Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) & Mold

By Jereld Salazar

Definition of IAQ

• The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of indoor air in non-residential workplace with no internal industrial processes or operations that can affect the comfort or health of the occupant.

Building-related illness

• A specific illness with a known cause that is a result of exposure to an indoor agent. Examples are Legionnaire’s disease and Pontiac fever.

Sick Building Syndrome

• Acute health and comfort effects linked to the time spent in workplace, but no specific illness or cause can be identified

• (Upper respiratory complaints, irritation, fatigue)

Why Indoor Air Quality is Important?

• People spend about 90% of their time indoors.

• Many people spend their entire working day inside an office, factory, or other facility.

• Poor air quality can lead to a number of physical symptoms and complaints.

What symptoms are often linked to poor indoor air quality?

• dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin,

• headache, • fatigue, • shortness of breath, • hypersensitivity and allergies, • sinus congestion, • coughing and sneezing, • dizziness, and/or • nausea.

Symptoms

• People generally notice their symptoms after several hours at work and feel better after they have left the building or when they have been away from the building for a weekend or a vacation.

Factors & Sources Affecting Indoor Air Quality

• CRSP Guideline Page 61

• 1. Biological Agents – • Bacteria – • Virus – • Fungi (mold)

• 2. Allergens • 3. Biological Toxins • 4. Non-Biological Agents

– • CO – • CO2 – • NOx – • SOx – • Tobacco smoke – • Particles / particulates – • Formaldehyde – • Ozone – • Radon

• 5. Inadequate Ventilation – • Supply air – • Make-up air – • Air distribution – • Location of air supply intake or exhausts – • Temperature – • Relative humidity

NIOSH found that the primary sources of IAQ problems are:

• Inadequate ventilation 52%

•   Contamination from inside building 16%

•   Contamination from outside building 10%

•   Microbial contamination  5%

•   Contamination from building fabric  4%

•   Unknown sources 13%

Is air contamination the only cause of these symptoms?

• No.

Feelings of discomfort and illness may be related to any number of issues in the total indoor environment include noise levels, thermal comfort (temperature, humidity, and air movement), lighting, and ergonomics. It is important that all possible causes be investigated when assessing complaints

How to handle IAQ complaint?

• Step 1: Define the complaint area, based upon the location and distribution of complaints.

How to handle IAQ complaint?

• Step 2: Identify key people (occupants, staff, H&S committee, management, and union reps) and form a balanced inspection team. Particularly in observing odors and patterns with respect to IAQ complaints.

How to handle IAQ complaint?

• Step 3: Establish a system of recording the timing and location of complaint. Ex: Logs or written records.

• Step 4: Notify building occupants of the scope and purpose of any upcoming investigations.

How to handle IAQ complaint?

• Step 5: Make the final results. Provide progress reports

How to handle IAQ complaint?

• Initial Assessment & Walk through Assessment (Checklists)

• Interview with workers• Detailed Assessment or an extensive

investigation

Measuring Instruments• VOC meter

Gas Monitor Range Resolution

Oxygen 0 - 30% 0.1%

Combustible Gas

0 - 100% LEL 1% LEL

VOCs 0 - 200 ppm 0.1 ppm

200 - 2000 ppm 1 ppm

Carbon Monoxide

0 - 500 ppm 1 ppm

Hydrogen Sulfide

0 - 100 ppm 1 ppm

Sulfur Dioxide 0 - 20 ppm 0.1 ppm

Nitric Oxide 0 - 250 ppm 1 ppm

Nitrogen Dioxide

0 - 20 ppm 0.1 ppm

Chlorine 0 - 10 ppm 0.1 ppm

Hydrogen Cyanide

0 - 100 ppm 1 ppm

Ammonia 0 - 50 ppm 1 ppm

Phosphine 0 - 5 ppm 0.1 ppm

Measuring Instruments cont’

• Mold Testing• Anderson Sampler• Spore Trap (Air-O-Cell)• Wipes samples

Measuring Instruments cont’

• Gastec Tubes• Particle Counter • Air Velocity Meter

Measuring Instruments cont’

• Ozone• Radon

Generally, we are looking for:

• CO2 ,

• Relative Humidity and

• Temperature

Sometimes is not about occupational hygiene Issues!!

• Poor management practices

• Poor working conditions

• Oppressive corporate cultures

• Psychological or physical abusiveness

Real Example – Story from Linkedin.com

• Indoor Air Quality - Unknown Odor - Possibly membrane roof? • Employees in an office are complaining of headaches and metallic

taste in their mouths due to an unknown odor. • A full overview of the ventillation system to check for leaks, debris,

drip pans & coils, pulley's and fan belts. We have had our HVAC folks out on two occassions who state everthing is working fine. (all other office deny smelling any odor).

• I have run an organic VOC screen and report shows no issues. I tested for coal tar pitch, did a full metal scan/dusts, a VOC GC/MS scan, tested for carbon monoxide and dioxide.

• Reviewed operations outside, checked loading docks, reviewed plans to see if there were any underground fuel tanks, etc. We came up with nothing from and IH standpoint.

• The occupants feel fine and report no odor or metal taste in mouth and there may be other underlying issues involved.

Mold

• Nature of Mold• Mold related sickness

& Species• Standard for Mold• Control of Mold

Mold related sickness• Infection - workers completing demolition

in old buildings with extensive bird droppings (Histoplasma capsulatum), Poisoning – Mycotoxins can cause fevers, nose bleeds, sore throats, headaches, and general fatigue - the condition is known as an organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS)

• Allergy sensitivity – Allergic reaction

Species to Remember

• Aspergillus versicolor – in agricultural workers called “farmer’s lung.”

• Stachybotrus chartrum. – Black Mold

• Histoplasma capsulatum – Extensive bird dropping

Standards for Mold?

• No TLVs or permissible exposure limits for mold

• Any mold species found in indoor air should not be at a greater concentration than the same mold species found in outdoor air

• If a mold species is at a higher level indoors than outdoors, there is a strong likelihood that it is growing, reproducing and distributing its spores within the building.

• If the air sampling demonstrates a higher level of mold species indoors than outdoors, then there must be rigorous investigation to locate the indoor source of mold.

Mold Control Measures

• Prevent excessive moisture. Keep indoor humidity low (ideally between 30 and 50 percent)

• When water leaks or spills occur indoors - ACT QUICKLY.

• If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.

• Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• What is not a “Comfort Parameter” for IAQ?

• A. CO2

• B. relative Humidity

• C. Temperature

• D. illumination

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• In many IAQ complaints a confounding set of factors are:

• A. demographic imbalances

• B. noisy environments

• C. psychosocial factors

• D. chemical handling practices

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• Non-biological agents implicated in IAQ problems do not include:

• A. allergens

• B. formaldehyde

• C. ozone

• D. radon

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• Biological agents implicated in IAQ problems do not include:

• A. bacteria

• B. viruses

• C. fungi (mold)

• D. tobacco smoke

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• Histoplasmas capsulatum is found in:

• A. bird droppings

• B. ticks

• C. peanuts

• D. non-chlorinated waters

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• “Farmer lung” is associated with:

• A. streptococcus aureus

• B. aspergillus

• C. Chlamydia

• D. mitochloridians

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• Which of the following is not considered to degrade air quality?

• A. carbon dioxide buildup

• B. biological organisms, spores, fungi

• C. disinfectants

• D. odors

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• A critical element for mold growth is a need for:

• A. UV

• B. oxygen

• C. moisture

• D. flat surface

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• Two traditional sources of mold causing occupational illness are:

• A. pigeon and bat excrement; machine cutting fluids

• B. dairy processing; breweries

• C. stagnant water; plumbing systems

• D. animal hides; shellfish

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• Symptoms of mycotoxin-induced disease are sometimes called:

• A. organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS)

• B. severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

• C. Indoor air quality allergy (IAQA)

• D. mycotoxin respiratory condition (MRC)

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• A mycotoxin is a:

• A. bacterium

• B. virus

• C. protozoan

• D. poison produced by a mold

Questions about IAQ & Mold

• According to NIOSH, _____________was an IAQ / IE concern in >50% of buildings investigated.

• A. inadequate ventilation

• B. contamination from indoor sources

• C. microbial contamination

• D. building fabric as contaminant sources

More Information:• Health Canada:

– Indoor air quality in office buildings: A technical guide – Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality – Indoor Air Quality - Tools for Schools Action Kit for Canadian Schools – Dampness, Mold and Indoor Air

• WorkSafeBC:– Indoor Air Quality: A guide for Building Owners; Managers, and Occupants.

• OSHA:– Indoor Air Quality Standards

• EPA:– Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Mangers– Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings– A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

• NIOSH:– Guidance for Filtration and Air-Cleaning Systems to Protect Building

Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks – Technical Manual Indoor Air Quality Investigation (IAQ)