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Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals

Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals. Basics of Indoor Air Quality Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities. Presentation. How Lungs Work Homes and Schools Basics of IAQ Source Reduction Ventilation Air Cleaning. How Lungs Work. Mansel Nelson, ITEP. Lungs.

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Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals

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  1. Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Basics of Indoor Air Quality Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities

  2. Presentation • How Lungs Work • Homes and Schools • Basics of IAQ • Source Reduction • Ventilation • Air Cleaning www.nau.edu/eeop

  3. How Lungs Work Mansel Nelson, ITEP

  4. Lungs

  5. Cardiovascular Connection Gases and small particles distributed widely after entering bloodstream If lungs are not functioning properly, heart must work harder

  6. Protect the Lungs of Young Children • Lungs of young children are very sensitive • Air pollution can damage lungs for a lifetime • Exposure to air pollutants can cause asthma, which can last a lifetime • Lung infections can damage lungs for a lifetime

  7. Basics of IAQ

  8. Air Pollution in Schools • People - everyone is a source of pollutants • Personal care products and body odors • Students & staff with communicable diseases • Inadequate ventilation • Radon • Classroom pets • Excess moisture leading to mold • Dry-erase markers and chalk

  9. Air Pollution in Schools (cont.) Cleaning materials Odors from paint, caulk, and adhesives Insects and other pests Science class Art class Outdoor pollutants, including trash odors and bus exhaust nau.edu/iaqtc

  10. Air Pollution in Homes Pollution inside typical home 2–5 Xsworse than outdoors May be 1,000 Xs worse than outdoor after some activities Many illnesses can be traced back to the home Indoor air pollution one of top 5 most-serious environmental risks to public health

  11. Air Pollution in Homes (cont.) Impacted by Occupant choices and activities Maintenance of home Design of home Climate

  12. Basic Principles Source Control Ventilation Air Cleaning

  13. Personal Care/Cosmetics TVs & Computers Furniture Lead Asbestos Automobile Carpeting Cleaning Products & Pesticides Furniture Flooring Radon

  14. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) No risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke Following actions DO NOT protect nonsmokers • Separating smokers from nonsmokers • Cleaning the air • Ventilating buildings

  15. Smoking in Homes • Protect • Children • Non-smoking family members • Visitors • In multi-dwelling homes – other occupants

  16. Wood/Coal Burning Stoves Maintain stoves and flues EPA Certified stoves preferred Consider switching to cleaner heating sources

  17. Cleaners and Air Fresheners Average US household uses 40 lbs of chemicals each year Average household stores more than 60 hazardous products Loaded with fragrances and petroleum-distilled chemicals (Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs))

  18. Air Fresheners DO NOT “clean” the air– they add more air pollutants

  19. Health Concerns with Typical Cleaners Frequent users of conventional cleaning and disinfecting products have higher levels of occupational asthma* People in buildings where conventional products are used can also be affected Children born into households using toxic cleaning products twice as likely to have wheezing Over last 20-30 years, level of toxins stored in adipose tissue (fat cells) have risen *“Studies of Health Impacts Associated with Cleaning Products”http://www.informedgreensolutions.org/?q= publications/studies-health-impacts-associated-cleaning-products

  20. Identifying Safer Products Third-party certified Green Seal EcoLogo EPA’s Design for the Environment

  21. Pesticides Read and follow label instructions IPM preferred

  22. Carbon Monoxide (CO) • All burning emits CO • Ventilate combustion appliances correctly • All burning needs O2 • Alarms are backup

  23. Radon • Radioactive gas • Radon is everywhere • No known safe level of radon • Recommend testing of all buildings • Second leading cause of lung cancer www.radonleaders.org www.nau.edu/eeop

  24. Basic Principles Source Control Ventilation Air Cleaning

  25. Source Ventilation Excess moisture in bathroom can lead to mold

  26. Source Ventilation (cont.) Cooking releases moisture Gas stoves release low CO and lots of moisture Make sure range hood vents to outside

  27. Ventilation • ASHRAE Standard 62-1989: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.

  28. HVAC for Offices and Schools Continuous supply of fresh air is needed Proper maintenance of system Don’t block air flows Check outside air intakes

  29. Basic Principles Source Control Ventilation Air Cleaning Air cleaning is recommended only after proper source control and ventilation

  30. Air Cleaners • No Ozone Air Cleaners • True HEPA Filter • Consider Activated Charcoal • Size for the space

  31. Resources nau.edu/iaqtc www4.nau.edu/itep/air/training_aq.asp www.epa.gov/iaq www.epa.gov/iaqtribal/ www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/ nau.edu/iaqtc

  32. Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Mansel A. Nelson, Senior Program Coordinator Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities Northern Arizona University (NAU) nau.edu/iaqtc/ mansel.nelson@nau.edu Voice 928 523 1275 FAX 928 523 1280 PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ 86011

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