Presentation made by Robert J Reda CIH, CSP, MAC to the Greater Houston Industrial Hygiene Council. Robert J Reda & Associates LLC provides professional consulting services in Safety, Industrial Hygiene, and Environmental including mold inspections and testing services in Houston, TX.

1. Presented to the
Greater Houston
Industrial Hygiene
Council
Sick Building – Home
Syndrome

2. I smell something and I want it
tested.
I have been sick for a long time
and believe it is something in the
indoor air.
People are getting sick and we
want the indoor air tested.

3. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a
term used to describe
Certain health effects peopleCertain health effects people
experience that may be related to poorexperience that may be related to poor
air in buildings.air in buildings.
The problem may be localized, forThe problem may be localized, for
example - employees in only oneexample - employees in only one
section of the building,section of the building,
The problem is widespread andThe problem is widespread and
experienced throughout the building.experienced throughout the building.

4. Symptoms
 Eye, Nose, Throat irritationEye, Nose, Throat irritation
 Dry CoughDry Cough
 DizzinessDizziness
 NauseaNausea
 Itchy SkinItchy Skin
 Difficulty concentratingDifficulty concentrating
 Experience sensitivity to odorsExperience sensitivity to odors
 FatigueFatigue
 HeadachesHeadaches

5. Studies
The World Health Organization estimatesThe World Health Organization estimates
that up to 30% of office buildingsthat up to 30% of office buildings
worldwide have significant indoor airworldwide have significant indoor air
quality problems.quality problems.
The EPA in a 1995 study found that aboutThe EPA in a 1995 study found that about
50% of schools in the US had poor50% of schools in the US had poor
ventilation and sources of pollution insideventilation and sources of pollution inside
the buildings.the buildings.

6. What should we be concerned
about?
Everything and Anything until weEverything and Anything until we
can find and eliminate the potentialcan find and eliminate the potential
for risk.for risk.

7. What should we do?
Ask a million questionsAsk a million questions
Collect Data to identify issuesCollect Data to identify issues
Inspect to find answersInspect to find answers
Make recommendationsMake recommendations
Solve the problemSolve the problem

8. Everything and Anything
so lets start out with

9. Lead
• Paint inside/outside homes & buildings prior toPaint inside/outside homes & buildings prior to
19781978
• Soil from previous paint or leaded gas from carsSoil from previous paint or leaded gas from cars
• Dust from deteriorating paint or tracked in fromDust from deteriorating paint or tracked in from
the outsidethe outside
• Drinking water – plumbing with lead or lead solderDrinking water – plumbing with lead or lead solder
• Bringing it home from the job - clothes – bootsBringing it home from the job - clothes – boots
• Painted toys or furniture (mini-blinds)Painted toys or furniture (mini-blinds)
• Food and liquids – stored in lead crystal or leadFood and liquids – stored in lead crystal or lead
glazed pottery or porcelainglazed pottery or porcelain
• Hobbies – stained glass-pottery-refinishingHobbies – stained glass-pottery-refinishing
furniturefurniture
• Folk Remedies that contain lead – Greta – AzarconFolk Remedies that contain lead – Greta – Azarcon

10. Asbestos from 1935 – 1970 applied extensively to
buildings and homes
Spray on insulationSpray on insulation
Floor and roof feltFloor and roof felt
Pipe wrapPipe wrap
Millboard or roll boardMillboard or roll board
Cooling tower fill –exterior boardCooling tower fill –exterior board
Auto brakes-mufflers-transmission disks-packings- gasketsAuto brakes-mufflers-transmission disks-packings- gaskets
Insulation on wires or appliancesInsulation on wires or appliances
Asbestos cement pipesAsbestos cement pipes
Floor tile, sealants, adhesives, mastics, paintsFloor tile, sealants, adhesives, mastics, paints
Textiles – curtains-blankets-mattresses-gloves-hatsTextiles – curtains-blankets-mattresses-gloves-hats
Road surfacing and pavementRoad surfacing and pavement
Shotgun shell base wadsShotgun shell base wads

11. Formaldehyde
Commonly found in man made products – usedCommonly found in man made products – used
in manufacturing processes and is a keyin manufacturing processes and is a key
ingredient in building supplies & furnishingsingredient in building supplies & furnishings
Plywood, particle board, insulation, cleaners,Plywood, particle board, insulation, cleaners,
fabrics, carpeting, and furniturefabrics, carpeting, and furniture
Automobile exhaustAutomobile exhaust
Tobacco smokeTobacco smoke
Electrical issues that heat upElectrical issues that heat up

12. Legionella
• First discovered in 1976 following aFirst discovered in 1976 following a
pneumonia outbreak at the Convention ofpneumonia outbreak at the Convention of
American Legion in PhiladelphiaAmerican Legion in Philadelphia
• Transmitted from environment to humansTransmitted from environment to humans
• No evidence of human to human or animalNo evidence of human to human or animal
to human transmission of these bacteriato human transmission of these bacteria
• Potable water is the most important sourcePotable water is the most important source
of Legionellaof Legionella
• Inhaled contaminated aerosols – FromInhaled contaminated aerosols – From
Where?Where?

13. Cleaning Chemicals, Storage & Everyday Use
Voc’s from cleanersVoc’s from cleaners
DisinfectantsDisinfectants
Air FreshenersAir Fresheners
Paints & SolventsPaints & Solvents
HerbicidesHerbicides
PesticidesPesticides
FungicidesFungicides

14. Computers, Printers, Office Supplies
• OzoneOzone
• VOC’sVOC’s
• Carbon black particulatesCarbon black particulates
• Electromagnetic fieldsElectromagnetic fields
• Worker Ergonomics – lighting – workWorker Ergonomics – lighting – work
positions – sitting positions – tablespositions – sitting positions – tables
• Felt tip pensFelt tip pens
• Newspaper inkNewspaper ink
• Adhesive tapeAdhesive tape

15. Inhabitants
• SmokersSmokers
• Communicable diseases – someone as simpleCommunicable diseases – someone as simple
as having a cold - flueas having a cold - flue
• Skin fragmentsSkin fragments
• Body perfumes & colognesBody perfumes & colognes
• Nail Polish removerNail Polish remover
• Hair SprayHair Spray
• Body odorsBody odors
• Dust mites, ticks, fleasDust mites, ticks, fleas
• Carbon Dioxide - breathingCarbon Dioxide - breathing

16. Bathrooms – Locker Rooms
• VOC’s from air freshenersVOC’s from air fresheners
• Personal products – perfumes – soaps - deodorantsPersonal products – perfumes – soaps - deodorants
• Candle sootCandle soot
• Leaky drains, standing water – mold – black waterLeaky drains, standing water – mold – black water
and bacteriaand bacteria
• RadonRadon
• Lack of proper ventilationLack of proper ventilation
• Sewage Gas back up – improper plumbingSewage Gas back up – improper plumbing
• Legionnaires Disease from faucets, showers, & hotLegionnaires Disease from faucets, showers, & hot
tubstubs

17. Indoor Plants
• Insects, insect fragments and allergensInsects, insect fragments and allergens
• Pollens and allergensPollens and allergens
• MoldMold
• Standing waterStanding water
• Herbicides, insecticides, fungicidesHerbicides, insecticides, fungicides

18. Exterior structure
• Poor drainage, grading, wicking, standing waterPoor drainage, grading, wicking, standing water
• Exterior cracks, gaps, sealant failuresExterior cracks, gaps, sealant failures
• Improper vapor barriers – vapor intrusionImproper vapor barriers – vapor intrusion
• No gutters, gutter blockage, ice damsNo gutters, gutter blockage, ice dams
• Tree roots causing cracked underground plumbing –Tree roots causing cracked underground plumbing –
natural gas and sewagenatural gas and sewage
• Exterior plants causing moisture problemsExterior plants causing moisture problems
• Exterior pesticides & herbicides infiltrationExterior pesticides & herbicides infiltration
• Pollen infiltrationPollen infiltration
• Parking lot fuel leaks & idling vehicles VOC’s-COParking lot fuel leaks & idling vehicles VOC’s-CO
• Sprinkler systems spraying on exterior wallsSprinkler systems spraying on exterior walls

19. Chimneys & Exhaust Vents
• Improper combustionImproper combustion
• Down drafting of fumesDown drafting of fumes
• Improper chimney flashing resulting in water leaksImproper chimney flashing resulting in water leaks
which results in potential mold growthwhich results in potential mold growth
• Poor masonry and cracks which allow water leaksPoor masonry and cracks which allow water leaks
which results in potential mold growthwhich results in potential mold growth
• Animals – bats – bees – wasps - hornetsAnimals – bats – bees – wasps - hornets

20. • VOC’s from stored chemicalsVOC’s from stored chemicals
• Forklift diesel particulate matter, carbon monoxide,Forklift diesel particulate matter, carbon monoxide,
Nox, SoxNox, Sox
• Electric forklifts – battery acid, hydrogen, lead dustElectric forklifts – battery acid, hydrogen, lead dust
• Propane forklifts – aldehydes, CO, NoxPropane forklifts – aldehydes, CO, Nox
• Pesticides & HerbicidesPesticides & Herbicides
• Vehicle exhaust infiltrationVehicle exhaust infiltration
• Off gassing of stored fuelsOff gassing of stored fuels
• Trash Storage IssuesTrash Storage Issues
Loading ramp

21. • VOC’s from stored cleaning chemicalsVOC’s from stored cleaning chemicals
• Cooking odorsCooking odors
• Poor ventilation or exhaustPoor ventilation or exhaust
• Plumbing leaks – refrigerator leaks - moldPlumbing leaks – refrigerator leaks - mold
• Allergens from cockroaches & rodentsAllergens from cockroaches & rodents
• Poor hygiene practices – brought in from the factoryPoor hygiene practices – brought in from the factory
floorfloor
• Waste disposal of trash - foodWaste disposal of trash - food
• Food storage practicesFood storage practices
• DishwashingDishwashing
Break Room - Kitchen

22. • VOC’s from stored chemicalsVOC’s from stored chemicals
• Degreasing, milling, cutting, welding operations –Degreasing, milling, cutting, welding operations –
chlorinated solvents, metals, fumes & oilschlorinated solvents, metals, fumes & oils
• Faulty electric water heater – Legionella riskFaulty electric water heater – Legionella risk
• Boiler leaks - Improper boiler ventilation &Boiler leaks - Improper boiler ventilation &
combustion causing gases & particulatescombustion causing gases & particulates
• Lack of and or improper air filtrationLack of and or improper air filtration
• Intake vent near trash receptacle or factory/otherIntake vent near trash receptacle or factory/other
exhaust systemsexhaust systems
• Air exhaust vent too close to air intakeAir exhaust vent too close to air intake
• Bird nestsBird nests
• Ozone from UV modules in HVAC systemsOzone from UV modules in HVAC systems
Facilities, Furnace area, Boiler room

23. • Asbestos floor tilesAsbestos floor tiles
• VOCs from carpeting and cement paint & stainsVOCs from carpeting and cement paint & stains
• Formaldehyde from off gassingFormaldehyde from off gassing
• Improperly sealed concrete – vapor intrusionImproperly sealed concrete – vapor intrusion
• NON HEPA vacuuming – carpet doubles its weightNON HEPA vacuuming – carpet doubles its weight
in dusts, particulates, other things within 3-4 yearsin dusts, particulates, other things within 3-4 years
• Potential microbial & chemical reservoirs in carpetPotential microbial & chemical reservoirs in carpet
from spills of water and cleaning chemicalsfrom spills of water and cleaning chemicals
Flooring and Carpeting

24. • Asbestos & vermiculiteAsbestos & vermiculite
• Dead ends on plumbing or ductworkDead ends on plumbing or ductwork
• Leaking pipesLeaking pipes
• Improper exchange ratesImproper exchange rates
• Improper negative pressurizationImproper negative pressurization
• System not balanced–not properly sized-dampers closedSystem not balanced–not properly sized-dampers closed
• System oversizedSystem oversized
• Dust and debris from leaking ductsDust and debris from leaking ducts
• Improper venting of bathroom fan into plenumImproper venting of bathroom fan into plenum
• Temperature and relative humidity extremesTemperature and relative humidity extremes
• Furnace – Carbon MonoxideFurnace – Carbon Monoxide
Ceiling Plenum, Ductwork, HVAC Systems

26. Ask Questions, Ask Questions,
Ask Questions
Data Drives Your Program
Presented by
Robert J Reda CIH, CSP, MAC
President
Robert J Reda & Associates LLC
5341 Nolda St. Unit D
Houston, TX 77007
Phone 281-814-7638