Indoor Air Quality doc

[...]... seeking $65 million Other suits involving various indoor air quality allegations are ongoing Thus, the driving force in indoor air quality investigations has become fear of litigation The cost of a thorough indoor air quality investigation is small as compared to the cost of litigation Differences in Health Effects The health effects of poor indoor air quality are dependent upon several factors Relevant... excessive indoor air quality complaints.1 From 1989 to 1990, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indoor air quality requests jumped from 8 percent to 52 percent In 1989, NIOSH completed approximately 500 indoor air quality investigations and concluded that 34 percent of all sick building syndrome buildings were associated with indoor air contaminants, outdoor air contaminants,... may be applied in indoor air quality investigations where the outside air may potentially contribute to exposure levels indoors, such as in large nonattainment cities Nonattainment means the city does not comply with one or a combination of the air quality standards as set forth in Table  1.1 Where exceeded outdoors, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards are likely to be exceeded indoors as well... the construction and safety of manufactured housing that includes features related to indoor air quality. 4 EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards The EPA air quality focus is to protect human health outdoors in the ambient air The principal program that may be of some value to the reader is the National Ambient Air Quality Standard The intent of this standard is to control emissions of six pollutants... concerns, and indoor air quality standards for high-performance (e.g., office) buildings have been proposed as of 2009 The wave of the future is for buildings to be assessed as a unit Building systems and materials are seen as a total package The swath of complexities is great Indoor air quality challenges are many, and guidelines are being developed The future is now! Litigation Managing indoor air quality. .. comes change Indoor air quality methodologies have expanded, evolved, and morphed The focus is shifting from a knee-jerk to a more proactive response Although indoor air quality in older buildings will continue to present old challenges, new construction is going forward with new challenges The intent of this book is to provide environmental professionals, industrial hygienists, and indoor air quality specialists... sick building syndrome An enclosed environment does not mean clean air Regulations, Requirements, and Guidelines Currently, federal regulatory limits for indoor air quality are limited U.S government directives are limited in scope The EPA Ambient Air Quality Standards are limited to outdoor environmental pollution, and OSHA 8 Indoor Air Quality: The Latest Sampling and Analytical Methods mandates are... or marginal at best in responding to cases involving indoor air quality In an effort to stem the tide of indoor air quality health complaints, various recognized public contributors have recommended guidelines Regulatory standards are mandated and guidelines are recommended The recommended guidelines are more apt to appropriately address indoor air quality problems than are regulatory standards Guidelines... methodologies are evolving Indoor air quality is complex! Many indoor air quality situations culminate with litigation, differences in health impact, differences in perceived health effects, regulatory limits, and guidelines Guidelines are being created by recognized public agencies, and investigators are being called upon to make decisions with minimal support and direction Finally, indoor air quality investigations... builders started 3 4 Indoor Air Quality: The Latest Sampling and Analytical Methods constructing airtight buildings, inoperable airtight windows, and reduced air exchange rates In well-weatherized homes, the air exchange rate is 0.2 to 0.3 air changes per hour In older, less energy efficient homes, exchange rates are as high as 2 changes per hour In energy efficient office buildings, air exchange rates . millennium comes change. Indoor air quality methodologies have expanded, evolved, and morphed. The focus is shifting from a knee-jerk to a more proactive response. Although indoor air quality in older. professionals, indus- trial hygienists, and indoor air quality specialists with the latest and great- est methods in response to the knee-jerk indoor air quality challenges and for assessing new. the complex nature of environmental issues, indoor air quality, and multiple chemical sensitivity. She has successfully identied sources of indoor air quality problems in more than 90 percent of