Download - + Something S In The Air, 3 7 08
Something’s in the Air The Factors for Creating Health Supporting
Indoor Environments
Presented by: Larry Gust, Gust Environmental,Ventura, CA
www.GustEnviro.com • 805-644-2008
Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology A Florida 501 (c) 3 educational non-profit
Why Is This An Issue?
You breathe 1500 quarts of air a day.One of the Top Five Health Risks (EPA)First on the List of Environmental Cancer
Risks (EPA)Home air: 6-10 times more polluted than
city (EPA)90% of our time is spent indoors where
60+% of offices are polluted andhomes are worse (tighter).
Why Is This An Issue?
Allergists – 50% of Illness caused or worsenedby indoor pollution
Fifty years ago 1 in 30 had allergies Ten years ago 1 in 3 had allergies Today 1 in 2.5 have allergies
Asthma has doubled since 1980 – heavilykids
MCS has grown to about 18% of thepopulation
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
EPA: 65% of office buildingsAcute health & comfort effects
linked to time in bldg.No specific cause can be identifiedSymptoms abate outside of building
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
Classed as SBS if 20% of population isaffected
Social security admin union survey (1993): Fatigue – 39% Sneezing / coughing – 45% Sinus / nasal congestion – 49% Eye, nose, throat irritation – 38%
Building Induced Illness
Conditions induced by building conditionsSymptoms do not abate outside building
The Rain & Barrel & Total Load
Manipulating The Barrel toReduce Loading
Clean up your diet / habitsClean up your waterClean up your home / office
Manipulate the Politicians
Chernoble radiation reaches Canadaand NY in 24 hours
Pesticide sprayed in South Africareaches Key West in 5 days
Pesticide sprayed in Texas reachesCincinnati in 36 hours
Indoor air is outdoor air PLUS …
Sources of Indoor Pollutants
1. Human activity2. Combustion products3. Biological agents4. Radon5. Pesticides6. Volatile organic compounds7. Particulates8. Electromagnetic energies (Another Lecture)
Pollutant ConcentrationFactors
Number of sources and volumeRate of removal
Removal Strategies
Source control: Exclusion Capture at source
Pollutant removal (dilution): Air changes per hour (bldg. tightness) Air cleaning
Ventilation is for People
For all pollutants except people it is best toapply source control
Removal Strategies
Pollutant Source #1
Human Activity Carbon dioxide, water vapor, odors Handled by dilution & removal (trapping)
Pollutant Source #2
Combustion Products
• Carbon monoxide, dioxide and by-products
• Source removalKeep sources out of living space
Combustion Products
Exclusion & Source Capture
Fireplace – external air source, tight doors Furnace, water heater – Use closed system Range exhaust hood– Vent outside Built-in oven– Vent outside
Monitoring
Carbon monoxide monitor/alarm
Pollutant Source #3
Biological Agents: Mites, Bacteria, Virus, Fungi
Symptoms Infectious disease Exacerbation of asthma Runny nose Conjunctive inflammation Recurrent fever Diarrhea Breathing Difficulty
Malaise Fatigue Chest tightness Cough Dermatitis Headache
Mold: Leviticus 14: 37 - 47… And you shall examine the house for plague;
and if the plague is on the walls of thehouse with ingrained streaks, greenish orreddish, which appear to be deep in thewalls, then close the house up for sevendays.
If you return and the plague has spread, thenremove the stones and walls and the dustthey scrape off.
Now if the plague comes back after he hastaken away the stones and plaster, then thehouse indeed has the plague.
And he shall break down the house, its stonesand timbers and all the plaster of the house,and he shall carry them outside the city toan unclean place. And he who is inside thehouse shall wash his clothes …
Causes of Fungal Reactions:
Allergenic cell wall proteinsMicrobial Volatile Organic CompoundsFungal generated Mycotoxins
Conditions for Fungi Growth
Food sourceSporesMoisture (as low as 70% RH for some)
Moisture Sources
Moisture producing appliances & activitiesFoundation capillary actionStructural water leaksCondensation on cold surfaces
Surface Temperature Control
Dew Point depends on % RH and SurfaceTemperature
Surface Temperature depends on Insulation from cold temperatures Correct installation
Whole HouseHumidityControl Ultra Aire by Therma-stor
Flooding- Correct Clean UpStop water at the sourceRemove Porous Materials ImmediatelyDry out remaining materials within 36 -48 hours
After this mold quickly becomes a big problem• Use a Certified Restorer from• American Indoor Air Quality Council (AmIAQC)• Institution of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC)
Sewage is another issue • Already contaminated with virus, bacteria & parasites • Biocides are used a several steps of remediation
Testing for Mold
Air Samples: Spore Trap Culturable
Surface Samples: Tape lift Culturable
Another Fungus. . .
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Caused by fungus that grows in the bed
and produces a neurotoxin gas. Caused by use of flame resistant
mattresses. More danger from hand me down
mattresses because the fungus growsstronger over time.
Can be avoided by simply placing aplastic bag over mattress.
Sources of Indoor PollutantsOur Lecture Roadmap
Human activityCombustion productsBiological agentsRadonPesticidesVolatile organic compoundsParticulates
Pollutant Source #4 Radon
• Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas• Found in bedrock & soil from decay of radium 226• Radon half life is 3.8 days• Decay products are solid particles that live minutes• Decay energy is dangerous to lung tissue• The lungs take in radioactive particles riding on dust• Second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking
Radon Enters via Cracks inFoundation Parts
Basements are the main problemSeal foundation cracks, penetrations, jointsUse Sub-slab suction
Screening: Radon kit (Home Depot)
Pollutant Source #5 Pesticides
4 billion applications per year85% of households store 3 to 4 pounds20,000 household pesticide products140,000 reported exposures in 1993, 93%
home use, 50% children under six
Types of Pesticides
Chlorinated (chlordane, lindane, heptachlor)Carbamate (carbaryl) anti-cholinesteraseOrganophosphate (chlorpyrifos)
anti-cholinesteraseNewer pesticides have lower acute toxicityLittle research into subtle effects
Immune function issues Cognitive damage
300 active (controlled) ingredients
Pesticides Continued
1700 inert (uncontrolled) ingredients Manufacture decides with FDA agreement Some product’s inerts are actives in others Toluene, xylene – central nervous system
depressant Ethyl benzene – know carcinogen
Pesticide Exposure HampersDevelopment in Children
• Study: Sonora Technological Institute, Mexico• Children ages 4-5 from Sonora’s Yaqui Valley
45 pesticide applications times per crop cycle• Children ages 4-5 from nearby foothills
Pesticide used is avoided • Pesticide exposure impairs cognitive development
Disturbing Development:
Pesticide Facts:
Significant source of indoor pollution (esp. Southern climates)
Binds strongly to synthetic materialsCarpeting is contaminated even after
repeated cleaning
Pesticide Facts:
Binds to dust which can float in the airRemediation is partial at best & may not be
enough for the sensitiveRemediation of older chlorinated pesticides
is probably impossible
Remediation Approaches
Discard exposed syntheticsSteam clean remaining items with minimum 150
degrees steamClean all hard surfaces with vinegar, detergent
and waterReduce air concentration with carbon/zeolite
filtrationGet additional info from HEAL 404-248-1898,
http://members.aol.com/HEALNatnl
Pollutant Source #6 Volatile Organic Compounds
Symptoms
Eye irritation Nose, throat discomfort Headache Allergic skin reaction Breathing Difficulty Serum cholinerterase decline Nausea, vomiting Nose bleeds (formaldehyde) Fatigue Dizziness
Volatile Organic Compounds
Sources Carpet, furnishings Vinyl flooring Building materials: paint, glue, flooring Cleaning products Finishes & sealants Dry cleaning
Volatile Organic Compounds
Sources (cont.)
Garaged cars Formaldehyde from urea-formaldehyde
glue (Particle board, carpet padding,caulking, paint)
Personal care products Air fresheners
VOC Control Strategy
Primary: Source reduction or eliminationSecondary: activated carbonTesting:
Air sample collection Mass spec/gas chromatography analysis Expensive
Synthetic Fragrances (VOCs)
National Academy of Sciences to US Congressin 1992: Test fragrances for Neurotoxicity
Makers are not required to disclose chemicalsused
95% of chemicals are synthetic hydrocarbons Benzene derivatives Aldehydes Phthalates (hormone mimics)
Synthetic Fragrances (VOCs)
Known to cause: Cancer Birth defects CNS disorders Allergy: inhalant & skin Asthma triggering in children (up 40% in 10 years)
No routine industry testing for neurotoxicityor respiratory affects
Synthetic Fragrances (VOCs)
Safety of ingredients is not assured
Warning label is required by law
There are no warning labels
The chemical equivalent of physical assault
Sources of Indoor PollutantsOur Lecture Roadmap
1. Human activity2. Combustion products3. Biological agents4. Radon5. Pesticides6. Volatile organic compounds
7. Particulates
Relative Size of Contaminants
Pollutant Particle Sizes
Particulates
Body Removal Efficiency Over 3 microns easily removed Under 0.5 microns go deep into lungs
Mortality increases with dirtier air EPA Study of PM10 < 10 microns PM 10: 30 grams/ liter of air vs 11 gr/l Steubenville, OH was 31% > than Portage, WI EPA standard: 50 gr/l
Particulate Control Strategies
Source control Use hard surface floors, not carpets Housekeeping
Most vacuums trap only about 30% of thedust
Fantom Vacuum with HEPAAbsolute Air Filter
Uses Centrifugal large particle separatorThere is no bag
Last stage is a True HEPA filter
Particulate ControlStrategies
Source control Exclusion from living space, positive airpressure and a tight building envelope Suppression of biologicals via humiditycontrol to under 50%
Removal by air filtration Particulate removal Gas removal
MERV Air Filter RatingSystem
Common Throw-AwayFiberglass Filter (MERV 2)
Electrostatic Filter (MERV 6)
WashableMetal or plastic frameHeavily advertisedOffered by HVAC dealersPoor performance for the cost
Increased Efficiency PleatedFilter (MERV 6-8)
Higher Efficiency FilterRequiring Special Installation (MERV 12)
April Aire / Air Bear
Filtrete Ultra Model 1250 (MERV 11)
Made by 3M CompanyMeets the American Lung Association
Healthy House Guidelines.Replaces standard fiberglass filters.
Hepa Sheild House CarbonFilter (MERV 20 )
Filter Comparison
Carbon Filter
• Combined particulate filter& carbon (ounces)
Used to remove odors• Filters with pounds of carbon are available for
heavy duty VOC removal, but requirespecially fabricated holders
Honeywell QuietCare HEPAAir Cleaner #17200
Rooms up to 220 square feet.Features a systems to monitor filter lifePlastic housingAvailable with carbonSound reducing features
Austin Air Health Mate +Metal Cabinet, Bakedfinish15 Lbs of carbonThree Speeds
Water Quality
Water Quality
Water Quality is declining
Disease up 250 times in 10 years
Microorganism contamination rising (E. coli test)
Water testing is periodic and limited
90% is not for human consumption
EPA sets contamination levelsPoison is purposely added
Chlorine is purposely added (Cl test) 21% increased risk of bladder cancer 38% increased risk of rectal cancer Heart disease & stroke
Reacts with organic matter => Trihalomethanes
Increased spontaneous abortion Spinabifidal Neutral Tube defects
Fertilizer runoff increases nitratesBlue baby syndrome (nitrate to nitrite into blood reduces O2)Spontaneous abortion
Water Quality
Increasingly acidic (pH test) causing leaching
Lead (Pb test) Anemia CNS damage Impaired mental function Size & Hearing in infants
Copper Gastrointestinal disturbances Liver & Kidney damage (years of exposure
Water Quality
Herbicides & Pesticides (Pe test) Carcinogenic Mutagenic (alters genic information) Teratogenic (birth defects) Immune suppression CNS damage Liver & Kidney damage
Water Quality
Do not Drink or cook with tap water
Reverse osmosis purification is best Filters at the size of an atom => 95+% removal Mineral content not an issue unless you eat rocks Must be maintained annually
Bottled water is dicey Very poor oversight by FDA Resource usage and trash disposal Bottle your RO water in a stainless steel container
Water Quality for Ingestion
Do not shower or bathe in tap water
Carbon filtered water is best (not KDF) Shower filter Whole house filter Must be maintained
Water Quality for Bathing
What you can do NOW:
Stop water leaks & moisture Intrusion.
Dry wet materials within 36 hours.
Clean carpets every 6 months.
Install reverse osmosis water for cooking & drinking.
Install whole house water filtration or
Install carbon shower filters.
What you can do NOW:
Upgrade furnace filter to 3M Filtrete 1250.
Eliminate toxic pesticides, use non-toxic or leasttoxic methods.
Use safe paints and sealers (No VOC’s) [Seewww.GustEnviro.com]
Avoid the use of flexible plastics made frompolyvinyl chloride/PVC/vinyl
Install solid surface floors in bedrooms
What you can do NOW:
Cultivate a positive mental attitude.Get exercise.Eat macrobiotically and organic.
Institute forBuilding Biology& Ecology, Inc
www.buildingbiology.net
A 501 c3 Non Profit
• Teaching the use of healthy building principles
• Improving the health of living & work spaces
• Improving the health of people
For information on educational materials & services:
Something’s in the AirThe Factors for Creating HealthSupporting Indoor Environments
Thanks for listening
Presented by: Larry Gust, Gust Environmental,Ventura, CA
www.GustEnviro.com • 805-644-2008
Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology A Florida 501 (c) 3 educational non-profit
www.BuildingBiology.org