Grantee Research Project Results
1999 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, 1999 through June 30, 2000
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 between 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 between 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, 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 designed to provide high discriminatory power; experimental controls and carefully controlled interventions will minimize effects of confounding factors. Statistical analyses of survey results in conjunction with various indoor air quality indicators will adjust 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:
Baseline monitoring began in the case study building, a six-story building (including an occupied basement) containing approximately 240 persons involved in clerical work. This building is connected to two other buildings (ISR-1 and ISR-3). Separate HVAC systems are utilized on each floor, allowing independent control of IAQ parameters on each floor. Planned interventions will adjust IAQ parameters on floors 2 and 4, and then on 3 and 5. The ground level floor differs from other floors in that it has greater occupant traffic leading to elevators and stairs, and its doors allow largely uncontrolled entry of outside air, dust, etc.; thus, this floor will not be examined.
IAQ Measurements. Systems to monitor IAQ were deployed and pilot sampling commenced. Weekly PM2.5 sampling started in February. PM sampling used 16-hour sampling periods on Wednesday and Thursdays, in order to collect sufficient mass for analysis. PM samples were collected on 2nd, 3rd, and 5th floors. Weekly speciated VOC sampling started in March, using 6 hr samples on Thursdays. Samples were collected in duplicate on 2nd, 3rd, and 5th floors, and at an outside location. Bioaerosol sampling started in June, in which samples were taken each Wednesday morning. To estimate sampling precision, sequential duplicate samples were collected on the 5th floor of the study building each week with each agar type. Field blanks of each agar type were taken every week on the 5th and 2nd floors and transported, incubated, and counted along with the sample agars. In total, 21 bioaerosol samples were taken per week.
To characterize indoor non-vitreous fiber concentrations and to measure the effects-if any-HVAC cleaning interventions might have, a pilot study measuring fiber concentrations was conducted from June 2000. Fiber data were collected following procedures in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Method 7400 "Asbestos and Other Fibers by PCM" (Phase contrast microscopy).
The three continuous monitoring arrays commenced operation and building performance data (i.e., temperatures in the supply, return, and mixed air plenums; supply and return airflows; and the mixed air damper position, as well as outdoor temperature and humidity) were collected. An analysis of trends was conducted to aid identification of feasible and desirable interventions.
Occupant Survey. Contacts were made on each floor and with each work group to discuss procedures. Letters were sent out to building/group managers in August 1999. Some difficulties were encountered in several groups where managers were reluctant to participate, and additional time was needed to inform managers of the goals and procedures of the research. Ultimately, all managers were cooperative. Subsequently, presentations were made to staff in the buildings (except for one floor where this was not permitted and recruitment letters were sent out), lists of workers in the buildings were obtained and verified, room numbers checked, and letters sent to recruit subjects for the study. Institutional Review Board procedures were followed in each phase, e.g., recruiting, consenting, etc. The initial and follow-up surveys were finalized.
Future Activities:
Future activities include recruiting and consenting subjects, administering initial and follow-up surveys, implementing the interventions, collecting and analyzing data, and completing papers and reports.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 10 publications for this projectSupplemental 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.