Fresh Air and Indoor Air

Quality
&

Sick Building Syndrome

Indraprastha syllabus :
1) Fresh Air and importance of Fresh Air,
2) Sick building syndrome and
3) Indoor Air Quality

Fresh air is the natural, clean air from outside, as opposed to the relatively stuffy air
inside.The temp. of air varies with altitude at the same place.
Components of Fresh Air
The dry air is a mixture of various gases which are present in
atmosphere at very highly saturated condition, as boiling
point of any one of above gases at atmospheric pressure is
much below 0°C.

The atmospheric air is therefore a mixture of dry air and

water vapor which may exist in saturated state or
superheated state. Dry air can be considered as pure
substance at N.T.P. conditions (as no phase change is likely to
occur), and water vapor is itself a pure substance from
thermodynamic angle, as due to its very low partial pressure,
it remains in superheated state in air.
But moist air is not a pure substance in any process in which
phase change is a possibility like condensation or evaporation.
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007

Its American Standard by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating

and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. For " Ventilation for Acceptable
Indoor Air Quality
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality:
air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations
as determined by cognizant authorities and with which a substantial
majority (80% or more) of the people exposed do not express
dissatisfaction.
In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air
inside the average home is up to five times more polluted than the air
outside. While moderately alarming on a certain level, it’s really more of
a catalyst for making positive changes in one’s life that not only freshen
up the air, but also allow us to more intimately connect with nature—
not merely when we’re outside, but in the comfort of our own living and
working spaces.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a term which refers to the air
quality within and around buildings and structures,
especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building
occupants. IAQ can be affected by gases (including carbon
monoxide, radon, volatile organic
compounds), particulates, microbial contaminants
(mold, bacteria), or any mass or energy stressor that can
induce adverse health conditions. Source control, filtration
and the use of ventilation to dilute contaminants are the
primary methods for improving indoor air quality in most
buildings. Residential units can further improve indoor air
quality by routine cleaning of carpets and area rugs.
This National Institute of occupational safety and Health NIOSH Indoor Air Quality Standards
technique is described best as one of exclusion. The investigation tries to narrow the range of
possible problem causes. The Department has found six major sources of indoor air quality
problems:
1) Inadequate Ventilation — These problems involve lack of adequate fresh air and
uneven distribution of fresh air within a building.
2) Humidity and Temperature — These problems involve levels of these parameters
outside the normal comfort range.
3) Inside Contamination — Copy machines, office products, and chemicals stored
indoors have been identified as significant sources of indoor air problems in some
investigations.
4) Outside Contamination — This is caused by the re-entrainment of previously
exhausted contaminants, generally caused by improper air intake placement or by
periodic changes in the wind conditions. A common problem is vehicle exhaust
fumes from parking garages or loading docks being drawn into a building
ventilation system.
5) Microbial Contamination — This type of problem is usually associated with water
leaks, water infiltration, elevated indoor humidity, humidifiers, and contaminated
ventilation ductwork.
6) New Building Materials — This results from building materials (including carpeting)
releasing gasses into the air during and shortly after the materials are first installed.
Increased ventilation after installation will enhance the dissipation of these chemicals.
Generic Air Ventilation System
2.58 Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) .
As NBC 2016 of India, A term used to describe the presence
of acute non-specific symptoms in the majority of people,
caused by working in buildings with an adverse indoor
environment.

Note . SBS could be a cluster of complex irritative symptoms

like irritation of the eyes, blocked nose and throat, headaches,
dizziness, lethargy, fatigue irritation, wheezing, sinusitis,
congestion, skin rash, sensory discomfort from odours,
nausea, etc. These symptoms are usually short-lived and
experienced immediately after exposure; and may disappear
when one leaves the building.
As per EPA (United States Air and Radiation (6609J) Research
and Development Environmental Protection (MD-56) Agency
The term "sick building syndrome" (SBS) is used to describe
situations in which building occupants experience acute
health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time
spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be
identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular
room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the
building. In contrast, the term "building related illness" (BRI)
is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified
and can be attributed directly to airborne building
contaminants.
Indicators of SBS include:
• Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute
discomfort, e.g.,
1) headache;
2) eye, nose, or throat irritation;
3) dry cough;
4) dry or itchy skin;
5) dizziness and nausea;
6) difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and
7) sensitivity to odors.
• The cause of the symptoms is not known.
• Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building.
Causes of sick building syndrome
It's probably due to a combination of things, including:
1) Poor ventilation or poorly maintained air conditioning
systems
2) Dust, smoke, fumes or fabric fibres in the air
3) Presence of high humidity and moisture Ingress
4) Presence of fungi, termite and other harmful microbes
5) Bad odours/ smells may be due to excessive paint, glue ,
urine, presence of liquor, opium ,onion , sweat,
6) Bright or flickering lights
7) Sick building syndrome is most common in open-plan
offices, but you can get it in any building.
8) Methane and hydrogen sulphide in sewage disposal
9) Kai
Chemical contaminants from indoor sources: Most indoor air pollution
comes from sources inside the building. For example, adhesives,
carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines,
pesticides, and cleaning agents may emit volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), including formaldehyde. Environmental tobacco smoke
contributes high levels of VOCs, other toxic compounds, and respirable
particulate matter. Research shows that some VOCs can cause chronic
and acute health effects at high concentrations, and some are known
carcinogens. Low to moderate levels of multiple VOCs may also produce
acute reactions. Combustion products such as carbon monoxide,
nitrogen dioxide, as well as respirable particles, can come from
unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces and
gas stoves.
Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources: The outdoor air that
enters a building can be a source of indoor air pollution. For example,
pollutants from motor vehicle exhausts; plumbing vents, and building
exhausts (e.g., bathrooms and kitchens) can enter the building through
poorly located air intake vents, windows, and other openings. In
addition, combustion products can enter a building from a nearby
garage.
Radon and Asbestos...
SBS and BRI are associated with acute or immediate health problems;
radon and asbestos cause long-term diseases which occur years after
exposure, and are therefore not considered to be among the causes of
sick buildings. This is not to say that the latter are not serious health
risks;
Radon presence
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas and therefore is not detectable by human
senses alone. Some level of radon will be found in all buildings. Radon mostly enters a building
directly from the soil through the lowest level in the building that is in contact with the
ground. High levels of radon in the water supply can also increase indoor radon air levels.
Typical entry points of radon into buildings are cracks in solid foundations, construction joints,
cracks in walls, gaps in suspended floors, gaps around service pipes, cavities inside walls, and
the water supply,
Asbestos Dangers
The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing. In fact,
asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing
dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested. Many of the fibers will
become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be
removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract.
Once they are trapped in the body, the fibers can cause health problems.
Asbestos is most hazardous when it is friable. The term "friable" means that the asbestos is
easily crumbled by hand, releasing fibers into the air. Sprayed on asbestos insulation is highly
friable. Asbestos floor tile is not.
Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles, floor tiles, undamaged laboratory cabinet tops, shingles, fire
doors, siding shingles, etc. will not release asbestos fibers unless they are disturbed or
damaged in some way. If an asbestos ceiling tile is drilled or broken, for example, it may
release fibers into the air.
Biological contaminants:

Bacteria, molds, pollen, and viruses are types of biological

contaminants. These contaminants may breed in stagnant
water that has accumulated in ducts, humidifiers and drain
pans, or where water has collected on ceiling tiles, carpeting,
or insulation. Sometimes insects or bird droppings can be a
source of biological contaminants. Physical symptoms related
to biological contamination include cough, chest tightness,
fever, chills, muscle aches, and allergic responses such as
mucous membrane irritation and upper respiratory
congestion. One indoor bacterium, Legionella, has caused
both Legionnaire's Disease and Pontiac Fever.
Ozone
Ozone is produced by ultraviolet light from the Sun hitting the Earth's
atmosphere (especially in the ozone layer), lightning, certain high-
voltage electric devices (such as air ionizers), and as a by-product of
other types of pollution.
Ozone exists in greater concentrations at altitudes commonly flown by
passenger jets. Reactions between ozone and onboard substances,
including skin oils and cosmetics, can produce toxic chemicals as by-
products. Ozone itself is also irritating to lung tissue and harmful to
human health. Larger jets have ozone filters to reduce the cabin
concentration to safer and more comfortable levels.
Outdoor air used for ventilation may have sufficient ozone to react with
common indoor pollutants as well as skin oils and other common indoor
air chemicals or surfaces. Particular concern is warranted when using
"green" cleaning products based on citrus or terpene extracts, because
these chemicals react very quickly with ozone to form toxic and irritating
chemicalsas well as fine and ultrafine particles Ventilation with outdoor air containing
elevated ozone concentrations may complicate remediation attempts
The most effective household plants reportedly included aloe
vera, English ivy, and Boston fern for removing chemicals and biological
compounds.

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) absorb some airborne

contaminants