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1998 Indoor air quality: Office health, saftey and well-being

Ha, Mona M.

Ha, M. M. (1998). Indoor air quality: Office health, saftey and well-being (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/15102 http://hdl.handle.net/1880/26308 master thesis

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INDOOR AIR QUALITY Office Health, Safety and Well-Being

Mona M. Ha

4 Master's Degree Project submitted to the Faculty of Environmental Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Design (Planning)

The Faculty of Environmental Design The University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta

September 1998 National Library EEzzr nationale Acquisitions and AcquMiors et Bibliographic Services services bWrographiques 395 Weaingm Street 395. w- OttawaON KIA- O~awaW- KIAW Canada CaMda

The author has granted a nono L7auteura accorde une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive pennettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliothrne nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distriiute or sell reproduire, prh, distriiuer ou copies of this thesis m microform, vendre des copies de cette these sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/fih, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format electroniqye.

The author retains ownerdip of the L7autemconserve la propriete5 du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit &auteur qui prot&gecette these. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la these ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent 6tre imprimes reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autoxisation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank Professor Tang Lee for his introduction to designing safe and healthy environments and increasing the awareness of my surroundings. Ris constructive critique of this project was greatly appreciated I am gmtefid for his support and encouragement in completing this project, even on those many days when it seemed fa hmpossible.

I appreciate the motivation and editorial support offered by my peers.

Most of all, I am grateful to my family and loved ones for their support, patience and unconditional love - for pushing me forward and onward with my life. TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... w...... III

TABLE OF CONTENTS ..o..oow...... ooo.o...... o...... ~...H~WOO~OO.OOOO.~OO..O~..O~O..O~w~~..~o.ooo.o.o.~~~.~.o~..o~...... IV LIST OF TABLES moowoo ..~ooo.o..o..~o~ooo.oomo~om.~moo~ooooomm.*.ow~~mmom~~.ooooo***ooo~~o o~oo~o~~o~~moo~mo~~oo~~~~~oo~oo~~o~~~~~~~~~VII LIST OF FIGURES ...... 0.W ABSTRACT...... VIII: 1.0 INTRODUCTION...... w...... w...... 9 1.1 STUDY RATIONaE ...... -9 1-2 STUDY OBECTIVES...... -...... 9 1.3 METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY ...... 10 1.3.1 Literature Review...... 10 1.3.2 Keycontacts ...... 11 1.3.3 SituationalReview...... -...... 11 1.3.4 Recomendations for Healthy Indoor Air, ...... 12 1.3.5 Limitations ofthe Study ...... 12 1.4 OVERVIEW OF THE MASTER'S DEGREE PROJECT ...... 13 2.0 THE CASE FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT ...... 15 2.1 CONCERNS FOR HEALTHY INDOOR AIR IN THE WORKPLACE ...... 15 2.2 MEASUREMENT OF AMBIENT AND INDOOR AIE2 POLLUTION ...... 16 2.3 MAJOR FACTORS DRIVING CONCERN FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY ...... 17 2.3.1 Amount of Time Spent Indoors ...... -17 2.3.1. t Greater Risk of Exposure ...... 17 2.3 -2 Increasing Dependence on McialProducts .....--.-- ...... 18 2.3.2.1 Increase in Sources of Air Pollution ...... 18 2.3.3 Energy Conservation...... 19 . * 2.3 -4 Advances in Mehcme...... -20 2.4 SUMMARY...... 20 3.0 IAQ IN THE OFFICE BUILDING ENVIRONMENT...... 21 3.1 Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality ...... *.21 3.1.1 Modifications of the HVAC System...... 21 3.2 Indoor Air Quality and Office Buildings ...... 22 3.2.1 Indoor Air Quality in the Canadian Context ...... 22 3-3 Indoor Air Quality Health Concems...... 23 3.3.1 Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) ...... -24 3-3 -2 Building-Related Ilhess (BRI) ...... -24 3-3 -3 Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) ...... 25 3.3 -4 Other Environmental Stressors ...... -26 3.4 Health and Well-Being ...... 27 3-5 Health Effectsof Poor Indoor Air Quality ...... 28 3.5.1 Increasing Incidences of Respiratory Illnesses ...... ,., ...... -28 3.5.2 Toxins and the Body ...... 29 3.6 Defining Acceptable Indoor Air QuaLity ...... 31 3 -7 FACTORS AFFECTING hdoor Air Quality ...... 3 1 3.7.1.1 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) ...... -32 3.7.12 Micoorganisms ...... 34 3.7.1.3 Carbon Monoxide ...... ,...... 35 3.7.2 Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC)...... 35 3 -8 Approaches to Solving Indoor Air wty Roblems ...... -38 3.8. 1 Measurement of Indoor Air PoUution ...... ,...... 39 3.8.2 Building Investigation Procedures ...... , ...... 39 3.8.3 Some Solutions to Indoor Air Pollution ...... 40 3.9 SOCIOLOGICAL. . IMPLICATI:ONS ...... 41 3.9.1 Commun~cahon...... ,...... 42 3.10 ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUA.LITY ...... 45 4.0 INDOOR AIR QUALITY STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES ...... 48 4.1 STANDARDS AND GULDELINES ...... 48 4.1.1 Canadian Standards Association (CSA)...... 49 4.1 -2 ASHRAE 's Ventilation Standards ...... 49 4.1.2.1 The History of Ventilation Standards ...... SO 4.2 NOORAIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR OFFICE BUILDINGS ...... 51 4.2.1 Acceptable Indoor Air Quality Standard ...... 51 4.2.1 -1The Ventilation Rate Procedure (WW) ...... -52 4.2.1.2 Carbon Dioxide Measurement ...... 54 4.2.1.3 Indoor Air Quality Procedure ...... -54 4.2.2 Indoor Air Quality Health and Safety Standard ...... 55 4.2.3 Canada Labour Code Part LX ...... 57 4.2.3.1 The Role of Employers and Employees in the Workplace ...... 58 4.2.3.2 Rights, Obligations and Liability ...... 58 4.2.4 Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA) ...... 60 4.2.5 EPA's Indoor Air Quality Guide ...... , ...... *...... *...... 60 4.2.5.1 Communicating to Prevent IAQ Problems ...... -61 4.2.5.2 Establish a System for Responding to Complaints ...... 63 5.0 A REVIEW OF EXISTING WORKPLACE IAQ INITIATIVES ...... 65 5.1 Environmental Standards in Corporations ...... 65 5.1.1 The University of Calgary ...... , ...... -65 5.1 -2 The University of Waterloo ...... 67 5.1.3 The University of Minnesota ...... -58 5.1.4 The City of Calgary ...... 69 5.1.5 NOVA ...... 69 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACEXEVING HEALTHY IAQ ...... 75 6.1 INTRODUCTION ...... *.75 6.1.1 TheRealityofIndoorAirQuality...... 75 6.1 -2 Education and Commmcabon ...... 76 6.1.3 Management of Indoor Air Quality in the Workplace ...... 77 6.1.4 Government... Intervention ...... 78 6.1 -5 An Interd~sc~plma~yApproach ...... 79 6.1.6 Developing a Preventative Approach to Solving Indoor Air Quality Problems ....80 6.1 -7 Ethical and Legal Responsibilities ...... 80 6.1.8 VariableWorkArrangements....-...... -...... 81 6.2 OmCONSIDERATIONS ...... 82 6.3 CONCLUSION...... 82 REFERENCES...... *.85

APPENDIX A: Key Contacts ...... 92 APPENDIX B: IAQ Questionnaire and Responses ...... 96 APpEM>DC C:Summary of Common Air Pollutants ...... 99 APPENDIX D: Indoor Air Wty Guides ...... 100 APPENDIX E: Table of Contents for The Building Air Quality ...... 102 APPENDIX F: IAQ Complaint Fonns and Incident Logs ...... ~~..~~~~~~.~.~~~~..~~~~~103 APPENDIX G: NOVA Chemicals Indoor Air Qdify Guideke...... tttttttttttttt104 APPENDIX H: University of Minnesota's Scent-Free Policy ...... 105 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Some Common Outdoor and Indoor Contaminants ...... 19 Table 2 Factors in the Development of IAQ Problems ...... 32 Table 3 Typical PolIutants in the Indoor Environment-...... 33 Table 4 Commonly Encountered VOCs and their Sources...... 34 Table 5 Economic Implications Associated with Environmental Stressor Exposure ...... 46 Table 6 bGnimum VentiIation Rates for Occupied Spaces...... ~..~.~..~..~~.~...~~....~...... ~.~~.....~~. 53

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Indoor Air Quality Health Concerns ...... 25 Figure 2 CMHC Estimation of Respiratory Illness Among Canadians ...... 29 Figure 3 Exposure Route of Chemical Toxins ...... 30 Fi,w e 4 Major Causes of Indoor Air Quality ...... 37 Figure 5 Indoor Air Quality Investigation Procedure ...... 44 Figure 6 History of ASHRAE Ventilation Standards ...... 51 Figure 7 Responsibilities of Safety and Health Representatives ...... 59 Figure 8 Flow Chart of Action Required for IAQ Investigations ...... 66 Figure 9 School of Social Work Scent Free Statement...... 70 Figure 10 NOVA'S IAQ Informational Bulletin...... 72 Figure 1 1 Steps to Developing an Indoor Air Quality Policy ...... 84

vii ABSTRACT

Indoor Air Quality: Office Health, Sdety, and Well-Being

Mona M, Ha

September 1998

Prepared in partial fidfWnent of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Design The Faculty of Environmental Design The University of Calgary

Supervisor: Tang G. Lee

Traditionally, discussion of air pollution has centred around the effects on outdoor environments (Smith, 1993). Air pollution conjured up graphic illustrations of black clouds spewing out of industrial smokestacks or modern cities overcast by hazy smog. Much of this was a consequence of our growing demand for urban goods and services that lead to greater dependence for the polluting qualities of vehicles, industries, and residences. Moreover, our patterns of land use and transportation systems were and still are designed to support such lifestyles. The accelerated pace of technology also increased society's insatiable consumption of modem inventions such as washers, gas ovens, refrigeraton, air-conditioners, and water heaters (Hunter, 1989; Stewart, 1979). Today, we are realizing that not only do all of these mobile and stationary pollutant sources have a negative impact on regional ambient air quality but affect the quality of the air indoors, particularly in the office working environment where many of us spend a majority of our time. With the knowledge acquired in the last several decades our current concerns and research initiatives have now shifted to the effects of poor indoor air quality (Huttie, 1994; Kroll-Smith and Couch, 199 1).

A complex relationship exists between indoor air quality @AQ)and workplace health, safety and well-being. This study has indicated that there is a lack of initiative on the part of companies to address IAQ issues comprehensively. While there is growing support for the implementation of indoor air quality management programs, indoor pollution problems are generally dealt with exclusively through the maintenance and operation of building ventilation systems. This study explores the scope of indoor air quality problems in the office workplace, how they may be effectively addressed, and the importance of having indoor air quality standards and policies in the office workplace.

KEY WORDS: indoor air quality, indoor air pollution, office buildings, sick building syndrome, building-related illness, occupational health and safety, ventilation 1.1 STUDY RATIONALE

While addressing environmental health and safety issues in the workplace has long been a mandate in many industrial work sites, dealing with similar issues with regard to '-white collar" employees in office settings has often lagged behind. However, the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s initiated a concern for occupant health and safety in non-industrial indoor environments. B appeared that an emphasis during this time on energy conservation measures, such as reducing the amount of fresh air intake into the ventilation system to lower costs, had varying effects on occupant health and safety. As a result, the justification for these conservation measures were seriously questioned when complaints related to occupant health and comfort in the non- industrial workplace increased dramatically from the late 1970s through to the 1980s (Hill,et. al., 1992).

Today, the accumulation of research over the last several decades in various disciplines has addressed the potential health risks present 6rom indoor air pollution, and has influenced more appropriate building design and maintenance methods (Morey and Shattuck, 1989). However, indoor air quality (IAQ) problems are almost exclusively approached reactively rather than proactively and with emphasis on a building's mechanical system and operation. Efforts are directed at mitigating problems as they arise rather than trying to prevent them in the first place. While the development of a formal IAQ management hnework is presently lacking in the non- industrial workplace, support is continually growing for indoor air quality issues, in terms of research and management practices. Addressing all IAQ issues through the implementation of a indoor air quality management program, policy or guideline is considered to be the optimum approach to dealing with indoor air quality in the workplace @PA, 1991). IAQ and its potential health implications are also becoming inmasingly more familiar to the general public. Therefore, the demand for a more comprehensive procedure or guideline addressing indoor air quality issues in the wodrplace is becoming much more a reality.

1.2 STUDY OBJECrrvES

This study was undertaken to understand the implications of indoor air quality in the non- industrial office workplace, to determine how companies address indoor air quality issues, and to

Chapter 1.0 Introduction assess whether or not guidelines or policies have a role in developing effective strategies for the management of indoor air quality. The foUowing is a List of some of the questions that were formulated as a basis for the study objectives:

'ls UQ a concent in the worRplace? "

'ls there awareness about L4Q? "

"What are organisations doing to address L4Q issues?

"Xow do employees or building occupants raise concern or make complaints about poor air quality?"

From these questions, the following study objectives were developed:

To descnie the historical phenomenon of sick building syndrome (SBS) in the workplace and its impacts on physical, social, and economic well-being;

To review existing workplace policies, programs, and regulations, or Iack thereof, which address the safety, health, and well-being of individuals in the context of indoor air quality in office building environments; and

To recommend and discuss strategies for achieving healthy indoor air quality in the ofice setting-

1.3 METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

The main approach of this study is descriptive and explanatory in nature. The emphasis on certain aspects of the research topic shifted during the course of the study as information gathered either supported or rejected earlier assumptions. The literature review and personal contacts with individuals &om varying disciplines comprised a significant part of the information base. A very small sampling of local businesses was also attempted but results were limited.

1.3.1 Literature Review

Current sources of literature were utilized to establish a strong base of howledge regarding the topic of sick building syndrome and indoor air quality, in terms of its history, recent developments, and areas of innovation and further research. The following methods were undertaken during the research process:

-- 10 Chapter 1.0 Introduction publication searches of various professional jounrals (engineering, chit^^, planning, sociology, medicine),

contacting government agencies and professional associations for reports, newsletters, bulletins (AIberta Labom, Occupational Health and Safety Canada, Health and Welfare Canada, Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health, ASHRAE, IAQ Inc.) searches on the World Wide Web and Gopher Sites on the Internet

Alberta Labour Library (database search)

University of CaIgary @OBIS on-he catalogue searches)

Employment Centre Resource Library (information on local organizations)

1.3.2 Key Contacts

Developing contacts -represented an integral part of the research process. Key issues regarding workplace indoor air quality were determined by contacting and inteniewing key informants (e.g. individuals from universities, private companies, The City of Calgary). A list of individuals contacted can be found in Appendix k These key contacts were identified through an on-going network of individuals based on their expertise and howledge of indoor air quality issues (e.g., city employees, university safety officers, safety and health representatives, office managers, building managers, academics, etc.). Because individuals with familiarity of indoor air qua5ty issues were limited, it was necessary to develop initial key contacts and rely on their referrals to other colleagues or individuals. The literature search also proved usefbl in developing new contacts (e-g., research papers, agency documents, websites).

1.3.3 Situational Review

Although substantial literature supports the growing importance of indoor air quality management in the non-industrial workplace, determining its applicability in the local setting was limited. A non-statistical sampling of 50 organizations in downtown Calgary were sent a 2- page questionnaire to determine whether or not they had indoor air quality guidelines or policies implemented in their workplace. These companies were identified based on their size and downtown location using a local business directory- Prior to the development of the questionnaire, an initial attempt was made to contact downtown companies at random by phone.

Responses indicated that Amany of the individuals contacted were not familiar with the topic and it was unlikely that smaller sized companies would have such a policy or guideline in place. As a

- . Chapter 1.0 Introduction I1 resuIt, it was felt that a written questiomak with an introduction to indoor air quality would be a better approach to elicit responses.

While only 14 responses were received, the idonnation did manage to provide a snapshot of the current situation in Calgary wi& regard to indoor air quality issues - the topic of indoor air quality is still ddarto many companies and the concerns for indoor air quality currently appears to be a low priority. In order to have improved the questiomaire results, better responses may have been obtained by using a larger sample size, conducting follow-up, and perhaps providing some sort of incentive to encourage companies to complete the questionnaire. The questi01111aireand responses can be found in Appendix B.

Due to the lack of Calgary examples, an attempt was made to iden* other organizations engaging in the implementation of workplace health and safety programs addressing indoor air quality. Several examples were selected to illustrate how and to what degree organizations address indoor air quality issues within their work environment (e.g., The University of Calgary's Indoor Air Quality Program, The University of Minnesota's Chemical Sensitivity Guidelines, Nova Chemicals, The City of Calgary). They were identified fiom both the literature review and through personal contacts. However, this also provided limited examples of any comprehensive organizational indoor air quality guidehe or policy.

1.3.4 Recommendations for Healthy Indoor Air

The information obtained through personal interviews and the literature review was examined to assess the current situation and growing trends with regards to indoor air quality in order to develop general recommendations. The recommendations discuss whether or not companies are adequately addressing indoor air pollution, approaches to effectively dealing with indoor air quality in the workplace, the various aspects of the indoor air quality issues that need to be fixher addressed, and the need for an indoor air quality management program or policy.

1.3.5 Limitations of the Study

There were several limitations identified dmhg the course of this research, particularly with respect to literature content and local examples found about indoor air quality issues in the workplace.

Attempts were made to locate Canadian sources, however, much of the existing literature was American and those that were written by Canadian authors was often in the US context-

12 Chapter 1.0 Introduction Furthermore, many of the standards and guidelines addresing indoor air quality referenced in Canada have been adopted fiom the US. (e.g. Alberta Building Code, Health Canada, and CMHC reference the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers' guidelines for ventilation). One of the main reasons for the lack of Canadian content is that indoor air quality problems are proportionately larger in the United States (e-g. the number of incidences, factors such as government legislation and an increasing number of lawsuits). Therefore, they have a greater number of resources and initiatives being undertaken dealing with indoor air quality than in Canada However, while Canadian studies and literature may be sparse, lessons can be learned hrnthe American experience, and indoor air quality guidelines and programs such as the US Environmental Protection Agency's are relevant to the Canadian workplace.

Another limitation to the study was the lack of indoor air quaIity initiatives undertaken by local companies, and as a result, local indoor air quality information. Indoor air quality issues did not appear to be a priority in many of the organizations - there appeared to be little awareness or concern regarding indoor air quality issues and a lack of examples illustrating the implementation of indoor air quality standards or policies in the workplace. As a consequence, efforts were made to locate any organization (e.g., u.niversities, non-local companies) with a workplace indoor air quality program or guideline-

1.4 OVERVIEW OF THE MASTER'S DEGREE PROJECT

Chapter 1.0 Introduction This chapter gives a brief historical context and rationale for the study. The research methodology is explained as well as an overview of the topics discussed in th*sstudy.

Chapter 2.0 The Case for Indoor Quality Management

A case for management of indoor air quality is presented. There is a discussion on the forces driving the concern for indoor air quality.

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the Ofice Buildings Emironment

This chapter reviews the phenomenon of "sick building syndrome" and discusses its causes, health effects, and some of the mitigation strategies. The social and economic implications of indoor air quality are also briefly discussed.

Chapter I.0 Introduction 13 Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standmds and Policies

Standards and guidelines drawn up by various agencies, organizations, and associations are described in this chapter.

Chapter 5.0 A Review of WtingIndoor Air QuclIity Initiatives This chapter reviews several organizations and their varying standards and policies addressing indoor air quality in the workplace.

Chapter 6.0 Recommendationsfor Achieving Healthy Indoor Air Quality

This find chapter entails a review of the problems, trends, and strategies implicated with achieving good indoor air quality in the workplace. Areas for fkther research and consideration are also discussed.

Chapter 1.0 Introduction 2.0 THE CASE FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT

2.1 CONCERNS EOREEALTHY INDOOR AIRIN WORKPLACE It has long been recognized that pollutants in the air exist at concentrations deleterious to human heaIth in many industrial settings. During the early L970s, the concern began to shift to non- industrial settings, primarily commercial and public buildings, as well as residential homes (Hicks, 1994). In recent years, scientific evidence has made it increasingly apparent that while being indoors can provide re£bge hm some airborne contaminants, it can increase exposure to others (Sexton, 1993). At the same time, the public has also become more knowledgeable and aware of environmental health issues, ranging hmhealthier dietary intake to avoiding a variety of man-made and naturally occurring carcinogenic substances (Aronoff & Kaplan 1995; Hicks, 1994). For example, once common household substances, asbestos, urea-formaldehyde insulation, and tobacco are now considered serious environmental hazards (AronoE & Kaplan, 1995). Whether our heightened awareness may have resulted from highly publicized incidences or simply a fear of the unknown, the general population has become much more conscience of their living and working surroundings.

The health effects of indoor air contaminants are probably the most significant factor driving the impetus for research into indoor air quality issues. For the last two decades, complaints about poor indoor air quality, and its associated ailments, have become burgeoning problems in our society. Reports of illness outbreaks among building occupants, particularly office workers, have become commonplace, and mounting scientific evidence suggests that respiratory disease, allergy, mucous membrane irritation, nervous system effects, cardiovascular effects, reproductive effects, and lung cancer may be linked to exposures to indoor air pollutants (Sexton, 1993). The outbreaks of building-related illnesses have been investigated and documented by such agencies as Health and Welfare Canada and the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Sawers, 1989). As a result, office managers, building owners, and designers bave acquired increasing responsibilities to mitigate indoor air problems and minimize its associated health risks. (Further information on the health effects of indoor a~ pollutants is referred to in Appendix C)-

Chapter 2.0 TXe Case for Indoor Air Quality 15 2.2 MEASUREMENT OF AMBIENT AND INDOOR AIR POLLUTION Early air pollution monitoring was conducted hmrooftops of public buildings. Locations to take measurements were offen arbitrarily selected based on convenience, security, geographic spread, and general congruence with population distribution (Smith, 1993). Although concentrations of a Wted range of pollutants, primarily particulate matter and airborne proteins (e.g., pollens) were obtained, such measurements ohinaccurately represented individual or population exposures to many pollutants (Smith, 1993). For one reason, it incorrectly assumed a correlation between outdoor levels and health-relevant exposures. Secondly, the monitoring instruments at the time were unsophisticated and abIe only to take measurements of air pollution levels in the immediate vicinity without factoring in varying composition and distribution (Stewart, 1979). Thirdly? the indicators, such as the number of pollutants tested for, were Limited (Tang Lee, 1998).

Technology has greatly improved current devices to measure air pollution. But when it comes to determining health-related effects of air pollution, there is still diEculty in ascertaining accurate exposure levels* Moreover, a number of studies have concluded that indoor and outdoor concentrations of most pollutants are not comparable (Smith, 1993). Present standards (e.g., US Clean Air Act) apply only to outdoor levels of pollution since this is where measurements are most easily made. But since only about 10 percent of people's time in western developed countries is actually spent outdoors, particularly in temperate chates like Canada and the United States, outdoor measurements cannot accurately determine health-related risks fkom indoor exposure (Smith, 1993; Sexton, 1993).

Standards that do refer to indoor air quality are generally concerned with industrial facilities whose workers are subjected to inherent occupational dangers (Stewart, 1979). In an attempt to apply industrial standards to non-industrial buildings (e.g., office and institutional buildings) we have realized that the industrial monitoring devices utilized for measurement are not sensitive enough to detect the low levels commonly emitted by toxins and pollutants found in the office setting. Offices also have different contaminants than found in industrial facifities. Moreover, the potential for synergistic effects of combined chemicals has been either overlooked or poorly understood (Lippy & Turner, 1991). As a result, many of us are misled into thinldng that working in the modem office is much healthier and safw than perhaps labouring away in the "industrial carnage" of cod mines or steel mills (Tataryn 1979). In fact, the standards for permissible levels of contaminants in office environments are generally considered to be unacceptable (Lippy & Twner, 1991).

16 Chapter 2.0 The Case for Indoor Air Quality Management 2.3 MAJOR FACTORS DRIVING CONCERN FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY Four major developments have been suggested as contributing to the growing concern for healthy working and living environments: (1) amount of time spent indoors, (2) increasing dependence on artificial products, (3) energy conservation, and (4) advancements in medicine (Lee et, al,, 1997).

/ 2.3.1 Amount of Time Spent Indoors The average person now spends a majority of their time indoors due to severaI factors, but particularly as a result from a tremendous demographic shift from rural to urban lifestyles (Lee, et-d., 1997). As a result, this lifestye change has increased workplace, recreational and shopping activities to take place in indoor environments. Moreover, our commute to these places has increased dependence on the enclosed automobile. 2.3.1.1 Greater Risk of Ehpsute

Many pollutants have become more serious health hazards because they are present in greater numbers and dosages or the risk of exposure has changed due to circumstances (Aronoff & Kaplan, 1995). Because most people spend a significant portion of their time indoors, indoor pollution concentrations, even if they are uniformly lower than outdoor levels, increase our average exposure over a day, week, season, or year (Sexton, 1993; Aronoff & Kaplan, 1995). Common sources of indoor air pollution include tobacco smoke, biological organisms, building materials and furnishings, cleaning agents, copy machines, and pesticides. Typical symptoms fiom pollutant exposure range from irritation of the nose and throat, coughing and chest constriction (Health Canada, 1998).

Measurement of indoor contaminants in the best buildings and homes, according to one investigation, were found to be 4 times the level found in the air outside (Walkinshaw, 1991). Other recent studies, including one undertaken by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, also concluded Levels of some pollutants to be 2 to 5 times greater indoors than found outdoors (The Canadian Lung Association, in the Air Newsletter, 1995). Studies undertaken by the US Environmental Protection Agency @FA) of human exposures resulted in similar £indings (US Environmental Protection Air and Radiation Agency, 1991). The difference in concentration levels between indoor and outdoor levels is explained by various factors either present only in the indoor air or in greater abundance indoors (e.g., bioeffluents fkom human occupants, off-

Chapter 2.0 The Casefor Indoor Air Quality gassing from man-made materials, the ineffective exchange of indoor and outdoor air within the space).

2.3.2 Increasing Dependence on Artificial Products

In addition to the increasing number of indoor pollutant sources already in existence, the creation of new toxic pollutants, and its accompanying effects, are contindy being manufactured. Since the 1940s, the chemical industry has introduced countless synthetic-based products into commercial and domestic environments. This includes everything fiom building materials and cosmetics to clothing fabrics. This phenomenal rate of chemical production and exposure has tawed the human body's immune system in coping with these foreign agents.

According to Hunter (1989,2), ""inthe 40 years following World War I& a virtual explosion of new chemicals have found their way into almost every type of industrial and consumer product imaginable." There are currently 4 million chemicals recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency - 60,000 of which are commercially fabricated, and an additional three new chemicals produced every single day (Rea, 1992, 7). Tobacco smoke is a perfect example of a highly complex pollutant; it is a contamiuant composed of more than 4000 different compounds (Sexton, 1993).

2.3.2. I Increase in Sources of Air Pollution

Modern indoor environments not only contain a greater number but a complex mixture of potential sources of air pollution. This includes synthetic building materials, consumer products, and microorganisms. People, pets, and plants that inhabit the indoor space also contribute to increase airborne emissions, such as body odour, dander, and microorganisms (Hicks, 1994). -Furthermore, the build-up of pollutants generated indoors will be much more likely with the efforts to lower energy costs by reducing ventilation rates (Sexton, 1993). Table 1 Some Common Outdoor and Indoor Contaminants summarizes common outdoor and indoor pollutant sources,

18 Chapter 2-0 The Casefor Indoor Air Qualiiy Management Table 1 Some Common Outdoor and Indoor Contaminants CONTAMINANT I ORIGIN OF CONTAMINATION v Outdoor Sources

Carbon Monoxide Combustion products (tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, appliances, kerosene heater)

Nitrogen Dioxide Combustion products (vehicle exhaust, appliances, kerosene heaters, power generating plants)

Ozone Outdoor +(ozone ahhas mdoor sources such as copy machines, Iaser printers, ion generators)

Radon BuiIding materZals, soil gas

SuKuDioxide Outdoor air, combustion products (coal-fired power generating plants, kerosene heaters) I -. Pnmarrlv Indoor Sources

Carbon Dioxide Respiration, tobacco smoke, other combustion products

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Occupants, second-hand smoke

Formaldehyde Furnishings, upholstery, consumer products, environmental tobacco smoke, building materi&, insulation, plywood, particleboard

Volatile Organic Compounds Office furnishings, dyes, consumer products, cleaning solution, building materials, paints stains, adhesives, caulks. Semi-VOC: pesticides, fire- retardants, insulating fluids for electrical equipment, byproduct of microbes-

Source: Aronoff and Kaplan, 1995,170

2.3.3 Energy Conservation

The OPEC oil crisis in the early 1970's forced a variety of industries to alter the physical design and operational maintenance of their indoor environments in order to reduce the costs of energy consumption. One of the energy conservation methods practiced was to lower the amount of fkesh air brought into the ventilation system. However, these energy-conserving strategies tended to compromise occupant health.

Chapter 2.0 me Carefor Indoor Air Quaii4 19 2.3.4 Advances in Medicine Another factor that has had implications for the Encrease in building-related illnesses has been the rapid technological advances in the field of medicine. Continuing scientific research has enabled people to live much longer and survive circwces which they otherwise would not have in the past. The progressiveness of medicine has especially sustained the Lives of those individuals with reduced levels of immunity. Generally, it is those individuals dering fiom environmental sensitivities and lowered immune systems that are considerably affected by the toxic indoor environment created by the first three fators. Aptly, these individuals are quite often considered to be the modem "coal mine canaries" -they warn the general popuiation of the potential health risks of our increasingly chemical-based surmundingsgs

Due to the increasing awareness and concern for indoor air quality problems, the purpose of this study is to ascertain the general climate in which indoor air quality issues are deal+ This Master's Defence Project (MDP) will examine whether or not guidelines and policies are being developed to address indoor air quality in the non-industrial office workplace. This study will also review several companies and academic institutions, both locally and in the US, with varying levels of indoor air quality guidelines and policies. The final chapter of this study will discuss trends associated with indoor air quality as weU as recommendation for achieving healthfir1 indoor air in the workplace.

20 Chapter 2.0 The Casefor Indoor Air Quality Management 3.0 IAQ IN THE Ol?FICE BUILDING ENVIRONMENT

"You spend 90 per cent of your Zfe indoors - more than a third of that at work - trnpped in air that may befur more polluted than the air o~ide" (Glenn, 1992,581-

3.1 ENERGY EFFIC1ENCY AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY Complaints regarding building-related illnesses were initially reported in the late 1960s and escalated in the 19709, particularly regarding new or remodelIed bddings (EXicks, 1994). In the past, the construction of indoor environments emphasized the use of natural lighting and ventilation techniques - although solidly constructed, building envelopes were still breathable (Hill et al., 1992). With the presence of advanced building methods, systems designed to heat, ventilate, and cool space @now11 as HVAC systems) were eventually introduced to improve occupant comfort. Striving for energy efficiency, however, become of utmost concern in 1973 as a result of the Arab oil embargo. Building owners and operators were forced to reduce the energy costs of heating and cooling their buildings (Aronoff & Kaplan, 1995). As a consequence, the airtight characteristic of modem edifices, coupled with the energy crisis, compromised the quality of indoor air in many office workplaces.

3.1.1 Modifications of the HVAC System The most significant measure to reduce energy consumption was the modification of the ventilation system design and operation of new buildings while old buildings were retrofitted (Shaw, Reardon, & Cheung, 1993). At that time, the American Society of Heating, Refkigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) published new ventilation standards in 1973, and subsequently revised it in 1975, encouraging recirculation of outdoor air (Hicks, 1994; Hill et al., 1992). In addition to lowering ventilation rates, buildings were constructed with inoperable windows leaving occupants without control of their working environment (e.g., ventilation, thermal control). Furthermore, chemical-based synthetic materials with off-gassing properties r5pIaced natural building materials like wood and stone, and there was introduction of pollution producing devices (e-g., photocopiers, lazer printer, laminators, etc.) As a result, poor ventilation and a build-up of indoor contaminants deteriorated the quality of indoor air and steadily increased the complaints of indoor air quality over the last 15 years (Koch, 1987). The

------Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air QuuIity in the Ofice Building Environment 21 ASHRAE standard was fiuther amended in the current 1989 operating standard to increase ventilation in response to sick building syndrome incidences.

3.2 INDOOR AIR QUALITY AM) OFFICE BUILDINGS Indoor air quality @A@was one of the first building-related health concerns of office occupants and has been the most highly publicized. Although research into indoor air quality was well under way in Britain and countries in noahem Europe, it was in its inficy in North America. Three signiscant European studies (two British investigations, and the Danish Hall Study) were undertaken, in 1984 and 1987 respectively, to assess the relationship between building characteristics and occupant compIaints ~iss.1989). Each study had somewhat differing conclusions regarding the source of the problems. While the complaint rates of work-related symptoms (e-g., lethargy, mucous membrane initation, and headache) varied substantially among buildings, all three studies, nevertheless, suggested that these health outbreaks appeared to be unusually common in the office workforce.

The topic of indoor air quality has attracted so much attention over the past decade that there are now regular conferences throughout the world devoted entirely to indoor air quality research. For example, the International Confeence on Indoor Air Quality and Climate is held every three years - hdoor Air '96 was its 7th international conference. Indoor Environment '98, and Healthy Buildings4XQ '97 are other regularly held conferences organized to receive worldwide input from building occupants, health and building professionals, and policymakers (hdoor Environment '98, 1998, http:l/m-iaqpubs.com/co~~html).Furthermore, there are many industry publications such as L4Q Ptiblications, Indoor Environment Review, and Building Science that make current research and resources on the issue available (Indoor Air Quality Publications Inc., 1998, http:f/www.iaqpubs.com). The US Environmental Protection Agency @PA) is one of the leading agencies that publishes and makes readily available to the public up- to-date fact sheets, articles and handbooks.

3.2.1 Indoor Air Quality in the Canadian Context Two particular incidences brought indoor air pollution to the Canadian consciousness. In the winter of 1980, the Canadian Department of National Health and WeIfare imposed a ban on urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) after it had been installed in over 50,000 homes across the country (Walkinshaw, 1991). At the time. heaIth risks from formaldehyde had been identified by numerous studies and its use was already banned in countries like the Netherlands (Aronoff and

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the weeBuilding Environment KapIan, 1995). Although this case focussed on residential insuIation, formaldehyde was and still is a compound readily used in the construction of building materiaIs and countless indoor furnishings.

Another highly publicized case was documented in 1979. Soon after occupying a newly constructed government office complex known as Les Terrasses de la Chaudiere in HaQuebec, workers brought forth numerous health complaints (Arono ff & Kaplaa, 1995). Epidemiological studies conducted in 1983-84 indicated that most of the occupants of Les Terraces snffered fkom building-related upper respiratory tract and eye initation (Walkinshaw, 1991; Aronoff & Kaplan, 1995). Several studies were undertaken to identify the problem source only to result in varying conclusions. Some of the investigations suggested that flaws in the design and construction of the building were to blame. Examples included decaying food and debris left in air ducts during construction, washroom vents that were not connected to roof vents, and migration of air fkom the exhaust vents to air intakes. One study went so far as to conclude that the conditions were within statutory health and safety standards and were therefore acceptable. While causes of the problem were never clearly identified, it was suspected that many of the problems were caused by poor ventilation, and as a consequence, the building has notoriously been called "Les Terrasses de la Shoddy Air" (Chisholm and Driedger, 1992).

Another more recent incident of sick building syndrome occurred in Halifax. Throughout the 1980s, hundreds of hospital employees at Camp W Medical Centre complained of symptoms such as headaches and fatigue (Chisholm and Driedger, 1992). By the early 1990s, approximately 600 of the 1,100 employees had taken sick days because of health-related symptoms caused by contaminants in the air conditioning system and poorly situated exhaust ducts. Ultimately, so1utions to rectifl the problems with the building resulted in millions of dollars on renovations, consultant fees, and payments f?om Workers' Compensation Board and the hospital to employees who suffered from chronic symptoms.

3.3 INDOOR AIR QUALITY HEALTH CONCERNS

There are two general cases classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for acute health complaints attributed to the occupancy of modem non-industrial buildings: (1) sick building syndrome, and (2) building-reIated illness (EPA, 1991; Hicks, 1994). A third, more controversial incident referred to as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)a.fUicts individuals who have become highly sensitive to the physical environment (Mack, 1994). EPA also identifies a fourth episode described as a "clustef' of health problems. This cluster is characterized by

-- Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the mceBuilding Environment 23 building occupants experiencing rare or serious health problems such as cancer, miscarriages, or Lou Gehrig's disease. However, it is extremely rare for poor IAQ to be identified as the underlying cause of a cluster incident @PA, 1991). Therefore, this fourth case will not be discussed in any Merdetail. Figure 1 Indoor Air Quality Health Concerns illustrates the differences characterizing the first three health complaintsc

33.1 Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) The term sick-building syndrome (SBS) refers to situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be Wed to the amount of time spent in the building. The symptoms typically appear early in the morning, peak in the aftexnoon, and disappear shortly ater leaving the work premises (Glenn, t 992; Clark and Nikkel, 1994). Due to its anonymous nature, this e][~vironmentalcondition is often identified by a plethora of terminology (e-g., tight building syndrome, environmental ihess, twentieth century disease). However, SBS is the most widely used term and one that is preferred by the World Health Organization (Baker, 1989; =cks, 1994).

Specifically, SBS is characterized by non-speciffc symptoms that do not fit the pattern of any particular illness and cannot be linked to an identifiable source PA, 1991). While the nature of SBS makes diagnosis of symptoms very diEcuIt, common maladies include headache, dizziness, nausea, a mynose, buming eyes, a scratchy throat, and a dry, persistent cough. Some complaints are even more general such as fatigue, irritability, nervousness, or lack of concentration.

3.3.2 Building-Related Illness (BRI) Building-Related Illness (BW, though easier to diagnose, is a more serious manifestation of the same architectural phenomenon. They are classified as non-communicable illnesses that may be diagnosable and can be linked to specific pollutants or contaminants inside buildings (Hicks, 1994; G~M,1992; Sexton, 1993; EPA, 1991)- The cause of BRI is often be traced back to viruses, bacteria, firngi or other microorganisms that tend to flourish in the moist environments of humidifying and air conditioning systems (Glenn, 1992). Its victims suffer fiom clinically definable illnesses such as Legionnaire's Disease, humidifier fever, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or asthma. BRI is also characterized by flu-like symptoms, including wateryeyes, sneezing and coughing, shortness of breath, fever, Iethargy, dizziness and digestive problems (Glenn, 1992).

24 Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the me Building Environment Figure 1 Indoor Air Quality Health Concerns Source: Sekiya, 1992,49; Mack, 1994; EPA, 1991, modified

3.3.3 Multiple Chemical Sensitivity @ICS) Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or environmental illness is a more baing condition characterized as a "chronic and multi-symptomatic complex". Approximately 2 to I0 percent of the total population are reported to be suffering from this condition (black, 1994, 32). However, it is suggested that the number of people actually actedwith MCS is likely much higher than accounted for, therefore making the given statistics misleading (Ellwood-Wright, 1993). It is &own exactly how many Canadians are suffering from MCS, primarily because the symptoms tend to be disguised as virtually any type of physical or psychologicd disorder (Mack, 1994).

There is a wide range of symptoms reported including depression, fatigue, irritabilityy poor concentration, migraines, and respiratory problems (S ekiya, 1992). More seriously, symptoms appear to involve various bodily systems including respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiovascular systems. It is speculated that MCS individuals were at some point in their life chronically exposed to an ovenvhelming number of chemical toxins, which eventually lead to the highly sensitization and shut down of their bodies.

- - Chapter 3.0 hdoor Air Qr~aIityin the qffice Building Environment 25 MCS is not currently recognized by many of the major medical organhtions, but this is slowIy changing. Much of the existing medical opinion is in disagrrement as to whether or not MCS has physiological or psychological foots, and therefore fkther research is necessary- Furthermore, the issue of whether or not those people who believe they are suffmhg fbm chemical sensitivity are entitled to access under the disability and worker's compensation regulations has become an concern for facility managers and has increased pressure for continued research on the topic (EPA, 1991)-

3.3.4 Other Environmental Stressors The difticuIty in diagnosing symptoms of sick buiIding syndrome is augmented not only by the contaminants in the air but it is also influenced by other enviroammtal stressors affecting health and comfort (Vital Signs, 1996). A number of environmental and personal factors can affect how people perceive the quality of the indoor air, even in situations where the quality of the indoor environment is considered acceptable (EPA, 1997; WOO~S,1989). The following is a List of factors that can influence both the level of pollutants as well as the perceptions of air quality in the workplace: odours temperature (too hot or too cold) air velocity and movement (too drafty or stuf3j1) heat or glare form sunlight glare fkom ceiling lights, especially on computer monitor screens fimiture crowding stress in the workplace or home feelings about physical aspects of the workplace: location work environment availability of natural light the aesthetics of office design, such as colour and style work space ergonomics, including height and Location of computer, and adjustability of keyboards and desk chairs noise and vibrations levels selection, location, and use of office equipment (EPA, 1997)

Office complexes have other added factors that may contribute to poor indoor air quality. Office buildings often have open-floor layouts for flexibility. UnfortunateIy, this configuration is not always conducive to consistent and appropriate flow* of air. For instance, workstation dividers have a tendency to block air flow patterns fiom reaching all pockets of space (Lee, personal

26 Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the WceBuirding Environment communication, 1998; VacuIik and Shaw, 1991)- As a rdt, some workstations are over- ventilated while others are inadequately ventilated even though the total ventilation (outdoor airmpply) rate being supplied is in compliance with operating standards (Shaw, Zhang, Vaculi.

Magee, 1992). It is particularly important to control air pressure relationships in mixed-use buildings or buildings with special use areas (e.g., laboratory, hair salon, crafts room) where fluctuations of positive and negative pressures wilI likely wreak havoc with the ventilation system @PA, 1991). In this respect, large office buildings with varying tenants present challenges to the designer who seldom knows the workstation layout during the ventiIation system design stage. Moreover, the building's system may not be able to support the changing uses inherent with tenant turnover, therefore compromising the ventilation efficiency (Shaw, Zhang, VacuLik, Magee, 1992; EPA, 1991).

3-4 HEALTH AND WELL-BEING According to the World Health Organization (WHO),health is defined as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (Polakoff, 1984). Similarly, Hanks et al. (1979, 1645) fbrther defines well-being as "the condition of being content, healthy or successful." Many individuals in today's modem society place great value on happiness and prosperity, and maintaining physical health is a large component in attaining this. It is difficult to achieve total fblfihent without the harmony of both health and well-being.

The issues of health and well-being are important concepts to consider in understanding and achieving healthy workplace environments. It has been estimated that in today's administration- and financial-based cities, an average person spends approximately 90 percent of their daily Life indoors, and many of those hours are on the job (Glenn, 1992, 58; Hill et al., 1992, 101). The idea that clean outdoor air is necessary to promote health and well-being indoors has been expressed since the 18'h century. For example, Benjamin Franklin recognized that operable windows allowed for more unpolluted air in rooms. In the lgmcentury, providing large amounts of outdoor air was thought to be helpful in lowering the risk of airborne disease such as tuberculosis (Morey and Shattuck, 1989).

There are many factors present in the workplace that can have effects on individual mental health and well-being on the job (Polakoff, 1984). While aIl occupations, to varying degrees, have built-in stresses and gratification, the anxieties can reach inordinate levels if the environment in

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the mce Building Environment 27 which an individual works is contaminated with indoor air contaminantstsThere is a risk of rapid physical deterioration, exacerbated by emotional and psychological stress- Eventually, such conditions can easily permeate other aspects of an individual's Life (Clutterbuck, 1984). For example, this belief that health and well-being can be achieved hugh a balanced physical, emotional and psychological state is the underfying pdnciple in the incrdg presence of workplace health promotion programs. Many large corporations are buying into the concept that healthy and happy employees impact productivity levels and therefore profits (Opatz, 1994; Angrosino, 1987)

3.5 HEALTH EFFECTS OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY The construction of tightly sealed building envelopes has raised significant concerns regarding the health and safety of the workplace. According to one study undertaken for Health and Welfare Canada, air quality was the number one environmental concern in the home, workplace and school (Report to Health and Welfie Canada, Decirna Research 1993). In 1994,65 percent of Canadians said they were very concerned about the quality of air they breathe ("Canadians and the Environment," Gallup Canada poll, June 1994)- Many office workers Mering fkom sick building syndrome or building-related illness have been reported to experience eye, nose and throat irritations (Samet & Spengler, 1992; Kreiss, 1993; Clark and NikkeI, 1994). The more disturbing health concern is that SBS can produce many more illness symptoms that are undiagnosable. This is due to the fact that the chemicals in indoor office air occur in such copious combinations, and the medical effects of this synergy is poorly understood. Even the deveIopment of a research agenda to identi@ chemical combinations likely to be health hazards is itselfa complex task (Aronoff & Kaplan, 1995).

3.5.1 Increasing Incidences of Respiratory Illnesses

This twentieth century environmental ailment is suspected to be a major cause of, among other ailments, asthma, emphysema, and respiratory irritations (Hunter, 1989). Today, the number of the general population becoming afflicted with respiratory illnesses caused by indoor pollutants is growing, For instance, asthma in Western Europe as a whole hz; doubled over the last 10 years according to research conducted by experts at the UCB Institute of Allergy in Belgium (Gleick, 1997, 38). It is estimated approximately 150 million people' worldwide, or the equivalent of Russia's population, suffers fiom asthma In the United States, the number of asthmatics has leapt by 61 per cent since the early 1980s. Global initiatives to combat asthma and other ailments that may be caused by environmental pollution have initiated fuaher research

28 Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the CBce Building Environmenr by the World Health Orgetion, pdcularly due to the increasing medical costs and lost productivity,

In Canada, the Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC)estimated that 15 years ago 6 percent of the Canadian population to be suffifkom severe respiratory problems. In 1994, this statistic grew to 25 percent of the population (Figure 2 CMHC Estimation of Respiratory Illness Among Canadians illustrates the rapid increase in respiratory illnesses hm1978 to 1994). According to the Canadian Lung Association 12 million Canadians have asthma, and nearly 30.000 people succumb to death fkom diseases such as emphysema, asthma and lung cancer (Canadian Lung Association, in the Air Nietter, Smer1995). m-ssignificant growth in respiratory ihess is considered to be attributable to the same developments of urbanization that have increased the concern for indoor air @ty: time spent indoors; dependence on artificial products; energy conservation; and advances in medicine (Lee, De Biasio, & Santini, Vital Sip).

15 Percent 10

Increases from 1978 to 1994 Figure 2 CMHC Estimation of Respiratory Illness Among Canadians Source: Lee, De Biasio, & Santini, Vital Signs, 1997,8

3.5.2 Toxins and the Body The human body has a number of built-in defense mechanisms to protect us from foreign pathogens, and to maintain a healthy state of equilibrium. But the ability of an individual's body to successfUIly avoid the potential for developing adverse health effects depends on factors such as: toxicity of the agent (the agent is likely to the synergistic effects of many substances, not just a single contaminant) type of contact (amount, duration, fkequency of exposure), personal susceptibilities, and potential interactions resultins fiom multiple chemical exposure (Huttie, 1994).

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the Ofice BidifdingEnvironment 29 Chemical substances geneally have three routes of exposure into the body: (1) through inhalation, (2) by skin or eye contact, or (3) through ingestion (lIuttie, 1994)- Figure 3 Exposure Route of Chemical Toxins outlines the various exposure pathways. The effects of a particular substance depend largely on how the chemical enters the body- For example, ethylene glycol, an ingredient of anme,is more dangerous through ingestion than through inhalation (Huttie, 1994). Exposure to chemicals (e.g., consumer products) gendy produces the follow^^ symptoms: (1) acute symptoms: irritation of eye, nose, throat-, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, dermatitis; (2) chronic symptoms: emphysema, respiratory diseases, heart disease, cancer mutde, 1994,48).

Although the compounds making up a pollutant can be complex, indoor pollutants can be classified into three of the following simplified categories: (1) gases and vapours (both organic and inorganic), (2) fibres and dusts (which can be subdivided fbrther into total suspended particulates (TSP) and respirable suspended particulates (RSP); and (3) microorganisms (Tollison, 1989, 26). While all three categories of pouutants can pose potential health problems for building occupants, it is the RSPs that are of greatest concern. RSPs, scientifically referred to as PMlo (characterizing particulate matter less than ten microns or ten-one millionth of a diameter), are microscopic particles that can bypass the natural filters of the nasal passage and enter the lungs (Whithey, 1989). Once these particles have lodged themselves in the respiratory tract, they can aggravate many respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema (Miller et. a!., 1990). Acute symptoms can include coughing and minor throat irritation.

Figure 3 Exposure Route of Chemical Toxins

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the weeBuimg Environnrent 3.6 DEFINING ACCEPTABLE INDOOR AIR QUALITY There is much uncertainty in the attempt to define "acceptabIe indoor air quality" because of the complicated relationships associated with indoor air polIution Nevertheless, the American Society of Heating, RefZgerating, and Air-conditioning Engin- (AS-) has expressed acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) as:

'kit- in which there are no known contaminants at hmfiI concentrations as determined by cognizant authorities and with which a subsranrial majority (80 percent or more) of the people exposed do not express ddissat@iaction" (Sawers, I989,2; Lofiess and Harthpjf 1989,649).

This "majority" does not include the elderly, the infirm, or young children who often experience lower tolerances to indoor air pollution (EPA, 1991; Loftness and Harkopf; 1989). Therefore, c'acceptabiIity" is much less than 80 percent of the population. Other individuals who may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of indoor air contaminants are: allergic or asthmatic individuals, people with respiratory disease, people with weakened immune systems, and contact lens wearers (Clark and Nikkel, 1994). It appears that our definition of a healthy indoor environment does not reflect the well-being of the very individuals who are most susceptible. But the industry consensus suggests that the existing standard is deemed acceptable since the notion of satisfying everyone is virtually impossible - it is only economically viable to satisfy 80 percent of an average population (Ellenbecker, 1994). The other 20 percent of the occupants may be either partially or entirely dissatisfied; this group may include those suffering fiom environmental sensitivities or burdened by physiological and/or psycholo@cal stresses (Vaculik and Shaw, 1991).

3.7 FACTORS AFFECTING INDOOR AIR QUALITY

The quality of the indoor environment results fiom the complex interaction of the physical layout of the site, the outdoor climate, the building's heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system, potential contaminant sources, and the building's occupants (Huttie, 1994). In particular, conservation practices have increased the build-up of these toxins. EPA's building air quality guide suggests that four elements are involved in the development of indoor air quality problems (EPA, December 1991). This is outlined in Table 2 Factors in the Development of IAQ Problems below

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air QuaIity in the Ofice BuiCding Environment 3 1 Common indoor air pollutants include gases and vapom, smoke particles, dusts, fibers, radioactive materials, and microorganisms (Huttie, 1994,46). Some of these pollutants emanate fiom building materials and Mshings, and equipment, while others result from occupant activities, and some are brought into the building &om outside sources. Table 3 Typical Pollutants in the Indoor Environment lists some of the common indoor pollutants, their sources, and potential health effects,

Table 2 Factors in the Development of IAQ Problems

Source / Contaminant or discomfort source present ei?her indoors, ou I building's mechanicaI system- HVAC System A problem with the design or operation of the ventilation system (i-e., inability to properly control air contaminants and ensure thermal comfort (e.g. temperature and humidity levels).

Pathways A route between the source and the location of the complaint, Occupants I The presence of occupants and their activities.

Source: US Environmental Protection Agency, Building Air Qunlity: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers, December 1991,s

Used daily in some fashion by most people, consumer products or household chemical products are another widespread source of indoor contaminants. To protect the industrial worker, some products can contain chemicals that are regulated by the American Environmental Protection Agency @PA) to protect the worker. Unforhmately, no guidelines exist to indicate proper usage for many of the same chemicals found in consumer products (Huttie, 1994).

3.7. L I Volatile Organic Compounds (YOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds encompass aII chemicals, synthetic and natural, containing carbon and hydrogen (Health Canada, 1995). Those compounds that have boiling points ranging between 50 degrees and 250 degrees Celsius are considered to be volatile. There are severat thousand VOCs of which over 900 have been identified in the indoor air, and over 250 recorded

32 Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the Wce Buildkg Environment at concentrations higher than 1 parts per billion (ppb). If there are no sources, outdoor levels of VOCs are typically very low (0.1 mglm3). Indoor levels tend to be substantialIy higher with typical office levels ranging hma few micrograms to a few milligrams per cubic metre (Health Canada, 1995,40).

Table 3 Typical Pollutants in the Indoor Environment

PoIluhnt CWication Examples Soarc~s) Health Effcct(s)

mineral Fibers As~os Structural insulation Cancer Building materials Asbestosis MesotheIioma

Fiberglass Insulation, sound liner in Im-tation HVAC systems

Volatile organic compounds Formaldehyde Urea-formaldehyde fiom Eye irritation, headache, insulation, pressed wood nausea, insomnia products Hydrocarbons and chlorinated types, e.g., Building materials, adhesives, Eye, nose, throat, initation, Toluene coatings, textiles, headache, nausea, dizziness, Xylene photocopiers, janitorial fatigue Ethyl benzene products, office products Undecane TrichIomethene Methylene chloride

Radioactive gases and Radon-222 and daughter Soil, gas, groundwater, Cancer parh'cIes products building materials

Microorganisms Bacteria, hngi, moulds, Cooling towers, humidifiers, Hypersensitivity actinomycetes mechanical ventilation pneumonitis, hay fever, systems, waterdarnaged humidifier fever, building materials, domestic Legionnaires*disease, water systems influenza, common cold

Combustion products Carbon monoxide, oxides of Gas appliances (staves, Asphyxiation, respiratory nitrogen, particulate matter hrnacts), wood stoves, tract idation and infection, kerosene space heaters chronic bronchitis

Environmental tobacco Carbon monoxide, nicotine, Tobacco smoking Lung cancer, respiratory tract smoke (ETS) formaIdehyde, particulates irritation and infections,

Source: Hicks, 1994,16

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the mceBuilding Environment 33 Major sources of VOCs found in the office environment include fhiture, paint, adhesives, solvents, upholstery, draperies, carpeting, spray cans, clothing, construction materials, cleaning compounds, deodorizers, copy machine toners, felt-tip markers and pens, and correction fluids (The Lung Association, CA-NDO, 1997, httpdf~.web.apc.org/cando).Table 4 Commonly Encountered VOCs and their Sources lists the most common compounds found in office buildings. Short-term effects include irritation of the eyes and respiratory system, headaches, nausea, fatigue and dizziness,

The presence of bacteria, viruses, moulds, and fungi in the air is natural and commonpIace. However, offices can be especially vulnerable to microorganisms, because fungi and bacteria find nourishment in inadequately maintained humidification and air circulation systems, and other places with excessive humidity. Microogranisms can aggravate allergies, asthma, and instigate a variety of infectious diseases found in the workplace (The Lung Association, C.A.N.DO, 1997, htt~://www.web.a~c.ord~ando/workdace~

Table 4 Commonly Encountered VOCs and their Sources Chemical Source Acetone Paint, coatings, fmishers, paint remover, thinner, caulking

Aliphatic hydrocarbons (octane, decane, Paint, adhesice, gasoline, combustion sources, Liquid process undecane, hexaneisodecane, mixturess, photocopier, carpet, hoIeum, caulking compound etc.)

Aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, xylenes, Combustion sources, pai* adhesive, gasobe, boleurn, wall coating- ethylbenzene, benzene) ChIorinated solvents (dichloromethane, or UphoIstery and carpet cleaner or protector, pain, pain remover, methylene chloride, trichloroethane) lacquers, solvents, correction fluid, dry-cleaned clothes n-Butyl acetate Acoustic ceiling tile, linole- caulking compound

Dichlorobenzene Carpet, moth crystals, air fresheners

4-Phenylcyclohexene (4-PC) Carpet, paint

Terpenes (limonene, a-pinene) Deodorizers, cleaning agents, poIishes, fabrics, fabric softener, cigarettes

Source: Health Canada, 1995,40

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the OBfce Building Environmenr 3.ZI.3 Carbon Monoxide

A regulated outdoor air pollutant, carbon monoxide is an odourless gas. However, indoors it can pose a great health risk when it remains at certain concentration levels. In many office buildings, afternoon levels of carbon monoxide are noted to be greater than the recommended daily standard for outdoor air quality due to peak levels of activities occurring (Health Canada, 1993). In addition to combustion products, underground garages and loading docks in buildings are a major source of carbon monoxide, particularly if they are located near fkesh air intakes. Often, improperly vented areas or leaks in the ductwork will allow unhealthy amounts of the gas to infiltrate the building. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure can produce fatigue, confusion, headache. dizziness, and nausea, More seriously, high exposure levels can impede coordination and worsen heart problems mealth Canada, 1993).

3.7.2 Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC) When addressing indoor air quality in office buildings, the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning System @WAC) plays a significant role. The primary function of commercial office buildings is to provide occupants with a comfortable and contaminant-fiee environment in which to work. The provision of such a setting is largely dependent upon the proper design, operation, and maintenance of a building's WAC system (Morey and Shattuck, 1989).

A good HVAC system is designed to provide thermal comfort (temperature and humidity control), distribute outdoor air to occupants* and remove odours and contaminants (EPA, December 1991). It accomplishes these tasks by using fans to exhaust or dilute contaminants to acceptable levels and by controlling pressure relationships between rooms. If these systems are not designed for the intended use of the building, are poorly maintained, or are rnalfimctioning indoor air quality problems may result

Good ventilation alone will not always ensure good indoor air quality. The sources of pollution within the building must also be addressed and controlled (Clark and N'ieI, 1994). Furthermore, the building's occupants themselves can be a major contributor to problems of indoor air quality People become a source of contaminants through smoking, cooking, body and cosmetic odours (Clark and Nikkel, 1994; Huttie, 1994). In any case, because so many IAQ probtems are ventilation-related, it is wise to have a well-informed building or maintenance

------Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the OmeBuilding Environment 35 engineer readily accessible to the workplace in order to mitigate air quality problems that may arise (Jones, 1994).

The outdoor climate can also have an impact on indoor air quality- In regions with cold outdoor climates, modem HVAC systems offen reduce the supply of hsh outdoor air, usually to 15 percent, to save on heating costs (Tang Lee, 1998). In addition, when the outside air temperature is colder, it is often harder to maintain comfortable relative humidity levels. Large differences between inside and outside temperatures can result in condensation problems in buildings that were not designed to operate at high humidity levels (Clark and Nikkel, 1994).

Morey and Shattuck (1989) encountered the following WAC system deficiencies during an indoor air quality evaluation performed in commercial office buildings:

Combustion products enter outdoor air inlets; Combustion products and building pressurization (depressurization causes backdrafting and smoke stack effect); Excessive moisture as a result of energy management; Renovation of occupied space without regard to HVAC system; Absence of preventive maintenance program; Inadequate outdoor air; Contaminated insulation in air-handling unit; and Interior thermal load exceeding HVAC system capacity.

One of the ktand major indoor air quality studies undertaken was a 1984-85 survey conducted on 1,362 buildings by the Medical Senices Branch of Health and Welfare Canada PC). They found that more than 60 percent of all IAQ cases investigated were attributable to WAC problems (Sawers, 1989, 2). Similarly, investigations carried out by ASHRAE reported like conclusions. According to figures complied by the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NOSH), poor ventilation is the most common cause of SBS and BN.

In approximately 450 sick building investigations conducted through 1986, NIOSH inspectors discovered that in 52 per cent of the cases, short-comings in the design, installation and

36 Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the WceBuilding Envikonment maintenance of the HVAC system to be at fsult (Glenn, 1992, 58). Conetionfrom sources inside the building ranked second and accounted for 17 percent of SBS incidents. High levels of second-hand tobacco smoke, combustion gases fiom the cafeteria, and fumes fkom dozens of dangerous chemical products were documented by MOSH staff(G1en.n. 1992). Recirculation of car exhaust fumes entering into the building through the air intake ducts, accounted for 11 per cent of cause. Viruses, bacteria and other biological agents found in ventilation and humidification systems were identified in 5 percent of the investigations. In 12 percent of the cases, NIOSH investigators were unable determine the cause of the workers' complaints (Glenn, 1992,58). Figure 4 Major Causes of Indoor Air Qualiw shows the major sources of poor indoor air quality in the building investigations conducted by both NIOSH and KWC.

Figure 4 Major Causes of Indoor Air Quality

A different study undertaken by Woods (1989, 756) reported four predominant types of stressors responsible for indoor air quality problems:

chemical and particulate contaminant in 75% of cases (with odour discomfort present in 70% of these cases);

thermal discomfort in 55% of cases;

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the Wce Building Environment 37 microbiological contaminants in 45% cases; and

nonthermal humidity problems in 30% of cases (is., eye irritation and mould growth hm low and high relative humidities)-

3.8 APPROACHES TO SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS Because the factors contributing to poor indoor air quaIity originate ftom various sources (e-g., inadequate HVAC system, building housekeeping routines, occupant activities), the care of indoor air quality is a shared responsibility between building management and the people who work in the building* Most indoor environmental problems can be prevented or rectified easily and with minimal cost through the application of common sense and attentiveness on the part of everyone in the building ('PA, 1997). But success of improving and maintaining indoor air quality depends greatly on the cooperative actions taken by those individuals who manage and occupy the building.

There are several publications by various agencies that provide guidance in dealing with indoor air quality problems, some of which include:

Guidelinefor Managing Indoor Air Quality in Ofice Buildings (Canadian Standards Association, 1994) ;

Oftice Air: A Worker$ Guide to Air Quality in O8cess.Schools, and Hospitals (Health Canada, 1995);

Indoor Air Quality in qffice Buildings: A Technical Guide (Health Canada. 1995), and

AS- Guideline 1-1989: Guideline for Commissioning of WAC System (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, I=., 1989).

However, most of these handbooks tend to focus on mitigating problems originating with the ventilation system. The US Environmental Protection Agency has written two documents: one entitled Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners md Facility Managers (1991', and the other called An %ce Building Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality (1997). While the other handbooks only allude to it, both of these resources place a great deal of emphasis on

38 Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the me Building Environment co~unication,and involvement of building occupants in the process of resolving indoor air quality issues. (Refr to Appendix D for information on how to obtain these IAQ guidelines).

3.8.1 Measurement of Indoor Air PoUution In the past, health-related risks as a result of pollutant exposure were often determined by undertaking circumstantial outdoor measurements. Because outdoor pollutant concentration and types of pollutants levels vary due to wind conditions, the exposure time is much less than indoor pollutants where the exposure is likely to be more consistent In addition to wind speed and direction, temperature inversions, topography, humidity, and midiall influence the concentration of poUutants and their local persistence- Climatic conditions also affect the rate at which primary pollutants undergo complex chemical transformations in the atmosphere, creating secondary polluting agents that may affect health (Stewarf 1979). Therefore, the effects of air pollution on health are not directly measurable in terms of the emission of polIutants.

Instead, scientific reports indicate that indoor measurements are often better than outdoor measurements for classifjhg, estimating and predicting human exposures to many air pollutants (Sexton, 1993). This is true even of some agents that are primarily of outdoor origin, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and formaldehyde (Kwan, 1988, Stewart, 1979). This only makes sense, particularly since individual reactions to air pollution depend upon the type of pollutant exposure; how much of the pollutant is present; how long the exposure is; and the kind of activity level the person is involved (Health Canada, 1988). Sexton (1993) suggests that a more relevant approach to estimating exposure is to develop and/or refine a model that emphasizes pollutant exposure of an individual with ample consideration of where he lives, works, and spends his leisure time. However, our present standards for air pollution control and policy have not fully addressed the implications for air pollution control in our indoor environments.

3.8.2 Building Investigation Procedures The goal of a building investigation is to identi@ and solve indoor air quality complaints in order to prevent reoccurrence and avoid creation of subsequent problems. This procedure is generally considered to be one of the latter tools to be employed in order to discover and verify the problem (Lee, 1998). To achieve this, it is important to discover whether a complaint is actually related to indoor air quality, identify the cause of the complaint, iden- sources, and determine

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the Q@ce Building Environment 39 the most appropriate corrective measures (Jones, 1994). Figure 5 outlines this indoor air quality investigation process.

Indoor air quaiity investigation procedures generally involve "a cyclical process of information gathering?hypothesis formation, and hypothesis testing" @PA, 1991). Indoor air quality experts suggest that the investigation begin with an initial walk-through, notifLing occupants and any key individuals to be interviewed This visual inspection gives the investigator an opporhmity to identify critical areas in the buildings as wen as to consult with building occupants @PA, 1991). Information should be gathered with regard to the four basic factors influencing the indoor air quality: (1) the occupantst (2) the WAC system, (3) possible pollutant pathways, and (4) possible contaminant sources (EPA, I99 1; Glenn, 1992,60).

From the initial tour, possible explanations should be formulated for the complaint- At this stage, there may be sufficient information to generate a hypothesis, to test the hypothesis to see if the problem is resolved, and to apply mitigation measures @PA, 1991). If insufficient information is obtained Erom the walk-through, Merinvestigation should be carried out to collect additional information. The process of formulating hypotheses, testing them, and evaluating them until the problem is solved is very characteristic of sick building syndrome cases (EPA, 199 1).

In response to occupant complaints, investigators sometimes conduct expensive air sampling for contaminants. Unfortunately, these tests seldom identify possible causes mostly because the specific pollutant levels rarely exceed existing standards and guidelines. Therefore, it is suggested that air sampling not be undertaken until considerable information regarding the problem area has been obtained, and only if no other explanation can be found (EPA, 1991)- Instead, simple basic measurements (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, C02, and air movement) can provide a more usei5a.l "snapshot" of current building conditions - but this is also a very limited indicator and results can be misleading if not interpreted properly.

3.8.3 Some Solutions to Indoor Air Pollution There are four common strategies for mitigating indoor air pollution: (1) source removal; (2) air filtration; (3) increasing ventilation rates; and (4) substituting products and materials. These methods are described in more detail below (Lee et-al., 1997)-

Pollutant source removal or modification is an effective approach to resolving an IAQ problem when sources are known and control is feasible (EPA, 1991). When there are strong pollutant

40 Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the Ofice Building Environment sources, particularly concentrated in a specific area, local exhaust ventilation may be appropriate to exhaust contaminated air directly fiom the building.

Air cleaners cannot adequately remove all of the existing indoor pollutants but can be effective if it is used in conjunction with source control and ventilation (EPA, July 1990). Minimal air cleaning can be accomplished by using devices such as the typical hace fiIter; while these are relatively inexpensive they do not effectively capture small particles. While there are high performance air filters capable of capturing the smaller, respirable particles they are costly to install and operate. Ln order to remove gaseous pollutants, highly specialized filters and media are needed @PA,199 1)-

Increasing ventilation rates and air distri'bution can be a cost-effective means of reducing pollutant levels. On the other hand, increases in ventilation can increase the amount of energy need to heat the outdoor air. At a mkimum, WAC systems should be operated to at least its design standard, and to ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 if possible (EPA, 1991). Problems will generally transpire if systems are not operated or maintained to ensure that these design ventilation rates are provided.

Substituting products, wherever possible, with a different material can also help to combat excessive exposure to contaminants and improve the quality of indoor air (Lee et d., 1997; Polakoff, 1984). Ideally, there should be provision of curing time for out-gassing and ventilation of any product or building (e.g., especially products containing formaldehyde or other volatile organic compounds) prior to its occupation. This is especially important if construction or renovation activities have taken place. Udortmately, many businesses and industries find this latter option unappealing with respect to cost and time (Turiel, 1985; Bledel, 1995).

3.9 SOCIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS The legitimacy of sick building syndrome (SBS) since its onset in the early 1970s has been met with skepticism. Frequently characterized by an absence of routine physical signs and clinically defined abnormalities, acceptance by the medicaI community has been slow and divided (Kreiss, 1989). Early investigations of sick building syndrome complaints by governmental agencies commonly resulted in a diagnosis of mass hysteria, especially when specific contaminants and symptoms could not be ascertained- Fortunately, such diagnosis by exclusion of chemical causes is no longer acceptable or common. As a matter of fact, diagnosis of mass hysteria or

-- - - Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the weeBuilding Environment 41. psychogenic illness is deemed to have specific criteria, as do most other medical diagnoses (Kreiss, 1989,577)-

To the contrary, SBS is by definition a diagnosis of exclusion, arrived at by a process of elimination (Soine, 1994). This process of ehination greatly depends upon the thoroughness of the investigation, the knowledge of investigators, the quality of testing equipment, and the prompt response between an incident and its investigation Another factor that complicates SBS predictions is the limited availability of scientific knowledge regarding the cumulative and synergistic effects fiom low level contaminant exposure (Soine, 1994, 132). Therefore, environmental toxins should not be excluded hm the scenario just because specific contaminants are present but in doses below recommended guidelines. In other words, all possibilities should be investigated before concluding psychological explanations (Soine, 1994).

Baker (1989) suggests that it is more effective to view SBS health complaints as having a multifactorial etiology, varying 6rom building to building, as well as over time within a building, rather than merely attributing it to psychological roots. Furthermore, he states that there is a dynamic coexistence between psychosocial and biological factors so that even the most straihtforward episode of environmental contamination can induce psychological, social, and organizational responses. Therefore, evaluations of building-associated iuoesses should logically include assessment of psychosocial factors, which may originate in the workplace or even at home, dong with biological, chemical, and physical factors. A separation of the two factors may lead to inaccurate conclusion and more likely harbour resentment fiom building occupants.

3.9.1 Communication

Many of the problems associated with indoor air quality complaints often appear to be magnified by poor communication in the workplace. For example, if complaints from building occupants are ignored, the situation can escalate to more serious matters. Instead, concerns voiced by occupants should be viewed as legitimate especially to avoid complications in resolving problems that are straightfornard.. Moreover, simple solutions to problems in a building may be overlooked if the investigator excludes occupants ftom the process (Clark and Nikkel, 1994).

- 42 Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the OBce Building Environment Numerous surveys have quantified the magnitude of IAQ problems in existing buiIdings. One of the most extensive surveys conducted was the 1991 Steelcase Worldwide Office Environment Index. This survey reported the opinions of office worken, top executives, facilities managers and design professionds in 15 countries including Canada, United States, Japan and member countries of the European Economic Community (Sterling, 1992,28). Without exception, poor air quality was perceived as a serious hazard by office workers throughout the world: 37% of the respondents in the United States; 46% in Canada; 39% in the EEC; and 53% in Japan (Sterlingy 1992, 29). Cornforable heating and air-conditioning were also considered important by a majority of office workers: 82% in the United States; 84% in Canada; 85% in Japan; and 72% in the EEC. However, this same group of respondents also felt that there was a discrepancy between building occupants' expectations for comfort and IAQ, and what they felt was actually being provided by the buildings in which they worked (Sterling, 1992).

In order to quickly resolve indoor air quality complaintsy Clark and Nikkel (1994) recommend the establishment of a communication plan for the building. Promoting open communication and early action often leads to successfid resolutions. On the other hand, lack of open communication among building managers, employers and employees tend to breed fkustration and distrust, inevitably delaying the search for solutions. Clark and Nikkel(1994) outline five steps to achieving effective communication during indoor air quality investigation: Define where complaints are concentrated. The extent of the complaint area may be revised as time proceeds; Establish a system of recording the timing and location of complaints. Include complaint logs and/or occupant questionnaires; Written records are important in understanding indoor air quality problems; Identify key people and form key relationships. Occupants of the building can be valuable allies, particularly in observing patterns of discomfort, including odours; Encourage cooperation by getting occupants to participate actively in the investigation (e-g., collect information); Notify building occupants of all actions taken to remedy a complaint; and Follow up with building occupants to ensure that the corrective action has resolved the problem.

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the OBife Building Environment 43 I r,.ra-w-8 IbrinrACaYua-- -PI- --(- - - cum

I 1 NO . L -8- I

T YES - I I

Figure 5 Indoor Air Quality Investigation Procedure Source: Jones, 1994,116

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Qualtty in the Wce Building Environment 3.10 ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY As white collar workers make up a substantial portion of our society's working population, the sheer number of complaints associated with SBS or BRI presents both tangiile and intangble costs for many building managers and employers- Although very few studies have shown the direct correlation between poor indoor air quality and economic losses, it is suspected that the costs associated with poor IAQ may be substantial and outweigh the savings hm reduced energy consumption (Sterling. 1992). For example, the lost productivity of workers who continuallyexperience headaches, eye irritation, fatiguey among other symptoms in their workplace environment can easily lead to increased absenteeism, diminished moraley reduced performance and productivity (Aronoff & Kaplan, 1995). Rdtshm a US study indicated that for every 100 white collar worker, poor indoor air quality is likely to cause an additional 24 physician visits per year, equivalent to $288 million in medical costs (Hapore and Odom, 1993). According to experts with the National Research Council, sick buildings are costing the Canadian economy between $300 and $400 million a year in lost productivity (Magnish, 1994). Another study indicated that for every 10 workers, poor indoor air quality causes an additional 6 days of absence per year, amounting to $41.4 billion in lost productivity (Haymore & Odom, 1993).

So why isn't more being done about indoor air quality if it appears to be cost effective? With the exception of individually owned residences and some owner-occupied commercial and institutional buildings, occupied spaces are rented or leased to business organizations. Therefore, the tenant's management objectives may be considerably different form those of the building owner's. Moreover, the tenant's objectives may also differ significantly fiom those of the tenant's occupants or employees. Consequently, inherent economic conflicts can develop in an effort to reach varying objectives (Woods, 1989). (See Table 5 Economic Implications Associated with Environmental Stressor Exposure on page 46). Moreover, current ASHRAE ventilation design criteria assumes that it is physically impossible to provide environmental control that will satis@ all occupants.

Another reason why indoor air quality initiatives are not being actively pursued is because people just do not know about indoor air quality and its costs. For instance, tenants don't demand good IAQ practices when they choose office space, so building owners and operators have no incentive to invest in them. Also, investors tend to invest more on the outward appearance of buildings rather than their mechanical system - most people never see the WAC system in a building,

Chapter 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the OBce Building Environment 45 Table 5 Economic Implications Associated with Environmental Stressor Exposure

Costs Born Cost per square footage Implications

Rented or Leased Space S 15-S5O per square foot of floor mere is incentive for tenants to minimize the area to be space, annuaIIy rented or leased- In some cases, this couId lead to high occupancy densities increasing thermal and contaminant Ioads. Utilitv Costs Fuel aad electrical costs asot5atcd There is potcatid for conflict beween the tenant and the with controlling these loads range building'0wner- fiom 5244 per square foot of fI oor ff utility costs are passed through to the tenant, the tenant area may react by attempting to minimize utility costs Ecosts are born by the building owner, building energy management sua~~esmay be employed that minimize the costs for the entire buildinq- Maintenance and Costs range fiom S2-$4 per square Whether these costs arc born by the owner, passed through Operating Costs foot of floor area. to the tcnaq or contracted by the tenant, pressure may exist to minimize these costs by defem-ng preventive maintenance (i.e., resorting to reactive maintenance) and reducing housekeeping m-cesand performing them during occupied periods Capital Assets Cosu of capital equipment, Many of these fitmishings are made of materiais that can furniture, and other interior cmit volatile organic compounds and other contaminants. firrnishings within occupied spaces Whether decisions are made to hrnish occupied spaces with may range fiom S20-S 100 pcr lower or higher cost materials, exposures of the occupants square foot of floor area. should be considered- Modular mime and partitions are used to increase occupancy density in an area- Increased density means system capacities may no longer be sufficient to dissipate the imposed thermal and contaminant loads. The difference in costs between leased space and capital assets may be nwligiibIe. Construction Costs Initial costs of plm-ng, dm-gnlng, Comparison of annualized con of construction to the other and constructing nonindustrial costs born indicates they are similar in magnitude. buildings range from 550-5 125 per Construction costs however are often minimized with no square foat of gross floor area- This consideration given to the Iikely effects on other costs or on excludes land and financing costs, the health and welfare of the occupants, even though many and interior fiishings, of the physical causes of problem buildings can be linked with inadequate design of system or equipment Salaries and Wages In typical office areas, they range If absenteeism or time away fiom the work station results from S100-S200 per square foot of from a management decision to reduce costs of rent, floor area annually- utiIities, or maintenance, these decisions may be counterproductive- TypicaI absenteeism for office workers are less than 5%- If excessive exposure to indoor environmental stressors can increase this rate by SO%, the expected loss from the increased absenteeism is in the range of S3-S5 per square foot of floor area per year- This range is comparable to the costs of construction, utilities, or maintenance and

Source: Woods, 1989,758-760

46 Chaw 3.0 Indoor Air Quality in the WceBuilding Environment Until public awareness increase and tenants and consumers begin to demand good IAQ, the costs of poor indoor air quaIity will continue to be incurred, ifnot directly by the building owners than by businesses and the general public waymore and Odom, 1993). For instance, if exposures to these environmental conditions are perceived as unacceptable and result in increased insurance claims, workers' compensation claims, or litigation, the economic effkcts may be significant at the personal and building managementlomhership levels (e-g., lost time, higher insurance premiums, loss of tenants) (Woods, 1989). Moreover, if employee absenteeism results in insurance reimbursements, workers' compensations, or litigation settlements, the productivity of an organization can decrease even fbrther-

Although owners might fear the costs ofimproving the IAQ of the buildings, research shows that well-run buildings cost less to operate (e-g., less energy used, good IAQ practices result in lower We-cycle costs for equipment, less frequent repairs and system shutdown, longer life of HVAC equipment). Also, the major reason most tenants tend to move is not because of cost, location or space, but their dissatisfaction with their cunent building systems (Haymore and Odom, 1993). Therefore, good IAQ practices help keep tenants. Also, firms requiring that their workers inhabit buildings with poor indoor air not only face greater costs through higher absenteeism, but also higher wage costs as workers find those jobs less desirable places to be (Hansen and Lott, 1993). As more demands are made by those who occupy the buildings (e.g., tenants), not only will building owners and managment will respond but it may very well initate private-sector organizations (e-g., insurance companies, banks) to impose conditions for the provision of safe and healthy buildings. Therefore, reducing the risks of these costs gives buildings owners and managers an incentive in making an investment in assuring good indoor air quality in buildings.

Chapter 3.0 IiorAir Quality in the mice Building Environment 47 4.0 INDOOR AIR QUALITY STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES

"Preventing occupational iiinesses, accidents, and injuries is the re~ponsibilityof everyone in the workplace. An orgunried accident prevention program that involves employers and employees ir the most flcient means of firlfilling this goal" @man Resowces Development Canada, 1994.1)

4.1 STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES

As employees have become more educated and aware of indoor air @ty issues, building managers have faced increasing pressures to ensure that air quality in the workplace is acceptable in terms of both health and codon There are a few current standards and guidelines &om various governmental and private-sector agencies that directly or indirectly address the issue of indoor air quality. All of these standards and guidelines are continually being reviewed or evolving as new information and knowledge is gained. In almost all cases, these standards and guidelines zre becoming more stringent (Lee, personal communication, 1998).

In Canada there is currently no legislation that directly addresses indoor air quality problems. The Use and Occupancy Building Directive under Canadian Occupational Safety and Health suggests that indoor environmental conditions conform to the requirements specified by the ASHRAE standard for thermal environmental conditions, and the ASHRAE standard for ventilation (Occupational Safety and Health Legislation, 1993). The design and construction of buildings are governed under the Alberta Building Code 1997 (Lee, personal communication, 1998).

While the AS= standards deal specifically with ventilation systems and their implications for indoor air quality, other standards such as Guideline for Managing Indoor Air QuaCW in ofice Buildings (Canadian Standards Association, June 1994), Ofice Air.- A worker S Guide to Air Quality in offices, Schools, and Hospitals (Health Canada, 1995), Indoor Air Quality in Ofice Buildings: A Technical Guide (Health Canada, 1995) are general guidelines designed to aid building managers to achieve acceptable working environments for building occupants. The

------Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quulity Standards and Guidelines 48 following sections briefly summarize some of the more relevant standards and guidelines with respect to indoor air quality in Canada

4.1.1 Canadian Standards Association (CSA)

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a private, non-profit organization that provides a forum for the development of national standads in varying disciplines. In 1994, the Canadian Standards Association published 2204-94: Guidelinefor Managing Indoor Air Qzialitjv in wee Buildings (CSA, 1994). The motivation for developing this guide was based on the premise that while there is tittle evidence supporting indoor air quality and its effects on worker productivity, numerous studies to date have indicated that most indoor air quality complaints arise &om negligent building operation practices.

The CSA guide is a voluntary tool designed to help achieve acceptable indoor air quality through recommended practices. It attempts to define acceptable indoor air quality and provide methods to help achieve occupant comfort and productivity in both public and private buildings used primarily for office functions and the contaminants normally found in such environments (CSA, 1994). Indoor air quality issues such as ventilation and air distri'bution, temperature, relative humidity, air filtering, comfort, and the concentration of air contaminants are addressed in the guide. Like the majority of other codes and standards, this guide does not address occupants suffering fiom heightened environmental sensitivities. Furthennore, the effectiveness of this guide is dependent on interdisciplinary cooperation and action by building owners, designer, property managers, operators, and occupants (e.g., addressing IAQ issues during conception, design, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance stages).

4.1.2 ASHRAE 's Ventilation Standards The advent of HVAC systems was primarily to provide indoor enviro~lentswith adequate comfort. This basically meant controlling temperature and humidity within acceptable ranges, and providing sufficient outdoor air to limit odours (EUenbecker, 1994). Because considerable energy was required to condition the fiesh outside air drawn in by WAC systems, building managers frequently reduced the flow of fkesh outside air. With ventilation problems being identified in the majority of poor indoor air quality cases, the American Society of Heating, Refigeratin& and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) began developing standards for the design and operation of building ventilation systems. Detailed design guidelines are contained in

- -- - 49 Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Stundarh and Guidelines a series of ASHRAE handbooks (e-g., HVAC Systems & Equipment, WAC Applications) (Gronbeck, 1994). This is regularly updated with current design information.

The purpose of the ventilation standard is to define minimum ventilation rates that ensure acceptable indoor air quality for humaa occupancy and to avoid the occurrence of adverse health effects (Ellenbecker, 1994)- While this is an industry consem, it does not in itself have the force of law. However, many local and state building codes incorporate the standard to give it legal enforcement. The standard recommends minimurn iksh air ventilation rates - but in situations where more restrictive regulations exist, those recommendations should take precedent (Ellenbecker, 1994). For substantive information on health effects, the standard suggests that recognized authorities and their specific recommendations be codted (ASHRAE,1989).

4.1.2.1 The History of VentilationStandards

ASHRAE's first ventilation standard was ASHRAE Standard 62-73, "Standardsfor Natural and Mechanical Ventilation" (AS- Guideline 1-1989, 1989). This standard provided a prescriptive approach to ventilation by specifying both minimum and recommended outdoor airflow rates to obtain acceptable indoor air quaiity for a variety of indoor spaces. The minimum ventilation prescribed was 15 cubic feet per minute per person (cfin). In 1978, the standard came under review and resulted in the revised Standard 62-198 1, "Ventilationfor Acceptable Indoor Air Quality ". This modified version distinguished and recommended outdoor airflow rates for both smoking and non-smoking conditions (e-g., non-smoking: 5 cwperson; smoking: 25 cWperson). This 198 1 standard also encouraged the use of alternative air quality procedures in order to motivate innovative, energy-conserving ventilation practices. (See Figure 6 History of ASHRAE Ventilation Standards)

With gaps in the existing AS= standards and in light of rapidly changing technology, ASHRAE authorized another review of Standard 62-198 1. The subsequent requirement, Standard 62-1989 increased the rate of ventilation to 20 cwperson in addition to retaining the existing procedures for ventilation design (e-g., Ventilation Rate Procedure and Air Quality Procedure). An interdisciplinary committee of engineers, architects, chemists, physiologists, product manufacturers, and industry representatives worked to achieve the necessary balance

Chap4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standards and Guidelines 50 between energy consumption and indoor air quality in this standard. The existing standard also stresses that the specified conditions for acceptable indoor air quality be achieved during the operation as well as in the design of the buildings. To faccilitate this the standard includes requirements for ventilation design documentation to be provided for system operation.

Figure 6 History of ASHRAE Ventilation Standards

1973 91981 1989 oil cn3ils sick building phenomenon I 15 cfdperson non-smoking: 5 cfhdperson smoking: 25 cfdperson

4.2 INDOOR AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR OFFICE BUILDINGS

There are currently two indoor air quality standards that are applicable to office buildings: (1) the Acceptable Indoor Air Quality Standard, and (2) the Health and Safety Standard (Vaculik and Shaw, 1991)-

4.2.1 Acceptable Indoor AhQualie Standard

ASHRAE prescribes two approaches to achieving acceptable air quality: (1) the ventilation rate procedure (VRP), and (2) the indoor air quality procedure.

The ASWstandard for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality provides two main performance indicators: (1) ventilation rates, and (2) the occupant-generated carbon dioxide concentration (Vaculik and Shaw, 1991). These indicators are two of several performance indicators used by the HVAC industry to measure general ventiIation. Determining the most suitable indicator generally depends on the circumstances (e-g., suitability for design purposes, operational purposes, or IAQ controllmanagement).

Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standards and Guidelines 4.2.1 .I The VenMairbn Rate Procedure m)

The VentiZution Rate Procedure (VRP) requires the use of mechanical ventilation to provide air of proper quality and quantity to the occupied space. This method assumes that the majority of occupants will find the air acceptable if there is a sufticient amount of clean, conditioned air supplied to a space. For most buildings, the quality and quantity of ventilation air can be determined by measuring the minimum ventilation rate, air distribution patterns, contaminant flow patterns, and re-entry of exhaust air (Shaw, 1993). For office buildings, the standard recommends a ventilation rate of 20 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per person of outdoor air (ASHRAE Guideline 1-1989, 1989). The recommended ventilation rate is expected to achieve an acceptable level of indoor air quaIity assuming that there is an absence of any known contaminants (e-g., freshly instaUed materials that give off fuma,or smoking).

While the total ventilation rate for a building may meet the requirements outlined in the Ventilation Rate Procedure, proper distribution of air supply to various parts of the building plays a significant factor. For example, it is very common in office buildings to have layouts or various elements unfavourable for proper air flow and/or occupant density to exceed the allowable standards (Vaculik and Shaw, 1991). Ideally, to ensure that every area (or room) receives the required amount of ventiIation air, the outdoor air supply rate should be measured for the particular room or area of a building (Shaw, 1993). Unfortunately, calculating ventilation rates at individual workstations or in designated WAC zones in a large building, using currently avaiiabIe methods, is often barred by prohibitive costs-

The current ASHRAE indoor air quality standard (62-1989) recommends that regardless of smoking status a minimtun of 15 cfm per person of outdoor air be provided when interior spaces are occupied. For example, in classrooms, offices, and patient rooms (in hospitals and nursing homes), a minimum of 15, 20, and 25 chof outdoor air per occupant, are recommended to maintain acceptable indoor air quality? respectively (Morey and Shattuck, 1989, 626). Outdoor air at higher volumes is recommended if ventilation air entering a room does not adequately mix with room air at the breathing zone, or if unusual contaminant sounes are present (Morey and

Chapter 4.0 indoor Air Quality Standmdk and Guidelines 52 Shattuck, 1989). Table 6 Minimum Ventilation Rates for Occupied Spaces shows minimum ventilation rates for various occupancies-

Table 6 Minimum Ventilation Rates for Occupied Spaces

VentiIation Rate (ctnr)

15 Any occupied space (e.g., Iobbies, reception areas, etc.)

20 Offices, conference rooms, etc, (where extended periods of work occur)

25 Specialized areas (e-g. game rooms, beauty parlors, gymnasiums, ballrooms)

60 Smoking lounges

------15 Educational facilities (e-g., classrooms, libraries, auditoriums)

20 Educational fadties (e-g., laboratories, shops)

Source: EUenbecker, 1994,112

The Ventilation Rate Procedure also allows substitution of cleaned and recirculated air to replace a portion of the required fresh outside air. If this is the case, the air cleaning system must be adequate to provide indoor air as comparable in quality to the outside air being replaced. The standard gives detailed equations for calculation of appropriate air flows for different HVAC system configurations and air cleaning capabilities (Ellenbecker, 1994). Nonetheless, removal of fine airborne particles such as cigarette smoking requires specially designed high efficiency filters (e-g., charcoal beds). These devices are generally very costly and require constant maintenance to ensure proper performance-

Chapter4.0 Iirtloor Air Quc~IttyStandards and Guidelines 4.2. 1.2 Carbon Dioxide Measurement

Since the mid-1980s, carbon dioxide concentrations in indoor air have been widely used as surrogates for various occupant-generated air contaminants, such as bioeffluents and environmental tobacco smoke (Clark and Nikkel, 1994)- Carbon dioxide measurements have been found to be a good indicator of the quantity of hpsh air delivered to a space, either by natural air leakage and/or mechanical ventilation, as a bction of the number of occupants. For example, an inside C02 concentration of 1,000 pprn can be correlated to a ventilation rate of 15 chper person if the outside C02 is around 350 ppm (Clark and Nilrkel, 1994; Morey and Shathtck, 1989). Inside concentrations in office settings typically range hrn 600 to 800 ppm and vary depending on the location, the number of people, and the rate of ventilation of the indoor space (Health Canada, 1995,26). In cases where indoor C02 levels were exceeded by three times (or 1000 ppm) the Level of the outdoor concentration, annoyance and discomfort by occupants have been reported in several building investigations (Clark and NikkeI, 1994).

Low carbon dioxide concentrations (e.g., levels below 600 ppm) do not in itself guarantee an acceptable indoor environment (Morey and Shattuck, 1989; Health Canada, 1995). This is particularly the case when strong sources of indoor contaminants are present, such as environmental tobacco smoke and volatile organic compounds. Although C02 is an important indicator of indoor air quality, it should not be used independentIy. This indicator is unable to detect other pollutants such as fomddehyde, volatile organic compounds, and other harmful materials emitted by building products and office machines. If there are concerns about these other contaminants, they should be identified and eliminated accordingly.

4.2.1.3 Iirdoor Air Quality Procedure

The Indoor Air Quality Procedure is a performance standard which specifies acceptable concentrations of certain air contaminants but does not prescribe minimum ventilation rates or air cleaning methods (ElIenbecker, 1994). Involving both objective measurement and subjective evaluation, this procedure requires direct control of air contaminants generated inside the occupied space to ensure that concentrations are kept below the maximum allowable levels (Ellenbecker, 1994). Air sampling is nonnally undertaken to determine contarninant

Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Stand& and Guidelines 54 concentrations. If a contaminant is found to cause discomfort or health effects on occupants, a subjective evaluation involving a test panel is sometima undertaken.

The air quality is considered acceptable if it passes both objective and subjective tests regardless of the actual ventilation rate. The disadvantage of this procedure is that air quality in a building cannot be evaluated completely until the occupancy and functions of the particular space are duplicated. While this approach is considered acceptable in achieving hedmand comfortable work environments, the VRP method is more commonly used (EUenbecker, 1994).

4.2.2 Indoor Air Quality Health and Safety Standard

The Indoor Air Quality Health and Safety Standard, prepared by the American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), has been adopted by all Canadian health and safety authorities (Vaculik and Shaw, 1991). This standard provides exposure guidelines for indoor air pollutants based on industrial occupational exposures. There is a Canadian exposure guideline for indoor contaminants, but it was developed specifically for residential environments. While there are a similar list of pollutants in this guideline many of the chemicals found in the office environment are present in lists generated for the industrial workplace.

The ACGHI standard specifies two kinds of Threshold Limit Values (TLV): (1) the Time Weighted Average (TWA), and (2) the Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL). The Time Weighted Average (WA) represents an average daily concentration level of a given contaminant over a period of 8 hours to which human beings can be exposed to with the absence of long-term effects (Vaculik and Shaw, 1991; Sekyia, 1993). In other words, it is considered safe if an individual is exposed to a chemical for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, at concentrations below its TWA. The Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) represents the contaminant concentration to which humans can be exposed for Less than 15 minutes a day without experiencing long-term effects. For the same chemical, the STEL is substantially higher than the TWA (Vaculik and Shaw, 1991).

It is important to note that the ThreshoId Limit Values (TLV) are under constant review, and that there is inadequate scientific knowledge regarding the long-tenn effects of both TWA and STEL concentrations of individual chemicals on human health (Vaculik and Shaw, 1991).

- 55 Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Qualfty Standards and Guidelines Furthennore, there is very little know1edge about the synergistic properties and combined long- term effects when occupants are exposed to more than one indoor-generated contaminant, even at very low concentrations (Vaculik and Shaw, 1991). Identification and measurement of individual VOCs are expensive and time-co~g,and the total effects are often underestimated because the very low concentrations are dScult to identifL or measure mealth Canada, 1995). The concept of '%total VOCs" (TVOC) was developed to deal with this situation. Measurements of TVOC record total VOCs present without distinguishing different chemicals (Health Canada, 1995,40).

The TLVs for individual chemical substances that have been adopted by the ACGIH are considered not appropriate for office environments (Health Canada, 1995). For example, ACGIEIs TLVs apply to industrial workers who may be exposed to a few known contaminants at high concentrations over a 40 hour work week Furthermore, industrial workers are usually provided with adequate protective equipment (e-g., source ventilation, protective clothing or face masks, breathing equipment). In addition, the demographic of the industrial worworce generally consists of young, healthy, adult males. Office workers, on the other hand, are exposed, without protective gear, to a broad range of contaminants at low concentrations over periods often longer than 40 hours per week As well, the office workforce covers a much broader spectrum than that of the industrid workforce. Therefore, individuai limits much lower that the ACGM. TLVs are deemed more appropriate.

ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 recommends using one tenth of ACGIH limits for compounds for which comfort guidelines do not exist. Although there are at present no Canadian or US standards for total volatile organic compounds (TVOC),target and action units of 1 and 5 mg/m3 respectively, are being discussed. The European Community has prepared a target guideline value for TVOC of 0.3 mgim3, where no individual VOC should exceed 10 percent of the TVOC concentration (Health Canada, 1995, 41). Refer to Appendix C: Common Contaminants, Their Source, Health Effects and Governing Standards for more information on acceptable contaminant levels.

Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standards and Guidelines 56 4.23 Canada Labour Code Part II

In Canada, the federal government has legislated the development of health and safety committees in the workplace (Public Senice AUiance of Canada, 1996). Part II of the Canada Labour Code was drafted to support the creation of organized accident prevention programs, involving both employers and employees, with emphasis on occupational related health risks. This guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the Safety and Health Committees and Representatives Regulation @urnan Resources Development Canada, 1994,l).

Under federal jurisdiction, the Code quires employers to estabIish an occupational safety and health cornminee where there are 20 or more employees. The appointment of a safety and health representative is recommended in wodrplaces where five or more people are employed (Human Resources Development Canada, 1994). The representative may be an employee selected by the workplace union or fellow employees, and will have similar powers of a safety and health committee,

A workplace may be exempt fkm establishing a safety and health committee if the Minister deems that the work is relatively risk-fiee or such responsibilities have been satisfactorily delegated to an existing committee in the workplace (Human Resources Development Canada, 1994). Because the Code is intended primarily for industrial work settings (e-g., railways, airports), organizations such as banks and telecommunication companies can apply for exemption on a case-by-case basis (Labour Branch, Human Resources Development Canada, personal conversation, 1997). An employer who has been granted an exemption from having a committee must, nevertheless, have a safety and health representative (Human Resources Development Canada, 1994).

Under provincial jurisdiction, while companies in Alberta are encouraged to set up safety and health committees they are not required to by law unless they conduct interprovincial business (e-g., transportation) (Labour Branch, Human Resources Development Canada, personal conversation, 1997). However, the following sections discuss elements of the safe and health committee usefbl in developing a workplace indoor air quality managrnent program.

-- 57 Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Stundark and Guidelines 4.2.3.1 me Role of Empf'ers and Employees in the Work;pluce

The creation of a safety and health committee is intended to team up both employers and employees who are committed to improving occupational safety and heaIth (OSH) in their workplace (Human Resources Development Canada, 1994). The responsibility of the committee members is to understand their roles and hctions, and to identify and correct occupational safety and health hazards that directly affect them. In other words, the employer is responsiible for taking all necessary steps to provide a safc worldng environment for alI employees. Likewise, employees are obligated to take all precautionary measures to ensure their own safety and health as well as those of their co-workers. Figure 7 RaponsibiIities of Safety and HeaIth Representatives details the powers and responsibilities allocated to representatives of safety and health committees.

4.2. 3.2 Rights, Oblr'gations and LiubiIe

In order to comply with the intent of the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, it is suggested that members of the committee be chosen for their ability to cooperate with others in solving problems (Human Resources Development Canada, 1994). The committee should consist of at least two persons, one of whom represents the employees. The Code also indicates that the committee should have representative membership; at least half of them being employees who do not exercise managerial functions and who have been chosen by either the trade union or by the employees themselves. Meeting on a regular basis, the committee size should be dependent on a number of factors such as the number of employees at the worksite, the degree of workplace hazards, the varying workshift schedules, and the number of workplaces (Kuman Resources Development Canada, 1994,s)

It is the responsibility of the safety and health committees to discuss, generate, and offer guidance. However, they do not have power to act on its own recommendations. Therefore, it is important that there are managerial members on the committee that do have the authority within their organizations to sanction any recommendations. This will ensure that the matters discussed

Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standards and Guidelines 58 Figure 7 Responsibilities of Safety and Health Representatives

f Powers and Respcdbilities d + Safety and Health Repmentltiws

Reecive. --dm and dmi with emplayces' anploym with the cornpiainu dated to dety adhdth, 1 E;-1aaining andsupmiion

Empbyen must aume that e3Ehunpta)rseir~edd I I evayknma- aiby tnd hdrhhazard in the 1 Establish and promote fb Ihc akdcmd (

w 1 ~mp~oyusare must post inf-*m 1

Acupyoftht~&~

The unpiayn's safiry and hdth pdicy; Nunu dcommitta man& a rcpracntaim* and what they * Minutes ofcommittee mcuins -dents. injmMes.iltresu. and health hmdsand Nmes and wdclodons dm= monitor thed a b& aid ancndants; and L Otharelued inf~m,rta * &%yomcC?ditCCtr,

I Request hrnthe anpIoya the inf-on that is I anpIoVartoarsrttelh3taII ~subspncesyc~ hYrdlcd and used in the manner I O& Cirll3ccess to all govanmcrrt and empm 1 w- ~CCM& rebring to the *and hdlh d& empIoy#s rcp=a~ted- This does nainel& I records wilhout consent. Source:Human Raourcu Development Canada, 1994, S

-- 59 Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standards and Guidelines in the meetings will be followed through with action. Otherwise, the effectiveness and credibility of the committee is lost (Human Resources Development Canada, 1994).

4.2.4 Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA) The Construction Owners Association of Alberta recently developed an Owner's Guide to improve industry workplace health and safety- The Guide attempts to assist an owner in designing and creating a contractor's health and safety management program, consistent with an owner's expectations (COAA, 1995). Although this guide has a particular audience in mind, the concepts outlined can benefit any organization.

The Guide emphasizes that a major factor determining the effectiveness of any health and safety management program requires mutual participation by both an owner and a contractor - each with a distinct role to ensure ongoing safety of a contractor's activities. The relationship is significantly improved by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of both parties, defining expectations, and maintaining communication throughout the relationship (COAA., 1995, 1). This relationship can easily to be likened to that of an employer and employee.

The intent of the Contractor S Health and Safety Management Program is to foster improvement in several key areas: better working relationship between an owner and a contractor; competitiveness; contractor productivity; plant reliability; improve safety performance; training for both an owner and a contractor, and increase safety and well-being of all personnel (COAA, 1995).

4.2.5 EPA9sIndoor Air Quality Guide In response to the number of people requesting information and assistance over the last two decades regarding health and comfort concerns related to indoor air quality, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a indoor air quality guide. They were assisted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (EPA, December 1991). While many studies on the subject have been reported in technical publications and proceedings during throughout the years, little indoor air-related information had been targeted at owners and fgcility managers of public and commercial buildings, nor had this information been made readily available to the general public (EPA, December 1991).

In 1986, US Congress mandated that EPA conduct research and develop information on indoor air quality. In order to disseminate information, EPA's Indoor Air Division has produced

Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standards and Guidelines 60 numerous publications that have been distributed to a wide range of audiences. They have also recently set up an indoor air quality Information clearinghouse in 1992, which can aIso be accessed on the World Wide Web. Ln addition, they have developed several documents on building design and management practices.

Based on these events, both EPA and NIOSH realized there was a demand for practical indoor air quality advice for building owners and facility managers. Zhe Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers was a joint project to produce written @dance on preventing, identi&hg, and correcting indoor air quality problems. The document draws extensively on NEOSH's experience acquired hmtheir investigations and correcting indoor air quality problems. Since 1971, NOSH has conducted more than 600 indoor air quality investigation of office buildings under the Health Hazard Evaluation Program. This guide is based on current knowledge and acceptance in the relevant fields of bdding science and indoor air quality (EPA, December 1991). Like most of the standards and guidelines on indoor air quality, this guide is subject to revisions as research continues and the knowledge base increases.

Much of the literature on managing indoor air quality emphasizes the importance of information dissemination among building managers and building occupants @PA, December 1991). However, how this is to occur is often overlooked. This particular guide, unlike others, has a detailed chapter on effective communication of indoor air quality issues. The following sections will briefly discuss some of the ways in which establishing and maintaining an effective communication can play a significant factor in preventing and resolving indoor air quality issues. For more information on other aspects of addressing indoor air quality problems covered in this guide, a table of contents can be found in Appendix E.

4.2.5.1 Contrnunicating to Prevent UQProbIems

Effective communication can encourage building occupants to improve their work environment through positive contributions. The following objectives should be kept in mind while reviewing and revising current approaches to communicating with occupants (EPA, December 1991): provide accurate information about factors that a£fiect indoor air quality clarify the responsibilities of each part (e.g., building management, staff, tenants, contractors) establish an effective system for logging and responding to complaints should they occur

61 Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standards and Guidelines 4.2-5. I. I Providing Acnuate Information

Prevention of indoor air quality problems are more likely to occur if staff and building occupants understand how heir activities affect their indoor environment @PA, December 1991). For organizations that already have a health and safety committee functioning in their workplace, indoor air quality can easily be incorporated into their list of concerns. If one does not exist, establishing an indoor air quality task force should be considered A committee like this can help to disseminate information about indoor air quality, bring potential problems to the attention of building staff and management, and foster a sense of shared responsibility for maintaining a safe and comfortable indoor environment-

By formalizing the expectations of individuals in writing (e.g., employee manuals or lease agreements), responsibilities of building management, st^, and occupants with respect to indoor air quality can be clearly defined (EPA, December 1991). Educating occupants about what good house-keeping practices are in their workplace will especially aid in preventing indoor air quality problems fiom arising. A common example of occupants unintentionally contniuting to indoor air quality problems and complaints is by covering the supply air vents with papers to reduce uncomfortable drafts. However, this can disrupt the flow of air, not only in this room but also throughout the rest of the building- Several areas that should be of interest to occupants are: use of space, occupancy rate, modifications, and notXcations of planned activities @PA, December r 99 I). Use of S~ace Mixed-use buildings often have higher incidents of indoor air quality complaints. In addition to the provision of proper ventilation, occupants should be educated about what uses are permitted and the maximum occupancy of different areas within the building. This will alIow them to determine whether certain activities are conducive to indoor air quality problems (EPA, December 1991)- Occu~ancyRate

Occupants should be iaformed about the importance of keeping the building management informed about siwcant changes in occupancy. If occupancy rates do become a problem, referring to a standard reference (e-g., ASHRAE Standard 62-1989) to let occupants know that

Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standards and Guidelines 62 complying with occupancy rates within ventfiation regulations helps in providing a quality work environment, and that restrictions are not merely arbitrary decisions by building management.

Modifications to Occu~antS~ace Building owners, facility managers as well as occupants should be informed and made aware of any plans that involve increases in the number of occupants, relocation of wds or partitions, installation of new eqyipment, or changes in the use of space (e-g., renovations). Everyone should share the responsibility for monitoring, for example, new equipment installation or changes in the use of the space so that potential indoor air quality problems can be promptly identified and prevented @PA, December 1991)-

4.2.5.2 Establish a Systen~for Responding to Comp~aints

Many organizations have existing procedures established for responding to occupant complaints - these can be modified to include indoor air quality concerns. For prompt response, building occupants need to know how to express their complaints about IAQ. More importantly, they need to know how to locate responsible staff and where to obtain complaint forms. This information can be posted on bulletin boards, circulated in memos or newsletters, or publicized by some other means (EPA, December 1991). Good record-keeping is also an important component. An example of Complaint Forms and Incident Logs can be found in Appendix F.

In communicating to resolve IAQ problems, it is important to respond as quickly as possible to complaints and concerns and to maintain the lines of communication to establish credibility among management. Whether IAQ complaints are a result of poor indoor air quality, thermal conditions, noise, glare, or even job stresses, it is in the best interest of the building manager to respond to all complaints promptly and seriously. In the absence of open communication, any IAQ problem can become complicated by anxiety, htration, and distrust, which ultimately undermines the resolution of the situation.

Timely actions taken by management lets building occupants know that the health and safety of a building is an important issue, that good indoor air quality is an essential component of a healthful indoor environment, and that complaints about indoor air quality are taken seriously. This helps to strengthen suppoa and cooperation between building occupants and building managers. Information communicated should include the following:

63 Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standardi and Guidelines what types of complaints management has received

management's policy regarding providing a healthy and safe environment and responding to occupant complaints

what management has done to date (e-g., collecting data, responding to the problem) what management plans to do in order to fkther investigate and correct the problem (includingthe fact that outside codtants have been called in, if they have been)

names and telephone numbers of appropriate facility management, medical, or health and safety staff to whom the occupants should turn if they have additional complaints or questions, or if they have information that may help in resoiving the complaints.

More detailed information on how to manage indoor air quality issues can be found in EPA's Building Air Quality A Guidefor Building Owners and Facility Managers (December 199 1).

Chapter 4.0 Indoor Air Quality Standards and Guidelines 64 5.0 A REMEW OF EXISTING WORKPLACE IAQ INITIATIVES

5.1 ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS IN CORPORATIONS With new environmental issues being brought forward in recent years, many large corporations in Calgary are revising their corporate standards. In particular, many of the oil and gas companies are expanding their existing industrial safety management practices to include ail their employees, not just those who work out in the fieId. At a 1992 environmental conference (EnviroAction 1992: The Workplace and Beyond) it was stressed that the job of rnanwg all current environmental issues needs be undertaken by more than a handfid of motivated individuals. 'It must become part of the everyday business, part of our technology, part of the business culture, second nature to the way we do our work" While it is evident that corporate standards such as this are initiated with industrial sites in mind, the concepts can easily be extrapolated to all safety and health issues.

The following sections are reviews of several organizations that have implemented indoor air quality standards or guidelines of varying levels of comprehensiveness.

5.1.1 The University of Calgary The University of Calgary has an indoor air quality program mandated by the Maintenance Department. The objective of this program is to investigate existing conditions and make provisions to improve the quality of the indoor air in the maintenance process - to adjust, correct, and recommend upgrading for air-handling systems (Maintenance and Operations Department, 1992).

'Tt is planned to correct deficiencies in a campus-wide program of adjustment and repair, to ensure optimal operation of present equipment. hadequate air-handling systems should be upgraded to meet new standards and fbture requirements. This would minimize problems and increase general satisfaction among the campus community with building air quality" (Maintenance and Operations Depart, 1992)

The program consists of a multidisciplinary health and safety committee, including the Safety Office and the Human Resources Department, to deal with several different aspects of the indoor air quality issue:

Chapter 5.0 A Review of Ensting Workplace L4Q InitLatiires 65 inspection and evaluation of the HVAC and mechanical system by members of the MaintenanceQerations Department;

evaluation of biologicaVchemical or possible airborne contaminants by the Safety Office andlor and outside independent laboratory; and

evaluation of possible health concerns and follow up recommendations by Human Resources and/or Medical Resources.

Fipre 8 Flow Chart of Action Required for IAQ Investigations

Source: Maintenance and Operations Department, The University of Calgary, 1995

The university monitors the mechanical and operations of the HVAC system to provide adequate indoor air quality in its buildings based on standards outlined by ASHRAE. When indoor air quality complaints are made, the Maintenance Department is the first level of response. The building air quality management program's objective is to analyze the air quality in each location as a request is made. This includes:

- 66 Choplet- 5.0 A Review of Exl'sting Workplace IAQ Initiatives extensive inspection and adjustment procedures by both Maintenance Department personnel and a contracted "test and balance" (TAB) agency

repair and modification of existing air-handhg and distri'bution equipment to ensure optimum operation

determining upgrading requirements for air-handling and distribution systems.

If there are concerns of volatile organic compounds or possible airborne contaminants, the university's Safety Office is then contacted In cases where there are health concerns or persons are affected by the poor quality of the indoor air, the Human Resources Department is called upon to evaluate the matter. The Health and Safety Committee, administered by the Safety Office has also addressed indoor air quality concems in the past (Martin Kirk, personal communication, 1997). However, in most cases, the Maintenance Department directly addresses any indoor air quality concerns by analyzing the causes of recurrent problems and complaints and mitigating the circumstances.

5.1.2 The University of Waterloo The University of Waterloo does not have formal indoor air quality guidelines but operates on a similar procedure as the University of Calgary when dealing with indoor air quality complaints. Personnel at Plant Operations investigate the ventilation system to ensure that it is operating according to standards (Ian Fraser, personal communication, 1996)- If problems with the system cannot be determined, the Safety Officer will proceed to inte~ewthe person or persons making the complaint for additional information. Based on the additional information obtained, tests for carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity are conducted. If these tests result in high levels of carbon dioxide, or temperature and humidity levels appear to be beyond ASHRAE guidelines, then fbther investigation is conducted. In most cases, the carbon dioxide and temperatures are found to be within ASHRAE guidelines but the relative humidity tends to be low in the winter season; this is due to excess outside air entering the buildings. According to Fraser, the workers seem to prefer more fkesh air and dryer conditions. Many of the university buildings do not have humidification and recommendations to retrofit them have been received with cautiousness because there is a tendency for mould to accumulate in the ducts and the amines used to treat the steam also pose problems-

Chapter 5.0 A Review of Existing Workplace HQ Initiatives 67 5.1.3 The University of Minnesota The School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota adopted a unique scent-fkee policy during the fall of 1993. This policy was put into effect in order to accommodate a number of students and staE in the faculty who were battling with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), which is another health-related ailment Linked to poor indoor air Wty. This policy was a critical step in recognizing the importance of indoor air quality for those with MCS. The school's guidelines regarding MSC can be found in Appendix H-

This policy recognizes MCS as a disability and condemns any form of discrimination against persons with MCS or any other disability. MCS has been recognized as a disability by the Department of Justice, US Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Canadian government's national health insurance program, and the Canadian Anti-discrimination Act, to name a few (The Delicate Balance, 1992; Tang Lee, personal communication, 1997). However, such support for MCS has not always been so positive in the past. Many experts in the field of medicine and science still believe symptoms of MCS sufferers to be psycho-symptomatic.

The intent of the scent-fiee policy is to require those involved in the day-to-day activities of the School of Social Work to re- &om wearing any scented products. Individuals who do not abide the regulations are asked to leave (See Figure 9 School of Social Work Scent Free Statement). Protocol and guidelines for reasonable accommodation.of the disabled were greatly expanded by the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, therefore, deeming this policy as an acceptable measure. It is the policy's mandate to ensure high quality of indoor air in the affected buildings in order to create an environment for good health and equal opportunity in academic success for those affected by MCS.

Many of the debilitating toxins exposed to MCS sufferers are found in an inexhaustive number of pesticides, paints, cleaning products, perfhes, scented personal care products, carpeting, fabric f~shes,dryer sheets, and ventilation systems, only to name a few. Physical symptoms often manifest itself as difficulty in breathing, cardiac problems, tissue innammation, debilitating joint and head pain, and numbness in the extremities. Central nervous system responses in include tremors and/or convulsions, loss of consciousness, and mess.Due to the severity of some of these symptoms, normal daily activity can be near to impossible for those suffering with MCS.

68 Chapter 5.0 A Review 01-Existing Workplace L4Q Initiatives 5.1.4 The City of Calgary

The City of CaIgary has a recommended practice in regards to indoor air quality- The purpose of the policy is to specify rninhnum ventilation rates and indoor air quality to achieve acceptable standards for human occupants where exposure to adverse health effects and discomfort is eliminated, This is based on ASHlUE's current ventilation guidelines.

This policy applies to all indoor or enclosed office type spaces owned or operated by The City of Calgary which people may occupy. There is exception to locations where standards and requirements dictate larger amounts of ventilation than this standard, such as certain vehicle repair and maintenance shops (Tang Lee, personal communication 1998).

Like the majority of indoor air quality policies in existence, the City of Calgary's policy is approached fiom an operations perspective. The policy specses the necessary procedures required to obtain acceptable air quality indoors by providing ventilation air of proper quality and quantity to the space, and by achieving acceptable air quality within the space with respect to specifiable contaminants. With these mechanical standards in place, The City of Calgary does not deem it necessary to involve general occupants in the process (e-g., employees, employers, etc.). No formal process exists for occupants to make complaints. According to Michael Lawrence, Occupational Hygienist with the City of Calgary, reaction to indoor air quality is received with mixed responses. While the issue of achieving good indoor air quality is important, the organization does not feel that it is a priority problem (Michael Lawrence, personal communication, 1996).

5.1.5 NOVA Under its Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Policy (SHER), Nova Chemicals outlines its commitment to making protection of human health, safety and the environment a priority- They attempt to fulfil the mandate of this policy through the application of a comprehensive safety, health, environment and risk (SHER) program. This policy encourages all employees to adopt and encourage safe work practices and conduct aIl work-related activities in an environmentally responsible manner-

As an extension of their Health and Safety Committee, Nova has incorporated the issues of indoor air quality into their program. Initially, indoor air quality issues were indirectly addressed tvithin their ergonomics standard policy. However, more recently in November of 1997, NOVA drafted up a separate Indoor Air Quality Guideline based on the standards outlined in ASHRAE

Chapter 5.0 A Review of Enkting Workplace UQInitiatives 69 Figre 9 School of Social Work Scent Free Statement

ATTENTION

For more information, contact Nancy Johnston, Director of Graduate Studies at 624-1893

Thank you for your cooperation

Jean Quam, Director

400 Ford Hall School of Social Work College of Human Ecology University of Minnesota

70 Chapter 5.0 A Review of Eriting Workplace UQ iniriutives 621989 'Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality" (See Appendix G). Its purpose is '90 establish guidelines for acceptable indoor air quality with the intent to prevent adverse health effects among occupants and optimize comfort and productivity" (NOVA, 1997, 1). The objective of the policy is to ensure that reasonable and practical measures are taken to eliminate or minimize the exposure of an employee to airborne hazardous substances. The guidehe is applicable to ail routinely occupied indoor spaces in which clerical, administrative and generally non-industrial activities are performed.

SimiIar to the guidelines prepared by the US Environmental Protection Agency, NOVA Chemical's indoor air quality guideline addresses the following items:

source control and maintenance of potentially hazardous contaminants;

selection of materials with potential for emitting volatile organic compounds and other chemicds;

an investigative procedure for dealing with indoor air quality complaints;

smoking policies; and

developing an effective communication procedure.

The organization, in concert with the building's manager, also promotes training and awareness among its employees and about the affects of workplace hazards. More specifically, indoor air quality is addressed by keeping employees informed through informational bulletins. These bulletins give information regarding the building's air quality status and the action and/or progress that has been undertaken, procedures to achieve acceptable working conditions, as well as contact numbers to both the building management and health and safety representative (See Figure 10 NOVA'S IAQ Informational Bulletin on page 72).

-- Chapter 5.0 A Review of Existing Workplace IAQ Initiatives 71 ENCOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY AREA ENCOR 11

Monitoring for Carbon dioxide. Temperafure and Relative Humidify has been conducted for ENCOR, Area 1 162-1 2 between the periods: March 18. to March 27, 1996. The results are shown in the attached chart.

The goal is to meet established guidelines in order to satisfy the widest range of occupancy needs. It is recognized that up to 20% of the population may have preferences outside these guidelines, but mosf efforis will be directed to recurring excursions outside the guidelines. Where needs vary beyond the capability of local building systems. or fail outside these guidelines. an option may be to group those - individuals with like preferences and adjust regional building systems accordingly.

If you require immediate assistance, (too hof/cold or more/less introduced air) contact the Security Desk at 269-21 17. Building management policy is to respond within 30 minutes, so if there is no change please callback. If more than 2 calls are received from an area in the same week, a building operator wiil investigate in person. NOTE if you do not contact them, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS.

Similar monitoring is planned for all NOVA-occupied floors through the year. These measurements will offer an indication of the general air quality and fresh air exchange rates that can be expected. but do not cover all aspects related to the office environment.

If you have continuing concerns about a specific area. or about air quality issues not addressed by this monitoring (i.e. dust. solvents, ozone.. etc.). or if you have some suggestions as to how your concerns can be more effectively addressed, please let us know by adding your comments directly by TOSS. Replies wiil be responded to directly on this sheet as well. or if you prefer otherwise, please contact Barry Kwong directly at: 750-3606. 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACHIEVING HEXLTBY IAQ

6.1 INTRODUCTION

There is ample evidence that workplace indoor air quality problems and its associated health risks are well-grounded. Yet, while there is increasing awareness and support for the need of more appropriate methods to address indoor air quality issues, there is still an absence of any holistic hnework in the workplace setting- There is fkquentiy a reactive response to indoor air quality issues - mitigation rather than prevention is preferred. Moreover, indoor air poUution and its resolutions are often dominated by factors of building design and operation since this is where the most tangible solutions are found. Thus, it is not surprising to find many building occupants unaware of the issues or unable to access proper channels to voice concerns. Conversely, considerable Literature suggests that the implementation of proactive or preventive indoor air quality measures, coupled with an interdisciplinary approach, result in physical, social, and economic benefits in the workplace.

Strategies for managing indoor air quality in the workplace need to be formulated, not only to give indoor air quality issues more validity but to offer direction for those seeking information and guidance in effectively addressing indoor air quality problems in their workplace. In an attempt to provide healthy indoor air in the workplace, the following sections discuss some of the key issues that need to be addressed-

6.1.1 The Reality of Indoor Air Quality The reality of indoor air pollution requires understanding and emphasis. Indoor air quality issues have historically been attributed to mass hysteria or psychogenic causes. However, ample studies have disputed such notions and have shown that indoor air pollution problems are not isolated incidents but prevalent in the office workplace (Baker, 1989). Media coverage has also helped to bring the issue to the forefont Furthermore, many disciplines (e.g., architecture, engineering, and medicine) have acknowledged the validity of indoor air quality issues and are continually conducting research into the various aspects of indoor air pollution. Yet, indoor air pollution still does not appear to be taken as seriously as other workplace health and safety issues (e-g. industrial sites, alcohol, drug abuse, etc.). Perhaps it is the terminology, such as "sick building syndrome," that de-legitimizes its significance as a health risk issue. Or perhaps it is the stigma attached to poor indoor air quality- Indoor air quality desenes considerably more

Chapter 6.0 Recommendarions for Achim'ng Healthy L4Q 75 attention, particularly since it affects in varying degrees millions of people occupying office buildings. Any stigma attached to indoor air pollution needs to be dispelled*

6.1.2 Education and Communication

More education on indoor air quality and its potential health eEkcts is needed, particularly for building occupants. Although statutory laws, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act, state that workers have the right to safe and heaIthfbL workplace environments, the organizational, administrative and emotional support mechanisms in the workplace do not exist for workers to easily and comfortably access this information. The occupants of an office building, particuIacly employees, are gendy domed about indoor air pollution, its potential health hazards, and the options available to reduce exposures. Instead, problems related to indoor air quality focus on building design and maintenance, and therefore, information is readily made accessible only to individuals such as building managm, architects, engineers, and product salespeople. The general office population is often excluded fiom the information distribution process. This is the typical scenario in many office workplaces, including those in Calgary. Unless information is readily accessible, promoted, circulated, perhaps in the form of guides or pamphlets, and responses encouraged, most workers will feel like uncomfortable, intimidated, ridiculed and discriminated against about voicing concerns.

Establishing an open Line of communication is a crucial part of the education process. It is very difficult for occupants to act if they do not perceive their place of work as contributing to their illnesses or disease. Most people would never attri'bute their allergies or illnesses to their workplace, and thus, will unintentionally continue to subject themselves to harm or attempt to find other causes. On the other hand, there may be concerns fiom building management about IAQ complaints put forth by building occupants that have no merit - the complex interactions of job or personal stress coupled with environmental variables may easily obscure the root of the problem. In order to avoid or prevent unsubstantiated complaints it is important to establish a system or procedure for responding to complaints. In particular, EPA suggests that a record- keeping system be implemented which cross-references documentation on complaints with records of equipment operation and maintenance. This allows for the collection of information that highlights patterns of problems (e.g., complaints that occur at a regular time of day or in the same area of the building), which then offers some legitimacy to the complaints (EPA, 1991). In any case, whether indoor air quality concerns are grounded in substantiated or unsubstantiated concerns in the workplace, it is in the best interest of the building manager to respond to all

76 Chapter 6.0 Recommendations for Achieving Healthy UQ complaints and maintain open communication about the indoor air environment, 0th-se, the resolution of indoor air problems can become much more complicated than necessary.

6.1.3 Management of Indoor Air Quality in the Workplace The North American building ventilation standard for acceptable indoor air quality is developed and maintained based on profaional judgment of the technical evidence available through the mechanism such as ASHRAE. Similarly, threshold hit values for exposure to natural and synthetic pollutants are developed by the industrial hygiene community- However, ventiIation and pollutant regulation as the primary means of indoor air pollution control is not enough. According to one US professional in the field, indoor air quality problems in the workplace do exist and there are certainly some larger companies that have set policies for dealing with complaint situations. There are also specific policies that some companies have to address the management of IAQ concerns. But due to the increasing litigation of IAQ cases, companies are very protective, if not secretive about their policies - they do not want the appearance that if an IAQ policy exists, it must mean they have indoor air problems. However, in his experience, most companies have at most a haphazard approach to the subject of IAQ, if any at all (Richard Byrd, personal communication, 1996).

The establishment of an indoor air quality management program in the workplace may better achieve the varying interests of the building's tenants, occupants, and building management. The policy or wideline should encompass commitment to solving indoor air quality problems, and define specific expectations for both building occupants and building management in order to achieve a safe and healthy indoor working environment. Perhaps indoor air quality management guidelines, prescribing a set of actions (e-g. increase awareness, provide effective solutions), could be incorporated as a subset under existing health and safety committee agendas.

In developing an indoor air quality management plan or program, the responsibilities of building occupants and building management should be clearly defined so that indoor air quality concerns and issues become incorporated into routine procedures. The following are considered key elements of a good indoor air quality management plan:

1. Understand about the major influences that affect indoor air quality and keep informed about new developments and initiatives regarding indoor air quality issues.

2. Select an indoor air quality manager with adequate authority and resources in the workplace, and assign clear and specific responsibilities to the position.

- - - - Chapter 6.0 Recommendations for Achieving Healthy IAQ 77 3. Review and cladfy with building occupants their responsi'biIities, especially if their responsibilities affect the quality of the indoor air (e-g, cIdgor maintenance personnel). Also establish channe1s of communication for sharing information regarding any activities or changes occurring in the office workspace that may impact the indoor air quality (e.g, equipment repair or replacement, renovations, new uses of spaces or additional occupants within a space)

4. Review standard procedures, guidelines, or policy in order to promote good indoor air quality,

5. Review the existing record-keeping system and make necessary revisions to establish a procedure for recording indoor air quality related complaints and obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for hazardous materials used and stored in the building.

6. Educate building occupants, building maintenance, and contractors who do work in the building about their influence on indoor air quality (e.g., through a health and safety committee, instituting training programs, etc.)

6.1.4 Government Intervention Though there is support for indoor air quality research, there is an absence of legislation or any government agency that comprehensively addresses problems of indoor air quaIity in Canada. The scenario typically entails being forwarded fiom one agency to the next before any information is offered or even available to an inquiring individual. For example, Calgary Health Services has health inspectors who are equipped mainly to address indoor air quality complaints in residential settings. There is an expectation that any problems of indoor air quality in the office setting be addressed by building management. Also, although safety and health committees are mandated for companies under federal jurisdiction, there is no provincial legislation requiring companies in the Province of Alberta to have a workplace safety and health committee.

Currently in Canada, the concerns about indoor air pollution are proportionately less than in the United States, given their much larger population and urbanized growth. As a result, regulatory agencies in the US are much more involved in addressing problems and potential impacts of indoor air pollutants. In Canada, however, government intervention in the form of regulatory legislation may not be necessary to address indoor air quality issues in the workplace. Instead, it may be more effective for governments to continue assisting in funding the necessary research, providing educational and technical assistance, and developing policy options directed at reducing indoor air pollution so that the companies can undertake the initiative to incorporate indoor air quality concerns into their places of work-

78 Chapter 6.0 Recommendationsfor Achieving Healthy L4Q 6.1.5 An Interdisciplinary Approach Indoor air quality issues are not simply a building systems or HVAC problem - there are many contriiuting factors (e-g., organizational environrnenf building product emissions, occupant activities). Therefore, proper mitigation requires a multi-disciplinary approach fiom the design and implementation stages of the building, through to the maintenance and occupancy stages. This means involving not only architects, engineers, and building managers, as is typically the case, but concern for indoor air quality should be instituted in the organization's health and safety committee or health promotion program, and involve all building occupants.

Because the identitication of causes and rwoI&*on of hdoor air quaIity probIems still reqees supporting scientific evidence Worcostly investigations, it is necessary that indoor air quality research agendas involve multi-disciplinary teams, including medical, chemical, biological, as well as social and building science disciplines. Research information shared among the disciplines can bring about professional consensus and a more holistic understmding of indoor air quality and its maq facets can be achieved in order to protect the safety, health, and well- being of building occupants, who make up a siwcant portion of the general population.

Psychological, social, and organizational factors also have a signifZcant influence on the prevalence of building-related health complaints but have received little attention, relative to the biological, chemical, and physical disciplines (Baker, 1989). Not only have there been dramatic changes in the physical environment within buildings, the structure and organization of work in offices have also changed. Job category, gender, and organizational climate (e-g., importance of control of work and the environment) are factors that may influence individuals' perceptions of the indoor air quality and how problems are resolved For example, problems can be complicated and intensified, both in terms of time and cosf by excluding workers and occupants £kom the process. One of the reasons for this exclusion occurs may be due to the fact that corporations believe too much infomation access to employees can cause unwarranted fear or unwanted publicity. However, if this kind of approach is to continue, solving indoor air quality problems will not only take on a top-down approach, but thexe will also be the perception by employees that their employee andlor building management does not value safety, health, and productivity issues - this may ultimately reduce employee mode and affect other aspects of the workplace. Therefore, evaluations of indoor air quality should consider increasing the role of social science in further understanding indoor air quality issues.

Chapter 6.0 Recommendationsfor Achieving Healflry UQ 79 Also, because indoor air quality problems have largely resulted hmthe rapid developments of urbanization in our cities, it would be relevant to include the discipline of laban planning as part of the interdisciplinary team (e-g., the physical geography of cities, orientation of buildings due to our temperate climate, and allocated land uses, high density urban development impact the ambient air pollutants which then affects the indoor air).

6.1.6 Developing a Preventative Approach to Solving Indoor Air Quality ProbIems

Currently, the most common method of addressing indoor air qMty concerns is when the problem arises and/or a complaint is made. Does this suggest that the resolution of indoor air quality problems is inherently reactive? The simple answer to that question is yes. However, establishing a preventative approach to avoid, or to at least reduce the number of indoor air quality complaints arising in the hrst place, is not only desirable but also possible. For example, materials, fUmishings, and equipment known to raise air pollution levels could be identified prior to being introduced or installed in the environment. Heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and humidification @WAC) systems could be better designed, operated and maintained. Building occupants could be informed about the kinds of influences they can have on the indoor air, and undertake their activities accordingly. Furthermore, because ASARAE's standards for acceptable indoor air quality is based on a rather subjective 80 percent occupant satisfaction rate, it is difficult, if not impossible, to rely on that figure to assess indoor air quality acceptability before any efforts are made to address indoor air quality issues. Therefore, it may be prudent to examine other indicators such as employee absenteeism, productivity levels, and disability claims to assess whether or not there are problems with the indoor environment in the workplace.

Indoor air quality problems addressed proactively rather than reactively, and involving all concerned stakeholders will result in considerable savings in time and cost. Also, while problems may still occur in buildings whose owners and managers conscientiously address indoor air quality problems, their preventative efforts to provide a safe and healthy indoor environments support a strong legal and ethical position if problems do arise.

6.1.7 Ethical and Legal Responsibilities

The increased knowledge about the potential health effects of poor indoor air quality has increased debate about the ethical and legal issues of indoor air quality. In cases where individuals feel their working environment has caused damages to their health, and there has been a lack of response to investigate the concerns by employers or building management, legal

80 Chapter 6.0 Recommendations for Achieving Healthy UQ action has taken place. Because the problems associated with building-related illnesses are ftequently difficult to identify and resolve and complicated by a number of variables, liability is often extended to a plethora of individds such as architects, builders, contractors, building product manufacturers, realtors, building owners, and to employets (Kirsch, 1991).

According to Kirsch (1991) this growing trend towards litigation over indoor pollution raises questions about how effectively we are currently resolving indoor air pollution issues. Canada had its first indoor air quality court case, Amush VS Regina Public School Board, held in September of 1997 (Tang, Lee, personal co~u~u*cation,1998). Obviously not enough is being done if individuaIs resort to legal action. It is dortunate that all parties involved are baring high costs of litigation, with no guarantee of satisfactory compensation. This is particularly the situation in the absence of any legislation regulating indoor air pollution. Given the precariousness of indoor air quality issues, it may be best to resolve disagreements in forums other than through the legal system.

Ethical issues surrounding indoor air quality include ownership of responsibility - whether indoor air is in the realm of public or private property, and whether government intervention is necessary, as is the case with the ambient air. While the debate continues, indoor air pollution continues to impact the health and comfbrt of ofice workers. Until that time when policy or legislation is deemed necessary, building occupants and building management should take on the responsibility of protecting the health and safety, as well ensuring the comfort and well-being of everyone in the workplace.

6.1.8 Variable Work Arrangements Some companies encourage their staff to work at home if they have communicable diseases or ailments such as the common cold, rather than coming to work and spreading the disease to co- workers. There may certainly be some benefits to extending similar concessions or implementing a policy in the workplace that allows for employees with sensitivities to pollutants in the workplace to work fkom home as one of the strategies for addressing IAQ problems. This would allow, for instance, individuals with multiple chemical sensitivities to participate fully in the workforce - they would not have reduced productivity levels (e-g, having to take sick days, etc.) or be forced to give up their jobs altogether. This strategy is certainly suppor? by the concept of working fiom home or 'telecommuting" which is cmently a growing phenomenon. This trend has been spurred by the changing nature of the economy and by technological advancements and

- pp - - -- Chapter 6.0 Recommendationsfor Achieving Healthy L4Q 81 innovations. Therefore, the notion of home-based work for those who are unable to cope with the environmental conditions within the workplace, should be seen as an opportunity to create better working situations for employees - particularly since it is supported by our changing notion of the traditional workplace and has other potential advantages (e-g., alleviating peak hour traf3Zc congestion and other social issues).

6.2 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

This study has been limited to reviewing if and how indoor air quality issues are addressed in the oEce environment and whether or not tbere are existing standards and regulations to support the design and management of indoor air quality in the non-industrial workplace.

While considerable research appears to support the need for indoor air quaiity policy, there are also areas that require Mer scientific research before this will become a realization. For example, Samet and Spengler (1991) have suggested steps that are necessary to be undertaken before government policy can be developed (See Figure 11 Steps to Developing an Indoor Air Quality Policy below).

6.3 CONCLUSION

There is an absence of a comprehensive legal, regulatory, administrative and technical framework for approaching the problem of indoor air pollution. Indoor air quality problems may result from natural sources, poor building design, inadequate building maintenance, structural components and fUrnishings, consumer products, and occupant activities. Control of these diverse sources of pollution in the air of public and private buildings poses an unprecedented challenge (Samet & Spengler, 1991).

Indoor air quality in the workplace appears to be a concern only with respect to meeting mechanical building system guidelines by building management as outlined by ASHRAE ventilation standards. Addressing other IAQ issues (e.g., procedures for addressing complaints, increasing awareness through the education of employees and dl building occupants, establishing channels of responsibilities) do not seem to be a priority in the workplace, with the exception of a handfbl of companies. The basic assumption underlying the lack of workplace

-- 82 Chapter 6.0 Recommendations for Achr'evi'ng Healthy UQ IAQ guidelines or procedures appears to be that if you take care of the blrilding mechanical system, other means of addressing indoor air quality problems is unnecessary. While there is a lack of formal IAQ programs in the office workplace, the good news is that support is continually growing for indoor air quality issues, in terms of research, and building and management practices. IAQ and its related implications are also becoming increasingly more familiar to the general public.

The implementation of effdve indoor air quality standardsy guidelines, a.policies, supplemented by an educational program has great potential to produce informed managers and building occupants with speczc expectations regarding their indoor woddng environments. IncreasingIy, buildings with optimum air quality could be achieved as occupants become aware of the problems and are provided with effective solutions. On a broader scope, a heightened awareness and understanding of inddor air quality issues would put pressure on building management, as well as private-sector businesses and the marketplace, to ultimately respond with business practices and products that exceed minimum standards. However, this is unlikely to occur without the structure of an indoor air quality guideline or procedure: articulating commitment, defining the problem, and establishing guidelines to achieve stated expectations. Like many other health and safety related issues in the workplace, striving for good indoor air quality should be encouraged and promoted. Awareness of indoor air quality and its associated health risks is a step towards understanding, if not creating, healthier work environments.

Chapter 6.0 Recommendations for Achieving Healthy L4Q emission sources dilution indoor concentrations activity patterns c.xpo~CS

number of people e~posed BASED ON RISK ASSESSMENT severity of eqosute SCIEZviC EVIDEXCE dose-response rcIationship

ventilation APPLICABILITY OF 5lITIGhTIXG source removal MEASURES source modification 0air cleaning i buiIding "publicness" POLICY ISSUES conservation benefits voluntary versus nonvoluntary risks pubtic versus private rcsponsibilin. local, state, or federal intenention

no action b~IZZEPUBLIC GOVERX3ENi RESPONSES more research EkLTK PROTECTION public information economic incentives moral suasion legal liability

Figure 11 Steps to Developing an Indoor Air Quality Policy Source: Spengler and Samet, 1991,24

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Unknown. (1995) "Wisconsin Appeals Court Rejects Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Suit." Building Eftw-ronmenf Report. IAQ Publications, Inc. (December) p. 4.

Vaulik, F., and Shaw, C.Y- (1991) Maintainins? Indoor Air Oualitv Throueh the Use of HVAC Svstems. National Research Council of Canada

Walkinshaw, Douglas S. (1991) "Tndoor Air. The Need for Indoor Air Quality Standards." At the Centre. (Walkinshaw is president of Indoor Air Technologies, Inc. in Ottawa, Ontario). (August) pp. 18-20.

Whithey, J.R. 1989. A Critical Review of the Health Effects of Atmomheric Particulates. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 5(3):5 19-554. Wong, Jacob Y. (No Date) 'The Value of Monitoring Indoor C02 Levels and Indoor Air Quality." TAB Jod. (Wong is president of Telaire Systems. Inc., 6489-A CaUe Red, Goleta, California).

90 References Woods, James E. (1989) "Cost Avoidance and Productivity in Owning and Operating Buildings." Occupational Medicine: Stute of the Art ReviewsS Philadelphia: Hanley & Belh, Inc. (October-December) Vol. 4, No. 6,753:769.

References 91 APPENDIX A: Kev Contacts

[ The University of Calgary I Maintenance Department Trevor Hansen Dwayne Bronyck

Human Resources Department Glennis Schick, Occupational Health Nurse Phone: 220-7887

Campus Health and Safety Martin Kirk, Safety Officer

I Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety I

T'he Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)promotes a safe and healthy working environment by providing information and advice about occupational health and safety.

250 Main St. East Hamilton, Ontario L8N lH6 1-800-668-4284or (905) 570-8094 Fax (905)572-2206 Email: [email protected]

I City of Calearv I

Michael Lawrence, Occupational Hygienist. (Met with him January 1996). Phone: 268-2206

I Calgary Health Services 1

Dennis Stefani, Environmental Health Inspector (October 1995) Phone: 228-7570

Edmond Gee, Environmental Health Inspector (January 1996) Phone: 228-7566

- -- -- Contacts They deal with indoor air quality problems with personal residences. Workplace situations are dealt with by Occupational Health & Safety. For IAQ Manual call Joan 228-7574.

I The University of Waterloo I Ian Fraser, Safety and Environment Health Coordinator (January 29,1996) Safety Office, HeaIth Services Buildings, University of Waterloo Phone: (5 19) 888-4567 Ext- 6268 Fax: (5 19) 746-5023 Email: [email protected]

I The University of hnesota I Sue Lasoff (November 14,1995) Email: sue-Iaso [email protected]

Doma Armstrong, School of Social Work (first to develop policy) Phone: (6 12) 624-5888 Email: [email protected]

Fay Thompson, Director of Environmental Health & Safety (works on indoor air quality; in charge of developing University-wide policy regarding MCS) Phone: (6 12) 774-0441 Email: [email protected]

Sue Kroeger, Director of Disability Services Phone: (6 12) 624-420 Email: [email protected]

Mary LamieIle, President of National Center for Environmental Health Strategies 1 100 Rural Avenue, Voorhees, New Jersey 08043 Phone: (609) 429-5358

I The University of Sydney I Leanne Mumford (January 3 1,1996) Email: [email protected]

93 Contacts I Elveden House Building Manager @OMA) 1 Brian Corony Building Manager (February 1997) Phone: 269-4381 (referred by Betty Axten, Office Manager at Emst and Young)

I Employment Labour Standards I

Phone: 1-800-559-7789 Service Centre (Fish Creek Park JI) - Human ResourcedGeneral Inquiries 292-4821 Federal Labour Branch: Occupational HeaIth and Safety Contact: Neil 297-2222

I Alberta Occupational Health & SPTety 1 (403) 297-2222 Client Services (403)297-7882 HeaIth and Safety Programs

Dan Clark, Occupational Hygienist Phone: (403) 427-2687

I Government of Canada, Workplace Health & SnZety I For idormation and articles call:

I Alberta Labour Library I

Helina, Librarian

Barry Wong, Occupational Hygienist (January 1996) Phone: 750-3606

Eric Hiddema, Safety ConsuItant Phone: 750-3612

Contacts 94 I Health Canada, Communication Department I

I IAQ Publications

Publications and information on enviromental news can be obtained fiom:

2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 430, Chevy Chase, MD 208 15 Phone (800) 394-0115 Fax (301) 913-0119 EmaiI: [email protected]

I Indoor Air Quality Investigations 1 Richard Byrd, Director Indoor Air Quality Investigations Machado Environmental Corp. Glendale, California, USA Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.elitesofi.com/sci~vacf

95 Contacts APPENDIX B: IAQ Questionnaire and Responses INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Office Wodrphce H~dtb,Sdtty and W&B- Qpesti-, Gtok1.96

I am a graduate student at The University of Cdgary working on my master's thesis under the supervision of Professor Tang Lee.

In recent years, the public has beccme acutely aware of environmental health issues, particularly in the office \vorkplace. This is not surprising since nearly 60 percent of the workforce spend at least one third of the their day in office buildings- In our efforts to conserve energy, changes in the way we design, construct and maintain buiIdinp have unintentiody elevated our exposure to many indoor pollutmt&

A segment of my study aims to ascertain \\%etheror not companies located in do\mtom Gal-guy have procedures or policies to deal ~ithindoor air quality issues in their workplace. Subsequently, I would like to compare and evaluate the elements of company indoor air quality procedures and design a model policy. The information that you impart \*ill be of great assistance in its formulation

Please complete the questionnaire on the back side of this sheet Xf you are unable to respond to the questionnaire, please pass it along to m individual within your organization who is abIe to do so.

Additional infomation can be sent to the address listed below- Anv &delines or wlicies sent \will remain entireIv confidential.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel h to call me.

Yours sincerely,

Mona M. Ha

.

Faculty of Envuonmcn!aI Design Home: (403)24 1-5 107 The University of Calgary Environmental Dcsi@F= (403)2894205 2500 Univemizy Drive XW FacultyMah me (403)220-1120 Calgary, AB TZ?!1N4 Em& ~ucalgary-ca INDOOR AIR QUALITY - Office Workplace Health, Sdety and WclEBcing QuationntirCr October 1996

Instructions:

1- Please circle the response br most accumc1y rdects your company's present n'tuaio~

-2. Once you have completed this qnestionnair~~please f~rto 2894205 as soon as ~ossibleto rhe attention of Mona Ha hduate Student,

Xame: Company:

Position: Phone Number.

i QUXSrrOx iLVSVER 1. Does your company own or lease the buiIding its employees occupy? OWX LEASE

I I 2. How many people are employed by your company? I 1-9 75-99 250-299 400439 I (Circle you answer) 3 How many of your fompq's employees are actually located in this particular buildins? Wnderiint your answer)

4. Does your company have a Health and Sd'i Commjtttt? YES KO

L 5a Does your company have procedures or guidelines that deal aid indoor air quality issues? YES W

I 1 5b. If so, are these guidelines made aware to your employees? NOT YES NO APPLICABLE

1 I 5c. Is it a company-wide policy or just -6c to the buildins tbat you occupy? NOT YES NO APPLICABLE

I I I 6. How are indoor air quality ~oncemsaddressed within your company? (e-g-, cmploycc complains to boss 9 boss directs con- to buildin3 manager) Ifposible, please sadg~ddelines or policies.

I I Faculty of Environmental Desiga, The University of Calgary Home: (403)241-5107 * F~xr(403)289-6205 * Schook (403)220-1120 Emd: -acs.ucalgary.ol A Sample of Downtown Calgary Organizations 50 Iarge Calgary organizations were contacted based on their size and their downtown location. They were sent a one-page questionnaire in order to determine whether or not they had indoor air quality policies instituted in their workplace. The intent of this exercise was to assess the current situation of office workplaces in downtown Calgary with regard to indoor air quality issues. Responses were received fiom 14 companies. Based those companies who had responded, as well as inferences made from those companies that did not respond, it appeared that the issue of indoor air quality was not a priority in Calgary workplaces.

The responses indicated that the 9 of the organizations did not have an indoor air quality guidelines or procedures. The 5 organizations that did have policies addressed them informdy through their building management or through their Health and Safety Committees. One of these organizations believed building management and indoor air quality policies were one and the same. However, whether, forma1 or informal, all the organizations addressed their indoor air quality concerns to building management who, in turn, investigated any deficiencies in the building operation. (Results are shown below in Table 7)

When asked how they responded to indoor air quality complaints, the following answers were offered:

Concems are directed to the Manager of Facility Services who in hun passes inquiries onto building maintenance st& for handling. Employee complains to boss, boss directs concerns to building manager. Complaint comes to Office Services, who would contact the building Engineering group. Concems are forwarded to Administration, in turn Building and Office Services forwards concems to the building management company. Employee complains to boss or Health and Safety Committee, Safety Department, or to the Safety Manager. IAQ surveys are conducted reguIarIy, especially after reconstruction of floors. Comments are directed to the receptionist who contacts the building manager. Informal, complaints to Human Resources or Health and Safety staff who then forwards complaints to the building manager. If we receive several complaints we will have the air quality tested by an outside consultant, Employee concerns are generally forwarded to our Corporate Sewices Team who deals with the Building Manager. We have intem Resources who are very knowledgeable on the HVAC System since Gulf used to own the building and is the major tenant. The employee contacts the Office Services Group who would contact the Building manager.

Indoor Air Quality Questionnaire ResnIts

Company Lease (L) Health & Sdety mQ Guideline Made Own (0)? Committee? Guideline? Aware? Fletcher ChalIenge L Y N NA Rigel Oil & Gas Ltd, L N N - Crestar Energy L Y N - Alberta Energy Company Ltd. L Y N NA TransCanada Pipelines L Y Y Y Morrison Petroleum C Y N NA Canadian Occidental Petroleum L Y N NA Gdf Canada Resources Ltd- L Y Y Y TransCanada Energy L Y Y Y Pembina Corporation L Y N NA Shell Canada Ltd. L Y Y Y Canadian Western Natural Gas 0 Y N NA Ernst & Young L N Y Y Suncor L Y N NA

Building Managers Association (BOMA) operates approximately 90 percent of buildings in downtown Calgary. While they do not have a written policy on indoor air quality7they do follow ASHRAE standards. In speaking with a member of BOMA, he estimated that they receive only one (1) complaint per year, and therefore, that indoor air quality was not a problem in the city. However, this number seems rather low. If there are serious complaints, BOMA said that they would contract an independent environmental consultant to investigate. APPENDIX C: Summaw of Common Air Pollutants

Source: Vital Signs by Professor Tang Lee, Denise De Basio, Antonio Santini 1 1.1 TABLE OF CONTAMINANTS CHARACTERiSTICS SOURCES CONTAMINANTS me following table surnmarize~a C8rbon diorid. ? ColourCtss. odourless, Combustion products of Variety of me moncommon ak c 0 non fiammable gas- substances contamin$ pollutant.. dreir source. health carbon (natural gas!; human and governing standards- effects and animal respiration

Carbon ronotida CufourIess. odourlesr. Combusrion by-product: C 0 non irritating toxic gas HVAC systems; backdraftrng; petroleum driven ap~liances; clothes dryers: tobacco smoker tornbustion of wood and coal: fireplacer: kerosene space hezrrrs: parking garages: et: Nitrogen Oxide Reddish-brown in colour. Outdoor infiftra?ton: NOx water soluble. strong combustion processes, oxidant. vehicle fumes; gas appliances and hexers- industrial furnantts; tlcso~ta! operating rooms

- --- Fotmrldahyde C~lourless. irrttating, Vehicle exhaust fumes. HCHO pungeslr odour. water rndustriai manufa:;;r~ng soluble- processes; adhestves. building rnatefiars. tcta::a smoke: Urea-fornafden).de foam ~nsulat_ionf UFFii. furnishings: textiles and netm; fabrics: aerosol broc;lt?s; embalming and anatemy pathology: fireplaces. fertilizers: pe~ticidcs. etc.

~olour~ess. Building materials. massnrv- odourless.tastcless. drvwall. soils. water scrav: radioactive. water soluble dishwashecs. washing gas. occurs naturally machines: showers. we[! watt r- dzona Bluish in coiour. Pfiotochemical rtac:rcns 0, odourous. high reactive involving sunlight WI:~ gas- hydrocarbons and ntt::gcn OXI~CS: pho:o:3py ma-~,>rnes, electronic arr cleaners. aerosol sE:avs. and CI~C~~CPICeqUICnDnf I i.. ! - i:! :' ' !:..,.*.,,:. Ii I 1:; 'Ii111111 !t~:I~.I!~I!/:I~I~~~:~:~;:II~l~~I!~~! 111 !!:lf~!i[.:~:!~~.~i~i!~. r !;:ci l!tIi.:;I' SYMPTOMS AND HEALTH EFFECTS ~ECOMMEND~UGUIDUNES CURREUt STAUDARDS

fatigue: headaches: perception of warmth: sleepliness; <: 500 ppm 600 - 800 ppm dizziness: shortness of breath: and general feeling of 1000 porn represents stuffiness. inadequate venf ration

Chronic exposure: bone deminerafization 7000 DDm Vcmitzing: imgaired vision: headaches: nausea; 5 mm < 9 ppm - 8 hn confusion: drowsiness: bluing of finger nails in the cuticd regions: fatigue: shortness of breath: and chest pains.

Chronic exposure: heart arythmia: hearc attack: impa~rmentof mental functions: convu~sions: coma and possibly death. For effects on pregnant womm. please refer to appendix.

- - Eye. nose and throat ~rrliai~on:changes in sensory < 0.05 3prn (1 00 p~/mlJ emosun for T hour ~receptions: pneumonia: and bronchitis. < 0.25 ppm [Health and Weifare Canata;

Waterv eves: skin rasnts: coughing. asthma: burning 0.05 prim sensat~ontn the throar: runny and bleeding nose; sinus Ccnsestlon: vornitting, diarrhea: headaches; blurred viston. dizziness: d~fficlltysleepmp: and Ie~hargy.

Chronic exgssure: rep:x!uclive and menstrual problems; chronrc res~iratorydisezse. and cancer,

-- Known carcinogen No acceptable safe limit, 150 Bg/rn3 Chronic exposure. Lung cancer

Nose. throat and trachea rrrlant: coughing: chest c 0.025 ppm discomfort; headaches; sensory irritations: inflammation of the airways and alveblt. and lung dis-function. HEALTH ASD THE BUILT E!!TIROSME\"t ENVIRCNMENT~Lf9%7ru:sr..;rs

CONfAMIIYAMTS CHARACtEliStlCS SOURCES

Sulp bur OioriJa Caiourless. reactive gat - Combustion of sulphur SO, with a suffocating odour. it's containing fuels and vapour density is heavier industrial Qroccssts, su:: than air: water soluble- as: ore smelting; ttrose~e fiaaters: HVAC systems: wood and coal burnlng Stoves: sewer gas fcaks

Hydrogar $uIphiJe Colourttss gas, wrth a Natural gas extract~gn, zS pungent rotten eqg odour. livestock ranches: se~o,r it's Vapour density- is gas: dec~m~osrtro~of heavier than air. organic matter in se;:tc tanks; manure OIICS Fibrous Matorials Man-made m~ntralfibers; firesrosflng; adcirtve5 :s flcss ceramic fibers; fiberglass: tiles. brake Imtfs, laszrz;~~+ a:: possible carcinogen (i-e,: cfernrcal e~ui~menc:nszfai:cr: asbestos 1 Partitulata Inorganic and organic Dus:: aerosols: anima! ane subsrancts: able to remain human dander. FTS. Sr-~Ijln; slit~ended for long mareriais. fly ask. CoCk~~ior;5.- periods: res~irableby groduc?: mrcooqanrsrrs: individuals outdoo: enviranments: vept?atjGr(; autonotilas. indusaral and commeraci processes Biologicr l Minute particles of living Humans- rntaoorganlsms; matter [fungus. moulds. vtgetarron. insects. water: etcl- pollens, soores; fungcs: molds; acts. - Envir~n~@n~~l~0~8ccr Visible white smoke. lighter Cigarettes. ptpes. cigars Snokm than air. contains up to and anv other sources of ETS ZOO0 compounds. 12 tobacco smoke

known and susptcttd p crtcinogcns.

VoIatiIr Organic Collecrive name given to a Synthetically produced bv Compounds diverse group of carbon chemical reactions: carpet: VOC based vapours and gases. perroleurn groducrs. latex which may exist in the form paint: pesticides: clesntng L

of a gas, liquid or solid products: air fresheners I panicle in the atmosphere. and deodorizers: fur~~iure food, and/or water. polish: polyurethane- ffoar finishes; ETS. plas::cs. floor war mtt.': balls, teft pens. permanent press fabrrcz- az9 p$'\esic:s t I - I I' llllb ! t I . '1;. . i:!!I i -Ii . ! - ilf.:: .-:: - - ' t'i: SYMPTOMS AN0 HEALTH EFFECTS RECOlYMEIYDEO CURRENT STA1DAR03 OUtOELIUES Asthmaf~cattacks: eve. nose and throat irritation: acute For long arm exposure: d.019 ppm ALTER chronrc respiratory disease: impaired puimonaty function: 0.019 ppm 4-30 porn ASTEZ intense irritatron: decrease in natal mucous flow and cilliary activity-

Urrconsciousness and res~iratoty paralysis: 0.1 ppm 0.1 ppm

Chronic expcsure: seizure and death 700 00m Geath wlthtn a few seconds. 1000 ppm

Sttn anc resgiratory irrrtation. reduction in lung capacity. Varies with $ubstrr.tcr. c10ot F:n' aluec!dr regron: ~oss1kLe lung cancer.

Eye. nose ar;d throar trrttatran: broncnrtls: resprra:ory 7 00-; St- p;.-.'?-' infec30n: allergic reacticn; asthma, chronic retpi:atory disease: and oossibie lung cancer

Infet:rorrs disease; altergrc reacrions: rhinitis: pharyngitis; I00 CFV/mJ 500 - 1OQC CFUjrn: dysgnea. cunjunct~val ~rritatton: headaches: dizrrness: nausea. rasbes: fever: malarse; and possibly death- SO0 CfUfmz

Eye and throat irritation: headaches: rhinitis: coughing: For non-smokers. no wheezing; sneezing: nausea: blurred vision: dyspnta: acceptable Itvet, sensory irritation: cancer: ischaemic heart disease: loss of appetite: sudden infant death syndrome: in some cases. retareation of children whose mothers where exoosed to tobacco smoke during Dregnancv. 'Eve. nose and resptratory irritatron: rhinitis: fatigue; Total VOC: headaches: impaired memory: decreased ability to < 2 MG/m3 ASHRAE concentrate: visual disorders: depression: heightened Oerception of odpurs: epistaxis: gharyngitis: worsening asthma; conjunctrval irritation. nausea: myatgia,

Chronic exgosure damage to the lungs. liver. heart. k~dneys and nervous system- APPENDIX D: Indoor Air Quality Guides

Guideline for Managing Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings (2204-94) Obtain copies: The Director, Standards Programs Standards Development Canadian Standards Association 178 Rexdde Boulevard Rexdale (Toronto), Ontario M9W 1R3

ODtice Air: A Worker's Guide to Air Quality in Offices, Schools, and Hospitats Authors: Dan Clark, Alberta Workers' HeaIth, Safety and Compensation Dennis Nikkel, Manitoba Department of Labour

Obtain copies: Communications Directorate Health Canada Tunney's Pasture Ottawa, ON KIA OK9

Telephone: (613) 952-9191 Fax: (6 13) 952-7266

Website: http://www.hc.sc.gc.ca/datachdlEn~isWca~o~ch~ubd93ehd74.htm

Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings: A Technical Guide

Obtain copies: Communications Directorate Health Canada Tunney's Pasture Ottawa, ON KIA OK9

Telephone: (613) 952-9191 Fax: (61 3) 952-7266

ASHRAE Guideline 1-1989: Guideline for Co~sioningof HVAC Systems

Obtain copies: American Society of Heating, Refkigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers, Inc. 1791 Tullie Circle, NE Atlanta, GA 30329 Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners md Facility Managers

Obtain copies: Indoor Air Division [ANR-445W) Office of Air and Radiation US Environmental Protection Agency Washington, M3 20460

Website: http:f/www.epagov/iaq/base/bqtochtd

An Office Building 0ccupant9sGuide to Indoor Air Quality

Obtain copies: Indoor Envko~nentsDivision (660 Office of Air and Radiation US EnvironmentaI Protection Agency Washington, DC 20460

Website: http://~.epa~gov/iaq/pub/occupgdJ1tml

Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality Obtain copies: CommUILications Branch Dgiartment of National Health and Welfare 19 Floor Jeanne Mance Building Ottawa, Ontario KIA OK9

Website: http://www.hc.sc.gc.ca/data~hd/Engli~h/~a~0g/b~h~~bd9Oehd156.htm APPENDIX E: Table of Contents for The Building Air Qu?lity A Guide for Building Owners and Faciiity Managers

Source: US Environmental Protection Agency 1991 Contents

.. Foreword...... ,.-...... -.-.. -...... &.---....-..- ...... w Note to Building Owners and Facility Managers .-...... -.. ..-..-... .-i~ ...- ...... Acknowledgements ...... xm

TAB I: BASICS Section 1: About This Document ...... -..-. I Section 2: Factors Affecting Indoor Air 0uaIiit-y...... -...... 5 Sources of Indoor Air Conraminants ...... 5 HVAC System Design and Operation...... -...... ,.....,...... +...... 6 Pollutant Patbways and Driving Forces ., ...,.,.,.,.--.- -.-.---.-.-.- ...-.-- .-. --.-9 Building Occupants ...... - ...... - ...-.....-...... 10 . . Section 3: Effective Commun~cabon...... -...... 13 Communicating to Rcvcnt IAQ Roblems ,.,.,,.- ....-....-.--.-.-.-.-.-.- ..--.- .-. .. .-.-... 13 Communicating to Resolve IAQ Roblems ...... -...... -...... 15

TAB I!: PRRIENTlNG IAQ PROBLEMS Section 4: Developing an IAQ Profile ...... 19 Skills Rcquired to Chatt an LAQ EbNe .-...... ,..,.,, ,,---.-.-.--.---.-.---.-...... 20 Steps in an IAQ Prohle- ...... -...... -...-.--....-...-...... -...... 21 Section 5: Managing Buildings for Good IAQ...... 31 Developing an IAQ Management Plan ...... ,...... 31

TAB Ill: RESOLVING IAQ PROBLEMS Section 6: Diagnosing IAQ Problems ...... 45 Ouerview: Conducting an TAQ Investigation..-.... w.-.n.-.C...d.--....----.-.".-.-.-.-.-& Initial WaUzhrough ...... -.....-...... 47 Collecting Additional 'Infomation ,., ....,.,,.,.,,.,, -."--.---...... 49 Collecting Information about Occupant Complaints...... 4...... t-...... 50 Using the Occupant Data.-.-.,., ...... -.-....-.-.-...,...., .-.-...--.-...... ---...-...... -...-. 33 Co'lIecting lnformation about the HVAC Sysrcm ...... Sf Using the WACSystem Data ,-...- ...... -.a---.-.--.--...... -...... 62 Collecting Information about Pollutant Pathways and Driving Forces...... 68 Using Pollugt Pathway Data ...... , ,., ...... -...... -...... -.-. ...-...-.-....---.-.- -.- ....C1...... 70 Collecting Lnfonnation on Pollutant Sources ...... -72 Using Pollutant Source Data .-, ...... --...... 74 Sampling Air for Con-naats and Indi~r~,.------~.~--.-.----.-?4 Campfaints Due to Conditions Other man Poor Air Qualie ...... 77 Forming and Testing K-ypothcses ..-...... ? 8 Section 7: Mitigating IAQ Problems ...... 81 Backpun& Controtling Indoor Air Problems .------.---.----...... 8 1 ...... Sample Problems and Soluaons ...... -...... -86 Judging Pmposed Mitigation Dcsigns and Their Succcs~--.-.-.--.-.~.~.~-.-.-. ...-.-.LO2 Section 8: Hiring Professional Assistance to Solve an IAQ Problem ...... 105 Make Sure rhar Their Approach Fits Your Needs...... 105 Selection Criteria ...... 106

TAB IV: APPENDLCES Appendiw k Cornmon IAQ Measurements .A General Guide ...... 109 Overview of Samphg Devices ...... ,, ...... -... ..-...... -...... 109 S'mpk VcntiWoa/Comfort Indications HH..~..-LIcati....t.-W...W.-.WW-.1 10 Air Contaminant Concentrations...... -...-.- ....-...... 115 Appendii 8: HVAC Systems and Indoor Air Qual'ity ...... 121 Backpun6, ...... -...... -...... -...... -. -...... --...... I21 T-vpes of WAC Systems ...... 122 Basic Components of an WACSystem ..,...... -...... la ASHWE Stanc&rds and Guidelines ...... 137 Appendix C: Moisture. Mold and Mildew ...... ~...... 141 Background on Relative Humidity. Vapor Pressurr,and Con&nsation ...... ,. .. .-.....-.-... 141 Taking Steps to Reduce Moisturc...... ,., ...... 143 Identifying and Correcting Common Roblems From Maid and Mildew- ....., .-..-...... I45 Appendix 0: Asbestos ...... 147 EPA and NIOSH Posiaons on Asbestos .--.--..--.--- ....-...... -...... -...... 148

Programs for Managing Asbestos In-Place macc.....--.-.-n-n....macc.macc...... macc...... - 149 Where to Go for Additional Information...... 150 Appendix E: Radon...... 151 Building Measuntmca~,Diagnosis and Randation .---.--.-.--.-.-. P...... P.P....~.PP15L R'hert To Go for Addiaond Infomtion ...... 152 Appendix F: Glossary and Acronyms ...... 153 Appendii 6= Resources...... 157 Fcded .4 gcncies with Major IAQ Rcsponshilitia..,,...... 157 Other Federal Agencies with Indoor Air Respons&ilities, ...-.-...... -.-...... -.-...... -... .160 State yldLocd Agencies ...... ,.., ...... -...... 160 Private Sector Contacts....,..-.-.--..WIn.-n..-.-rmr . ---.--.-.--.- ...... -.... "...... --.- 6 1 Publications ...... ,.. ..I....-...... -...... -.---....-...... -...... -..-...... 1U Training .,,.,.Y.....,.....,.-...... -.-....n. ------.- ...--...-- .... .-..--...- ..- ....-. 167 TAB V: INDOOR AIR QUALITY FORMS

IAQ Management Checklist ..-.,,.-.-....,-.,,..--C-C...-C.-C-C...... -C..~~~-C-C-C.-C.-C-C.-C-C-C-C-C-C..-C --C...-C.-C--.-C---171 Potlumt Pathway Record fir UQ RwZiles ---,,,.~-..,.,-.,,------.--175 Zone/Room Record ..-.-..-.-.--.-..... -.---,,,...... -..,-..-177 Ventilation Worksheet..-.--.-.-.-.-.... -.-.-.- ...... -...... -..-.-179 Indoor Air Quality CompIaint Form.-.---...... ,,--.-.--.--.....-.-.-.-...... -...-.--.-.-..-..- ...--..--...... 181 ncinc Log...... ,,-,-,,I83 Occupant Interview ..-,.,.-.,..... -,--...... -.--...... --..- -.., ...... ,.-.,,185 Occupant Di~...-..,-...,,-..----.------.-,,,,. ---..-,I87

Log of Activities and System Operation .-.-.--...,,..,.....titi..ti....~..ti.ti.tititi~titi...ti.ti..-titi.ti-ti.ti..-.-....~189 HVAC Checklist-Short Fo~--,--.,,-..,,,,-.,,.~- .....--....---.-----,----19 1

HVAC Checklist-Long Form .-ti..,,,,,.-- ...,-..--...U-UUU-- -.-.-...---...- 195 Pollumr: Pathway Form For Investigations ...... ,.....,.,...,..,,,.,,,,..es~...... -.. ..-.. -...211 Pollurnt and Sour# Inventory .,-,,,.-- ,,.,. ,,--..213 Chemical Inventory ..-..--.-,...,...... , ..-..-.. ..,.,. - ...... ,-,.... ,.., ...... -.,..221 Hypothesis Form ,,,.-. --LL~.-..,,,,,-,L,,, -.-.-223

This document is in the pubtic domain. It may he reproduced in whale or in part by an individual or organization without permission- If it is reproduced however. EPA and NOSH would apprrciYe knowing how itis used- Write th Indoor Air Division (ANR44W). Office of .Air and Radiation. U.S- Environmental Protection Agency. Washingon. MZ 20460-

Contents v APPENDIX F: IAO Com~laintForms and Incident Loes

Source: US Environmental Protection Agency 1991 Indoor Air Quality Complaint Form

This form can be flied out by the building occupant or by a member of the building staff-

Occupant Name: Date=

DepamentILocation in Building: Phone:

Completed by: Title: Phone:

This form should be used if your complaint may be related to indoor air quality- Indoor air quai-Q problems include concerns with ternperatwe control. ventilation. and air pollutants. Your observations can help to resohe the problem as quickly as possible. PIease use the space bebw to describe the nature of the complaint and any potential causes,

We may need to contact you to d-&cuss your compCaint What is the best time to reach you?

So mat we can respond promptiy, please return this form to: IAQ Manager or Contact Person

Room. Building. Mail Code

OFFlCE USE ONLY Fne Number: ~cceivedBy= Date Received:

Indoor Air Q~ialipFomrs 181 Occupant Diary

Occupant Name: Tie: Phone:

Location: file Number:

On the form below, please recard each -on when you aSympb#n ab -Bhdthor discamfort tnat you think may be linked to an envirotvnental condition in the building-

~tis important that you record the time and date and your kation witMn buildinQ = as pssibIe, because that wilt help to identify conditions (e.g., equipment opsratian) that- may be -&Wd- with your problem AISO, please fry to describe the severity of your sympmms (e-9.. mild, sevem) and thsir drtrdlon @rs length of time that they persist). Any other observations that you think may help in identifying the cacS8 of the Pmbbrn should be noted in the 'Comments' column- Feel ftes hp athch additional pages a us4 mom thM GM fi~N&S event if you need more room to record your observations.

won Symptom ~mam Cornfwntr I I I

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I: i i I APPENDIX G: NOVA Chemicals Indoor Air Quality Guideline INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES

POLICY

It is the policy of NOVA to establish guidelines for acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) with the intent to prevent adverse heaRh effects among occupants and optimize comfort and productivity-

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that reasonably practicable measures are taken to eliminate or minimize the exposure of an employee to airborne hazardous substances.

3. APPLICATION

This guideline applies to all routinely occupied indoor spaces in which clerica1, administrative and generally non-industrial activities are performed.

4. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, ASHRAE 62-1 989 (ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality).

5.1 Air Cleaning: An IAQ control strategy to remove various airborne particulates and/or gases from the air. The three types of air cleaning most commonly used are solid media particulate filtration, electrostatic precipitation, and gas sorption,

5.2 Air Exchange Rate: Used in two ways: I)the number of times that the outdoor air replaces the volume of air in a building per unit time, typically expressed as air changes per hour; 2) the number of times that the ventilation system replaces the air within a room or area within the buiIding, 5.3 Biological Contaminants: Agents derived from, or that are, living organisms (e.g . viruses, bacteria, fungi, pollen, mammal and bird excreta) that can be inhaled and can cause many types of health effects including allergic reactions, respiratory disorders, diseases, and infectious diseases.

5.4 Building Related Illness: Diagnosable illness whose symptoms can be identified and whose cause can be directty attributed to airborne building pollutants (e-g. Legionnaire's disease, hypersensitivity, pneumonitis).

5.5 CFU: CoIony Forming Units related to microbiotogical growth-

5.6 CFM: Cubic feet per minute

5.7 CO: Carbon monoxide

5.8 C02: Carbon dioxide

5.9 mS: Environmental tobacco smoke 5.1 0 Environmental Factors: Conditions other than indoor air contaminants that cause stress, comfort, andlor health problems (e-g. humidity extremes. drafts, lack of air circulation, noise and over crowding),

5-11 Exhaust Ventilation: Mechanical removal of air from a portion of a building (e-g. fumehood or bathroom fan)-

5.12 HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air (filters)

5.1 3 HVAC: Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system

5.1 4 IAQ: Indoor Air Qual'i

5.1 5 Make-up Air (replacement): Air brought into an area through a mechanism specifically designed for this purpose-

5.1 6 Sick Building Syndrome: Term sometimes used to descni situations in which building occupants experience acute health and/or comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a particular building, but where no specific illness or cause can be identified- The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be spread throughout the building-

5-17 Volatile Organic Compound (VOC's): Compounds that evaporate from the many housekeeping, maintenance, and building products made with organic chemicals.

6.0 PROCEDURES:

6.1 General duty regarding airborne contaminants.

The employer or owner, of the building, which ever has the most direct control over the contaminants. shal1 ensure that reasonable measures are taken to control such contaminants and prevent exposure to building occupants.

6.2 Acceptable Indoor Air Quality Criteria-

The employer shall ensure that Indoor Air Quality is controlled to within the limits identified in Appendix I.

6.3 Assessment of certain purchases

The employer and the owner, to the extent that each has control of the hazard, shall assess such purchases for the potential to impact Indoor Air Quality, including release of volatile organic compounds and other contaminants- 6.4 Selection of Materials

The owner of the workplace, and the employer at the workplace, to the extent that each has control of the matter, shall take all reasonably practicable measures to minimize the emission rate of airborne hazardous substances from new building materials, equipment and furnishings by a) choosing building materials. equipment or furnishings which have a low level of emission of airborne hazardous substances; b) encapsulation of the material; or C) adoption of policies or procedures which, if a high level of emission of airborne hazardous substances is likely, may include arrangements for an appropriate period of off-gassing during which specia! measures are taken to control the exposures of employees to emissions,

6.5 Options for control of airborne hazardous substances

1) The employer or the owner, shall ensure that the level of exposure to an airborne hazardous substance is controlled by: a) elimination or relocation of the source; b) substitution of the source with an equivalent that is less harmful; c) enclosure of the source; d) ventilation or other engineering controls, which may include filtration or other air cleaning processes and the appropriate location of the air intake or exhaust openings- e) administrative controls including work scheduling, education and training of employees, work practices, procedure or policies; or 9 a combination of these measures. and the choice of control measure shall be made taking into account:

9 the nature and amount of the airborne hazardous substance; h) the source of the airborne hazardous substance, including whether it is from indoors or outside the building; i) the emission characteristics of the source of the airborne hazardous substance, including the number, strength or size of emission points; i) the activities in, and physical aspects of, the workplace. tn a manner that compiies with applicable regulations and company standards.

6.6 Local Source Capture Ventilation

Where general ventilation is inadequate to control airborne hazardous substances emitted from point sources within the workplace, the employer shall ensure that locat source capture ventilation a) is designed and installed in accordance with good engineering practice and regulatory requirements and complies with regulated ventilation requiremnents; b) effectively controls contaminants in the work area: C) prevents contaminated exhaust air from entering any work area.

6.7 Controls for Specific Activities The employer shall ensure that alE reasonably practicable work practices and controls will be used during activities that have the potential to impair indoor air quality including but not limited to,

a) applying or removing floor coverings including carpeting, floor tiles and other surfaces; b) applying wall coverings; C) painting; d) shampooing carpets; e) finishing or stripping floors; f) applying pest control products; or 9) applying caulking, sealing, or glazing compounds,

6.8 Maintenance to Control Microbial Contamination

1) The employer or the owner, shall take measures to inspect locate and to promptfy clean or remove visible microbial contamination in ductwork, humidifiers, other HVAC system components, and on building surfaces.

2) Procedures for cleaning or removal of microbial contamination shall prevent the release of microbial contaminants into the ventilation system or general work space-

3) The employer or the owner, shall control microbial contamination in the building by ensuring that a) damp or wet building maten'als are promptly dried, or where microbial growth takes place, replaced, repaired, or otherwise treated to decontaminate them; and b) there is routine inspection for and where reasonably practicable, prompt repair of, water leaks.

4) Where it is not reasonaly practicable to promptly repair water leaks, the building agent shall ensure that measures are promptly implemented to control water leaks and other appropriate action is taken to prevent microbial growth.

6.9 Control of Exposure to Tobacco Smoke

1) An employer at a workplace to which this Section applies shall establish and enforce a policy which

a) prohibits smoking in the workplace; or b) restricts smoking to designated smoking areas; 2) An employer shall ensure that a designated smoking area

a) is enciosed and exhausted directly to the outside of the building, so as to prevent the exhausted air from re-entering the building or being recirculated to other areas of the building; b) is maintained under negative pressure, and C) is ventilated to meet the ventilation air volume requirement for smoking areas as set out in ASHRAE Standard 62-1989-Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality d) has a prominent sign which 0) identifies the area as a designated smoking area, and (ii) communicates that smoking is not permitted within the designated smoking areas during any period that the exhaust ventilation system servicing that area is not working properly.

3) The employer shall ensure that an employee is not required to be exposed to tobacco smoke in the perforrnance of normal work activities.

4) An employer shall post and maintain in one or more prominent locations in the workplace a sign which indicates either that

a) smoking is not permitted at the workplace, or b) smoking is not permitted at the workplace outside of designated smoking areas,

6.1 0 Development of a Communication Procedure

The emptoyer shall develop, in consuRation with the hygiene network a procedure for informing building managers and empkyees about projects or processes that are likely to adversely affect the indoor air quality in the workplace.

6.1 1 Duty to Communicate about Certain Anticipated Activity

1) An employer shall notify

a) the occupants in the employer's own workplace; and b) in a building where there is another employer who is a tenant who is responsible for the operation of the HVAC system.

as soon as reasonably practicable, ancl in no case except an emergency less than three working days in advance, of any project or pracess that is fikety to adversely affect indoor air quality at the workplace.

2) The person who is responsible for the operation of the HVAC system shall notify each employer who occupies a workplace in the building, as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no case except an emergency Iess than 24 hours in advance, of any project or process that is likely to adversely affect indoor air quality in that workplace.

3) An employer shall ensure that employees who work in the building are notified as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no case except in an emergency less that 24 hours in advance, when activity referred to in Section 5.2 of a renovation is performed.

4) Subsections (I), (2), and (3) do not apply to routine maintenance that is performed. 5) The notifications referred to in this section shall include

a) anticipated adverse effects on indoor air quality or workplace conditions, if any; and b) a brief description of the controls put in place to minimize the adverse effects on indoor air quality, c) a contact and phone number to which complaints may be directed, 6) In the case of a renovation at the workplace of the employer, or where the employer intends to construct or renovate a new workplace for use by the employees at the existing workplace, notice required by this Section shall be preceded by information from the empfoyer to the committee briefly describing, as soon as reasonably practicable, the nature and scope of the renovation or const~ctionproject, and the materials (including quantities) involved.

6.12 Complainant Procedure for the Workplace

1) Every employer, in consultation with a health and safety contact from the hygiene network, shall establish a complaint procedure that includes

written procedures for dealing with complaints; documentation of signs or symptoms that may be related to indoor air quality, where the employee provides this information for the purpose of assisting a study of indoor air quality; regular review of complaints; record of the location of complaints; identification of key people involved in the complaint process; the date of an employee complaint: procedures for comrnunicatin~the remedial aciion, if any, taken; ana a follow up procedure to ensure that the corrective action has resolved the problem,

6.13 Investigation Procedure for the Workplace

1) On the request of an employee, the employer or the SHER contact responsible for the area shall ensure that an investigation is conducted without delay to correct an unresolved problem where the quality of indoor air is, or is likely to be, a hazard to the health and safety of an employee.

2) An employer shall ensure that any aspect of an indoor air quality investigation plan required pursuant to subsection (3) is implemented without delay by a person who is a competent person to conduct that aspect of the investigation.

3) An employer shall, in consultation with the hygiene network. develop or adopt a plan for the investigation of an indoor air quaiity problem,

a) including provisions for (i) reviewing, by means which may include a suwey, the nature and number of related health and safety complaints; (ii) conducting a visual inspection; (iii) inspection of the HVAC system for cleanliness, operation and performance; (iv) examining the maintenance schedule of the HVAC system; (v) assessment of building use relative to building design, and original intent; (vi) assessment of actual occupancy relative to design occupancy; (mi determining the potential sources of airborne hazardous substances; (viii) determining whether scented products are a potentid source of the indoor air quati probtem; (ix) specifying, where necessary. tests to be conducted to determine levels of formaldehyde, particulate, microbial contaminants and volatile organic compounds; and (x) determining levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, humidii,air motion andlor other parameters if necessary;

6.14 Records of a Complaint or Investigation

Every employer shall keep records for at least fwe years of every indoor air quality complaint and investigation.

6.15 Duty to Take Remedial Measures

To the extent reasonably practicabie, the employer in consultation with the SHER contact responsible for the area, or an owner who has control over the hazard, shall remedy, remove, or otherwise control any health and safety hazard identified by an investigation pursuant to Section 5.1 3 APPENDIX I

COMPONENT SOURCEEFFECT AIR QUALITY GUIDELINE

Carbon Dioxide An indirect indicator of < I000 ppm (ASHRAE) inadequate air exchange-

Temperature >lg°C and e 25°C >66*F and c 77°F

Humidity Dryness of eyes, nose, > 20% R-H- throat, lips-

Carbon Monoxide Exhaust from internal e 10 ppm combustion engines, (Canadian IAQ) faulty heaters. (nausea, headache).

Formaldehyde Emissions from carpeting, < 0.1 ppm furniture, etc. (Canadian IAQ) (eye irritation),

Ozone Emissions from laser c 0.05 ppm printers, photocopiers, (ASHRAE) electric deodorizers- (respiratc?; trzct imitation).

Particulates (40pm) - Biological organ isms, c 0.15 mglm3 not otherwise classified combustion,and material (24 - hour average) made from mineral matter (respiratory irritation,allergies, infections, and cancer)

Total Volatile From printing, building c 5 mg/rn3 Organic Compounds materials, copiers. (Total VOC's) Causes headaches, tissue reaction,

VOC characterization' Used where VOC has been (varies with identified as a cause specific components) and component identification is required,

Microbes Fungi, moulds and spores c 500 CFU/~~= can proliferate in air conditioning systems (allergies, illness).

* If samples are to characterized for VOC's, consultation with the analytical lab should take place prior to sampling. APPENDIX H: University of Mhmesota's Scent-Free PoIicy Twin Ciries Gunpus skhool of SdIWork 4tM Fordilolf 224 Church Street S.E M-fb. MN 55455 61 2424-5888 F-- 66124264395 NOTICE

Important - Environmental Issues and Ford Hall

A REMINDER: Please re* fkom wearing scented personal care products when spending time in Ford Hall. This request is made in order to accommodate those disabled by Environmental Illness. Persons who wear scented products in clwrooms and other relatively small encIosures may be asked to leave if then are persons with allergies in the area. Your cooperation is greatly apprcciatd by those affected

Backmound Information on Multi~IeChemical Sensitivitv/Environmmtal Illnus

The School of Social Work (SSW) at the University of Minnesota adopted a scent-fie policy Fall Quarter 1993. This policy is in regard to accommodating the needs of those with Multiple Chemid Sensitivity (MCS) who are either students or staff in the SSW- This policy recognizes the importance of indoor air quality for those with MCS. In addition, this policy is supported by the Disability Services OEce of the Vice President of Student Maks-

Individuals who are involved in SSW activities have been asked to refiain from wearing scented products in Ford Hall and SSW cIasses that meet in other buildings. Toxic materials include those containing volatile organic compounds. These substances can be found in pesticides, paints, cleaning products, perfumes, scented personal care ~roducts.carpeting, fabric finishes, hersheets, & ventilation systems. Individuals who do wear scented products or have scents in their clothing may be asked to leave. If the scent can be removed (by washing with unscented soap), the individual may return to the area Those with MCS are not required to leave an area where the air quality has been degraded by scent If the area cannot be adequately ventilated, people with MCS may need to leave to insure their own well-being.

Accommodation of those with MCS may require changes in your morning routine or personal hygiene practices. This may seem unusual; however, the scent-free policy is a reasonable accomn~odationfor disabled access. Protocol and guidelines for reasonable accommodation of the disabled were greatly expanded by the I990 Americans with Disabilities Act.

Your cooperation in adhering to the scent-free policy is greatly appreciated by those affected. The changes you make to insure high quality indoor air in Ford Hall contribute to good health and equal opportunity in academic success for those affected by MCS.

IT you have questions. plcasc contact Nancy Johnston, Associate Director, Schoot of Social Work. at 6 121624- 1893, Disability Services University of Minnesota

Guiciclirrcs regarcling Mr~l~iplcChemical Sensitivity / Envirunmcntai Ulness (h.ICS/Ef)

Stalcn~entAbout Guidelines

Disability Services requests Lhal all nffices and spaces used by Disability Services staff and by their visitors remain free of cl~en~id-bcucdscented products- Specific points to this request indude:

Use nun-scented body products (ie., btion, hair spray) Refrain from the use of optiond items in office areas that give olf chemical-based scents (i-e., air fresheners, po tp urri). Air-out recently dry-cleaned dothing belore wearing Use least toxic cleaning products, disinfectants, md paints hat are cornmnercially available, and store these products in tightly dosed arcas away from "fraffic"areas-

These guidelines are not a "ban" on scented products, but a request to voluntarily refrain frclm ckemicjl-based scented products so that cl~e~~ucalbarriers will not prevent access to DisabiIity Services for pwple with chcnual sensitivities.

Rcason for GuideIhes

Cleu, well-understo~xIMCS/EI guidelines will: - Help Disability Services acconlplish its mission of access for students, staff, and faalliy wit11 disabilities. increase atvareness about cl~en~i~d/enviror~m~~talbarriers to access- Provide dear, concise guidelines for creating access far mcinbers of the U~livcrsitp of Mi~u~esotacornmuni ty wifh MCS/H-

Who Sl~ouldKno~ These Guidelines?

Nl staff of Disability Services tnci their customers and visitors Related Inforn~atio~~

MCS/ EI Policy, Twin Cities Committee for OccupationaI Health L Safety

Sue Kroeger Director, Disability Services University of Minnesota. Telephoner 624-4120 (V), 624-8223 1 mY) Intern ek sue-kroeger@dsmaiI-s tu-urnn.edu

These guidelines are established as of June 30, 1995-

In situations where MCS/EI access needs require actions beyond the general guidelines outlined in this docun~ent,individual ;ccornnrodntio~ls will Lht de tern~inedby the employee with MCS /ET, the employee's supervisor, imd the DS Assisut~tDirector for faculty/ s~affse~rices Margarel Klein).

Definitions

MI^ tiplc ChemicaI Sa~sitiviLy/EnviromtentalIllness A l~ypersensitivityto contmon chemical and environmental stimuli. Even low levels of the stimuli may trigger reactions in people with these conditions. A wide range of symptoms have been reporkd, i ncludi ng fatigue, migraine headaches, rashes, difficulty breathing, and di7a-ness. A general consensus among researchers of these conditions is that the immune system is not fully fut~ctionalamong people with hfCS/EI. Othenvise, little is known at present about the causes.of MCSIEI- The Nationai Academy of Sciences estimates that approximately 15% of the population cxperienccs "increased allergic sensi ti vi ty" to chemicals. Triggers Triqgers are products or sthuuli that induce symptotlu in people with M~S/EI. Comnmon triggers include (but are not limited to) cologne, P' arfumc, scen~edbo~iy sprays, sccn~eclhair spray/gel/ mousse and other leave-in hair products, lotions, scented kmwder, aIar shave, richly- sceL~tedJeodoranr/anti-perspirant, air fresheners (solid or spray), bathroort~deodorizers, potpourri, and many products currently used for c1eanir.g frours, carpets, and other surfaces-

1-1 reor IInsrrru tha~siglliige infclrrnilq L>S staff, clients, and visitors of MCS guidaiines are ~~osictlin a11 DS ofiices and areas (5ec Procdurcs sc-ctiort /or slc~~estrrd=ording). Inform DS staff of guidelines periodically at dl-staff meetings andfor c~~nu1.tru1iqu4sas needed. Director also has responsihiliti-esindicated Cor DS Staff, below-

DS S ta f fi I) In a~ldilio~l to refraining from the use 6f chemical-based scented products, DS sklf are asked that, whenever they sclledule an appohtmnt with .myone r~oton the staCf of DS (including for any large group or a1 l-staff nlectings), they request the visitor/ciient to refrain from tile use of scented products on the day of the visit (See Procedures section fi~rsuggest ud firm of rcqtrest -1. If a visitor/client arrives wearing s~ei~teci body products, staff are asked to indicate that the product may prevent people wit1I d~emicalsensitivities from being in the same area, so the meeting will haw to be in an office with a dosed door- Staff should air the room completely after the meeting. 2) When vlanning meetings where someone has requested an ascommo~aricnfor MCS/EI, DS staff sl~ouldkwp [he following in mind: Choose a meeting place that has windows that open, has furniture wit11 minimal or no upl~olstery,and where no painting or remodeling has recently Lsen done. In addition, the meeting place sl~ouldbe eidwr uncarpeted, or should have carpeting that is not new or recently cleaned- New or freshly-cleaned carpeting "gas off'' chemicals tkat oftell trigger symptoms in people with MCSfEI. Finaily, the meedng place should not be near ~UIZIPCfrom Iosding docks, parking areas, deIivery areas, cooking facilities, laundries, or heating equipment. 3) DS staff (or student employees) who are responsible fur ordering and/or using deaxdng products are advised to order the least toxic products available, and to not order room fresheners that have chen~ical-basedscent in them- 4) The D-Saccessibili~y specialist (Sue Lasoff)will be designated to serve as a ontact between the Office of Facilities Management and DS, in order to =eceive irdornxatioc~about pesticide use, pai11ting. wa*ng floors, and comparable activities in zones that affect one or more DS office area. fhis person will then take steps to notify staff in the affected area. DS staff irl areas where painting md/or other maintenance =ctivitirs are taking place are retluested to inforn~arly visitors kno\v*1 ;a ha\:e MCS/EI who have scheduIed meetings in that- area about the mainlenance, artd to arrange an alternative locztio~~or time for the meeting. 51 DS staff with MCS/EI are encouraged to inform their sr~pe~isorCs) and the DS Assis tan t DirecLor for fact11ly/staff services (Margaret Klein) lo discuss and detenninc rr;lriuus accommoda tios~sand lo develop options in tltc even[ that exposure to ci~rlnicaltriggers are otllerwise unavoidable. 6) DS staff are asked to increase ventiIation where possible by opening windorcs and airing rooms regularly (bvhat weather permits).

Visitors to DS o €€ices: Visitors who either have an appointment or are dropping by DS offices are requested to refrain from the use of d~enu'cal-basedor scented products on the day that they visit- Visitors svttct have KS/EI and vim need accantmodations are asked to notify DS in advance of their visit.

Procedures

Language informing DS staff', clients, and visitors of the guidelines will be posted in all DS reception areas and stated on communication materids regarding meetings, activities, etc. Required wording for signage and fur con~munica~ionmalerials is:

''Some persons employed with or visiting Disability Services report sensitivities to various chemical-based or scented products. Weask for everyone's coopera tion in our cfbrts to accanunodate their health concerns-

For more information. contact Sue Kroeger, Director, Disabiiity Services, at 624-4120. Thank you for your cooperation-"

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there unsccntd vcrsio~~sof tile products tl~afI use? Increasingly, companies are producing unscented versions of the scented products that they make There are unscenled porvders, lotions, hair products, laundry detergents, e tc-

Docs~c't this rfitrict IJIY (ur~tinry visitors') rights to rcse our preferred form of yersona[ hygiene? Isn't there a lcss invasii~eWUY 10 JO this? Tllcsr guidelines are voluntary, so its enforcement relies on the good will of DS staff, customers, and visitors. However, it is hoped that people tvill come to understand that scented products are. by their very rmture, shared, hence not "personal". For people with MCS/EI, their very ability to htnction depends on having air free of dlemicals. There is no dear consensus regardirlg the status of chemical sensitivity ancf err vironrnental ilIrless as n~edical cor~diilunsor dlsabili ties- There is ongoing research to study the nature of these conditions aztd to define them- in the nlear~~ime,Disnbili~y Services at the U~~iversltyof Miru~esotarecognizes the sympturns of these conditions, it sufLiaentiy severe. in terms oC accommodations for access (Sez Drfinitio~zs section).

Horn conzmorl is MCSIEI? 'Ilte National Academy of Sciences estimates that 15% of the A~nerican people experience ~heseconditions.

WZOgcts MCS/EX? It is not known exactly who is at risk of developing or having MCSfEI. Genetic and/or environmental factors may be implicated. Some individuals may inherit characteristics that predispose them to an inm~~~nesystem that is compromised, or an imnlune sys!em that is susceptible to being compromised latcr by environmental toxins. Oher people may deveIop bICS/EI after being exposed to chemicals ~hsougha chemical accident, or by working in a building in which they are exposed to chemicals.