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Sharing Responsibility for Indoor Air Quality, Part 3 of 3
Problems with the HVAC system can lead to poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Sometimes the problems stem from inadequate HVAC design. Sometimes it's due to factors, such as maintenance of the HVAC system and the amount of outside air being mechanically brought into the building, that are solely in the control of building management. In other cases, it might be the people who are largely in the control of or who occupy the building that cause the problems, such as through the materials they use in renovations or the products and furnishings they use or bring into the building. And in still other situations, the problems come from both building management and the individuals who work in the building such as via inadequate cleanliness and housekeeping. The bottom line: IAQ is a shared responsibility.
When IAQ Is Beyond the Realm of the HVAC System
Good indoor air quality management practices can be very effective in controlling IAQ problems. However, some factors, such as reactions to indoor air contaminants among highly susceptible individuals or the quality of the outside air, may not be within anyone's immediate control. Any building, no matter how well operated, may experience periods of unacceptable IAQ due to equipment breakdown, accidents, or in some cases, the actions of building occupants.
It's also important to keep in mind that many perceived IAQ problems are often comfort problems, such as temperature, humidity or air movement in the space being too low or too high. Remember, too, that many symptoms, such as headaches, can have causes that are not related to factors in the building.
There are a number of environmental and personal factors that can affect both how people perceive air quality and the levels of pollutants. These are:
- Odors;
- Temperature - too hot or cold air velocity and movement, too drafty or stuffy;
- Heat or glare from sunlight;
- Glare from ceiling lights, especially on monitor screens;
- Furniture crowding;
- Stress in the workplace or home;
- Feelings about physical aspects of the workplace, such as location, work environment, availability of natural light and the aesthetics of office design, such as color and style;
- Work space ergonomics, including height and location of computer, and adjustability of keyboards and desk chairs;
- Noise and vibration levels; and
- Selection, location and use of office equipment.
IAQ Management Strategies for Employees and Supervisors
Let's look at a few things that employers and employees can do to improve the quality of air in the workplace.
For Employees:
- Do not block air vents or grilles.
- Comply with the office and building smoking policy.
- Water and maintain office plants properly.
- Dispose of garbage promptly.
- Store food properly.
- Avoid bringing products into the building that could release harmful or bothersome odors or contaminants.
- Notify your supervisor or office manager immediately if you suspect an IAQ problem.
For Supervisors:
- When placing office furniture and equipment, bear in mind the air circulation, temperature control and pollutant removal functions of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
- Coordinate with building management in instances when responsibility for design, operation and maintenance of the ventilation system is shared.
- Establish an effective smoking policy that protects nonsmokers from involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Avoid procedures and products that can cause IAQ problems.
- Integrate IAQ concerns into your purchasing decisions.
- Work with the building manager to ensure use of only necessary and appropriate pest control practices, using non-chemical methods where possible.
- Work with building management and the contractor before you remodel or renovate to identify ways of keeping building occupant exposure to pollutants to a minimum and to ensure that the air distribution system is not disrupted.
Conclusion
Good indoor air quality depends on the actions of everyone in the building, so whether your building is occupied entirely by your organization or you lease space with other tenants, a partnership between building management and all occupants, including employees, is the best way to maintain a productive - and healthy - workspace.
POP QUIZ
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| These are the bacteria that cause Legionnaire?s Disease |
Indoor Air Quality
Question: What do these four items have in common?
- Air conditioning systems
- Showers
- Whirlpool spas
- Potting soil
Answer: Each can be a breeding ground for the Legionella bacteria, which causes the potentially fatal Legionnaire's disease.
Legionnaire's disease is a type of pneumonia caused by a bacterium, Legionella pneumophila, which lives in ponds and other natural water environments. These bacteria can become a health hazard when they grow in places like cooling towers, evaporative condensers, whirlpool spas and indoor fountains. They thrive in temperatures between 80-110° F. and under a thin layer of slime. Legionnaire's disease can break out wherever water droplets can carry the bacteria to people.
Symptoms, which can occur from two to 14 days following exposure, include:
- High fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain, and
- Headache
Legionnaire's disease is sometimes fatal. An estimated 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized annually with the disease. Middle aged and older persons are more affected than youths, and men are more likely to contract it than women. Smokers and others with respiratory ailments are more susceptible.
Outbreaks of this disease can be prevented or reduced by:
- Careful routine maintenance and monitoring of water sources and systems where Legionella pneumophila may grow;
- Proper monitoring of the temperature at which the water is kept;
- Monitoring the extent of growth of bacteria in the system and
- The proper treatment of these systems with antibacterial agents that reduce the bacteria and prevent their growth.
Any place that has standing water in air conditioners, cooling towers or condensing units can have an outbreak of Legionnaire's. This includes not only hotels, but hospitals, spas, industrial facilities, schools, restaurants, universities and dormitories.
MEMBER REPLY
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| The kind of fire that not even Jim Morrison would want to light |
Re: Caution: Long Weekend Ahead Article
Ahh picnics! Brings to mind the time in college when I tried to light the gas grill. And yes, at the time I was not the upstanding, seasoned safety professional that stands before you today... I was young, I was stupid and yes, there was just a wee bit of imbibing the amber ale involved...
So a bunch of us are out on the back porch and in Minnesota the 4th of July weekend sort of kicks off the two weeks of summer. We all had purchased steaks, shrimp, corn, potatoes and all the fixings for a great barbeque. The starter was broken so as I did so many times before, I turned on the gas and lit a long fireplace match. Only then was momentarily distracted by a nearby conversation. Not realizing that the gas was building up inside the cover...
Yes, by now you can guess where this is going...
I raised the lid of the grill, placed one seriously long, flaming stick inside and PHOOMPH... A big ball of orangy-colored and quite hot sensation swept over me; literally knocked me off my feet. Luckily a friend poured his almost-keg-sized full glass of beer all over my head and face to put out the fire. Eventually my eyebrows and eye lashes grew back, but not before enduring several weeks of ridicule and humiliation from friends, professors, frat buddies and even strangers. From what amount of guardian angels, lucky stars or karma was on my side that day, I do remember those were the best tasting shrimp and steaks I ever had.
And I also fixed the starter the very next day.
Todd Guenther
[Senior Project Coordinator]
Safety Marketing Services
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