This document provides an overview of indoor air quality and factors that can impact it. It discusses potential sources of indoor air contaminants, the role of HVAC systems, common health complaints, and methods for investigating indoor air quality issues including environmental measurements and remedial actions. Regulatory requirements for indoor air quality are also summarized. The goal is to familiarize participants with indoor air quality and maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

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.

6. Four Elements of IAQ Dilemma
Source
HVAC
Pathway
Occupants

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

13. Conducting and IAQ
Investigation
Collect and Review Existing Records
Conduct a Walkthrough Inspection
Collect Detailed Information

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

16. Regulatory Requirements
OSHA-General Duty Clause
OPNAVINST 5100.23F
ASHSHARE 62-1999 Ventilation for
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality

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.