Indoor air quality is not a simple, easily defined concept like a desk or a leaky faucet. It is a constantly changing interaction of complex factors that affect the types, levels and importance of pollutants in indoor environments. These factors include: sources of pollutants or odors; design, maintenance and operation of building ventilation systems; moisture and humidity; and occupant perceptions and susceptibilities. In addition, there are many other factors that affect comfort or perception of indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality is a major concern to businesses, building managers, tenants, and employees because it can impact the health, comfort, well being, and productivity of building occupants.
“An EPA report to US congress estimates that poor indoor air may cost the nation tens of billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and medical care and an improved indoor air quality can result in higher productivity and fewer lost work days.”
Management of pollutants sources, both inside and outside the building
Pollutants can be generated by outdoor sources or indoor sources, including industrial pollution, construction, traffic, building maintenance activities, pest control, housekeeping, renovation or remodeling, new furnishings or finishes, and building occupant activities.
One important goal of an indoor air quality program is to minimize occupants’ exposure to pollutants from these sources. Some key pollutant categories include:
Biological contaminants: Excessive concentrations of bacteria, viruses, fungi (including molds), dust mite allergen, animal dander, and pollen may result from inadequate maintenance and housekeeping, water spills, inadequate humidity control, condensation, or may be brought into the building by occupants, infiltration, or ventilation air. Allergic responses to indoor biological pollutant exposures cause symptoms in allergic individuals and a key role in triggering asthma episodes for millions of asthma sufferers.
The transmission of airborne infectious diseases is increased where there is poor indoor air quality. Evidence is increasing that inadequate or inappropriately designed ventilation systems in health care settings or other crowded conditions can increase the risk of exposure.
Chemical pollutants: Sources of chemical pollutants include industrial and vehicular emissions, tobacco smoke, volatile organic compounds(VOCs) from products used inside the building (e.g., office equipment; furniture, wall and floor coverings; and cleaning and consumer products) accidental spill of chemicals, and gasses such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are products of combustion. A study by EPA found indoor levels of VOCs ten times higher than outdoors – even in locations with significant outdoor air pollution sources, such as petrochemical plants.
Particles: Particles are solid or liquid substances which are light enough to be suspended in the air, the largest of which may be visible in sunbeams streaming into a room. However, smaller particles that you cannot see are likely to be more harmful to health. Particles of dust, dirt, or other substances may be drawn into the building from outside and can also be produced by activities that occur in buildings like sanding wood or drywalls, printing, copying, operating equipment, and smoking.
People can react differently when exposed to the same contaminants at similar concentrations. For example, some people can develop severe allergic reactions to biological contaminants to which other people will not react. Similarly, exposure to very low levels of chemicals may be irritating to some people but not others. For people with asthma and other pre-existing conditions, exposure to irritants like environmental tobacco smoke or certain gasses or particles from various indoor sources may cause more severe reactions than the same exposure would in others.
Christopher Blessing
MD, CAERE Pvt Ltd
Solutions
Maintaining good indoor air quality requires attention to the building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; the design and layout of the space; and the pollutant source management. Components of HVAC systems may also serve as reservoirs or sites of microbial amplification and distribution. Because of the HVAC system’s importance, good indoor air quality management includes attention to:
Ventilation system design: When areas in a building are used differently than their original purpose, the HVAC system may require modification to accommodate these changes
Outdoor air supply: Adequate supply of outside air is necessary in any office environment to dilute pollutants that are released by equipment, building materials, furnishings, products, and people
Outdoor air quality: When present (as in the case of most cities), outdoor air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, pollen, and dust affect indoor conditions. Properly installed and maintained filters can trap many of the particles in this outdoor supply air. Controlling gaseous and chemical pollutants require more specialized filtration equipment.
Equipment maintenance: Diligent maintenance of HVAC equipment is essential for the adequate delivery and quality of building air
Controlling other pollutant pathways: Pollutants can spread throughout a building by moving through stairwells, elevator shafts, wall spaces, and utility chases
Things which everyone in the Building can do:
1 Do not block air vents or grills
2 Comply with the office and building smoking policy
3 Clean up all water spills promptly, water and maintain office plants properly and report water leaks right away
4 Dispose off garbage promptly and properly
5 Store food properly
6 Notify your building or facility manager immediately if you suspect an IAQ problem
What the Office Manager/Tenant can do:
1 Maintain a good working relationship with building management on indoor environmental issues
2 Place office furniture, partitions and equipment in conjunction with the air circulation directions, temperature control, and pollutant removal functions of the HVAC system
3 Coordinate with building management in instances where responsibility for design, operation, and maintenance of the HVAC system is shared
4 Establish an effective smoking policy
5 Avoid procedures and products that can cause problems
6 Integrate indoor air quality concerns into your purchasing decisions
7 Work with the building owner or manager to ensure use of only necessary and appropriate pest control practices, and non chemical methods where possible
8 Work with building management and contractors before you conduct remodeling or renovation activities to identify ways of keeping pollutants to a minimum
9 Encourage building management to obtain and use the joint EPA/NIOSH guidance document entitled: Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers
What Building Facility Managers Can Do to Promote Good Indoor Air Quality:
1 Designate an Indoor Air Quality Representative, who serves as the contact for indoor environment issues
2 Assess the current condition of the indoor air in the building
3 Address any existing and potential indoor air quality problems
4 Educate building staff about indoor air quality management
5 Manage potential pollutant sources
6 Communicate with tenants and occupants about their roles in maintaining good indoor air quality
7 Establish clear procedures for the responding to indoor air-related complaints
8 Keep a record of reported health complaints to aid identifying and solving air-related problems
The latest inclusion in the Hospitality Industry
For the first time ever in India, this concept has been initiated at the ITC Maurya, in New Delhi. “It has been an ITC Hotels endeavor to consistently provide superior value and service to our guests. PURE Rooms are another step in this direction and we are very proud of that” shared Abinash Manghani, ITC Maurya, Director of Marketing and Sales.
Meluha: The Fern, Mumbai, InterContinental, Mumbai and Park Plaza, Bengaluru feature PURE Rooms as a new room category for its guests.
Romil Ratra, the InterContinental’s General Manager, shared that “The minute I was exposed to the concept of PURE Allergy Friendly Rooms I knew that it belonged in my hotel, for my guests to further be pampered during their stay with us.”
A leading bank in Korea who introduced this technology in its offices and branches last year changed its caption to “We not only take care of your wealth, but also your health”.
This technology is also installed in thousands of homes, offices, banks, hospitals, airports and cruise ships worldwide.