INDOOR AIR QUALITY INFORMATION


  • Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
    Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)  
     
     FULL PROCEDURE with forms HERE   -  Please read
     
    PURPOSE
     
    The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to provide the LCSD buildings with the optimum level of indoor air quality (IAQ). 
     
    STANDARDS FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY  
    • LCSD is dedicated to providing a safe workplace and this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was developed from and relies on applicable components of: 
    • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards 
    • American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard 62-1989 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality) 
    • Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health guidance (Building Air Quality A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers, Building Action Plan and Indoor Air Quality Building Education and Assessment Model {IBEAM}). 

     OBJECTIVES 

    The objectives of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) include the following:  
    • To prevent illness, injury, and adverse health symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality 
    • To respond to indoor air quality complaints effectively and to make recommendations for improvement 
    • To maintain indoor air quality within acceptable levels according to consensus guidelines 
    • To provide information to employees about indoor air quality 

     GENERAL

    LCSD is committed to providing each employee a safe place of employment. LCSD will take actions to keep the workplace free of recognized hazards that cause, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm and, when available, will employ feasible means that will eliminate or materially reduce the recognized workplace hazard.

    LCSD recognizes the impact that indoor air quality has in the workplace. In an effort to provide the LCSD Community with the optimum level of indoor air quality, the Maintenance Department office of Environmental Health and Safety has developed an indoor air quality Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

    BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     
    FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY
     
    Factors associated with poor indoor air quality problems can include:
    • Inadequate ventilation
    • Contamination from inside buildings Contamination from outside the building Microbial contamination
    • Building material contamination

    INADEQUATE VENTILATION 

    Inadequate ventilation occurs when an insufficient amount of fresh outside air is supplied to the interior environment.
    Inadequate ventilation can occur when ventilation systems have not been designed to account for building remodeling and or additions.
     
    CONTAMINATION FROM INSIDE THE BUILDINGS

     Contaminates commonly found inside buildings include:

    • Ozone from copiers and fax machines
    • Pesticides Cleaning agents Tobacco smoke
    • Sewer gas from dry traps Cosmetics

    CONTAMINATION FROM OUTSIDE THE BUILDING 

    Contaminates commonly found outside of buildings include:
    • Exhaust from motor vehicles
    • Fumes from construction or renovation (roofing & street paving projects) BIOAEROSOL CONTAMINATION
    • Fungus (mold), a common bioaerosol contamination, occurs in buildings that are susceptible to water leaks and other sources of moisture. Contaminants can also be introduced into buildings from stagnant water in HVAC air distribution systems and cooling towers. In general, prevention of microbiological contamination is accomplished by controlling sources of moisture.

    BUILDING MATERIAL CONTAMINATION

    Building components treated with a variety of chemicals and preservatives are common sources of indoor air quality problems. Glues and adhesives from new carpeting and formaldehyde, to new particleboard and upholstery, may off-gas and become sources of contamination.

    SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY

    Typical symptoms arising from poor indoor air quality often mimic those symptoms commonly associated with a cold, flu, or allergies. These symptoms may include upper respiratory irritation, congestion, headaches, nausea, fatigue and itchy or watery eyes. According to the EPA, there are two common ailments associated with poor indoor air quality: 
    • Sick  Building Syndrome  (SBS)--This term  is  used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building.
    • Symptoms  of SBS include: Headaches, eye,  nose, or throat irritation, dry cough, dry or itchy skin, dizziness and nausea, difficulty in concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to odors. Most of those affected, report relief after leaving the building. The cause of symptoms is unknown.
    • Building Related Illness (BRl)--ln contrast to SBS, BRI is a diagnosable illness that can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants 
    • Indicators of BRI include: Building occupants complain of symptoms such as cough, chest tightness, fever, chills, and muscle aches. The symptoms can be clinically defined and have clearly identifiable causes. Complainants may require prolonged recovery times after leaving the building 

    Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:  is another term often  used when a person believes they are sensitive to very low concentrations of a variety of chemicals, and the exact diagnosis is rarely defined in this condition.

    RESPONSE TO INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONCERNS
     
    A primary goal of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) includes actions that focus on identifying and resolving IAQ issues in a manner that prevents them from reoccurring, and avoids the creation of other problems. 
     
    REPORTING PROCEDURE FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONCERN 
    1.  Affected employee (occupant) suspects, identifies and/or experiences an indoor air quality concern
    2.  Affected employee reports issue to immediate supervisor by using "IAQ Concern   Form" (See upper right)

    OCCUPANCY OF WORKPLACE WITH IAQ CONCERN(S)
     
    Leon County School District will initiate actions to maintain a safe workplace by evaluating and controlling recognized hazardous conditions and activities that may cause injury to an employee. The response to, and evaluation of workplace safety related to IAQ issues will rely on the Leon County School District IAQ standard operating procedure (SOP) & applicable elements of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health standards and recommendations.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY FORMS