Indoor Air Quality Building Innovation 2014 Symposium Marilyn Black, Ph.D., LEED AP Underwriter s Laboratories
Can you Imagine?
Important Factors of IAQ and Indoor Pollution Societal, Environmental, and Health trends affecting IAQ Advancement of Building Practices, Materials, and Behavior leading to Safer Living, Working and Learning Environments HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
Indoor Air Quality Air pollutants 2-5 (sometimes 1,000) times higher than found outdoors Homes 2-3 times higher than commercial spaces Carcinogens Reproductive toxins Neurotoxins
Most Common Indoor Pollutants Molds and allergens Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) Formaldehyde Particles (dust and UFP) Carbon monoxide Carbon dioxide Ozone
Common VOCs in the Air
VOCs Sources Are Numerous Wallcovering, floor covering Paints, adhesives, sealants, cleaners Cabinetry, furniture Computers, printers Hobby/repair supplies Bedding Mold VOCS
ppb Airborne Levels - Formaldehyde 85 65 45 32 42 48 65 25 5 6 Outdoor Schools Manufactured Homes Offices Residences Home-1
Indoor Air Pollution Leads to Health Asthma and allergies Cancer Reproductive / developmental defects Cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease Irritation Autism Neurological Disease
Importance of IAQ to Health Issues today are complex Climate Change Weatherization/Reduced Air Changes Children spend 88-94% indoors Many synthetic products and global supply chain Health concerns over low does chemical exposure Health and productivity, illness rate and productivity, are affected by IAQ
Young children and expectant mothers especially vulnerable Per CDC, widespread exposure in human systems Persistent and Bioaccumulative chemicals Children s Health Average of 200 industrial chemicals in babies cord blood
Consider the Facts Chemicals are the DNA of the environment, all biological systems, all environments, and all manufactured products have them we cannot do without them. We need be educated and have reasonable processes to assess the risks and minimize the human health hazards through elimination, reduction, safer alternatives, or manufacturing control.
Chemicals in General WWF estimated that since WWII global production of man- made chemicals increased from 1-600 million tons each year world wide In the US alone, over 80,000 industrial chemicals are used to manufacture products today and only a small % have been evaluated for their human health impact On average 700-800 new chemicals are introduced each year for industrial use Scientific studies found over 300 industrial chemicals in umbilical cord blood in sampling of babies carcinogens, neurotoxins, and reproductive toxins Global use growing exponentially
Chemical Key Terminologies What is a BPT? Persistent or long lived in the environment Bioaccumlative build up to high levels in food chain and body tissues Toxic- harmful to life What is an endocrine disruptor? Affect the normal ability to reproduce and develop normally Some are obesagens What are CMRs? Carcinogens Mutagens Reproductive hazards
Emerging Pollutants of Great concern Phthalates Metals (organo) Pesticides Combustion VOCS Ultrafine particles Flame Retardants Siloxanes
and More Specifically Chemicals of Concern BPA Bisphenol A Benzidene Dyes PBTs HBCD Hexabromocyclododecane PBT MDI Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate TDI Toluene diisocyanate
Chemicals of Concern Continued NPEs Nonyl phenol ethoxylates PBTs PFCs Long-Chain perfluorinated Chemicals PBTs BBDEs Polybrominated diphenyl ethers- PBTs SCCPs short-chain chlorinated paraffins - BPTs
COC - Use of Flame Retardants Furniture, textiles, insulations Electronics plastics, wire and cables, circuit boards, etc. Clothing, cars, aircraft materials Heat resistant coatings for materials
What Do We Know About the Health Impact of Flame Retardants? Exposure is significant many showing up in household products, wildlife and humans Many are proving to be persistent and bioaccumulative remain in environment for a long time Strong correlation between flame retardants and children s health
Chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) Most common substitute for PBDE s Proved carcinogenic along with TBPA and banned from children s sleepwear in 1977 Common in newer furniture foams and baby products NTP show that long term exposure results in animal tumors Prop 65 Listing
Energy Savings Dilemma Energy use Tighter building Less air change Discomfort perception Air pollution Static persistent pollution
Green Building Certification An important step in achieving a high performance sustainable Building But it must provide a healthy environment instilling a sense of well being
Green Built Environments Can Still Be Polluted - But Need to be Healthy! Summary of TVOC Values (Green Commercial Construction) Paramet er TVOC, ug/m 3 Recommend ed Value Median 1560 500 Average 1700 500 Range 1350-3240 500 Commonly Found VOCs in Green Commercial Construction- a study of 12 Certified buildings Chemicals of Concern Ethylene glycol Hexane Methyl propanol Benzene Ethyl benzene Carbon disulfide Tetrachloroethylene Trichloroethylene Methylene chloride Naphthalene Phenol Styrene Toluene Xylenes Most Frequently Found Toluene Xylenes Undecanes Phenol Nonanes Dodecanes Decanes Cyclopentasiloxanes Cyclohexanes Ethyl benzene Trimethylbenzenes Acetophenone Ethyl toluene Formaldehyde
Detection of U.S. and International Chemical Risk List Chemicals in Emissions from Casegood Furniture Products (>45% Detection, n=191) Compound % Detected ACGIH AIHA Cal Prop 65 MRL Chronic Rel Acute Rel Cal Air Toxic IARC NTP AgBB Formaldehyde 97.4 X X X X X X X X X Acetaldehyde 94.2 X X X X X X X X Hexanal 82.2 X Pentanal 69.1 X X Propanal 62.8 X X X X Benzaldehyde 61.8 X X Toluene 57.6 X X X X X X X X 2-butoxy Ethanol 55.0 X X X X X X Butanal 54.5 X X Butyl Acetate 52.9 X X 1-Butanol 51.8 X X X Xylenes (Total) 45.5 X X X X X X X 2,6-Di-tert- butyl-4- methylphenol (BHT) 45.0 X X X
Green Case Study Laboratory/ office space Over 40 construction materials/ furnishing products studied No carcinogens, reproductive toxins Meet GREENGUARD Children and Schools CA 1350 No odorants Textiles, carpet, paints, furniture, drywall, insulation, adhesives, etc.
Survey What Had They Done? 100% IAQ verified for Low VOC 100% Reduction energy use/ carbon footprint in manufacturing 92% Reduction petrochemical less solvents 76 % recycled components 76% Supply chain management for toxics 56% Design for the Environment 42% Recyclability 28% Regional Materials 10% Microbial Resistant
VOC Air Data GOAL
Leading to Product Innovation Multi-attribute change but with disclosure Can I make it more healthy? What tools do I have?
Green Chemistry Safe Products By Design Design to reduce or eliminate the use and/or generation of hazardous substances Consider low toxicity and biodegradation with performance, cost, and technical feasibility Reduce intrinsic hazards of chemicals rather than managing exposure and risk after product is made
Tools are available to compare chemicals hazards USEPA Alternative assessments GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals
Transparency The Market Key Safer, resilient, durable Products for Buildings
New Tools in Development Will Help Smart Building Design, Monitoring and Feedback HVAC requirements Material selection Pollutants/allergens Comfort/perception Energy usage Adjust for personal needs and occupant vulnerability Toxicity Assessment of chemicals Rapid assays Comparative analysis across chemicals Predictive toxicology Low Dose Exposure Mixtures and air chemistry reactions
Key Elements for High Performing IAQ Low emitting, toxinsafe products. Acceptable Ventilation with outdoor air Proper Air filtration (air cleaning) Integrate Design and Building Operation A step above minimum codes
Thank you Questions? For more Information, please contact: Dr. Marilyn Black UL GREENGUARD Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Founder GREENGUARD 678.444.4090 Marilyn.Black@ul.com