indoor environmental quality
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Indoor Environmental Quality. Conquer Asthma – Assure Adequate Outside Air. THE BIG PICTURE… People spend most of their time indoors The indoor environment is generally not regulated. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Indoor Environmental Quality
Conquer Asthma – Assure Adequate Outside Air
THE BIG PICTURE…
People spend most of their time indoors
The indoor environment is generally not regulated
Source: CDC: Asthma Health Topic: www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/asthma
Sources: 1. National Health Interview Survey, 2005. CDC. 2. CDC: Asthma Health Topic: www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/asthma/
Dust Mites MoldsAnimal Dander PollenAllergenic Chemicals
Allergen Exposure
ImmunologicSensitization
Allergic Disease
VirusesAir Pollution
Tobacco Smoke
Mild Moderate Severe
Other Exposures
(Death)
GeneticPredisposition
Or Susceptibility
Adapted from: Indoor Allergens: Assessing and Controlling Adverse Health Effects, N.A.P., 1993
No AllergicSymptoms
Non-SensitiveNon-SensitiveHostHost
OvertAllergic Symptoms
HypersensitiveHypersensitiveHostHost
No to MildAllergic Symptoms
IgE
IgE
IgEIgE
IgE
IgE IgE
IgE
IgE
IgEIgE
IgE
IgEIgE
IgEIgEIgE
IgE
IgE IgE
SensitizedHost
AllergenAllergen
Initial exposure Repeated exposure
Adapted from: Indoor Allergens: Assessing and Controlling Adverse Health Effects, N.A.P., 1993
Outdoorair
Supply airReturn air
Exhaust
HVAC System in Standard Classroom
Mix
Reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants such as CO2 and fine particles
Provide an adequate amount of fresh air to the occupants in the space
Effectively exchange the stale used air from the space
This isa
Uni-vent
DO NOT cover ceiling or
uni-vent openings
with books, papers
or other obstructions
• Check for air circulation with a tissue strip on the end of a yardstick.
• If air is not circulating, contact custodial services.
Pets: Animal dander, saliva, feces, urine
Things from outside: Pollen, insect parts
Mold: Old food or wet conditions in building
Dust mites: Stuffed couches, chairs and stuffed animals and fleecy items
Increased exposure to fine particles containing allergens or chemical contaminants may lead to illness or disease, especially asthma.
Fine dust particles are released: • By roughhousing on the donated couch• By resident animals • By walking on carpeting• By moving dust or dusty items
If not removed by circulated fresh air, picked up by dusting or removed by quality vacuuming or carpet extraction, particles (allergens) build up in the space and increase exposure to occupants.
Cleaning supplies
Pesticides
Lab chemicals
Art supplies
Dry erase pens, smelly markers
Candles
Plug-ins
Perfume
Hair spray
Ionizing or Ozone producing“Air Purifiers”
Remove couches, stuffed chairs, fluffy furniture, bedding, stuffed animals and old carpeting.
Remove live animals from the classrooms (visitors only)
Advocate a policy limiting chemicals brought from home
For example: • Hair sprays• Perfumes• Cleaners• Plug-ins• Candles
What can you do?
Help your custodian to do a great job for you!!
What can you do to help keep the classroom clean?
Before you dismiss your class, have your students clear the floor around their desks and place their chairs on their desks or stack them.
This makes it easier for the custodian to vacuum and allows for cleaning of horizontal surfaces - removing dust.
How to help the custodian:
Use dust free storage such as stackable plastic cubes for books and papers
Clear horizontal surfaces so these may be easily wiped down
Conduct messy projects over tiled room sections or protect carpeting with tarps
Other helps:
Talk to your association representative
Learn about safety committees
Learn about IEQ committees
More information is available on the WEA web site
What to do next: