Factors Affecting Indoor Air Quality
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Factors Affecting Indoor Air Quality The indoor environment in any building the categories that follow. The examples is a result of the interaction between the given for each category are not intended to site, climate, building system (original be a complete list. 2 design and later modifications in the Sources Outside Building structure and mechanical systems), con- struction techniques, contaminant sources Contaminated outdoor air (building materials and furnishings, n pollen, dust, fungal spores moisture, processes and activities within the n industrial pollutants building, and outdoor sources), and n general vehicle exhaust building occupants. Emissions from nearby sources The following four elements are involved n exhaust from vehicles on nearby roads Four elements— in the development of indoor air quality or in parking lots, or garages sources, the HVAC n loading docks problems: system, pollutant n odors from dumpsters Source: there is a source of contamination pathways, and or discomfort indoors, outdoors, or within n re-entrained (drawn back into the occupants—are the mechanical systems of the building. building) exhaust from the building itself or from neighboring buildings involved in the HVAC: the HVAC system is not able to n unsanitary debris near the outdoor air development of IAQ control existing air contaminants and ensure intake thermal comfort (temperature and humidity problems. conditions that are comfortable for most Soil gas occupants). n radon n leakage from underground fuel tanks Pathways: one or more pollutant pathways n contaminants from previous uses of the connect the pollutant source to the occu- site (e.g., landfills) pants and a driving force exists to move n pesticides pollutants along the pathway(s). Occupants: building occupants are present. Moisture or standing water promoting excess microbial growth It is important to understand the role that n rooftops after rainfall each of these factors may play in order to n crawlspace prevent, investigate, and resolve indoor air quality problems. Equipment HVAC system SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR n dust or dirt in ductwork or other CONTAMINANTS components n microbiological growth in drip pans, Indoor air contaminants can originate humidifiers, ductwork, coils within the building or be drawn in from n improper use of biocides, sealants, and/ outdoors. If contaminant sources are not or cleaning compounds controlled, IAQ problems can arise, even if n improper venting of combustion the HVAC system is properly designed and products well-maintained. It may be helpful to think n refrigerant leakage of air pollutant sources as fitting into one of Factors Affecting Indoor Air Quality 5 Non-HVAC equipment Chemicals released from building n emissions from office equipment (vola- components or furnishings tile organic compounds, ozone) n volatile organic compounds or n supplies (solvents, toners, ammonia) n inorganic compounds n emissions from shops, labs, cleaning Other Sources processes Accidental events n elevator motors and other mechanical systems n spills of water or other liquids n microbiological growth due to flooding Given our present Human Activities or to leaks from roofs, piping knowledge, it is Personal activities n fire damage (soot, PCBs from electrical difficult to relate n smoking equipment, odors) complaints of n cooking Special use areas and mixed use buildings n body odor specific health n smoking lounges n cosmetic odors n laboratories effects to exposures Housekeeping activities n print shops, art rooms to specific pollutant n cleaning materials and procedures n exercise rooms concentrations, n emissions from stored supplies or trash n beauty salons especially since the n use of deodorizers and fragrances n food preparation areas n airborne dust or dirt (e.g., circulated by significant exposures Redecorating/remodeling/repair activities sweeping and vacuuming) may be to low levels n emissions from new furnishings Maintenance activities of pollutant mixtures. n dust and fibers from demolition n microorganisms in mist from improp- n odors and volatile organic and inorganic erly maintained cooling towers compounds from paint, caulk, adhesives n airborne dust or dirt n microbiologicals released from demoli- n volatile organic compounds from use of tion or remodeling activities paint, caulk, adhesives, and other products Indoor air often contains a variety of n pesticides from pest control activities contaminants at concentrations that are far n emissions from stored supplies below any standards or guidelines for Building Components and Furnishings occupational exposure. Given our present knowledge, it is difficult to relate com- Locations that produce or collect dust or plaints of specific health effects to expo- fibers sures to specific pollutant concentrations, n textured surfaces such as carpeting, especially since the significant exposures curtains, and other textiles may be to low levels of pollutant mixtures. n open shelving n old or deteriorated furnishings HVAC SYSTEM DESIGN AND n materials containing damaged asbestos OPERATION Unsanitary conditions and water damage The HVAC system includes all heating, n microbiological growth on or in soiled cooling, and ventilation equipment serving or water-damaged furnishings a building: furnaces or boilers, chillers, n microbiological growth in areas of cooling towers, air handling units, exhaust surface condensation fans, ductwork, filters, steam (or heating n standing water from clogged or poorly water) piping. Most of the HVAC discus- designed drains sion in this document applies both to central n dry traps that allow the passage of HVAC systems and to individual compo- sewer gas nents used as stand-alone units. 6 Section 2 A properly designed and functioning Radiant heat transfer may cause people HVAC system: located near very hot or very cold surfaces n provides thermal comfort to be uncomfortable even though the n distributes adequate amounts of outdoor thermostat setting and the measured air air to meet ventilation needs of all temperature are within the comfort range. building occupants Buildings with large window areas some- n isolates and removes odors and con- times have acute problems of discomfort taminants through pressure control, due to radiant heat gains and losses, with A number of filtration, and exhaust fans the locations of complaints shifting during the day as the sun angle changes. Large variables, including Thermal Comfort vertical surfaces can also produce a personal activity significant flow of naturally-convecting air, levels, uniformity of A number of variables interact to deter- producing complaints of draftiness. mine whether people are comfortable with temperature, radiant Adding insulation to walls helps to the temperature of the indoor air. The heat gain or loss, and moderate the temperature of interior wall activity level, age, and physiology of each humidity, interact to surfaces. Closing curtains reduces heating person affect the thermal comfort require- determine whether from direct sunlight and isolates building ments of that individual. The American occupants from exposure to window people are Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air- surfaces (which, lacking insulation, are comfortable with the Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) likely to be much hotter or colder than the temperature of the Standard 55-1981 describes the tempera- walls). ture and humidity ranges that are comfort- indoor air. Humidity is a factor in thermal comfort. able for most people engaged in largely Raising relative humidity reduces the sedentary activities. That information is ability to lose heat through perspiration and summarized on page 57. The ASHRAE evaporation, so that the effect is similar to standard assumes “normal” indoor raising the temperature. Humidity ex- clothing. Added layers of clothing reduce tremes can also create other IAQ problems. the rate of heat loss. Excessively high or low relative humidities Uniformity of temperature is important can produce discomfort, while high relative to comfort. When the heating and cooling humidities can promote the growth of mold needs of rooms within a single zone and mildew (see Appendix C). change at different rates, rooms that are served by a single thermostat may be at Ventilation to Meet Occupant different temperatures. Temperature Needs stratification is a common problem caused by convection, the tendency of light, warm Most air handling units distribute a blend air to rise and heavier, cooler air to sink. If of outdoor air and recirculated indoor air. air is not properly mixed by the ventilation HVAC designs may also include units that system, the temperature near the ceiling introduce 100% outdoor air or that simply can be several degrees warmer than at transfer air within the building. Uncon- floor level. Even if air is properly mixed, trolled quantities of outdoor air enter uninsulated floors over unheated spaces buildings by infiltration through windows, can create discomfort in some climate doors, and gaps in the exterior construc- zones. Large fluctuations of indoor tion. Thermal comfort and ventilation temperature can also occur when controls needs are met by supplying “conditioned” have a wide “dead band” (a temperature air (a blend of outdoor and recirculated air range within which neither heating nor that has been filtered, heated or cooled, and cooling takes place). sometimes humidified or dehumidified). Factors Affecting Indoor Air Quality 7 Large buildings often have interior system was designed may well have (“core”)