The CMO Survey - Highlights and Insights Report - Spring 2024
Indoor Air Quality by AIHA
1. Indoor Air Quality
Trina Redford
Industrial Hygienist
National Naval Medical Center
IH Services North
2. OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of Indoor Air
Quality, including the various factors that
can impact an office-type building.
3. Objective (Cont’d)
To familiarize participants with typical
health complaints, environmental
measurements collection and remedial
actions .
4. Terms
Building Related Illness-Diagnosable
illness whose symptoms can be identified
and whose cause can be be directly
attributed to airborne building pollutants
(e.g., hypersensitivity pneumonitis or
Legionnaire’s disease)
5. Terms
Sick Building Syndrome(Tight Building
Syndrome) Used to describe situations in which
building occupants experience acute health
and /or comfort effects that appear to be linked to
the time spent in a particular building.
No specific illness can be identified.
Complaints may be localized in a particular room
zone or widespread throughout the building.
7. Sources Indoor Air
Contaminants
Contaminated outdoor air
Emissions from nearby sources
Moisture or standing water promoting
excessive microbial growth
Equipment
Human Activities
Housekeeping Activities
8. Source of Indoor Air
Contaminants
Human activities
Maintenance Activities
Building Components and Furnishings
Unsanitary conditions and water damage
Chemicals released by building
components
Other Sources
9. HVAC SYSTEM DESIGN AND
OPERATION
Provides thermal comfort.
Distributes adequate amounts of outdoor
air.
Isolates and removes odors and
contaminants through pressure control,
filtration and exhaust fans
10. Targeted groups of IAQ
Dilemma
Allergic or asthmatic individuals.
People with respiratory disease.
People whose immune system are
suppressed due to chemotherapy, radiation
therapy, disease or other causes.
Contact lens wearers.
11. Component of a HVAC System
Outdoor intakes
Mixed-air plenum and
outdoor air control
Air filter
Heating and cooling coils
Humidification and
dehumidification
equipment
Supply fan
Ducts
Terminal device
Return air system
Exhaust or relief fans and
air outlet
Self-contained heating or
cooling unit
Control
Boiler
Cooling tower
Water Chiller
12. Types of Symptoms and
Complaints
Headache
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Sinus congestion
Eye, nose and throat
irritation
Sneezing
Cough
Dizziness
Nausea
Skin irritation
14. Instruments and Methodology
Used for IAQ
Thermal Comfort-Temperature, Relative
Humidity
Tracking Air Movement with Chemical
Smoke
CO2as a indicator of good ventilation.
Measuring Airflow
Estimating Outdoor Air Quantities
15. Instruments and Methodology
Used for IAQ
Air Contaminant Concentrations
Biological Contaminants
Airborne Dust
Combustion Products
17. Summary
A healthy indoor environment is one
which the surroundings contribute to the
productivity, comfort and sense of health
and well being.
A healthy environment may be achieved
by proper building maintenance and
communication.