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Indoor Air Quality

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Indoor Air Quality INDOOR AIR QUALITY Haun Environmental Consulting, Inc. 3930 Cove Road Edgewater, Maryland 21037 PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES • What are our ongoing indoor air quality measures? • What do we do when notified of an indoor air quality issues? • What is mold growth & how does it occur? • Requirements needed for mold growth • Understanding mold sampling & sampling data interpretation • CCPS Statistics • Questions ONGOING INDOOR AIR QUALITY MEASURES • CO2 sensors constantly monitor air quality in all large spaces. • All buildings have outside air/makeup air dampening systems which are tied directly to the HVAC systems. • Air dampers open and close electronically in order to properly regulate the amount of fresh air being mixed with the conditioned air. • Energy Recovery Ventilators work to bring fresh air into the buildings and condition the air and return vents remove ‘stale’ air • Energy Coordinator and HVAC maintenance staff regularly monitor temperature and humidity levels at various points in all buildings via our computerized energy management system. • Filters are replaced on a regular and scheduled basis. • Routine and scheduled maintenance of all HVAC systems. • HVAC systems are run throughout the summer and on weekends (if necessary) to help control humidity issues. • Floor finish contains Microban technology that provides added level of proactive protection against microbes. • Whittaker floor cleaners used to clean carpets which helps to reduce water and energy usage. • Staff watch/inspect for condensation and wet spots and eliminate sources of moisture. CCPS RESPONSE TO INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONCERN • Check the energy management system and compare to actual readings in specific building area and make necessary system adjustments. • Instruct custodial staff to immediately clean and dry all affected surfaces with appropriate cleaning agents. • If necessary, place portable dehumidifiers and/or air scrubbers in impacted area. • If high humidity: locate moisture source – roof leak, condensation, mechanical failure, staff actions and implement necessary corrections. • Consult with independent Industrial Hygienist, Haun Environmental Consulting. MOLD BASICS • Mold: a term used to refer to fungi that grown in the form of multi-cellular thread like structures called hyphae • Molds are fungi that can be found indoors & outdoors • Mold spores can grow on almost any surface • Water or excessive moisture speeds up mold growth • Mold does not need sunlight to grow, only needs a spore and right temperature (damp/dark environment) • Mold can damage & break down organic matter (wood, drywall paper) REQUIREMENTS FOR MOLD GROWTH • Moisture or high relative humidity indoor (>60% RH) • Temperature between 40-100 F • Organic Matter • Source of Spore • Mold growth or colonies can start to grow on a damp surface within 24-48hr COMMON INDOOR MOLD TYPES • Cladosporium • Penicillium • Alternaria • Aspergillus BLACK MOLD - STACHYBOTRYS • Also known as black mold or toxic black mold • Rarely found in isolation, always occurring the presence of fungi • Often detected in cellulose rich building materials from damp or water damaged building materials • Organism is found in soil and strata rich in cellulose • Hay, grain, plant debris, wood pulp, fabrics, straw, hemp, dead roots, cotton, paper RELATIVE HUMIDITY MOISTURE MEASUREMENT • EXTECH Moisture Meter • Ambient Temperature readings • Relative Humidity • Moisture Content ( wood & other building materials) • Indoor Relative humidity EPA Guideline: Keep RH (30-50%) ALLERGENCO SPORE TRAP AIR SAMPLING • AIHA direct examination mold spore trap air sampling method approach. This method involves collecting an air sample from two environments (Indoor environment / Outdoor environment). • HEC uses this method to determine if there are elevated spore counts in the indoor environments sampled that are different when compared with the exterior control air sample. The air samples are collected on Allergenco Spore Trap cassettes, through which 75 liters of air passed at a calibrated flow rate of 15 liters per minute. The samples are sent to analyzed by direct microscopy at AMA Analytical in Lanham, MD. AMA Analytical is an AIHA accredited laboratory for microbial analysis MOLD TAPE LIFT & SWAB SAMPLING / ANALYSIS Mold Tape Lift Sampling: • Mold Tape Lift Sample Methods and Results: • HEC collects surface mold tape lift samples, which are analyzed by direct microscopy by AMA Analytical Laboratory in Lanham, MD, an AIHA-accredited laboratory. In using this approach, the examination of the surface mold tape lift will indicate any mold present in the given area. • Quantification • • Rare: <1,600 sp/in2 • • Few: 1,600 to 16,000 sp/in2 • • Moderate: > 16,000 to 160,000 sp/in2 • • Heavy: > 160,000 sp/in2 CCPS STATISTICS • 10 schools, 3 Judy Centers/FSC, Central Office, COA, SSC – 16 buildings • 20 portable classrooms • Over 900,000 square feet of occupied permanent space and 19,000 square feet of portables • Approximately 25,000 square feet impacted with indoor air quality issues. • Less than 3% of the total square footage. • Staff: 5 maintenance (2 HVAC trained; 1 energy manager QUESTIONS.
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