Indoor Air Quality Solutions, IAQS

A Remediation Protocol outlines the needed actions for any necessary mold remediation. Each plan is individually prepared based on the Indoor Environmental Consultants Mold Assessment of the property the size and area of the mold contamination.

A properly prepared Mold Remediation Protocol should be written according to the ANSI Aproved IICRC S-520 standard and reference guide for the remediation of mold damaged structures and contents.

The Remediation Protocol will specify the remediation containment strategy, decontamination areas, negative air pressure and air filtration(scrubbing), equipment utilization, personnel protective equipment, specific cleaning protocols, project completion requirements, site-specific safety plan and clearance testing that will confirm the post remediation goals have been met.

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

The five most common indoor allergens are dust mites, mold, animal dander, cigarette smoke and cockroaches. While you can’t rid your home entirely of these allergens, you can take simple steps to reduce your exposure.

Allergies are a prevalent problem for many people. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease reports that more than 500 million people suffer from allergic diseases. While many blame allergens such as ragweed, pollen, grass and other outdoor allergens, many of the biggest allergens may lie a bit closer to home. In fact, they are in our homes. Locking yourself in your home to find solace from your allergies may actually worsen your affliction.

Our homes harbor many allergens. According to http://www.emedicinehealth.com, indoor allergens can be quite problematic due to the fact that they can go year round, whereas allergens such as ragweed are seasonal. “The five most common indoor allergens are dust mites, mold, animal dander, cigarette smoke and cockroaches. While you can’t rid your home entirely of these allergens, you can take simple steps to reduce your exposure,” said Tom Kallstrom, Director of Respiratory Care and Biometrics at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

“Since most of us spend a majority of our time in the bedroom, it’s important to make your bedroom an allergy-free sanctuary. That means, whenever possible, removing bedroom carpet and keeping your hardwood floors dust free as much as possible. If that’s not feasible (if you live in an apartment, for instance), then frequent dusting and vacuuming are in order,” he said. Kallstrom also said,” Asthmatics and severe dust mite allergy sufferers should not vacuum carpet themselves, since vacuuming can stir up dust. So, if you’re one of these folks, have someone else do your vacuuming. And if you’re allergic to animal dander, be sure to keep pets out of your bedroom at all times.”

“Dust mites are a big cause of indoor allergies and asthma. Dust mites feed on human and animal dander. And it isn’t the dust mite that you’re allergic to. It’s the dust mite’s by-product. What happens is that the (dust mites’) excrement becomes airborne, and that’s what triggers allergy symptoms. By decreasing the level of humidity in our homes and constant cleaning we can keep their presence down to a minimum,” Kallstrom says. Familydoctor.org advises us to weekly wash bedding in water that is at least 130 degrees to rid your bed of dust mites. Mattress covers and pillow covers that will keep these dust mites from embedding into them will also make for a more allergy-free home.

Air quality in your home is vital to making your home an asthma and allergy-free refuge. By using proper air filtration you can take out a lot of the airborne particles that are to blame for some allergic reactions. These airborne particles are made up of different things. Cockroaches actually compose part of those particles. Their saliva, feces, and body parts are huge allergens and are so small they become airborne. Animal dander is also a part of the equation. People often confuse the allergen with pet hair while the allergy is sparked by the skin dander on the animal, according to medicinenet.com. Cigarette smoke also adds to the cocktail of allergens that is present in some homes. By filtering out these threats we can have homes that are much healthier.

If we can target these top five indoor allergens then we will go a long way to creating the safe havens we intend our homes to be.

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

Lead paint clearance testing and abatement is becoming an increasingly important topic for remodelers as government requirements to control the hazard intensify. On April 22, 2010, federal law will require that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

“The Lead RRP rule comes into effect anytime 6 sq. ft. of a painted surface will be disturbed inside or outside a home,” says Ada Duffy, CR, CLC, spokesperson for Milwaukee Lead/Asbestos Information Center, Inc. “When that criterion is met, it will be required that one person per crew be a certified renovator to handle the lead paint cleanup properly. In addition, that certified renovator has to work for a certified firm.”

Currently the one-day Lead Safe Work certification program is administered through the EPA. States will also be able to carry out the program as they apply for the state to do so. Beyond being certified, the responsibilities of certified remodelers include the following.

* Training the entire crew on proper removal practices
* To be present and to facilitate the posting of appropriate signage
* Hand out the informational pamphlet no more that 60 days before the renovation work and obtain written acknowledgement that the occupant has received it
* To ensure that proper containment aids are being set up
* Make certain that lead safe work practices are implemented
* To be present on-site at all times during cleanup
* Perform the cleaning verification at the end of the process
* Keep accurate records of the entire process

If performing interior renovations, it is important to remove all objects from the work area. Any objects that can’t be removed should be appropriately covered with plastic. All duct openings in the work area should also be closed and covered. Plastic sheeting should be used to shield all doors, windows and floor surface including carpet. Precautions should also be taken to ensure all personnel, tools and other items are free of dust before leaving the work area.

When carrying out an exterior project, all doors and windows within 20 ft. of the renovation should be closed. Doors that will be used within the work zone while the job is being performed require plastic sheeting. To avoid contamination, plastic sheeting needs to cover the ground in the area being worked on and extend 10 ft. from the zone.

The main focus at the end of the job is to make sure that everything was cleaned up adequately. That means eliminating the dust that was possibly created. During cleanup all paint chips and debris must be collected, all protective sheeting should be removed, and a HEPA vacuum with a beater bar attachment is required for carpeted floors. Waste must be contained to prevent releases of dust and debris during and after the cleanup.

Additionally, for interior cleanup, all objects in the work area and within 2 ft. of the work area must be cleaned. For walls, cleaning should start at the ceiling working down using a HEPA vacuum or wiping with a damp cloth.

Remaining surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly with a HEPA vacuum or damp cloth as well. During the cleaning verification process, windowsills, the floor and countertops are all areas that will have to be inspected before the project can be reopened.

“Rather than looking at this as an inconvenience from more regulation, it’s actually going to result in the safety of workers and homeowners and perhaps a better sales tool for remodelers,” explains Duffy. “Homeowners may be more inclined to hire a qualified remodeler rather than someone who doesn’t work lead safe. This could result in more projects for remodelers who are certified as homeowners decide not to take on the task themselves.”

Until this rule goes into effect, the EPA recommends anyone performing renovation, repair and painting projects that could disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, childcare facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices. The contractor should follow these three simple procedures: Contain the work area, minimize dust and clean up thoroughly.

For additional information on this new rule and all Lead Safe removal practices please visit these sites:

Information on the EPA Lead program: http://www.epa.gov/lead
Information on the Lead Safe rule: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
Application information on certifying a firm: http://www.epa/gov/lead/pubs/toolkits.htm
To locate certified training firms: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/trainingproviders.htm

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

On April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Until that time, HUD and EPA recommend that anyone performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices.

There are some differences between the EPA RRP Rule and the HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule (LSHR). A major difference is that the LSHR requires clearance examinations. All housing receiving federal assistance must still comply with the LSHR. OHHLHC provides Information on complying with the LSHR and RRP, and Frequently-asked Questions from Grantees. Additional information for renovators is available.

All contractors should follow these three simple procedures:

* Contain the work area.
* Minimize dust.
* Clean up thoroughly.

From December 2008, the rule has required that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint provide to owners and occupants of child care facilities and to parents and guardians of children under age six that attend child care facilities built prior to 1978 the lead hazard information pamphlet Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF) | en español (PDF)

Starting on April 22, 2010, the rule will affect paid renovators who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including:

* Renovation contractors
* Maintenance workers in multi-family housing
* Painters and other specialty trades.

Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age six are present on a regular basis. The requirements apply to renovation, repair or painting activities. The rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities where less than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less then 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window replacement is not minor maintenance or repair.

Read EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rule.

Additional information on becoming an EPA-certified renovator or training provider is available on EPA’s Renovator and Trainer Tool Box site.

The Bill has made its way through committee and is well on its way to becoming a Law. Below is the documented progress and committee vote.

HB 713 – Regulation of Professions
GENERAL BILL by Workman

Regulation of Professions: Assigns certain programs to regulation by Division of Professions of DBPR; specifies that department is responsible for regulation of certain professions & administration of certain examinations; limits applicant’s review of failed examination questions; prohibits examinee whose examination materials are confiscated from taking another examination under certain circumstances; authorizes temporary professional licensure of spouses of active duty members of U.S. Armed Forces under certain circumstances; revises grounds for discipline of professional licensees; authorizes publication of certain legal advertisements & notices on department ‘s website in lieu of publication in newspaper;

revises licensing requirements for home inspectors, mold assessors, & mold remediators;

deletes requirements for certificates of authorization for corporations or partnerships offering home inspection or mold-related services; exempts from punishment certain unlicensed activity occurring before specified date; extends time for licensure of home inspectors, mold assessors, & mold remediators under certain grandfather provisions & revises such provisions; revises regulatory exemption for intern or resident veterinarians; revises licensing requirements for real estate brokers & sales associates & cosmetologists; revises membership of Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board; assigns departmental unit responsible for regulation of carbon monoxide hazards in certain public lodging establishments; authorizes department to issue & enforce notices to cease & desist violations of provisions regulating pugilistic exhibitions; provides for issuance of special alcoholic beverage licenses to certain movie theaters & limits on-premises sale of alcoholic beverages therein to certain areas & times.
Effective Date: July 1, 2010

Effective Date: July 1, 2010
Last Event: Favorable with CS by Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee on Wednesday, March 03, 2010 4:00 PM
Bill Number: 0713
Bill Name: HB 713
Action: Favorable With Committee Substitute
Committee: Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee
Location: Webster Hall (212 Knott)
Duration: 2.00
Date: 3/3/2010 2:00:00 PM
Sponsor: Workman
Subject: Regulation of Professions

Y Domino Y Grady (Y) Long Y Patterson Y Wood
Y Eisnaugle Y Hays Y Nehr Y Rader Y Workman
Y Flores Y Jenne Y Nelson N Taylor

Total Yeas: 12 Total Nays: 1 Total Missed: 0 Total Votes: 13

Bill History:
Event Time Member Committee
Favorable with CS by Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee Wednesday, March 03, 2010 4:00 PM Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee
1st Reading Tuesday, March 02, 2010 10:50 PM
Added to Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee agenda Monday, March 01, 2010 4:26 PM Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee
Now in Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee Thursday, January 28, 2010 2:54 PM Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee
Referred to General Government Policy Council Thursday, January 28, 2010 2:54 PM General Government Policy Council
Referred to Government Operations Appropriations Committee Thursday, January 28, 2010 2:54 PM Government Operations Appropriations Committee
Referred to Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee Thursday, January 28, 2010 2:54 PM Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee
Filed Tuesday, January 19, 2010 9:37 AM Workman

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

Take Control of Your Indoor Air?

By John P. Lapotaire, CIEC

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a hot topic today as more of us are acquiring allergies.  We seem to be inundated with allergy statistics graphs and charts reminding us that we can only expect more of the same.  So what can we do to create our own little safe house or sanctuary?  We can take control of the Indoor Air of our homes.  The outdoor Air Quality will change with the seasons and we will need to adjust to the varying allergens introduced into the air.  But when you get home you can relax and enjoy your Indoor Air Quality if you follow a few simple housekeeping suggestions.

We should first understand that Indoor Air Quality is the effect the air inside your home has on you and your family.  Good IAQ means the air in your home has no unwanted gases or particulates at concentrations that could negatively affect you and your family.  That leaves us with poor IAQ which occurs when gasses or particulates are present at an excessive concentration in your home and affects the satisfaction or health of you and your family. 

IAQ isn’t that hard to understand or identify.  We can all tell the difference between a cool mountain meadow and a city landfill. Good IAQ, Poor IAQ.  Everything else lies somewhere between the two.  What separates the good from the bad are 3 basic areas of indoor air pollutants described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Particulates, Bioaerosols and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s).  What makes up the air in your home are varying amounts of these three pollutants.

The CDC describes the three pollutants as; Particulates are common indoor air particulates including dirt, dust, fibers, tobacco smoke, and fireplace or wood stove soot. These airborne particles can range from 0.1 microns in size to 100 microns in size.  Bioaerosols are microorganisms or particles, gases, vapors, or fragments of biological origin (i.e., alive or released from a living organism) that are in the air. Bioaerosols are everywhere in the environment. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) are carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. Some VOC’s have odors other VOC’s have none. Odor does not indicate the level of risk. There are thousands of different VOC’s produced and used in our daily lives.

To take control of these three pollutants that can create poor indoor air quality in your home I have created 4 primary areas that you can address that will have an immediate impact on the homes indoor air quality.

1. Particulates
2. Humidity
3. Filtration
4. House Keeping.

Let’s start with Particulates. Particulates accumulate in the home from both inside and outside sources that can include:  Some of the common Indoor Particulate Sources include:

• Pet dander
• Candles
• Incense
• Perfume
• House Plants
• Fungal spores
• Pollen
• Tobacco smoke

These sources can be controlled and or eliminated from a home by controlling the source.  That means no smoking in the home.  No air fresheners, candles or incense, these introduce particulates to the home and mask air quality issues that should be addressed directly, not hidden by air fresheners.  I would minimize house plants including plastic and silk.  Live plants live in nice damp soil that is a breeding ground for fungus and mold which can lead to the introduction of spores and plastic and silk plants can hold onto particulate releasing them each time they are disturbed.  Unfortunately these plastic and silk plants are rarely cleaned and the amount of particulates they can introduce when disturbed is substantial.

Next you’ll need to keep a healthy level of humidity in your home.  Dust mites and mold love moisture so keeping humidity around 30%-50% will help keep dust mites and other allergens under control.  The addition of a humidistat and dehumidifier can greatly improve the indoor air quality of your home.  The humidistat turns on the homes air conditioning when the humidity reaches the set relative humidity (preferably not higher than 55%rh) just as the thermostat activates the homes air conditioning when the temperature reaches a set temperature (preferably not higher than 76°F). 

Maintaining the proper humidity level helps reduce moisture in the indoor air and can effectively control allergens.   

High humidity levels in Florida can produce musty odor and/or a clammy feeling to the air in the summer and condensation on windows in the winter.

Often the principal source of higher humidity in a home is a family’s living habits. One person’s breathing produces 1/4 cup of water per hour, cooking for a family of four produces approximately five pints of water in 24 hours, showering puts 1/2 pint of water into the air.  Bathing puts 1/8 pint of water into the air.  Adding only four to six pints of water to the air raises the relative humidity in a 1,000 square foot home from 15 to 60 percent, assuming the temperature is constant.

Next on our list is Filtration.   Each time the air conditioning system cycles air into the home, armies of particulates are propelled through the supply ducts and discharged throughout your home into the air your family breathes.  More specifically the air you breathe is filled with the particulates allowed to pass through your air conditioning filter.  The filtration you choose has a tremendous affect on your indoor air quality so you should use the highest level of filtration that your system allows.

There are many filters available on the market today.  The most common are the one inch filters found in supermarkets, hardware stores and home supply retailers. All these filters guarantee a percentage of effectiveness, but that can be misleading.  

Standard throwaway filters are only designed to protect the air handler. And have little or no capability of collecting fine particles.  Washable Filters are very restrictive to airflow and are difficult to clean thoroughly and are rarely maintained at the proper level.  Electronic Air Cleaners are 95% efficient at .3 microns when new and clean. They reduce in efficiency very quickly as they load with particles and are difficult to clean thoroughly.  Many home owners just don’t take the time to properly clean these clean these filters on a regular basis, so they rarely works at the efficiency they were designed for.  Large 4 to 5 Inch Media Filters have a large amount of filter surface and allow for good air flow.  They can collect a large amount of dust and particles above one micron in size and most don’t have to be replaced for 6 to 12 months.  These filters are typically MERV rated at 8 to 11. 

So now a I know you are asking Who is Merv and should I trust him with my filter? Well Merv isn’t a “He” MERV is an industry standard.  A standard rating system that can be used to compare filters made by different companies.   The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of a filter describes the size of the holes in the filter that allow air to pass through.  In a nut shell the higher the MERV rating, the smaller the holes in the filter, the higher the efficiency.  Residential filters commonly have MERV ratings of 1-11. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is, and the more particles it can filter.

• A MERV rating of 6 means the filter is 35% to 50% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
• A MERV rating of 7 means the filter is 50% to 70% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
• A MERV rating of 8 means the filter is 70% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
• A MERV rating of 11 means the filter is 85% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.  

Now for the House keeping side of air quality improvement.   You first to reduce the humidity in the home by using your range, bathroom and cooking exhaust fans.  You should also ensure that they are vented to the outside.  You should check your dryer exhaust vent regularly to ensure it isn’t clogged.  Reduce the number of plants in the home and/or water them less so they release less water vapor.  And you can add a humidistat and mechanical dehumidifier to your air conditioning system.  So IAQ is a piece of cake.

Now you need to get rid of those pesky particulates. The key to that is to Collect and Remove.  You can collect and remove particles by using a HEPA vacuum.  Don’t forget to vacuum all porous surfaces including upholstered furniture. For best results, vacuum two or more times each week and change your HEPA filter regularly.  On tile floors you can collect and remove particles by mopping which will collect the dust that your HEPA vacuuming leaves behind. You can skip the soaps and cleaners and just use plain water to capture any lingering dust or allergens. There are also new microfiber mops that reportedly capture more dust and dirt than traditional mops and don’t require any cleaning solutions whatsoever.  Okay there may be a bit of an investment here for a HEPA vacuum, but I can assure you it will be worth it.

For the particle dust build up within the home you will need to collect and remove it as well.  For most people this means dusting using a simple feather duster, or a cloth of some kind, and some kind of dusting spray. This just relocates the dust particulates and introduces bioaerosols & VOC’s into the air.  Remember the key is to collect and remove not relocate.   I recommend using the new microfiber dust cloth that can capture more dust and dirt than traditional fibers and don’t require any cleaning solutions whatsoever.

To help prevent the particulates from entering the home, place large floor mats at every door. People track in all sorts of particles via the dirt on their shoes. A door mat reduces the amount of dirt, pesticides, and other pollutants from getting into your home. If the mat is big enough, even those who don’t wipe their shoes will leave most pollutants on the mat — not the floors in the home.

Don’t forget to change your air conditioning filters every 30 days or as prescribed by the Manufacturer.  Not maintaining your air conditioning filter is a major source of indoor air problems.  Some of the higher MERV rated media filters can be changed as infrequently as every 6 months.   While you are changing that filter check you’re A/C drain line and every 3 months flush it with an algae control cleaner to prevent clogging.

Remember to keep your home dry: Control humidity levels between 35% and 50% to prevent dust mites and an indoor environment that can lead to mold growth.  Fix any leaks you have in your home as soon as you find them.  If you have a flood, take immediate action and dry the area out, including all affected furnishings, within 48 hours to prevent mold growth. 

So when asked what you can do about the “Air You Breathe” you will have plenty to say because you know what is in the air you breathe.  And you know that Good IAQ for people already suffering from allergies can reduce the symptoms of those allergies, often reduce medications for allergies, and lead to more relaxing sleep.  You also know that Good Indoor Air Quality can have a substantial impact on our children by preventing allergies, delaying the occurrence of an allergy, or the reduction of allergy symptoms.

Now you can say “Healthier Air Starts Here!”

John P. Lapotaire, CIEC

Microshield Environmental Services, LLC   www.Microshield-ES.com

References:

1. American Lung Association. Epidemiology & statistics Unit, Research and Program Services. Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality May 2005.
2. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Children: National Health Interview Survey, 2002. Series 10, Number 221.2004-1549
3. National Library of Medicine. Understanding Allergy and Asthma. National Institutes of Health.
4. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. Fact Sheet #9: Asthma and its Environmental Triggers: Scientists Take a Practical New Look at a Familiar Illness www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/asthma.htm
5. Centers for Disease Control. Surveillance for Asthma – United States, 1960-1995, MMWR. 1998; 47 (SS-1).
6. Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM, et al.: Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life,” N Engl J Med 1995; 332:133-138.

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