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Sponsored by the Environmental Assistance Office (EAO) for Small
Business at UNC Charlotte, The Environmental Corner is
designed to serve as an environmental management and pollution
prevention resource. The theme for the months of November/December is
Indoor Air Quality.
A healthy environment in which workers can be
productive, feel comfort and a sense of well being is one where
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is managed well. IAQ is preserved by
keeping the indoor air free from particulates, odors and
contaminants while allowing circulation to control humidity,
temperature and prevent stuffiness. Poor air quality can decrease
productivity, increase worker health problems, increase absenteeism,
and strain relationships between the employer and employee,
hasten building deterioration, or result in liability issues or
lawsuits. In the winter, more so than in the summer, carbon
monoxide can be of great concern. Carbon Monoxide is released
when natural gas is burned for heating and cooking in homes and
businesses. This time of year, it is very important to ensure
that your carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. More
information on these indoor air quality problems are discussed
below.
In this issue:
What Can You Do About
Indoor Air Pollution?
Why Is Indoor Air Quality a Concern?
The four basic factors that affect IAQ are indoor
air pollutant sources; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning
(HVAC) systems; pollutant pathways; and occupants. Scientific
evidence has shown that the air within homes and buildings can be
more polluted than outdoor air. Since people spend about 90% of
their time indoors the effect can be high. Those groups most
affected by air quality are the young, the elderly, and the
chronically ill, especially those suffering from respiratory or
cardiovascular disease. Even though your business may not have
representatives of these groups as employees, there may be customers
or clients within them that will come to your business.
“The
Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality” published by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be found at:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html. There are a variety
of risks faced daily some unavoidable and some which may be avoided
if given opportunities for informed choices. Indoor air pollution is
a risk that can be lessened by action.
EPA
addresses large building air quality issues at:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/largebldgs/index.html. An abstract of the
EPA report for indoor air quality shows potential sources of outdoor
(location effects) and indoor (ventilation effects) pollution
considerations that effect overall indoor air quality
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/largebldgs/base/images/base_4c3o1.pdf.
The sustainable
North Carolina
website highlights many issues on Indoor Air Quality at
http://www.sustainablenc.org/thewaytogo/main/iaq.htm. The
causes, management strategy, background information along with IAQ
types are discussed.
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Types of Indoor Air Quality Issues
Molds:
When
mold growth occurs in buildings, adverse health problems may be
reported by some building occupants, particularly those with
allergies or respiratory problems. The EPA provides information for
mold remediation/cleanup and moisture problems in commercial
buildings at
http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html. These guidelines
include measures designed to prevent mold and mold spores from being
dispersed throughout the air where they can be inhaled by building
occupants. It has been designed primarily for building managers,
custodians, and others who are responsible for commercial buildings
as a reference for potential mold and moisture cleanup.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS):
The
1993 EPA report concluded that secondhand smoke is a known human –
or Group A-- carcinogen, responsible for approximately 3,000 lung
cancer deaths each year in nonsmokers. On March 23, 2003, the U.S.
District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina formally
dismissed the tobacco industry’s lawsuit challenging EPA’s landmark
1993 risk assessment on the respiratory health effects of secondhand
smoke.
http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/healthrisks.html#Health%20Effects%20of%20Secondhand%20Smoke
There
are health risks with environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the air.
This “second hand smoke” is made up of many constituents and changes
as it ages and mixes with other compounds in the air. This mixture
contains more than 4,000 substances, more than 40 of which are known
to cause cancer in humans or animals and many of which are strong
irritants. A comprehensive report by the California EPA can be found
at:
http://www.oehha.org/pdf/exec.pdf. Effects associated with ETS
include respiratory, cardiovascular, carcinogenic, and fetal
developmental problems.
Carbon Monoxide:
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a lethal poison that is produced when fuels
such as gasoline, methane or propane are burned. Carbon
Monoxide is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. It frequently
produces weakness and confusion, depriving the person of the ability
to seek safety. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities website
has a great summary of facts about Carbon Monoxide at:
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Carbon+Monoxide/Facts/Home.htm
New
Carbon Monoxide Regulation Effective January 1, 2004
On
October 8 the
Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed
the proposed revisions to the Carbon Monoxide Regulation to expand
coverage
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Carbon+Monoxide/Regulations/CO+Regulations+2004.html
How
do the CO rules affect
you?
- CO alarms are required in
all new dwellings
- Alarms must have battery power
- Rules include manufactured homes
- Requires existing homeowners to install alarms by
Jan. 1, 2004
(enforcement began on
July 1, 2004)
- Requires landlords to install alarms by
Jan. 1, 2005
Requires landlords to provide alarms before
signing new leases or renewals
Radon:
"A
Citizen's Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your
Family From Radon" can be found at
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html#overview. Radon is a
lung cancer causing radioactive gas that cannot be smelled, seen, or
tasted. It is estimated to cause 21,000 deaths per year by the EPA.
Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in
soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be
found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building -
homes, offices, and schools - and result in a high indoor radon
level. Testing can be inexpensive and give valuable information on
the radon levels workers are exposed to-. Higher exposure time would
most likely occur in homes and the example set at the business can
help workers to have an awareness and knowledge to apply for their
families.
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With high quality indoor air environment, more
effective and productive work can be accomplished with employees
less stressed and healthier. The Public Health in
North
Carolina – Epidemiology website addresses indoor air quality issues
for offices and commercial buildings at:
http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/air/offices.html. It provides a
summary of relevant topics with links to other sites.
Epidemiology is the
branch of public health that works to understand the causes and
effects of disease in communities. It looks for ways to prevent or
control those diseases and their negative effects on people and
society.
The Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Technical manual section
III Chapter 2 provides IAQ investigation information at:
http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_2.html.
The highest source of IAQ problems were with ventilation systems
accounting for 52% of the 500 investigated complaints. Employers can
get guidance on issues, IAQ types of problems, contaminant types,
recommendations on ventilation rates, investigation guidelines,
inspections, sampling and testing.
Indoor Air Quality topics on standards,
recognizing poor
IAQ, Evaluating workplace IAQ, and links for more information can be
seen at:
http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/indoorairquality/index.html
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What Can You Do About Indoor Air Pollution?
Educate
yourself, your family, and your friends. Support the control of
sources of indoor air pollution. Prevent or minimize the release of
pollutants indoors by
Use Products Safely Cleaning agents, paints, and
glues should be used outdoors whenever possible. If used indoors,
lots of ventilation should be provided.
Restrict Smoking
Cigarette smoke contains many toxic pollutants and is harmful to
both smokers and nonsmokers.
Proper Use of Appliances Use gas appliances, wood
stoves, and fireplaces only as intended Carefully Select
Building Materials and Furniture Many products, including
some types of plywood and particleboard, emit significant amounts of
formaldehyde or other gaseous pollutants. Try to avoid those
products if possible. Air out new carpets or furniture prior to
installation.
Practice Good Housekeeping
Proper storage of solvents and frequent housecleaning to remove dust
and molds are necessary steps in maintaining good indoor air quality
Provide Adequate Ventilation
This isparticularly important when using products or engaging in
activities that may generate pollutants.
The California Air Resource Board offers several links and
suggestions about IAQ at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/indoor.htm
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Pollution Prevention That Can Be Done!
North Carolina
booklet “Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and
Facility Managers” (http://www.p2pays.org/ref/17/16570.htm)
provides easy to read information about indoor air quality.
There are
explanations of pollution sources, factors that influence air
quality, how to manage IAQ programs, questions, and complaints. As a
business owner the information will give you the know how to manage
indoor air quality. Forms are included to allow easy implementation.
The
EPA and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
informational booklet on Building Air Quality Action Plan can be
found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/98-123a.html.
It can be used with the Building Air Quality – A Guide for Building
Owners and Facility Managers at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/baqtoc.html
to implement an air quality program.
Some of
the factors that contribute to poor indoor air quality may originate
from inadequate HVAC design, the amount of outside air being
mechanically brought into the building, materials used in
renovations and products and furnishings brought into or used in the
building by occupants, cleanliness and general housekeeping of the
building. Some of these are the responsibility of the building
management or individuals; others require the cooperation of both
the building management as well as all of the individuals who work
in the building. For these reasons, indoor air quality is a shared
responsibility. Your employees can learn about air quality in "An
Office Building Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality"
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/occupgd.html
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Environmental Assistance Office (EAO) for Small Business
The Environmental Assistance Office for Small
Business provides non-regulatory, client-confidential pollution
prevention assistance to small businesses in the greater
Charlotte region. The EAO is designed to assist regional businesses
in their efforts to voluntarily prevent pollution. The EAO staff can
provide timely assistance for pollution prevention planning,
including information about industry-specific case studies,
waste-specific case studies, and new technologies. The office
provides links of resources to needs between the region's business
community, government, municipality, and university. If there is a
particular issue or question you would like to see in an upcoming
edition, please send an e-mail to
EAOforSB@email.uncc.edu.
Contact Information:
Environmental Assistance Office for Small Business:
9201 University City Blvd.
136 Kennedy Building, UNC Charlotte,
Charlotte,
NC 28233-0001
Phone number: 704-687-3968 Fax number: 704-687-3115
Email:
EAOforSB@email.uncc.edu
Services:
·
Assistance with Air Permits - Assistance for small businesses in
completing paperwork for EPA air permits.
·
Educational Materials - Educational pamphlet, brochures, flyers,
and other materials to relate facts on pollution prevention.
·
Educational Outreach - Develop educational outreach campaigns and
presentations for the public or employee training.
·
University Resources - Library information, faculty expertise,
student projects and research at both graduate and undergraduate
levels.
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