time they spend in a building. The SBS complaints may be localized to a particular room or zone or may be widespread through an entire building. Symptoms of SBS have included respiratory complaints, irritation, and fatigue.

Sick Building Syndrome SBS problems have been caused by: o The combined effects of multiple pollutants at low concentrations. o Other environmental stressors (overheating, poor lighting, noise) o Ergonomic Stressors o Job related psychosocial stressors (overcrowding, labor management problems) o Unknown factors

Building related illness (BRI) Building related illness is a term referring to illness brought on by expose to the building air, where symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified These diagnosable illnesses are certain allergies or infections and can be directly attributed to environmental agents in the air. Examples of BRI would be Legionnaire’s disease and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) A small, but growing, percentage of the population may be sensitive to a number of chemicals in the indoor air, each of which may occur at very low concentrations. This sensitivity is called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity or MCS. MCS is not currently recognized by any major medical organization but medical opinion is divided and much further research is needed.

Clusters Sometimes groups of building occupants experience rare or serious health problems such as: Cancer Miscarriages Lou Gehrig’s disease Over a short period of time. These are sometimes blamed on indoor air quality.

Clusters These clusters of people need to be dealt with by local and state health departments and records carefully maintained. It is important to get medical help in deciding if the problem is truly related to the indoor air quality.

IAQ002 – Indoor Air Quality Communication

Types of communication There are two types of communication that we are concerned about: Communication to prevent IAQ problems Communication to resolve IAQ problems

Communication to Prevent IAQ problems Effective communication can encourage building occupants to improve their work environment through positive communications. Communication with occupants should: o Provide accurate information about factors that affect indoor air quality. o Clarify the responsibilities of each party (building management, staff, tenants, and contractors) o Establish an effective system for logging and responding to complaints should they occur.

Providing Accurate Information Many IAQ problems can be prevented if building occupants have accurate information on how their activities affect indoor air quality. A group should be looking at IAQ and this group should include: o Building Owner Staff and tenants o Building Manager Union representatives o Facility Personnel Worker representatives o Health and safety officials

Clarify Responsibility By clarifying responsibilities it is possible to educate everyone the building on: The roles of the occupants Modifications Use of space Occupancy rates (number of people) Modifications to HVAC or building envelope. Notification of planned activities

Establish a system for complaints To avoid frustrating complaints building occupants need to know how to express their complaints about IAQ. Also important they need to know how to locate responsible staff and where to obtain complaint forms. Usually this information is on bulletin boards or circulated in newsletters. Complaints should be handled promptly, avoiding the problem does not make it go away.

Establish a system for complaints Every incident needs to be given serious attention. It is important to establish a record keeping system that can show trends: o Time of day o Floor o Populations activities o Gender

Communication Indoor air quality complaints that can be resolved quickly with a small number of people can be handled quietly without risking confusion and bad feelings among other building occupants. Communication becomes a more critical issue when there are delays in identifying and resolve the problem and when serious health concerns are involved.

Communication If the problem seems to be widespread or potentially serious it is advisable to work with your health and safety committee. If you do not have a health and safety committee consider forming one or establish a joint management-tenant IAQ task force.

Communication All communication about any IAQ problems should be in writing. Avoid any written diagnosis's of mold, mildew, carbon monoxide, or anything else that requires testing. Do not do any work on HVAC equipment if you are not properly licensed? If you have the training and the certifications to make such diagnosis follow the rules and the procedures of that trade.