Learn about measures and methods to improve indoor air quality. This presentation covers LEED points available for IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) and key steps to avoid and mitigate environmental toxins.

1. Improving Indoor
Air Quality
Mary Gatch
info@dwellsmart.com
(843) 805-7055
www.dwellsmart.com

2. “USGBCSC” is a Registered Provider with The American
Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems
(AIA/CES). Credit earned on completion of this program will
be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of
Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are
available upon request.
This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing
professional education. As such, it does not include content
that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or
endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any
method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing
in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services
will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
AIA/CES Credit

3. Copyright Materials
This presentation is protected by US and
International Copyright laws. Reproduction,
distribution, display and use of the
presentation without written permission of
the speaker is prohibited.
© DwellSmart LLC 2012
Copyright

4. During this program, participants will learn:
1) To recognize the symptoms and causes of
environmental illness
2) Methods to build both efficient and healthy buildings
3) How to select non-toxic and sustainable materials
4) Implement ideas for saving money while building
green
Learning Objectives

5. Trends & Statistics
• The EPA increasingly concerned with indoor air
quality (IAQ)
– many pollutants indoors are often at levels 2-5 times
(and can be >100 times) higher than outdoors
• People spend as much as 90% of their time
indoors
• Asthma rates are rapidly increasing
– up 450% since 1980, nearing 30 million in U.S.
– 9% of Charleston’s children are affected
• More than 50% of U.S. population test positive
to one or more allergens

6. Environmental Illness
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
• Occupants complain of symptoms of acute
discomfort
– headache
– eye, nose or throat irritation
– dry cough
– dry or itchy skin
– dizziness and nausea
– difficulty in concentrating
– fatigue
– sensitivity to odors
• Cause of the symptoms is not known
• Occupants report relief after leaving the
building

7. Environmental Illness
Building Related Illness (BRI)
• Occupants complain of symptoms such as
– cough
– chest tightness
– fever, chills
– muscle aches
• Symptoms can be clinically defined and
have clearly identifiable causes
• Complainants may require prolonged
recovery times after leaving the building

8. Environmental Illness
• Some common illnesses caused by
and/or exacerbated by our
environment
– Allergies and Asthma
– Chemical Sensitivity
– Chronic Fatigue
– Auto-Immune Disorders
– Mental Illness
– Cancer

9. Environmental Illness
• Inspiration and motivation
– Living in a not-so-healthy house …
– Struggling to build an eco-friendly house
– Developing increased chemical sensitivity
… and asthma and allergies
• Key sources of my environmental illness
– Toxic mold (stachybotrys)
– Elevated levels of mercury, lead, aluminum,
and arsenic
– Exposure to excessive electrical pollution

10. LEED / IEQ
• Indoor Environmental Quality is an
important part of the LEED programs
• % of Available Points
– 14% of LEED for New Construction
– 15% of LEED for Homes
– 17% of LEED for Schools
– 29% of LEED for Commercial Interiors

11. LEED / IEQ
Water Efficiency
4%
Indoor Environmental
Quality
29%
Innovation & Design
Process
9%
Sustainable Sites
12%
Materials & Resources
25%
Energy & Atmosphere
21%
LEED for Commercial Interiors,
points by category (17 of 57 for IEQ)

12. LEED-CI, IEQ Points
• Minimum IAQ Performance*
• Environmental Tobacco Smoke
(ETS) Control*
• Outdoor Air Delivery
Monitoring
• Increased Ventilation
• Construction IAQ Management
Plan
– During Construction
– Before Occupancy
• Low-Emitting Materials
– Adhesives and Sealants
– Paints and Coatings
– Carpet Systems
– Composite Wood and
Laminate Adhesives
– Systems Furniture and Seating
• Indoor Chemical and
Pollutant Source Control
• Controllability of Systems
– Lighting
– Temperature and
Ventilation
• Thermal Comfort
– Compliance
– Monitoring
• Daylight and Views
– Daylight 75% of Spaces
– Daylight 90% of Spaces
– Views for 90% of Seated
Spaces
* Required, others contribute 1 point each

13. Top Indoor Threats
1. Mold
2. Chemicals
• Cleaning and personal care products
• Formaldehyde and other VOCs
• Pesticides and insecticides
• PVC’s/Phthalates
• Petrochemicals (synthetics, paints, finishes, fabrics)
• Chlorine & water contaminants
1. Dust and dust mites
2. Animal dander
3. Electrical pollution
4. Carbon monoxide
5. Ozone
8. Lead
9. Asbestos
10. Radon
And…

14. Reducing Exposure
1. Eliminating Sources
2. Moisture Regulation
3. Controlled Ventilation
4. Air and Water Purification
5. Measure and Monitor

15. 1. Eliminating Sources
Volatile Organic Compounds
• “Bad” VOCs
– Combine w/ Nitrogen Oxide to form Ozone
– Some are chemical irritants, carcinogenic,
or neuro-toxic
– Examples: formaldehyde, benzene, xylene,
toluene, trichloroethylene
• Why?
– Short-term - irritation of nose,
lungs, and throat
– Long-term - cancer
– Formaldehyde causes increased
sensitivity to all chemicals

16. 1. Eliminating Sources
Eliminating Sources of VOC’s
– Avoid products with formaldehyde
•Particle board & MDF
•Plywood (exterior grade better)
•Paint & Other Finishes
•Synthetic Carpeting
– Choose zero/low-VOC options
• greenseal.org
• greenguard.org
• scscertified.com
– Seal existing sources
– Ventilate and filter

17. 1. Eliminating Sources
Pesticides and Insecticides
– Linked to asthma, cancer, birth
defects, learning disabilities,
ADHD, and neurological disease
Avoid by
– Using safer methods such as traps, boric acid
diatomaceous earth, or sonic repellers
– Blocking entry by repairing screen openings
and caulking cracks and holes
– Starving out by removing water sources like
leaky faucets and cleaning up food sources

18. 1. Eliminating Sources
PVCs / Phthalates
– PVC = Polyvinyl Chloride “Vinyl”
– Phthalates are plasticizers used to soften PVC
– Produce 30 mil tons/yr; 75% for construction
– May cause kidney, liver, and endocrine
problems
– Usually “too toxic” to recycle (plastic #3)
Avoid PVCs in
– Vinyl flooring, carpeting,
wallpaper, window blinds
– PVC pipes, electrical cables
– Vinyl siding, window casings

19. 1. Eliminating Sources
Electrical Pollution
• EMF = Electric & Magnetic Fields
• May impact
– Dream cycles
– Permeability of blood/brain barrier
– Pineal gland and production of melatonin
• Levels dissipate rapidly as you move away from
source
• Common sources
– Inside: microwave ovens, hair dryers, vacuum
cleaners, televisions, computers, dimmer switches,
panel boxes, air handlers
– Outside: power lines, communication towers

20. 1. Eliminating Sources
• Dust & Dust Mites
–Air purifiers
–Central Vacuum Systems
–Ultraviolet (UV) light
–Minimize carpeting
–Moisture regulation
–Ducts
•Keep clean during/post construction
•Avoid opportunities for leaks

21. 2. Moisture Regulation
Importance of Relative Humidity (RH)
– Mold proliferates above 70% RH
– Dust mites prefer an RH > 50%
– VOC’s outgas more quickly with higher RH
– Increased electrical charges
with lower RH
– An RH from 35-55% provides:
• Increased Comfort
• Healthier Skin, Nasal Passages
• Energy Savings

22. 2. Moisture Regulation
Methods
– Minimize ‘opportunities’ for leaks
– Use high-quality, quiet exhaust fans
– Install good and consistent insulation
– Right-size HVAC system
– Ensure proper air flow & ventilation
• Closets
• Micro-climates around windows
• Attics and basements
– Use dehumidifiers and humidifiers (w/
caution)

23. 3. Controlled Ventilation
Importance
– Remove indoor air pollutants
– Control level of particulates in incoming air
– Reduce carbon dioxide buildup
– Circulate air for moisture regulation
– Methods
• Traditional - air exchange
through cracks and insulation
gaps
• Better – tight insulation with
planned air exchange method

24. Types of Ventilation
– Natural ventilation – wind & stack effect
– Accidental
•Clothes dryer
•Central vacuum
•Chimney
•Leaky ducts & air return impediments
– Controlled
•Local – bathroom & kitchen exhaust fans
•General – supply ventilation (air intake)
and balanced ventilation (e.g., ERV)
3. Controlled Ventilation

25. 3. Controlled Ventilation
Construction Tips
– Plan in advance - Don’t leave HVAC
design to build stage
– Ensure HVAC designer has experience
with your insulation method
•Correct sizing will help control moisture,
and
•Will save energy/money
– Route ducts through
conditioned space

26. 4. Air & Water Purification
• Air Purification
– HVAC/Central or room/area filtration system
– UV purification
– Central or HEPA vacuum
– Register & window filters
• Water Purification
– Whole-house/building
– Point of use
• Drinking Water
• Refrigerator/icemaker
• Shower and bath

27. 5. Measure & Monitor
Monitors
– Smoke detector
– Carbon monoxide detector
– Humidistat
Test kits
– Mold
– Lead
– Radon
– Carbon Monoxide
– Ozone
– Asbestos
RF/EMF detector

28. Sustainable Materials
• Reduce materials as possible
– e.g. use concrete for flooring
– e.g. plan stud lengths
• Look for natural, rapidly renewable, recycled,
and recyclable materials
• Avoid VOC’s, fiberglass, and PVC
• Good certification programs:
– LEED
– FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
– GreenGuard

29. Economics
• Ensuring Indoor Environmental Quality
adds to project costs
• Ideas to simplify and save

30. Q&A
For more information, contact Mary Gatch
– (843) 805-7055
– info@dwellsmart.com
Or, visit DwellSmart (call for appointment)
– 146 Williman St., Charleston, SC
– www.dwellsmart.com
This concludes The American Institute of
Architects Continuing Education Systems Course