SECTION 15.80 INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Last Update: 11/03
Indoor air quality has become a
significant issue in recent years.
Health and Safety Professionals work from a position of disadvantage in
many cases due to the lack of specific regulations covering the issues, as well
as the often non-specific nature of complaints received. EPA and NIOSH (National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health) are working toward regulation of indoor air
quality, but it is unclear what these regulations will require or how they will
fit together. OSHA will remain
responsible for health and safety within the work environment. Currently, OSHA does not regulate this issue
with a specific standard, but rather with the General Duty Clause mandating a
“safe and healthful work environment”.
If specific contaminant levels above the legal PEL’s (Permissible
Exposure Limits) can be measured in relation to specific chemicals being used,
then industrial hygiene sampling and testing can be used, followed by abatement
based on results. Unfortunately,
sources of discomfort may be caused by sensory perceptions from a variety of
areas. For example, headache and
eyestrain can occur as a result of poor ergonomics (work station design),
general fatigue, low-level contaminants, and/or allergies to dust and
molds. Even employee morale and
interpersonal relations can become a factor.
Maintaining comfort and good
relations are, nonetheless, important in any work environment. Therefore, this guideline is designed to
describe the most common causes of complaints and provide self-assessment
tools. The intent is to separate
situations where minor adjustments in work practices or communication to
building maintenance will correct the situation, from cases where air
monitoring or other industrial hygiene surveys might be required. Extensive air sampling and testing is very
costly, particularly where complaints are non-specific and no sources of
contamination have been identified, these factors can lead to disappointment
when decisive results are not obtained.
According to NIOSH, the most
common primary causes of indoor air quality problems are:
|
Inadequate Ventilation |
53% |
|
Inside Contamination |
15% |
|
Outside Contamination |
10% |
|
Microbiological Contamination |
5% |
|
Building Materials Contamination |
4% |
|
Unknown |
13% |
According to NIOSH, 53% of the
complaints investigated as a result of their Health Hazard Evaluation Program
found the primary problem to be inadequate ventilation. It follows that any contaminant generated in
buildings with inadequate ventilation will build up and/or migrate to other
areas.
ASHRAE, The American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers provides recommended
ventilation standards to maintain indoor air quality. These standards, unlike OSHA standards, do not have the force of
law; rather they represent a consensus among its professional members. Local building codes may also provide
guidance on ventilation issues.
Qualified heating, ventilation, air-conditioning contractors should be
aware of the existence and application of such standards.
Two basic approaches exist for
controlling indoor air contaminants.
The first is by providing ventilation air of the specific quality and
quantity to the space (termed Ventilation Rate Procedure by ASHRAE). The second is achieved by controlling known
contaminants (termed Indoor Air Quality Procedure by ASHRAE).
Maintaining adequate ventilation
levels can control many contaminants.
Where levels cannot be maintained, contaminant control is the only other
option. Even with good airflow, an air
system that recycles 80% of the air back into the occupant space is recycling
the entrained contaminants into the occupant space as well. The extent of this recycling effect will
depend upon the efficiency of the filtration system.
Cigarette smoke is one of the most
common contaminants found in many indoor environments. Iowa Code 98A specifically addresses smoking
prohibitions for public places. It provides
for optional designated smoking areas to be established outside of state
buildings.
Outside contamination control
involves checking air intake vents to ensure they are functioning properly and
are not pulling in contamination from outside sources such as nearby businesses
or vehicle exhaust from dock areas.
Biological contaminants exist in
all environments. Most are not harmful
to humans, but excessive buildup of molds and mildew can cause discomfort and
allergic reactions. Outdoor
contaminants such as pollen can also add to the biological load. Individual susceptibility varies, often
markedly, among any given population.
Roof leaks, moisture permeation of building materials, lack of humidity
control, and darkness, can create conditions where these biological
contaminants can cause discomfort.
Disinfection and moisture/humidity control are the best defenses against
these conditions.
Contaminants can leach from
various types of building materials to create discomfort. Paints, adhesives, insulation,
particleboard, plywood, fabric, and other materials can contribute, although
this may be a short-term problem, assuming all the materials listed above will
eventually leach to negligible levels.
Good planning is very important when remodeling activities have been
approved. First, good communication
with the building contractor can provide information as to what chemicals are
going to be used in the process, and second, this information can be used to
plan the project to provide for maximum ventilation time periods to remove
contaminants. Most effective reduction
of building/remodeling contaminants is to have this issue addressed in the
bidding and contract stage of all projects.
Good communication to occupants of buildings ahead of time will provide
the information employees need to be aware of during a building and/or
remodeling project. This does not imply
that hazardous exposures are acceptable, but rather to provide the information of
what procedures will be done to minimize exposures.
Iowa Code 89B, Hazardous Chemical
Risks-Right to Know, provides for information and training for employees who
handle or might be potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals. Provisions are also made for contractors to
inform the employer of hazards that they are bringing into the workplace. This program can be used as a communication
and planning tool to combat indoor air quality issues, by identifying potential
indoor contaminants which might then be controlled by substitution, storage,
handling practices, or pest control.
Asking for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) ahead of product use will
facilitate prevention of exposures, rather than reaction to them.
Strategies
It is important to recognize the
importance of early action. Measures to
take first are generally the easiest.
First, upon receipt of a
complaint, investigate the common sense possibilities such as air system
shutdown, faulty switches, obvious chemical usage, construction activities,
roof leaks, outdoor air contamination or similar condition. If chemical use is identified, suspension or
modification of activities may be needed.
Second, if conditions seem to be
air system related, contact building owner to let him/her know of the situation
as soon as possible. Use the
Self-Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality Problems form to collect the
information. This part of the process
should help identify what formalized procedures might be needed relating to
routine maintenance.
Third, if the condition is
widespread among employees, consider providing an Indoor Air Quality
Questionnaire, available from the DAS-HRE Safety Officer, to gather
information.
Finally, follow-up actions may be
required where additional work is needed, either from a monitoring (Industrial
Hygiene) viewpoint, building maintenance, employee relations, or capital
improvement perspective.
The manager responsible for the
health and safety of his/her employees will need to be sensitive to this
issue. The psychological factors
involved along with only consensus regulations leaves the manager in a position
where good judgment must be used. Use
the following sequence:
1.
Document complaints as they are received. Note locations, time of day, symptoms, or
other relevant information.
2.
Fill out Self-Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality Problems form
(Appendix I), preferably with the building owner or maintenance
participation. This information will be
needed at some point in most cases.
3.
If Self-Evaluation produces no results and complaints
persist, request assistance from DAS-HRE Safety Officer. Collected information will be reviewed and
visits scheduled as needed.
It is of critical importance that
investigations of cases where problems persist are put in writing and sent to
the proper authorities for further action.
This should be interpreted to include:
Note: The DAS-HRE Safety Officer may be used to
facilitate any step of the process.
However, lines of authority to implement recommendations or to take
other actions remains with the agency and/or department. The DAS-HRE Safety Officer can make
recommendations based on expertise and knowledge of various legal standards,
but does not have the authority to shut down operations, evacuate buildings, or
issue citations.
APPENDIX I
1. Complaints Yes No
(If yes,
please check below)
temperature too cold
temperature too hot
lack of air circulation (stuffy conditions)
noticeable odors
dust in the air
disturbing noises
other
(specify)
2. When do
these problems occur?
morning
afternoon
all day
no noticeable trend
daily
specific days of the week
which days
3. Health
Problems or Symptoms
Describe in three words or less each symptom or
adverse health effect you experience more than two times per week.
Example:
runny nose
Symptom #1
Symptom #2
Symptom #3
Symptom #4
Symptom #5
Do the symptoms in Question #3 clear up within 1
hour after leaving work?
Yes No
If no, which symptoms persist (noted at home or at
work) throughout the week? Please
indicate by drawing a circle around the symptom number below.
Symptom: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5
Do you
have any health problems or allergies that might account for any of the above
symptoms? Yes No
If yes,
please describe
4. Do any of
the following apply to you?
wear contact lenses
operate video terminals at least 10% of the workday
operate photocopier machine at least 10% of workday
use or operate special office machines or equipment
(specify)
5. Do you
smoke? Yes No
6. Do others in
your immediate work area smoke? Yes No .
7. Your office
number or work location is?
8. What is your
job title or position?
9. Briefly
describe your primary job tasks.
10. Can you offer any other comments or
observations concerning your office environment?
(optional)
11. Your name
and phone number? (optional)