The Typical IAQ Problem

Transcription

1 Robertson Environmental Consulting Group, LLC N FM 39 Jewett, TX IAQ Review and Mold Update for AAFAME Austin Association of Facility and Maintenance Engineers July 11, 2012 Presenter: Larry D. Robertson CIEC, CIAQP, MAC, MRC President, The Typical IAQ Problem Step 1: Building occupants perceived an indoor air and/or environmental problem and have concerns about exposure and health effects. Step 2. The problem is unresolved and/or too much time passes between the reporting the concern and the action required to correct it. 1

2 The Typical IAQ Problem Step 3: Occupants become angry and perceived the administration and/or building management as insensitive and uncaring. Step 4: The Problem bifurcates into two distinct and different problems. Environmental Problem Public Relations Problem The Typical IAQ Problem Step 5: Three possible events happen.. 1. The environmental problem is never solved. 2. The administration/building management believes that solving the environmental problem will solve the people problem. 3. The people problem is never solved. 2

3 The Typical IAQ Problem Step 6: Occupant Perspectives Shift 1. acceptable risk shifts towards zero risk. 2. acceptable IAQ shifts towards pristine IAQ. 3. acceptable building design, construction, equipment, operations and maintenance shifts towards perfect building design, construction, equipment, operations and maintenance. The Typical IAQ Problem Step 7: The result is an economically impossible solution that cannot satisfy the complaints of the occupants and the parties cannot reach an agreement. 3

4 Understanding the Problems.. Illuminates the Solutions. Why do IAQ Problems Occur? The Paradigm of Perspectives IAQ is a Farce! Humans have Always been Exposed to these Agents Responsibility Litigation IAQ is Real These Exposure are New and Unique Building Owner Manager Maintenance Engineer 4

5 Principal Factors that have Caused the IAQ Phenomena 1970 s Oil embargo resulted in an energy crisis. New philosophies were implemented to tighten up buildings and save energy. This resulted in less ventilation of all structures. New synthetic building products and furnishings were placed in these tight structures. This included glues, adhesives, paints, textiles, carpets, rugs, etc that have the potential to off-gas. The massive migration to mechanical air-conditioning systems with insufficient knowledge relative to long term hygiene issues and the ecology of microorganisms. Principal Factors that have Caused the IAQ Phenomena New and emerging architectural designs and building products ( cellulose l insulation, modular office systems, etc ) The increased amounts of time that affluent society is spending within an indoor environment. New emerging medical technologies that compromise the human immunological system and render it susceptible to infection and disease from common organisms. New and emerging disease and disease causing organisms. 5

6 IAQ Problems Typically Occur as a Complex Relationship between 4 Possible Components. 1. Construction and Design Errors 2. Defects in Equipment, Building Materials and/or Construction. 3. Deficiencies in Maintenance and Operation. 4. Catastrophic Events To solve the problem, you must have the expertise to know which are involved! Defining Acceptable IAQ. The E.P.A. Defines Acceptable IAQ as: 1. Maintenance of appropriate thermal comfort 2. Maintenance of appropriate ventilation 3. Maintenance of Contaminant Levels 6

7 Thermal Comfort ASHRAE Standard 55 Provides building manager an accepted range of building temperature and humidity Ventilation ASHRAE Standard 62 Provides building manager an accepted range of ventilation (CO2 levels offer a surrogate measurement) 7

8 ETS Asbestos The Contaminant Puzzle Carbon Monoxide Respirable Particulate POM Dust Volatile Organic Compounds Other Chemicals Formaldehyde Radon VVOC s Lead Bioaerosols Again to solve the problem, you must have the expertise to know which it is! Ranking of Importance in Building Management Fungi Virus Protozoa- Plants Animals Bacteria I M P O R T A N C E 8

9 Contamination Equation Ubiquitous Occurrence of Fungal Spores Physiologically Available + Diverse + Organic Metabolism Materials + H2O Fungal Growth and Amplification 59 F 100 hrs (4 days) 4 hrs 86 F 109 F 75% 90% 9

10 No Magnification Standard Macro Lens 35 mm Camera 10

11 Standard Macro Lens 35 mm Camera 20 X s Stereo Scope 11

12 100 X s Light Microscope 1 Spore 400 X s Light Microscope 12

13 How many spores get aerosolized when these dampers move? Summary of Fungi and Human Health Allergens Infectious Disease Toxins 13

14 Current Texas Mold Regulations 1. Download the Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules (TMARR) a. In booklet form (DSHS Publication 2-15): b. The TMARR are part of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), specifically 25 TAC , and can be accessed via the Texas Secretary of State Web site: Texas Administrative Code 2. Summary of Changes to the TMARR that became effective May 20, Future Amendments???? EXCEPTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS. (a) Exceptions. This subchapter does not apply to: (1) the following activities when not conducted for the purpose of mold assessment or mold remediation: (A) routine cleaning (B) the diagnosis, repair, cleaning, or replacement of plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, or air duct systems or appliances; (C) commercial or residential real estate inspections; and (D) the incidental discovery or emergency containment of potential mold contamination during the conduct or performance of services listed in this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, an emergency exists if a delay in mold remediation services in response to a water damage occurrence would increase mold contamination; (2) the repair, replacement, or cleaning of construction materials during the building phase of the construction of a structure; 14

15 EXCEPTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS; continued. (3) the standard performance of custodial activities for, preventive maintenance of, and the routine assessment of property owned or operated by a governmental entity; or (4) a pest control inspection conducted by a person regulated under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1951 (relating to Structural t Pest Control). (b) Minimum area exemption. A person is not required to be licensed under this subchapter to perform mold remediation in an area in which the mold contamination for the project affects a total surface area of less than 25 contiguous square feet. (c) Residential property exemption. An owner, or a managing agent or employee of an owner, is not required to be licensed under this subchapter to perform mold assessment or mold remediation on a residential property which is owned by that person, and which has fewer than 10 residential dwelling units. This exemption applies regardless of the total surface area within the residential property that is affected by mold growth. This exemption does not apply to a managing agent or employee who engages in the business of performing mold assessment or mold remediation for the public. Industry Issues to be Aware Of.. The Calamity of Clearance Or what I personally acknowledge as. Blatant Consultant Arrogance and Audacity 1. Industry Dysfunction- what can the contractor or building owner do when a mold consultant runs amuck? 2. Non-standardized use and application of clearance criteria despite existing industry guidelines. 3. Use of un-realistic or unobtainable criteria. 4. Changing the Criteria mid-project. 5. Misapplication of laboratory data the comparison to outdoor samples. 6. Misrepresentation of laboratory data what your IAQ consultant won t tell you. 15

16 Industry Issues to be Aware Of.. A Multi-Laboratory Comparative Study of Spore Trap Analyses Robertson, L.D. 1, M.S,.B.S., CIAQP, CIEC, CMRS, Brandys, R. 2, PhD, MPH, PE, CIH, CSP, CMR Hwy 39 North, Jewett, TX, 75846; LDR@TISD.net; 2. Occupational and Environmental Health Consulting Services, Inc., 635 Harding Road, Hinsdale, Illinois, 60521, Industry Issues to be Aware Of.. Spore Trap Precision 7 AIHA Accredited and Proficient Laboratory Results of the SAME SLIDE!!!! 16

17 Industry Issues to be Aware Of.. Historical Perspectives of Poor Spore Trap Precision 1. Presented at the 2007 IAQA Conference. 2. Presented at the Pan American Aerobiology Association, 2009 Annual Meeting 3. Published in Peer Reviewed Journal Mycologia, June 16, 2010, doi: / Presented at the Indoor Air 2011 Conference, ISIAQ 5. Presented at the IAQA Conference, years and No Change in laboratory or consultant behavior! How much longer will the industry consultants continue to misrepresent data to clients and customers? Industry Issues to be Aware Of.. Immediate efforts should be directed towards improving the analytical precision of spore trap methodologies. 1. Consider standardization of a precision based fungal spore classification and reporting system. 2. Establish more rigorous ongoing training and precision based proficiency programs for individual laboratory analysts. 3. Documentation of analytical precision in laboratory reports. But the change is not occurring!! Encourage You to Contact the State to Force this Change! 17

18 Industry Issues to be Aware Of.. Enforcement Actions taken by the Texas Department of State Health Services under the Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules were updated on 6/5/12. The Current Disciplinary Actions file may be viewed on the Mold Program website at Critical Need for Your Continued Input into the IAQ Industry and Mold Regulation in this State!!! Encourage Membership in IAQA Ongoing Industry Awareness IAQ Training and Education IAQA University/Seminars/Webinars CEU s for a variety of programs

19 Thank You AAFAME Larry D. Robertson, President, LLC 19