Grantee Research Project Results
2000 Progress Report: Longitudinal Studies of Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings
EPA Grant Number: R825272Title: Longitudinal Studies of Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings
Investigators: Batterman, Stuart A. , Franzblau, Alfred , Baker, Wayne
Institution: University of Michigan
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: July 1, 1997 through June 30, 2000 (Extended to June 30, 2002)
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001
Project Amount: $430,000
RFA: Air Quality (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air , Air Quality and Air Toxics
Objective:
This study addresses relationships among indoor air quality (IAQ), occupant health and comfort, and mitigation strategies. The major objectives are to relate direct measurements of IAQ to building-related illness (BRI), and sick building syndrome (SBS), and to increase the understanding of the relationships among occupant health, building system operation, and air quality.
The study uses a series of controlled interventions in large, mechanically ventilated office buildings, with simultaneous measurements of IAQ parameters and surveys of occupant health and perception. The experimental interventions may include variations in fresh air exchange; ventilation rates; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) scheduling/operation; humidity; nighttime purge; filtration; and cleaning. A psychosocial survey accounts for job-related and personal cofactors that may affect reporting results of the IAQ and symptom survey. The blind, controlled, and repeated measures design of the study, is intended to provide high discriminatory power; experimental controls and carefully controlled interventions, which will minimize the effects of confounding factors. Statistical analyses of survey results, in conjunction with various IAQ indicators, will be adjusted for confounding and will indicate controlling factors.
The study should help to identify and quantify effects of various indoor pollutants and potential mitigation strategies, and should help to improve protocols for building investigations.
Progress Summary:
Interventions accomplished include: (1) removal of fibrous insulation and painting of interior surface with an antimicrobial paint from HVAC units on 2nd and 4th floors (7/18/00 and 7/17/00, respectively); (2) removal of fibrous insulation and painting for HVAC units on 3rd and 5th floors (6/19/00); (3) building pressurization in March, 2001; (4) informational (psychosocial) intervention on 4/25/01; and (5) changeover from heating to cooling systems (fall and spring). We also attempted to implement a humidification intervention in February 2001, but this was vetoed by management. The pressurization intervention included installation of pressure sensors on each floor, coupled to the direct digital control (DDC) system. Tests where return fans and bathroom exhaust fans were completely shut and supply fans on full on each floor (one at a time) provided less than 0.01 H2O pressure, a change which was approximately equal to the normal fluctuations (caused by wind, doors opening, etc.) Shutting down floors above and below the test floor somewhat increased the differential. Overall, the pressure differential could not be maintained in a feasible manner. During these tests, we discovered a malfunctioning vortex fan damper on the 5th floor. This was subsequently corrected.
IAQ Measurements. IAQ measurements continued through the interventions. Bioaerosol and fiber measurements were discontinued after August 15, 2000, as levels were very low. Integrated samples of PM2.5 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (for GC-MS analysis) continued through June 6, 2001. The three continuous monitoring arrays discontinued operation around the same time. Building performance data (i.e., temperatures in the supply, return and mixed air plenums, supply and return airflow, and the mixed air damper position) and outside temperature and relative humidity were collected throughout this period. These samples, a very large amount of data, have been analyzed, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) checked, and trended (plotted).
In a complementary research project, a multipoint monitoring system was installed in the building. Samples were taken at two to four sites on each floor of the building, and at several heights outdoors. A total of 21 measurement sites were monitored for ammonia, CO2, NO, NO2, NOx, O3, and total (TVOC). Installation was done in the evening during the week of March 14-17, 2000, to avoid any interference with building occupants. This system has the advantage of characterizing the spatial and temporal variability of IAQ levels throughout the building, and several additional pollutants were monitored beyond the scope. Several periods of data were selected from the 2000-2001 period for intensive analysis, including validation of the sampler arrays. On June 15- 16, 2000, we discovered and repaired anomalies in the sampling sequence anomalies. Further repairs were made in September 2000, and all sites were validated using a CO2 scrubber. Also at this time, the system controller (computer) was replaced, and the ammonia sensor was removed as levels fell below detection limits, and a 3rd floor outside air sampling point was added. In October, we added O3 and NOx sensors.
Occupant Survey. In December 1999, the initial survey was administered to approximately 40 of the 100 eligible subjects recruited in the building. Subsequently, a total of six waves of follow-up surveys were administered to the subjects until closing the field portion of the study in June 2000. Institutional Review Board procedures were followed in each phase, e.g., recruiting, consenting, etc. These surveys have been coded and preliminary analyses have been completed.
Future Activities:
Future activities include descriptive and statistical analysis of data, and completion of papers and reports.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 10 publications | 3 publications in selected types | All 3 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Batterman S, Metts T, Kalliokoski P, Barnett E. Low-flow active and passive sampling of VOCs using thermal desorption tubes: theory and application at an offset printing facility. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 2002;4(3):361-370. |
R825272 (2000) R825272 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
indoor air, exposure, health effects, human health, sensitive populations, VOC, survey, social science, epidemiology, monitoring, Midwest., Health, Scientific Discipline, Air, Epidemiology, Risk Assessments, indoor air, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Engineering, building related illness, fresh air exchange, hvac, office buildings, surveys, occupant health, filtration, ventilation rates, ambient air, workplace, human exposure, mitigation strategies, sick building syndrome, furnaces, indoor air quality, air qualityProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.