EHS Indoor Air Quality Standard Procedures Guide

Transcription

1 Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures 1. Purpse and Objectives Investigatin f indr air quality prblems can be a cmplicated task, and ften invlves a team apprach t identify prblems as well as immediate and lng-term slutins. The EHS apprach t indr air quality investigatins references the methds develped by the Natinal Institute fr Occupatinal Safety and Health (NIOSH) in their publicatin, Guidance fr Indr Air Quality Investigatins, as well as recent guidance by ther standard-setting agencies such as the American Sciety f Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Cnditining Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), the U.S. Occupatinal Safety and Health Administratin (OSHA), the American Industrial Hygiene Assciatin, and ther standard-setting bdies. In general, the investigative apprach seeks t islate prblem surces, ften by exclusin, purpsing t narrw the range f pssible prblem causes. Symptms arising frm pr indr air quality ften mimic thse symptms cmmnly assciated with a cld, flu r allergies. These symptms may include: upper respiratry irritatin, cngestin, headaches, nausea, fatigue and itchy r watery eyes. Thrugh ccupant interviews, building inspectin and air quality testing, Envirnmental Health and Safety (EHS) and facilities staff are ften able t determine the cause f indr air quality prblems. The bjectives f this standard prcedure include the fllwing: T maintain indr air quality within acceptable levels accrding t cnsensus guidelines, T identify any ptential health hazards, T respnd t indr quality cncerns effectively and t make recmmendatins fr imprvement, T prvide infrmatin and educatin t persnnel with IAQ cncerns n what they can expect, T prmte nging management f indr air quality. 2. Scpe The Penn State University recgnizes the impact that indr air quality has in the wrkplace. In an effrt t prvide the Penn State cmmunity with the ptimum level f indr air quality, EHS has develped a standard prcedure fr respnding t indr air quality cncerns. 3. Respnsibilities 3.1 Wrk Unit Administratin University Administratrs prvide senir management supprt fr implementing the Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures and ensures that resurces are allcated fr implementing these prcedures. EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

2 3.2 EHS EHS develps and versees the implementatin f the Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures by: Prviding versight, leadership and technical expertise t investigate IAQ-related factrs and health cncerns, and prspective health cncerns Cmmunicating the prcedure fr dcumenting and respnding t IAQ cncerns. Prviding a written reprt t affected parties utlining recmmendatins and crrective actins, where apprpriate Including PSU Occupatinal Medicine t assist in review r emplyee medical supprt, when needed Cmmunicating with affected individuals regarding IAQ cncerns Utilizing industry accepted sampling and evaluatin prtcls Maintaining IAQ recrds Maintaining equipment and instrumentatin that is used in indr air quality surveys and reviews. 3.3 Safety Officers, Facilities Crdinatrs and OPP are respnsible fr: Respnding t IAQ cncerns as necessary and cllabrating with EHS n t supprt assessment activities and prspective recmmendatins. Please see Appendix A fr facility-related guidance Crdinating facility/maintenance and cnstructin activities with custmers in supprt f IAQ cncerns Maintaining building systems that may affect indr air quality t manufacturer s recmmendatins, preventative maintenance schedules and ther system supprt, repairs and mdificatins. 3.4 Supervisrs Supervisrs supprt the Indr Air Quality assessments by: Identifying areas f indr air quality cncern and assisting in all facets f the Review, as needed, including assisting in EHS evaluatin Ensuring that all emplyees wh have an indr air quality cncern are supprted Wrking with all parties and ensuring EHS recmmendatins are fllwed. EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

3 3.5 Emplyee 4. Prcedures All PSU emplyees that have an Indr Air Quality cncern are respnsible fr: Initially bringing the cncern with their supervisr, facility crdinatr, safety fficer, and/r EHS. If the cncern is an emergency r deemed extremely dangerus, immediately call Wrking with EHS, facility persnnel and ther university representatives during the review Fllwing EHS recmmendatins as utlined in the EHS reprt. All University Buildings are designed, built and maintained t prvide a cmfrtable and safe wrk envirnment free frm envirnmental and ther cntaminatin that may result in diminished indr air quality. Indr air quality cncerns shall be reprted and reviewed fllwing these prcedures: IAQ cncerns that pse an immediate threat t persnal health r safety shall be reprted by calling Initial Symptms/Factrs OPP/ Area Services r ther Penn State Facilities services shuld be cntacted initially t investigate cncerns relating t: Temperature r humidity prblems Air mvement/drafts frm diffusers Stale air Particulates r dirt cming frm air handling systems OPP/ Area Services, Engineering Services, OPP Divisins, Facilities, r Wrk Unit Supervisry, r Safety staff may cntact EHS fr supprt as necessary. 4.2 Ptential Health & Safety-Related Factrs EHS shuld be cntacted t investigate cncerns such as: Chemical, gas, exhaust r unusual drs, Sickness assciated with building ccupancy which may include: headaches, nausea, dizziness, upper respiratry irritatin, fever, chills and fatigue Areas f mld cntaminatin, including any cntaminatin n any cmpnent f an air handing system. EHS will perfrm an IAQ evaluatin using the fllwing elements: 1. Discussin and Inspectin - Initial assessments may include discussing cnditins with ccupants, and perfrming a walk-thrugh inspectin (if necessary) f the building r area f cncern. EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

4 During the site walk-thrugh, building ventilatin systems may be evaluated and ptential surces f cntaminatin identified. If the immediate cause r surce cannt be fund, testing and further evaluatin may be required. 2. Testing and Evaluatin - Cmmn indr air quality parameters including temperature, relative humidity (RH), and carbn dixide (CO 2 ) levels are measured. Additinal testing may include ther envirnmental cntaminants such as carbn mnxide, r specific agents if ther ptential surces are anticipated r knwn. The mst cmmnly cited indr air quality standards are thse established by the American Sciety f Heating and Air Cnditining Engineers (ASHRAE), and particularly thse presented in the standard: Ventilatin fr Acceptable Indr Air Quality (ASHRAE ) r current versin. The ASHRAE 62.1 standard serves as an industry standard f practice supprting acceptable indr air quality. The ASHRAE standards are als referenced in the Penn State Office f Physical Plant Design Standards. Additinal air cntaminant standards may be referenced, such as thse established by the Occupatinal Safety and Health Administratin (Permissible Expsure Limits), the American Cnference f Gvernmental Industrial Hygienists (Threshld Limit Values), r by the U.S. Envirnmental Prtectin Agency. The OSHA and ACGIH standards pertain t air cntaminants assciated with wrkplace surces. These may r may nt pertain t indr air quality, depending n whether the surces affect ther building ccupants. The U.S. EPA Natinal Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) pertain t allwable utdr cntaminant levels assciated with many types f industrial surces; hwever, these standards represent lng-term expsure levels, and may serve as a benchmark fr indr air quality. All building-related factrs, equipment, and ccupant r maintenance practices that may impact indr air quality will be cnsidered and/r reviewed and assessed. Refer t Appendix B fr mre infrmatin n factrs affecting indr air quality. 3. Recmmendatins/Reprt - All sampling results and data are reviewed and analyzed. All findings and recmmendatins are brught frward and any additinal reviews and imprvements are discussed. EHS will issue dcumentatin f the review and/r a detailed IAQ reprt t affected parties. 5. Indr Air Quality Cntaminant Surces and Factrs The fllwing cntaminant surces and factrs may cntribute t indr air quality r indr envirnmental quality. a. Building Materials (Newly Installed Cmpnents r Finishes) Building cmpnents may be treated with, r frmulated with a variety f chemicals and preservatives. These may becme a surce f indr air quality prblems, particularly if inadequate building ventilatin is established. Glues/ adhesives, new carpeting, uphlstery, particlebard, furniture, and finishes may ff-gas vlatile rganic cmpunds (VOC s) such as frmaldehyde r ther air cntaminants, and cntribute t drs, sensry irritatin, headaches r ther health and cmfrt-related symptms t ccupants in the indr envirnment. EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

5 b. Carbn Dixide (CO 2 ) Carbn dixide is a primary cmpnent f human respiratin, and can be mnitred as a surrgate cntaminant, reflecting the adequacy f air exchange r ventilatin in the building. CO 2 in utside air may cmmnly range between parts per millin (ppm), as influenced by utdr CO 2 surces such as lcal vehicular exhaust, fuel cmbustin, r ther industrial surces. The American Sciety f Heating, Refrigeratin and Air-Cnditining Engineers (ASHRAE) has determined that indr CO 2 levels shuld nt exceed 700 ppm greater than utdr levels ( ppm), t maintain bilgical (human) drs at agreeable levels fr mst ccupants. 1 c. Carbn Mnxide (CO) Carbn mnxide (CO) in the indr envirnment may be assciated surces such as: imprperly vented appliances with natural gas r ther hydrcarbn fuel surces, utdr vehicular hydrcarbn emissins, bilers, heating systems, r ther industrial surces. CO may therefre build-up r accumulate within buildings, where there is inadequate ventilatin r fresh-air exchange. With respect t utdr cncentratins, the U.S. Envirnmental Prtectin Agency has determined that CO levels shuld typically nt exceed 9 ppm in an 8-hur perid, mre than nce per year, r 35ppm in any 1-hur perid mre than nce per year (Natinal Ambient Air Quality Standards). 2 In mst Penn State University lcatins, utdr CO levels are nt expected t rutinely reach the USEPA NAAQS. Detectable CO levels indrs are mst ften assciated with infiltratin frm utdrs, and indr levels exceeding these guidelines shuld be further investigated. d. Other Indr Cntaminant Surces Indr cntaminant surces may als include: Cleaning agents Sewer gas frm dry flr r sink drain traps Appliances nt prperly maintained r exhausted Csmetics Humidificatin devices nt prperly maintained Smke r st frm inadequately vented appliances Painting supplies, r ther surce materials r agents e. Other Outdr Cntaminant Surces Outdr cntaminant surces may als include: Exhaust frm mtr vehicles Fumes frm cnstructin r renvatin activities Odrs frm landscaping materials, pesticides, etc. Smke 1 2 ASHRAE Ventilatin fr Acceptable Indr Air Quality. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard , American Sciety f Heating, Refrigeratin and Air-Cnditining Engineers. Atlanta, GA, Appendix C, pp USEPA Cde f Federal Regulatins, Title 40, Part 50. Natinal Ambient Air Quality Standards EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

6 f. Inadequate Ventilatin Inadequate ventilatin ccurs when an insufficient amunt f fresh utside air is supplied t the interir envirnment. g. Micrbial Cntaminants Micrbial Cntaminatin may ccur in buildings that are impacted by water leaks, buildup f humidity, and ther surces f misture. Cntaminants can als be intrduced int buildings frm stagnant water in HVAC distributin systems and cling twers. Preventin f micrbilgical cntaminatin is accmplished by eliminating standing water and ther surces f misture, and by the prper use f bicides. h. Temperature ( F) and Relative Humidity (%RH) Relative humidity levels can affect the release rate f many indr cntaminants, their cncentratins in the air, and can influence the grwth f micrbial rganisms. Relative Humidity can als have a direct effect n wrker cmfrt. An ptimal range fr relative humidity is 20 t 60%, depending n seasn. Relative humidity levels rutinely less than 20% may cntribute t skin, eye and mucus membrane drying, and levels rutinely exceeding 60% may cntribute t mld grwth. Temperature and relative humidity levels may have a direct impact n ccupant cmfrt, the release f ther cntaminants and/r micrbial grwth, and subsequent ccupant symptms, cmplaints r visibly deterirating building materials. The Occupatinal Safety and Health Administratin (OSHA) has reprted that ideal indr temperature fr ffice ccupancies may range between 68 76F, and that ideal relative humidity levels shuld range between 20 60%. 3 ASHRAE and ther standard-setting agencies currently address thermal cmfrt in terms f these and ther factrs including: air mvement/speed, clthing and temperature differential. Indr temperature and humidity share an integral relatinship. In general, mre misture may be retained in air at lwer temperatures and cnstant barmetric pressure. Belw these dew pint temperatures, water may cndense n cld r cl surfaces within the rm r building. This cnditin may cntribute t the cllectin and build-up f airbrne dusts and debris that cntain fungal spres nt the wetted surfaces, with subsequent mld grwth. Relative humidity levels less than 20% have generally been assciated with ccupant discmfrt assciated with drying f eyes, nse, thrat, mucus membranes and skin, thus certain minimal level f relative humidity shuld be maintained. 3 Many agencies have histrically recmmended that relative humidity levels be maintained indrs t less than 60% t reduce cndensatin r equilibrium misture vapr pressure at surfaces, and t prevent micrbial grwth. ASHRAE has recently recmmended that RH shuld nt exceed 65% when buildings are prperly perating at design cnditins with respect t dehumidificatin OSHA OSHA Plicy n Indr Air Quality: Office Temperature/Humidity and Envirnmental Tbacc Smke. USDOL/OSHA, Washingtn DC. Ibid ASHRAE Sectin 5.9.1, p.7 EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

7 i. Respirable and Ultra-Fine Particulates Airbrne respirable and ultra-fine particulates, assciated with cpier tners, inks, and paper prducts are anticipated with high prductin cpying. Depending n the cpier manufacturer s internal cntrls r prducts assciated with the cpier equipment, lw level respirable particulate expsures may ccur; hwever, these expsures are substantially less than the crrespnding ccupatinal expsure criteria such as the OSHA Permissible Expsure Limit, eight-hur time-weighted average (TWA) f 5 mg/m 3, r, the ACGIH Threshld Limit Value-TWA f 3 mg/m 3 inhalable mass fr carbn particulate (inhalable mass). Inks and tners may als have very small quantities f metals and/r resinus cmpnents; hwever, these cmpnents are anticipated t be at airbrne expsure levels significantly less than applicable ccupatinal expsure criteria, and may be assciated with individual respnse (irritant r allergic), at levels less than ccupatinal expsure criteria. The USEPA NAAQS 2 fr particulate matter with a mass median aersl particle diameter (MMAD) f 2.5 micrn (PM2.5), is 35 micrgrams per cubic meter air (ug/m 3 ) as a 24-hur mean, nt t be exceeded mre than nce per year ver a 3-year perid. Similarly, the PM10 (MMAD 10.0 micrns) is 150 ug/m 3 (24-hur mean nt t be exceeded mre than nce per year, ver 3 years). Thugh nt directly applicable t the indr envirnment, these levels prvide a basis fr understanding public health risk, assuming a lng-duratin, annual expsure. ASHRAE standard (r current) prvides listings including: Cmparisn f Regulatins and Guidelines Pertinent t Indr Envirnments (Table B1), and Cncentratins f Interest fr Selected Vlatile Organic Cmpunds (Tables B2 and B3). Whether perfrming screening evaluatins, such as this survey, r measuring specific cmpunds, these published levels may prvide a basis t supprt evaluatin effrts. 5 j. Ozne (O3) r Related Oxygen Free Radical Cmpunds Ozne is prduced via peratin f ffice machines, cpiers and electrstatic appliances. Bth ccupatinal and public health expsure criteria have been established fr zne. Ozne is attributable t exacerbatins f asthma, and t irritant effects n eyes, nse, thrat, lung and mucus membrane tissues. Ozne may als accelerate aging f lung tissue and cntribute t the degradatin f prperty due t it s xidizing effects. OSHA has established a PEL-TWA 6 fr zne f 0.1 ppm. The ACGIH has established TLV-TWA criteria based n the level f wrk activity encuntered during expsure, ranging frm 0.05 ppm during heavy wrk t 0.2 ppm during light wrk. 7 The USEPA NAAQS fr zne is 0.12 ppm as a 1-hur expsure nt t be exceeded during a year, ASHRAE. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard Ventilatin fr Acceptable Indr Air Quality, American Sciety f Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Cnditining Engineers. 2010, Tables B1-B3, pp OSHA. Occupatinal Safety and Health Administratin Permissible Expsure Limits, 29 CFR & Z-Tables. ACGIH TLV s and BEI s Based n the Dcumentatin f the Threshld Limit Values fr Chemical Substances and Physical Agents & Bilgical Expsure Indices. ACGIH EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

8 and therwise 0.08 ppm as the furth highest 8-hur daily maximum expsure when averaged ver a 3-year perid. ASHRAE has listed a 100 ug/m 3 (0.1 mg/m 3 ) Cncentratin f Interest fr zne (a level at which physical and health-related symptms r effects may ccur in the indr envirnment) Additinal References: General Duty Clause f the OSH Act f 1970, Sectin N. 5 OSHA Permissible Expsure Limits (29 CFR Part , Tables Z1 Z3) fund at id=10147 OSHA Anntated Air Cntaminant Standards List fund at: U.S. Envirnmental Prtectin Agency Indr Air Quality website fund at EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

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10 Appendix B Intrductin Indr Air Quality Mst peple in the United States spend 90+% f ur time in indr envirnments, including vehicles, wrk and hme envirnments. We expect the air t be reasnably cmfrtable, which usually means reasnable temperature, humidity, avidance f drafts r stuffiness, and absence f unpleasant drs r irritatin. Factrs Affecting Indr Air Quality Temperature: A cmfrtable temperature is usually between degrees F. This cmfrt zne varies by seasn and relative humidity when we are usually acclimated t cler temperatures in winter and warmer temperatures in summer. An individual's cmfrt usually depends n: Amunt f wrk perfrmed Clthing required Evaprative Lsses Cnvectin: Lcatin near air vents, air cnditiners Radiant Heat: If near windw this may be significant at different times f the day Relative Humidity: The effects f relative humidity n cmfrt are related t the air temperature. Optimum humidity is usually between percent. Levels higher than 60% relative humidity will prmte mld spre grwth and increases in dust mites. Levels f relative humidity belw 20% cause skin and mucus membrane dryness, and may result in increased susceptibility t viral illness transmissin. Humidity levels generally increase during the summer mnths. Cmplaints f dry air, mre frequent during winter mnths, can be alleviated by supplementary humidificatin and lwering the ffice temperature t University recmmended values during the winter mnths. If humidifiers are used, fllwing the manufacturer s recmmendatins fr maintenance and cnditining f the water with bactericide is imprtant t prevent the water frm becming a reservir fr bacteria. Ventilatin: Ventilatin refers t the prcess f supplying and remving air by natural r mechanical means t and frm any space. Such air may r may nt be cnditined. Natural ventilatin is the mvement f utdr air int a space thrugh prvided penings, such as windws and drs, thugh nn-pwered ventilatrs r by natural infiltratin int a building. A ventilatin system is usually a pwered system that mves air thrughut the ccupied space. The system may include heating and cling f the air. Supply air is air delivered t the space and used fr ventilatin. Exhaust air is air remved frm a space and nt reused. Where air cntaminant r dr cntrl is necessary, lcal exhaust ventilatin is used t remve cntaminants frm the space. Mst building ventilatin systems use a cmbinatin f re-circulated air and make-up air t prvide ventilatin within the ccupied space. Re-circulated air is air remved frm the space EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

11 and intended fr reuse as supply air. Make-up air is utdr air supplied t replace exhausted air t supply fresh air needs f the ccupants. The mix f fresh air and make-up air is usually cntrlled by the system depending n utside air temperatures. The systems are set t prvide n less than acceptable fresh air vlumes and mre fresh air when utside cnditins allw. Mst ventilatin systems prvide filtratin f the air t remve dust and particulates frm the air stream befre it is delivered t the ccupants. Adequate Ventilatin is defined by the American Sciety fr Heating, Refrigeratin, Air Cnditining Engineers (ASHRAE) as 20 cubic feet per minute (CFM) per persn, per the ASHRAE Ventilatin fr Acceptable Indr Air Quality guidelines. This is a recmmended guideline which is in cmmn practice at Penn State, but des nt have statutry standing except where it has been incrprated int, fr example, lcal r state building cdes. Carbn dixide (CO 2 ) levels are used as an indicatr f the amunt f fresh air being supplied t the ccupants f an area. CO 2 is a nrmal prduct f respiratin, which ccurs naturally in the utdr air at parts per millin (PPM). The general recmmendatin frm the Natinal Institute fr Occupatinal Safety and Health (NIOSH) and ASHRAE is t prvide enugh fresh air t the indr envirnment, t ensure that CO 2 levels d nt exceed 700 ppm abve utdr air cncentratins. Levels maintained belw this cncentratin in the indr envirnment are generally assciated with few cmplaints f stuffiness r drs by ccupants. Indr ccupant cmplaints increase when CO 2 levels exceed these cncentratins. Levels belw 5000 ppm are cnsidered acceptable by OSHA and are nt cnsidered a health hazard; hwever, increased indr CO 2 levels are assciated with reduced xygen cncentratin, and can nt nly lead t the build-up f drs, but t symptms f lethargy and ther ccupant discmfrt. Air Cntaminants: Odrs Odrants may nt be txic, per se, but may cause anxiety r the perceptin f pr indr air quality. They are a majr cause fr cmplaints in indr envirnments. Odrs may als indicate cntaminated air being circulated either frm utdrs r generated within the building and distributed thrughut the building. Many building maintenance activities are ptential surces f vlatile rganic cmpunds (VOC's). The emissins frm surces such as waxed flrs generally recede with time, but may cntinue fr days after a single applicatin. Cnsumer prducts may als cntribute t indr VOC cncentratins and include ptpurri, perfumes and air fresheners. Particulate matter is als cnsidered an air cntaminant in the indr envirnment, and may include: sils, dust, pllen, mld spres and bacteria. Dust frm utdr activity r internally generated can degrade the indr envirnment. Dust levels cnsidered apprpriate fr a shp envirnment typically are nt acceptable fr an ffice envirnment. Bilgical particulates including mld, bacteria and pllen are fund at varying levels seasnally and even daily in the utdr air. The levels f these bilgical particulates are typically lwer inside buildings. Mlds and mld spres may be assciated with surces ranging frm indr plants t flding and water infiltratin t buildings and saked building materials. Uncntrlled mld grwth in the indr envirnment degrades indr air quality and building materials, and shuld be cntrlled. Mst minr mld grwth in the indr envirnment thugh is nt assciated with significant health effects; hwever, allergens assciated with mld may cause allergenic r flu-like symptms in sensitive individuals. EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide

12 Smke Eliminating smking in mst areas f University Buildings has been ne f the mst imprtant steps the University has taken t imprve indr air quality. This step has eliminated expsure t txic air cntaminants and eliminated a majr cntributin t bjectinable dr within buildings. Maintaining Acceptable Indr Air Quality Maintaining acceptable indr air quality is accmplished by: Mnitring and maintaining the peratin f HVAC equipment, and repairing and adjusting equipment as required t maintain prper air flw within ccupied spaces. Rutine maintenance f equipment including scheduled filter changes t keep the equipment running and prviding clean air. The Office f Physical Plant perfrms regularly scheduled maintenance f HVAC equipment. Identificatin f external intake air cntaminatin and relcatin f equipment/surce s that it will nt impact the IAQ. Fr example, a ht asphalt rfing kettle lcated near a building air intake. Identificatin f internal surces f air cntaminatin and eliminatin f the surce r substitutin f materials that d nt generate prblems. Cntaminant surces such as cpier effluents may build-up in ffice envirnments, if the exhaust flw is inadequate. Gd husekeeping in general will help maintain indr air quality by cntrlling drs and dust within the ccupied space. Use f cleaning and maintenance materials that d nt emit bjectinable drs r vapr int the indr envirnment. Use f lw emissin building materials, carpeting and furniture will help maintain lw levels f VOCs, supprting acceptable air quality. Islating areas during cnstructin/ renvatin activities, and prviding enhanced ventilatin t prevent dust and drs frm impacting ccupants within the building. EHS respnds t requests t evaluate indr air quality issues. In additin t ntifying the Wrk Unit Maintenance Supervisr (Cmmnwealth Campuses), and/r University Park Facility Crdinatr and/r Safety Officer, indr air quality cncerns shuld be brught t the attentin f EHS when they arise. EHS will mnitr cnditins and make recmmendatin if required t bring the ccupied area(s) within recmmended guidelines. EHS Indr Air Quality Standard Prcedures Guide