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DwellSmart - Improving Indoor Air Quality
The document discusses indoor air quality improvement strategies, highlighting the importance of non-toxic materials and construction methods to mitigate environmental illnesses such as asthma and sick building syndrome. Key concerns include the prevalence of pollutants indoors, which can exceed outdoor levels, and the documented rise in health issues related to indoor environments. The presentation offers insights into maintaining healthy indoor environments through moisture regulation, controlled ventilation, and sustainable material selection.
DwellSmart - Improving Indoor Air Quality
- 1. Improving Indoor Air Quality MaryGatch info@dwellsmart.com (843) 805-7055 www.dwellsmart.com
- 2. “USGBCSC” is aRegistered 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 presentationis 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 BuildingSyndrome (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 RelatedIllness (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 • Somecommon 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 • Inspirationand 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 WaterEfficiency 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. EliminatingSources 2. Moisture Regulation 3. Controlled Ventilation 4. Air and Water Purification 5. Measure and Monitor
- 15. 1. Eliminating Sources VolatileOrganic 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 EliminatingSources 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 Pesticidesand 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 ElectricalPollution • 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 Importanceof 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 ConstructionTips – 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 • Reducematerials 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 IndoorEnvironmental 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
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