• If too little outdoor air enters a building without dilution, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose health and discomfort problems.

POOR VENTILATION

• Building materials and furnishings; biological products for household cleaning, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems; pesticides; oil, gas, kerosene, wood combustion sources and people (CO2).

POLLUTANT SOURCES

What’s all the fuss about “indoor” air pollution? I always thought “outdoor” air pollution was the main problem?

green building resource center

What Causes Indoor Air Quality Problems?

MERV RATING 1-4 NOT GOOD FOR filtering the air because they will not stop particles smaller than 10 microns.

MERV RATING 5-8 better choice are commonly found

in commercial buildings. Collects particles as small as 3

microns.

MERV RATING 9-12 Stops particles in the 1 to 3 micron range. Clean or replace them when recommended because

they will have a negative affect on the air flow.

MERV RATING 13-20 Will stop particles as small as .3

microns. These filters are used in hospitals and other super clean environments.

MER

V Ra

ting

5-8

1-4

13-16

9-12

1031-3.3

Used to rate the ability of an air conditioning filter to remove dust from the air as it passes.

WHAT DOES MERV STAND FOR?Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value

MERV RATING CHART

All Combustion smokeCarbon DustVirus (unattached)<0.3 pm particle size

Welding FumesAuto EmissionsMilled FlourLead Dust Humidifier DustLegionella1.0-3.0pm Particle Size

Pudding MixCement DustDusting AidsFabric ProtectorHair SprayMold Spores3.0-10.0 pm Particle Size

Carpet FibersTextile FibersSpray Paint DustSanding DustDust Mites, Pollen>10.0 pm Particle Size

16-20151413

1211109

8765

4321

General Surgery

Hospital Inpatient Care

Smoking Lunges

Superior Commercial Buildings

Superior Residential

Better Commercial Buildings

Hospital Laboratories

Commercial Buildings

Better ResidentialIndustrial Workplace

Paint Booth Inlet

Minimal Filtration

Residential

Window A/C Units

Bag Filter- Nonsupported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. Deep,6-12 pockets. Box Filters-Rigid -Syle Cartridge 6 to 12” deep may use lofted or paper media

Bag Filter- Nonsupported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. Deep,6-12 pockets. Box Filters-Rigid Syle Cartridge 6 to 12” deep may use lofted or paper media

Pleated Filters- Disposable, extended surface area, thick with cotton-polyester blend media, cardboard frame

Cartridge Filter-Graded density viscous coated cube or pocket filters, synthetic media. Throwaway- Disposable fiberglass or synthetic panel filter.

Throwaway- Disposable fiberglass or synthetic panel filter.

Washable- Aluminum MeshElectrostatic- Self charging woven panel filter.Washable- Aluminum Mesh

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Are a large group of carbon based chemicals that easily evaporate Most people can smell high levels of some VOCsSome VOCs have no odor

MERV Rating 9-12 stops particles in the 1-3 micron range.

MERV FILTER 1-4 will not stop particle smaller than 10 microns.

MERV 10 Micron

1 Micron 0.3 Micron13 99%

89% 49%

MERV 10 Micron

1 Micron 0.3 Micron10 99%

30% 19%

MERV 10 Micron

1 Micron 0.3 Micron6 85-90%

0 0

MERV 10 Micron

1 Micron 0.3 Micron8 98%

12% 2%

HOSPITAL INPATIENTMERV 15 OR BETTER

RECOMMENDED BY LEEDCOMMERCIAL BUILDING

MERV 13 OR BETTER

COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, SUPERIOR HOMES NOT RECOMMENDED NOT RECOMMENDED

MERV FILTER EFFICIENCY AT 10, 1, & 0.3 MICRON LEVELS

MERV 10 Micron

1 Micron 0.3 Micron15-20 99%

98% 78%

Interesting Facts

Indoor air pollution is estimated to cause approximately 2 million premature deaths per year mostly in developing countries. Almost half of these deaths are due to respiratory conditions in children under 5 years of age.

Urban outdoor air pollution is estimated to cause 1.3 million deaths worldwide per year.

Many construction materials offgas for five or more years following manufacture.

In homes where biomass fuels and coal are used for cooking and heating, particulate levels may be 10–50 times higher than the standard guideline values.

Air pollution is the single greatest environmental threat

to human health!Word Health Organization

MERV Rating

Microns

USGBC LEED Rating System INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

(IEQ)A green building should provide its occupants with superior indoor air quality to support their health, comfort and well-being.

Increased Ventilation1 POINT

Intent:Provide additional outdoor air ventilation to improve indoor air quality for improved occupant comfort, will-being and productivity.

For more information:American Society of Heating,

Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers

www.ashrae(800) 527-4723

Construction IAQ Management Plan During Construction

1 POINT

Intent:Reduce indoor air quality problems resulting from the construction and/or renovation process in order to help sustain the comfort and well-being of construction workers and buildings occupants

For more information:Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association

(SMACNA) www.smacna.org(703) 803-2980

Interesting FactsThere are 25,400 microns in one inch. A "micron" is an abbreviated term for "micrometer“A unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter Symbol: μ, mu

Construction IAQ Management Plan Before Occupancy

1 Point

Requirements:Develop and implement an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan for the preoccupancy phase .

Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control

1 Point

Requirements:Design to minimize and control pollutant entry into buildings and later cross-contamination of regularly occupied areas.

Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality

Poster Design By Dianne Polo

green building resource center

Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Pollutants Sources

Home and Personal

Care Products

Air Fresheners

Air Cleaners that Produce

Ozone

Cleaning And

Disinfection

Chemicals

Cosmetics

Fuel Oil, Gasoline

Moth Ball BehaviorsCooking

Dry Cleaning

Hobbies

NewspaperNon-Electric

Space Heaters

Photocopiers

SmokingBuilding

MaterialsCarpet and Adhesive

Composite Wood

Products

Paint

Sealing Caulks

Solvents

Upholstery Fabrics

Vinyl Floor

Where Do VOCs Come from?Many products we have in our homes release or “off-gas” VOCs. Some examples of sources of VOCs are :

How Our Time Is Spent

Automobile Exhaust

Wood Smoke Emissions From Incinerators

Power Plants Cigarette Smoke

Plywood

Cosmetics Molding Plastic Foam Mattress Particle Board Cell Phone

Insulation Fumigant Dinnerware Disinfectants

Formaldehyde is found in

FORMALDEHYDEIt’s A Colorless GasPungent odorIt’s A VOCIt’s A Normal Metabolic Product Of Living Cells Probable CarcinogenLung & eye irritant

Formaldehyde800 ppb

The typical threshold for developing acute

symptoms.

Formaldehyde100 ppb

Some individuals demonstrate health

effects.

Formaldehyde50 ppb

Most people can detect levels of formaldehyde.

LEVELS OF FORMALDEHYDE IN A “BAD AIR DAY”World Health Organization (Minnesota Dept Health)

Indoor Air Quality Outdoor Air Quality

median formaldehyde level

12.6 ppb.012 ppm

maximum formaldehyde

120 ppb0.120 ppm

maximum formaldehyde base formaldehyde level

2.9 ppb.0029 ppm

Other indoor VOC sources that are known for their hazard to healthbenzenecarbon monoxideformaldehydenaphthalenenitrogen dioxidepolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (especially benzo[a]pyrene)trichloroethylene TetrachloroethyleneRadon is not a VOC but it’s extremely dangerous

WHO Guidelines For Indoor Air Quality World Health Organization

For each VOC substance, the WHO Guidelines chapter covers a general description, the sources and pathways of exposure, the indoor–outdoor relationship, kinetics and metabolism, the health effects, a health risk evaluation, the guidelines, a summary box and references.

http://www.who.int/en/

Interesting Facts

LEED CERTIFIED WOOD

1 POINTIntent:Encourage environmentally responsible forest management.

Forest Stewardship Council’s Principles and Criteria

www.fscus.org(877) 372-5646

LOW-EMITTING MATERIAL1 POINT

Requirements:All adhesives and sealants used on the interior of the building shall comply with the requirements of the reference standards: Adhesives, Sealants and Sealant Primers:

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)

www.aqmd.gov/rules/reg/reg11/r1168.pdf(909) 396-2000

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is a governmental organization in Southern California with the mission to maintain healthful air quality for its residents.

Green Guard Standard

Green Guard is an independent nonprofit organization that certifies products, materials, ,and chemicals emissions. GGTM.P066 Standard that sets VOC limits for Formaldehyde= 0.05 ppm

www.greenguard.com

WHO (World Health Organization) Air quality guidelines (AQGs) are designed to offer global guidance on reducing the health impacts of air pollution.

How We Measure Contaminant Concentrations? (What does parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb) mean?)

Poster Design By Dianne Polo

•Exhaust fumes from vehicles•Emissions from manufacturing facilities (i.e. factories) •Power generation (i.e. smoke stacks of coal fired power plants)•Residential use of coal and wood for cooking and heating. This pollution takes the form of Particulates and VOC’s (gases). Filters with high MERV ratings will capture many of the particulates (generally more dangerous), but not the gases. Ground level ozone (03) is unstable and ultimately breaks down to O2 oxygen in a short time, especially if it gets inside.

11.5 ppb.011 ppm

FYI- FEMA Trailer Case

Avg formaldehyde level 77ppb= .077ppm

High formaldehyde level590 ppb=.59 ppm

Greenguard Limits

Surface Materials25 ppb= .025 ppm

Building Materials50 ppb=.05 ppm

green building resource center

Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six common U.S. air pollutants: 1. Particle pollution (often referred to as particulate matter) 2. Ground-level Ozone3. Carbon monoxide 4. Sulfur oxides5. Nitrogen oxides 6. LeadThese pollutants can harm your health and the environment, and cause property damage. Of the six pollutants, particle pollution and ground-level ozone are the most widespread health threats.

Deaths from urban air pollution

Today’s AQI ForecastSaturday, August 27, 2011

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a

concern for you.

While levels of many pollutants have been decreasing in recent years.

For every 75 deaths per year due to air pollution in the U.S. health scientists have estimated that there are

505 hospital admissions for asthma and other respiratory diseases3,500 respiratory emergency doctor visits 180,000 asthma attacks 930,000 restricted activity 2,000,000 acute respiratory symptom

USGBC LEED Rating SystemLeadership in Energy And Environmental Design

Redefining the way we think about the places. where we live, work and learn.

LEED works throughout a building's life cycle.

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

LEED-certified buildings are designed to: Lower operating costs and increase asset value Reduce waste sent to landfills Conserve energy and water Be healthier and safer for occupants Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities

Average Savings Of Green BuildingsFour Certification Levels

Points

40-40 50-59 60-79 80+

Low-Emitting MaterialsPainting and Coating

1 Point

Requirements:Paints, coating, and primers applied to interior wall and ceilings; Anti-corrosive and anti-rust paints applied to interior ferrous metal substrates Do not exceed the VOC content limits established in Green Seal Standard .

Low-Emitting MaterialsCarpet Systems

1 Point

Requirements:All carpet and cushion installed shall meet the testing and product requirements of The Carpet and Rug Institute’s green Label Plus Program.

Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus Testing Program

All carpet adhesive shall meet the requirements for EQ Credit 4.1: VOC limits.

Carpet and Rug Institutewww.carpet-rug.com

(800) 882-8846

Low-Emitting MaterialsComposite Wood & Agrifiber

Products1 Point

Requirements:Specify wood and agrifiber products that contain no added urea-formaldehyde resin. Specify laminating adhesives for field and shop applied assemblies that contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins.

An update on FormaldehydeConsumer Product Safety Commission

www.cpsc.gov

Interesting Facts

FOR THE FAMILY

VOC Concentrations in the airAnalysis of chemical concentration in residences,

daycare centers and school buildings indicate that VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are the

most prevalent pollutants, with significantly higher levels in indoor air than in the

outdoor atmosphere.

Poster Design By Dianne Polo

What causes air pollution deaths?

StratosphereGood Ozone

TroposphereBad Ozone

Sunlight

NOX

VOC’s

Ozone

http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/gooduphigh/ozone.pdf

What is Happening to the “Good” Ozone Layer?Ozone is produced naturally in the stratosphere and reflects UV rays. But this “good” ozone is gradually being destroyed by man-made chemicals referred to as ozone-depleting substances. These substances are used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, and aerosol propellants and when broken down by the intensity of the sun’s UV rays release chlorine and bromine molecules, which destroy the “good” ozone. What Causes “Bad” Ozone? Ground-level or “bad” ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOC. At ground level, ozone is a harmful pollutant.

What is Ozone? Ozone is a gas that occurs both in the

level. Ozone can be “good” and “bad” for your health and the environment, depending on its location in the atmosphere.

Earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground

Air pollution from smoke and various chemicals kills 3 million people a year. In the United States alone about 3 million tons of toxic chemicals are released into the environment -- contributing to cancer, birth defects, immune system defects and many other serious health problems.