Indoor Air Quality Solutions, IAQS

Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.

Immediate effects

Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person’s exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.

The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors. Age and preexisting medical conditions are two important influences. In other cases, whether a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological pollutants after repeated exposures, and it appears that some people can become sensitized to chemical pollutants as well.

Certain immediate effects are similar to those from colds or other viral diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the time and place symptoms occur. If the symptoms fade or go away when a person is away from home, for example, an effort should be made to identify indoor air sources that may be possible causes. Some effects may be made worse by an inadequate supply of outdoor air or from the heating, cooling, or humidity conditions prevalent in the home.

Long-term effects

Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.

While pollutants commonly found in indoor air are responsible for many harmful effects, there is considerable uncertainty about what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to produce specific health problems. People also react very differently to exposure to indoor air pollutants. Further research is needed to better understand which health effects occur after exposure to the average pollutant concentrations found in homes and which occurs from the higher concentrations that occur for short periods of time.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

Radon exceeding EPA limits has been discovered in Florida homes and condos. Several independent studies have concluded the source is contaminated concrete.
Palm Beach, FL (Vocus) November 10, 2010

“You probably thought radon was only found in northern states with rocky soil, well guess again because it’s being discovered in homes and condos all over Florida,” according to Kevin Dickenson, a Palm Beach real estate agent with Prudential Florida Realty (http://www.kevindickenson.com).

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is responsible for more deaths every year than drunk drivers, according to the EPA. Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless and colorless radioactive gas that can be found in soil, granite, concrete and water. Before you get too excited, radon is also found in the air we breathe, and depending upon where you live, it can be as high as 0.75 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) according to Air Chek, Inc.

The EPA recommends fixing your home if radon levels are 4.0 pCi/L or higher.

“It’s simple to test your home with a do-it-yourself radon test kit for as little as $15, or you can hire a certified Florida Department of Health inspector”, says Dickenson. “The passive kits work great, but only if you are in complete control of the test conditions and follow the protocol.” The 48 hour charcoal kit is easily manipulated by opening a window or moving it outside and you should hire an inspector that uses a continuous monitor if you suspect someone may tamper with the test.”

“I recently documented radon levels that were two to three times the EPA limit in a newer high-rise Palm Beach condo, but the levels measured were minimal compared to my hometown in Connecticut,” said Dickenson. CT Radon reported radon levels as high as 483 pCi/L in a basement and 660,000 pCi/L in a private well. According to this site, one in four basements in Connecticut has radon levels above the EPA limit.

So where is radon coming from in Florida? “In Naples, it’s well-known that the concrete is the primary source of radon, and as a result, most developers incorporate fresh air systems in the initial design,” stated Dickenson. Bill Brodhead of WPB Enterprises, Inc. conducted a comprehensive study on a Palm Beach condo and reached a similar conclusion.

There is also speculation that granite counters could contribute to high radon levels, but a comprehensive study in 2008 by Environmental Health and Engineering, Inc disagrees. The company studied 400 granite slabs from 115 different varieties and concluded that the radon level emitted by the granite is consistently lower than the background level of radon found outdoors.

“The solution in Florida is to bring in fresh air, but systems vary widely and you should hire a Florida Department of Health certified mitigator for the installation,” said Dickenson. “The EPA website does a great job of describing mitigation systems for basements up north, but they don’t address systems for humid climates where the source is the concrete.” “I’ve seen plenty of fresh air systems that have created major mold problems and this compelled me to form http://www.Florida-Radon.blogspot.com." The site contains links to studies, test kits, certified inspectors and photos of actual fresh air systems.

“Building codes have changed dramatically over the years with the advent of impact windows and super insulating materials, and as a result, our homes don’t breathe,” said Dickenson. “Toxins from laminated floors, carpeting, radon, paint, glues and other materials build up inside our homes and I think most doctors would agree that adding fresh air to a home is actually a good thing.” After all, Florida building codes require fresh air systems in our commercial buildings and schools, so why isn’t it required in our homes?

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/11/p596744/radon-discovered-in-florida-homes-and-condos#ixzz16Vi8rOmA

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

IAQA Digest /Reading Eagle

A successful toxic mold lawsuit has Madison Twp. officials scrambling to determine how to pay a $4.3 million jury award levied against the township and a private contractor Friday. Adding to the uncertainty is the township’s insurance coverage, which caps liability reimbursement at $500,000.

The award stems from a lawsuit filed in Lackawanna County Court by two homeowners who accused township supervisors and a private contractor of causing a toxic mold problem in their home because of flooding following a township road project in 2002. “I’m still numb,” said Philip Setzer, township supervisor. “It’s frustrating and discouraging.”

The verdict has township supervisors, who manage an approximately $475,000 annual operating budget, involved in intense negotiations with their insurance provider this week on what course of action to take.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

Now Grandfathering Infrared Thermography Certificants

Those who currently hold Level One or higher certifications in infrared thermography are now eligible to grandfather into the ACAC Council-certified Environmental Thermography program.

The ACAC grandfathering process allows candidates to waive the examination and examination fee; however, the certification board-awarding process still requires a full application and the appropriate field experience.

You can find program details on the ACAC website.

The Council-certified Environmental Thermography Investigator (CETI) requires two years field experience and the Council-certified Environmental Thermography Consultant (CETC) requires eight years. Field experience must focus on thermography applied to the building sciences.

These ACAC certifications are the first accredited IR Thermography certifications in the industry.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

A Report on the Health Effects of Indoor Mold

During the past few years the alleged link between indoor mold and serious human illness has been the subject of much debate by diverse groups including public health officials, federal and state legislators, homeowners and building occupants, attorneys, and the media. To help NAHB members sort through the complex and often conflicting information regarding the health effects of mold, the association convened a panel of experts in the fields of mycology, industrial hygiene, immunology, and toxicology. The panel was instructed to review the existing English-language scientific literature to determine whether it provides a reliable and reasonable scientific basis for one to conclude that there is a causal link between indoor molds and any medically recognized human ailment. The panel was also asked to identify future research that might be beneficial toward determining the links between indoor molds and their related health effects.

The report includes an Executive Summary and three parts. Part I of the report provides the scientific background for studying mold based on the area of expertise of the four panelists. They follow in sequence: mycology, industrial hygiene, immunology, and toxicology. In Part II of the report, which follows the same sequence, each panelist reviews the relevant scientific literature pertaining to the question presented. Part III of the report contains short summaries of what the panelists considered to be the approximately 100 most important documents. A list of references is provided at the end of the report.

Download parts of the report: http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=14147&fromGSA=1

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

How Important is Humidity for Indoor Air Quality IAQ

The New Webster’s Dictionary defines air conditioning as: “The process of regulating the quality, temperature, humidity, and circulation of air in a space enclosure.” These are the criteria for basic comfort management for the occupants within the modern office environment. The designer, building owner, or management company who disregards this is opening the doors to litigation which will be much more costly than any savings assumed to be created by not maintaining proper indoor comfort conditions.

The premise behind the concerns for IAQ and IEQ are the comfort and well-being of the occupants within the workplace. The modern workforce has changed, with increased numbers of highly skilled and talented employees in the close confines of the office place. Losses in productivity within this workforce can be extremely expensive to the employer and requires new thinking regarding the work environment.

Thermal comfort is a main component of IAQ and IEQ and has been shown to be the primary concern of occupants in many studies. The low cost of addressing a thermal comfort condition can be greatly exceeded by the expensive losses created by increased illnesses, discomfort, absenteeism and poor productivity. Health care costs are also skyrocketing, adding to the expenses of the employer and the desire to avoid preventable health issues.

In warmer climates and weather conditions, the acceptable indoor conditions can usually be attained through a properly designed hvac system, which will ventilate the space and heat, cool, dehumidify, and filter the air distributed into the space. Maintaining the desired 50% to 60% rh indoors is easily accomplished with the typical hvac system during this period.

The introduction of dry outside air through the ventilation system in colder weather can reduce the indoor relative humidity to subarid conditions as low as 3%. The low humidity causes the occupants to feel chilled and uncomfortable and also causes increased susceptibility to colds; flu; pneumonia; dry skin; dry itchy eyes; and contact lens irritation.

Absenteeism in the workplace is much more prevalent during colder weather due to the above causes. It costs the employers billions of dollars in salary and productivity losses annually. The installation of a humidification system designed to maintain 35% to 45% rh during colder weather is highly recommended to maintain proper comfort and well-being of the occupants. The benefits gained in increased productivity and reduced absenteeism will allow a return on investment within a very short period of time. Humidity control in the modern office space is essential to IAQ and IEQ.

Berlin is a member of ASHRAE, chairman of ASHRAE SPC164P, and chairman a/the humidifier section’s engineering committee of ARI (Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute) He is vice president of marketing and sales of Nortec Industries Inc. (Ogdensburg, NY) and has over 35 years’ experience in the design and marketing of residential, industrial, and commercial humidification systems.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com