Indoor Air Quality

Presented by Carlstien Lutchmedial, CSP, CPP, CMIOSH

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• Indoor air is increasingly recognized as being more “dangerous” to human health than outdoor air.

• However, comparatively little research has been done to quantify the human health risks and effects associated with many indoor air quality (IAQ) factors.

• Human Health Studies are increasing showing that IAQ implications far exceed concerns over airborne pollutants as mere allergens or sensory irritants.

• A growing number of chronic illnesses, and even death, are being linked to exposure to indoor airborne contaminants.

Introduction

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Introduction (Continued)

• While risk analysis has been performed on many of the contaminants found in indoor air, such studies have focused upon primarily “outdoor” and “occupational” exposure scenarios.

• For other types of IAQ contaminants, such as ultrafine particles, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), or biochemical toxins, limitations in available sensing technology have inhibited the collection of data that is:

Timely (data available in “real-time”)

Continuous (high temporal sampling rates)

Highly Sensitive and Accurate (ppb-class performance)

“In-situ” – in the field operability

• The availability of such data will allow the research community to better quantify the human health risks associated with some of the most potentially dangerous indoor environmental contaminants.

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Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Key Signs/Symptoms• lethargy or fatigue

• headache, dizziness, nausea

• irritation of mucous membranes

• sensitivity to odors

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SBS Diagnostics

• Are problems temporally related to time spent in a particular building or part of a building?

• Do symptoms resolve when the individual is not in the building?

• Do symptoms recur seasonally (heating, cooling)? • Have co-workers, peers noted similar complaints?

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Total Indoor Air Quality

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY

MOBILE TRANSPORTATION

SOURCES

ENERGY GENERATION

SOURCES

MANUFACTURING SOURCES

HVAC SYSTEMS SOURCES

NATURAL SOURCES

BUILDING MATERIALS

SOURCES

ACTIVITIES RELATED SOURCES

CONTENTS OFF-GASING

SOURCES

GROUND WATER QUALITY

NATURAL SOURCES VAPOR

INTRUSION

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WELL UNDERSTOOD PARTIALLY UNDERSTOOD LITTLE UNDERSTOOD

Types of Air Quality Factors, Contaminants & Toxins

VENTILATION, TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY

COMBUSTION POLLUTANTS

CO CO2 NOx

OCCUPATIONAL THRESHOLD LIMIT

VALUES (TLV)

Asbestos, Pesticides, Lead Dust etc.

Tobacco Smoke

RADON

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC’s)

PAH’s, Aldehydes, Ethers, etc.

Course Fine Ultra-fine ORGANIC DUST

Allergens

Mycotoxins Glucans

Endotoxins

OZONE

Heavy Metals

Dioxins

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IAQ Areas of Increasing Emphasis

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC’s)

PARTICULATE MATTER (Fine & Ultra-Fine)

BIOCHEMICAL TOXINS (Mycotoxins, Endotoxins, etc)

•Translational research and applications engineering projects are being driven by indoor air quality factors that are believed to most affect human health and productivity.

• While many types of air quality contaminants would greatly benefit from improved risk assessment, risk communications, and risk management emphasis, the activities are focused upon three categories of pollutants:

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Radon

• Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually.

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VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC’s)

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Volatile Organic Compounds

Increased concern over the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) in indoor environments is being driven by:

• A growing number of ground water contamination sites where VOC vapor intrusion percolating up into buildings is a serious concern.

• Outdoor airborne sources gaining entry into indoor spaces.

• Off-gasing of VOC’s from indoor materials, finishes, furnishings and consumer products (cleaning materials, etc.)

• VOC’s entering built environments via potable water sources and use.

There are many VOC’s that are listed in the Clean Air Act Amendments as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP’s) whose average indoor ambient

concentrations are actually higher than their outdoor values.

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Most Frequently Detected VOC’s in Indoor Environments

IAQ STUDIES*

> 100 VOC’s DETECTED

ODOR

SENSORY

IRRITATION

NON-CANCER

CHRONIC

CARCINOGENIC

Odor Threshold < 10 ppb

8 Compounds

Sensory Irritation Level < 1000 ppb

14 Compounds

Chronic Exposure Level < 1000 ppb

38 Compounds

Cancer Risk Established

> 7 Compounds

Chronic Exposure Level < 10 ppb

9 Compounds* “Classification of Measured Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds Based Upon Noncancer Health and Comfort Considerations”, Hodgson & Levin, LBNL.

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Most Frequently Detected VOC’s in Indoor Environments

ACETIC ACID: OQ=280

OCTANAL: OQ=18

HEXANOIC ACID: OQ=11

HEXANAL: OQ=4.6

NONANAL: OQ=3.5

HEPTANAL: OQ=1.5

ACROLEIN: CTQ=217

FORMALDEHYDE: CTQ=26

ACETALDEHYDE: CTQ=2.2

TETRACHLOROETHENE: CTQ=0.33

NAPHTHALENE: CTQ=0.19

BENZENE: CTQ=0.19

TOLUENE: CTQ=0.15

1,3-BUTADIENE:CTQ=0.09

CARBON TETRATCHLORIDE: CTQ=.05

ACROLEIN: SIQ=160 / CTQ=217

FORMALDEHYDE: SIQ=2.3 / CTQ=26

ACETIC ACID: OQ=280 / SIQ=2.2

MOST SERIOUS

BY ODOR QUOTIENT (OQ)

BY SENSORY IRRITATION QUOTIENT (SIQ)

BY NON-CANCER CHRONIC TOXICITY QUOTIENT (CTQ)

ACROLEIN: SIQ=160

FORMALDEHYDE: SIQ=2.3

ACETIC ACID: SIQ=2.2

GROUP A CARCINOGEN

GROUP B CARCINOGEN

GROUP C CARCINOGEN

*

* IARC Designation only

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Advanced VOC Sensing Technologies

• NYIEQ Funding development of a “next generation” field portable gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) capable of parts-per-billion (ppb) sensitivity in near-real-time (1 to 2 minutes)

• The sensor is being developed by INFICON, Inc. based upon their existing HAPSITE sensor product line.

• This new sensor will offer a very sensitive screening tool that is able to provide fast onsite analytical results to study VOC dynamics for dangerous TO-14 & TO-15 compounds.

• Applications for a variety of uses including, but not limited to:

– Rapid screening for industrial hygiene, research and development, and environmental investigations at low ppbv concentrations for indoor air environments.

– Stationary monitoring – near real-time analysis, e.g. anticipated complete cycle analysis time in approximately three minutes.

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Sources of VOCs

• Household products including: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays; cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry-cleaned clothing.

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VOC- Formaldehyde

• Pressed wood products (hardwood plywood wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard) and furniture made with these pressed wood products. Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). Combustion sources and environmental tobacco smoke. Durable press drapes, other textiles, and glues.

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VOC- Formaldehyde

• a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing (0.1 ppm)

• High Concentrations – can trigger asthma attacks.

• Carcinogenic

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PARTICULATE MATTER

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IAQ Areas of Increasing Emphasis

PARTICULATES – From “Coarse” to “Fine” to “Ultra-fine”

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 2.5 5.0 10 20 50 100

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

M

ass/

Lo

g P

art

icle

Dia

met

er

(m

3/

m3 )

Aerodynamic Particle Diameter (microns)

“COURSE -MODE”” SUSPENDED PARTICLES“FINE-MODE”

SUSPENDED PARTICLES

TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICLES

“ COARSE”

“FINE”

“ULTRA-FINE”

“The 80’s”

“The 00’s” “The 90’s”

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Particulate Matter

- Last year the American Heart Association published a Scientific Statement regarding Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease.

- Based upon a European, 29 city/ 43 million person study, and a U.S. 90 city/ 50 million person study:

Cardiovascular deaths increase by 0.31% (US) to 0.68% (Europe)

Non-traumatic deaths increase by 0.21% (US) to 0.60% (Europe)

For every 10 micrograms/meter3 increase in PM10

- PM10 levels in U.S. cities range from 26 to 534 micrograms/meter3

NOTE: This risk is NOT a lifestyle choice and it conceptually impacts total geographic populations.

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Particulate Matter and Mortality Rates

- Non-traumatic deaths attributable to PM exposure:

- 23,000/year in U.S.

- 40,000/year (Austria, France, Switzerland)

- 5000/year in Canada

- Increase in PM Caused Cardiovascular Hospital Admissions:

42,000/year in U.S.

- The World Health Organization estimates:

800,000 PM caused deaths/year world-wide

- 7.9 million disability adjusted life years lost due to PM exposure/year

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Ultra-Fine Particles

• As recently as five years ago, it was believed that particles smaller than 0.1 microns were breathed in and then out.

• It is now known that ultra-fine particles (< 0.1 microns) pass through the lungs, into the blood stream and migrate throughout the body where they can accumulate in the brain and other organs.

• In addition to pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, such contaminants may be linked to a wide range of other illnesses ranging from diabetes to abnormal neurological conditions.

• Some researchers believe that ultra-fine particles may actually be capable of genetic modification via DNA methylation which regulates gene expression by preventing transcription factors from binding to promoters.

• Such modifications could explain hypersensitivities and hereditary predispositions to allergies, asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

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Advanced Ultra-Fine Particle Counting Sensor Technologies • Utilizing Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) funding

provided by the NYS ESDC, NYIEQ Funding development of a “next generation” ultra-fine particle sensor.

• Rupprecht & Patashnick is designing and building a prototype ultra-fine particle counter (UPC) utilizing unique condensation nuclei counter (CNC) technology developed jointly with Clarkson University.

• Existing devices are difficult to use, because of use of toxic working fluids, and prone to operational problems due to capillary clogging.

• The new R&P UPC does not employ toxic fluids, eliminates clogging and is capable of particle size speciation internal to the device down to 2-3 nanometers.

• Currently no criteria pollutant standards exist for ultra-fine particulate matter. However growing interest in the human health risks associated with ultra-fine particles is driving the need for more advanced UPC capabilities.

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BIOCHEMICAL TOXINS

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Biochemical Toxins

• It is clear that certain biochemicals, especially allergens, are sensory irritants that play a significant role in reducing productivity, increasing illness and causing workplace absenteeism.

• The controversy over the human health implications of certain biochemical toxins, especially mycotoxins (mold toxins) has clouded the scientific questions that remain unanswered regarding these potent IAQ contaminants.

• Several naturally occurring biochemical toxins are sufficiently dangerous to be listed as biological warfare agents of concern by the U.S. Department of Defense and Homeland Security Agencies.

• The “four most dangerous” of these toxins are: Botulinium, Staphyloccocus Enter. (B), Ricin, and Tricothecene (T-2).

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• Mycotoxins are produced by many species of molds specifically for the purpose of weakening the immune systems of the hosts upon which they live, and/or for killing competing mold species.

• Today, IAQ assessments of suspect environments do not test for the presence of mycotoxins, but rather only sample to identify present mold species.

• The presence of a species of mold capable of producing a certain mycotoxin does not imply that those mycotoxins have been produced.

• The conditions under which dangerous mycotoxins will be produced are not well understood: environmental – temperature, humidity and food source; competitive – presence of other species of molds.

• The introduction of mycotoxins into the living space can be driven by “sporatic” events associated with: changes in environment associated with elimination/reduction in moisture source; unplanned air path creation due to indoor/outdoor pressure variations, mechanical disturbances, etc.

Mycotoxins

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Mycotoxins

• Within the food industry, the presence of mycotoxins is highly regulated.

• In veterinary medicine, mycotoxin ingestion is known to cause a wide range of serious illnesses including neurological problems, hemorrhage, infertility/miscarriage, cancer and death.

• By the inhalation path, mycotoxins have been should to be 10 to 40 times more toxic then by ingestion in both animals and humans.

• Over 100 species of molds found indoors are capable of producing mycotoxins. The most important of these include:

MOLD Types – ALTERNARIA, ASPERGILLUS, BIPOLARIS, CLADOSPORIUM, FUSARIUM, PAECILOMYCES, PENICILLIUM, STACHYBOTRYS, TRICHODERMA, TRICHOTHECIUM.

Mycotoxins - Aflatoxin B1/G1, Ochratoxin A, Patulin, Sterigmatocystin, Zearalenone, Fumonisin B1/B2, T-2*, HT-2, Penicillic Acid, Cyclopiazonic Acid, 3-Nitropropionic Acid, Nidulotoxin, Citrinin, Xanthomegnin, Viomellein, Nivanenol, DON, Scirpene, Fusaric Acid, Roridin E, Satratoxin G&H, Tenuazonic Acid, Trichoverrols, Verrucarin J. (* Lethal Dose (LD50) = 24 -120 g/kg by inhalation)

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RISK ANALYSIS CHALLENGES

Sources of IAQ

• Contaminated outdoor air

Pollen , dust, fungal spores, vehicles, industrial pollutants,

Parking lots, dumpsters, drawback of air, intakes near debris, radon, underground tanks, pesticides, standing water

• HVAC Equipment

improper use of chemicals, sealants, refrigerants, improper venting of combustion products, microbial growth, dust, dirt

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Sources of IAQ

• Human Activities

Smoking, cooking, body odors, cosmetics

Housekeeping activities- Cleaning materials- Emissions from

storage, fragrances, airborne dust

• Maintenance Activities

VOC’s – paint, caulk, adhesives etc.,

Pesticides for pest control

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Sources of IAQ

• Building Components

Carpets, curtains, shelving, old furniture, asbestos, lead, mercury,

Unsanitary conditions

- Water damaged furniture, poor drainage, dry traps

• Chemical releases

VOC’s , Inorganics, print shops, new furnishings, releases from re-modeling,

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A Notional Portrayal of the Risk Analysis Challenge

Hu

man

Hea

lth

Ris

k

Environmental Concentration or Dose

“REFERENCE” CONCENTRATION OR DOSE

MINIMUMALLY ACCEPTABLE

RISK

OPTIMUM “COST-BENEFIT” REGULATION LEVEL

(In a perfect world)

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A Notional Portrayal of the Risk Analysis Challenge H

um

an H

ealt

h R

isk

“Fine” Particulates

Environmental Concentration

What Increased Risk is “Acceptable” ?

Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Death = .031 x PM10 Concentration (micrograms/meter3)

Range of U.S. Cities Ambient Outdoor Environmental Concentrations

15%

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A Notional Portrayal of the Risk Analysis Challenge

CO

NC

EN

TR

AT

ION

LO

W

HIG

H

EXPOSURE DURATION SHORT LONG

HIGH IMMEDIATE SHORT-TERM

RISK

HIGH IMMEDIATE SHORT-TERM

RISK

LOW IMMEDIATE AND LOW LONG-

TERM RISK

LOW IMMEDIATE

AND

??? LONG-TERM RISK

The IAQ Challenge

Occupational Safety &

Sick Building Syndrome

Environmental Accident or Terrorism

LOW PRIORITY HIGHEST PRIORITY?

HIGH PRIORITY MEDIUM PRIORITY

Based upon # of people potentially affected

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A Notional Portrayal of the Risk Analysis Challenge H

um

an H

ealt

h R

isk

IAQ CONTAMINANTS

Environmental Concentration

“Acceptable” Level (Short Exposure)

“Acceptable” Risk

“Long Exposure Curve”

“Short Exposure Curve”

“Acceptable” IAQ Level

THE CHALLENGE

Average lifetime daily dose?

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IEQ and Human Productivity

• Based upon average salary and benefits costs, compared with average cost of space per employee, annual employee costs are typically 10 times higher that occupancy costs.

• Therefore, an increase in worker productivity of 1% equates to approximately 10% of annual occupancy costs. ($300 to $600/year/employee on average)

• A large number of productivity studies (> 1000) have investigated the impact of temperature and humidity, lighting, and ventilation on individual productivity. These studies generally conclude that improved lighting, ventilation and thermal control results in a 5 to 10% productivity improvement.

• Studies in California have conservatively concluded that a 1% productivity and health gain can be expected for LEED Certified and Silver buildings and a 1.5% gain can be expected for Gold and Platinum level buildings.

• Even at the most conservative (1-1.5%) level, the annual cost benefit savings (1-1.5%) times (salary + benefits) is very large in comparison to high performance building ($/ft2) construction and annual operating “green premium” costs.

On a national level, such direct performance improvements equate to a savings of between $20 to $235 Billion Dollars per year.

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The Economics of IAQ

• Human Health related savings associated with the reduction in IEQ related illnesses offer a significant financial return on investment as well:

• Conservative estimates for IEQ illness related health care costs include:

• Respiratory Disease - $6 to 16 Billion Dollars per year

• Allergies and Asthma - $1 to 5 Billion Dollars per year

• Sick Building Syndrome - $ 10 to 40 Billion Dollars per year

TOTAL: $ 17 to 61 Billion Dollars per year

• Estimated 176 million “lost work” days and associated estimated 121 million “restricted work” days valued at approximately $34 Billion dollars per year for just common cold, influenza, pneumonia and bronchitis.

• The NYIEQ is sponsoring a major series of IAQ Productivity Studies at Upstate Medical University in conjunction with the U.S. EPA/IEMB.

The economic value of human health improvements directly attributable to improved IAQ is extremely large – i.e. $50 to $95 Billion/Year.

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SUMMARY

• There is increasing recognition that Indoor Air Quality is far more dangerous to human health then is outdoor air quality.

• The research community is beginning to place greater emphasis upon obtaining data that correlates exposure to indoor airborne contaminants to productivity and human health implications.

• While high-dose, short-duration exposure to certain airborne contaminants has driven much of the focus of occupational and outdoor IAQ regulations, low-dose, long-duration exposures are far more difficult to study, but far more relevant to the broader implications of IAQ.

• “Risk Analysis” driven by the availability of new sensor data will be extremely important to determining the relationship between environmental concentrations, exposure times and human health risk for many IAQ scenarios applicable to broad population segments.

• Ten years from now, we will look back upon the concept of “air conditioning” - which today infers temperature and humidity control, with a far greater understanding of all the human health risk implications of inhaled contaminants that today are not properly understood, and therefore are not being properly addressed.