Indoor Environmental Air Quality: Resource Reports

            Chemical hypersensitivity syndrome, also known as multiple chemical sensitivity and environmental illness may develop after exposure to substances and chemicals  in the environment .  People with chemical hypersensitivity are sensitive to low levels of particular chemicals.  The intolerance to certain agents may develop overtime.  “Some evidence suggests that a subset of the population may be especially sensitive to low levels of a broad range of chemicals at levels common in today’s home and working environments.”[i]  The Social Security Administration recognizes chemical hypersensitivity as a disability.  Symptoms of chemical hypersensitivity include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, numbness, memory loss, nausea, muscle pain, and difficulty breathing.     

Cleaning products

            Many cleaning products  including all-purpose and ammonia-based cleaners, bleach, scouring powder, and disinfectants contain dangerous chemicals , such as: sodium hypochlorite, petroleum distillates, ammonia, phenol, cresol, nitrobenzene, formaldehyde , and perchloroethylene.[ii]  These cleaning products may be irritants, toxic , and carcinogenic .  They may cause various symptoms including respiratory problems, vomiting, eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, liver damage, and nervous system damage.  Therefore, care should be taken when choosing a cleaner.  There are effective less toxic and non-toxic alternatives many of these are made using mixtures of some basic ingredients including baking soda, citrus and mineral oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and washing soda.  These healthier alternatives are often times more economical than the more toxic cleaners. 

Lighting  (ergonomics of)

Both artificial lighting  and daylight affect the indoor environment .  The quality of light is determined by its intensity, spectrum, and the amount of glare.  Daylight is shaded and modified by the style of skylights, windows , and window coverings.  The types, placement and number of luminaries determine the quality of artificial lighting.[iii]  Lighting should be appropriate to the task and age of the occupants. 

While lighting  does not directly cause adverse health problems, it affects people’s mood, productivity, and perceptions about the pleasantness of a space.  Proper lighting can ease and eliminate eyestrain.  Decreasing the amount of flicker in light may increase worker performance and decrease headache and eyestrain.[iv]  In a study conducted by the California Energy Commission showed that productivity and mental function improved when office workers had higher daylight illumination levels and access to a view.  The quality of the view is affected by the size of the window and by the greater vegetation content. “Office workers performed 10 percent to 25 percent better on tests of mental function and memory recall when they had the best possible view versus those with no view.”[v] However, daylighting  may decrease worker performance if there are high amounts of glare. 

Monitoring systems

            There are a variety of different measurement devices with varying costs, simplicities of use, lengths of data output, and states of quality assurance.  There are many specialized tests that can be conducted to determine the levels of specific air pollutants including radon , formaldehyde , total volatile organic compounds, tobacco smoke, and carbon monoxide.  For general IAQ monitoring, there are five important measurements.  To ensure that there is good air quality, it is important that monitoring systems  are in place to measure and record the temperature, relative humidity, air movement, airflow volume, and carbon dioxide levels. 

Temperature and relative humidity can be easily measured with a thermometer and sling psychrometer, or with programmable recording sensors, such as a thermohygrometer.  Air movement can be tracked by using chemical smoke (titanium tetrachloride) released from various dispensing mechanisms, including smoke guns, pencils, bottles, or tubes.  The dispensers allow smoke to be released in controlled quantities and directed at specific locations, allowing airflow patterns to be observed.[vi]  Several different devices, such as pitot tubes and anemometers, are available to measure airflow volume, the quantity of air flowing through duct.  Carbon dioxide is best measured and monitored by using a direct reading meter, with a logging device.

Investing in these five permanent measuring systems will help prevent and identify IAQ conditions and ensure proper functioning of the HVAC  system.  The prices for the devices vary widely, but the investment up front can save money in the long run.  Temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide monitors are more costly (A carbon monoxide monitoring system can range from $600-$6,000).[vii]  Chemical smoke devices are inexpensive, ranging from $40-$90.    

Pest control  

            The use of pesticides to exterminate and control pests needs to be carefully examined, for they are inherently toxic  and most contain VOCs.[viii]   Pesticides may be carcinogenic  and cause poisoning, liver damage, respiratory, and nervous system damage. There are various pest control  strategies that can be used which do not negative impact IEQ.  First, there should be no spraying of chemicals  or pesticides as a preventative measure.  A better preventative measures include sealing all foundation cracks, holes or open spaces, and having good sanitation practices.  If there are pests, rather than using toxic chemicals that may be detrimental to the health of building occupants, use traps and non-toxic baits. 

Scent control

Fragrances and scents often consist of an array of natural and synthetic chemicals .  Yet these sweet-smelling chemicals may cause eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, and damage to the nervous system.  When addressing sources of indoor air pollutants, odor and fragrances need to be recognized as being detrimental to IAQ.  Fragrances and scented personal care products can affect the health of other building occupants, especially individuals with chemical hypersensitivity.  Artificial air fresheners do not get rid of odor, they simply mask it and add to pollutants to the air.  The spread of odor generated from restrooms and kitchens can be minimized by directly venting those areas to the outside and by keeping them slightly depressurized relative to surrounding rooms.

 Volatile Organic Compound s (VOCs)

 VOCs refer to a wide array of carbon chemicals  that vaporize, including benzene, chloroform, p-Dichlorobenzene, formaldehyde , tetrachloroethylene, etc.  They are the “principal component in atmospheric reactions that form ozone  and other photochemical oxidants.”[ix]  VOCs are often the most abundant indoor air pollutant.  They are emitted from paints, furniture , building materials, equipment, cleaning products , combustion activities, and even from people wearing fragrant personal care products.  VOCs are of concern, because some may be irritants and carcinogens.  They may cause various health affects including headaches, nausea, breathing problems, and reproductive effects.