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News Summaries: 

While we do our utmost to only include news from reliable sources, HIP is not responsible for the content, validity, credibility or use of the following news summaries. 

September 2006

• Health Canada Issues New Residential Guideline for Formaldehyde

Health Canada recently revised its indoor air quality guideline for formaldehyde, based on the most recent scientific evidence. HIP’s October 10 webinar will discuss the revisions and the recent studies reviewed (see detail, above).

• Guideline Exposure Level for Radon would be Cut by 75%

 Proposed revisions to the guideline for exposure to radon recently underwent public review and 

Health Canada specifically asked HIP to comment on the revisions. Action item 4 from our National Strategy states "Health Canada should review and, if necessary, revise the existing guideline for radon." The revision would reduce the guideline level from 800 to 200 becquerels per cubic metre. HIP’s March 13 webinar will discuss the revision and the recent studies reviewed.
  

• Poor Ventilation Associated with High Respiratory Infections on Baffin Island

Inuit children in Nunavut have one of the highest rates of respiratory infection in the world. The rate of hospitalization in the Baffin region is in the order of 300 per year for each 1,000 infants. Recent research conducted in that region by CMHC found carbon dioxide levels of over 1,000 ppm in all homes tested and over 2,000 ppm in about half of the homes tested, indicating the need for increased mechanical ventilation.

• CMHC Research Highlights Cover Air leakage in Apartments, and the Accumulation of Pollutants in HRVs

The following are some of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s recently published Research Highlights covering IEQ topics:

• Evaluation of Air Leakage Control Measures to Compartmentalize Newly Constructed Suites in a High-Rise Residential Building (65002) documents the results of a project to air seal the interior and exterior partitions of two test suites in a new high-rise residential building. 
  

• Identifying and Removing Pollutants from Heat Recovery Ventilators (64994) looks at what pollutants collect in heat recovery ventilator (HRV) ducting and whether ducts can be effectively cleaned using truck mounted systems and portable high powered vacuums. Intake ducts in particular were found to be heavily contaminated and difficult to clean.

These and other Technical Series Research Highlights can be downloaded at no charge from http://www.cmhc.ca/en/inpr/rehi/ 

March 2006

·         CDC Releases New Mold Prevention Guidance in the Wake of Katrina, Rita

The U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC)’s Mold Working Group has published a guidance document called “Mold: Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita”. The guidance document includes strategies for assessing exposure to mold, cleanup and prevention, as well as a review of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), health effects of mold contamination, and public health strategies and recommendations for state and local officials.  www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/report

 ·         CMHC Research Highlights

The following are some of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s recently published Research Highlights covering IEQ topics:

Duct Leakage Tests in a Small Diameter Ducting System (64904): examines duct leakage in one proprietary small diameter ducting system and confirms that leakage is minimal.

Reduction of Airborne Particles in Houses with Occupants having Respiratory Ailments (64855): studies factors (particularly occupant activities and filtration) affecting airborne particle concentrations over 24 hours, and how they can be reduced.

Testing the Adhesion of Air- Barrier Membranes in Wall Assemblies (63876): an evaluation of air- barrier membrane materials over time and under different conditions.

These and other Technical Series Research Highlights can be downloaded at no charge from http://www.cmhc.ca/en/inpr/rehi/

 ·         Ontario Government Tackles Ergonomic-Related Injuries In The Workplace

The Ontario Government has launched a “Pains And Strains” campaign focusing on education and inspection. Labour minister Steve Peters described musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as a significant but often overlooked workplace hazard. "Injuries such as back pains and joint strains account for 42 percent of all lost-time injuries," he said, and prevention programs have been shown to have many positive outcomes.  

Starting April 1, ministry inspectors will focus on risk factors during inspections of high-risk workplaces in industrial and health sectors to raise awareness of pains and strains. Each organization's experience with these types of injuries will be reviewed along with the preventive steps they have taken. British Columbia and Saskatchewan remain Canada's only provincial jurisdictions with ergonomics regulations.

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2006/01/26/c0991.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

December 2005

·         Minimum SEER Rating on U.S. Air Conditioners to Rise in the New Year,
         Canada to Follow

Starting next year, U.S. consumers who buy new houses or upgrade their cooling systems could benefit from new, tougher energy efficiency standards for central air conditioners. Units manufactured after January 23rd, 2006, will have to achieve a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 13, a 30 percent improvement over current standards. In addition, the 2006 standards will raise the energy efficiency standards for new central heat pumps to a SEER of 13 in cooling mode and a Heating Season Performance Factor of 7.7, which represents a 13 percent improvement in heating efficiency. The new standard will also increase the cooling efficiency of single-package air conditioners and single-package heat pumps by 34 percent while increasing the heating efficiency of single-package heat pumps by 17 percent. For more information, see the announcement on the Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, a DOE Web site). 

The Office of Energy Efficiency of Natural Resources Canada is looking to update the Energy Efficiency Regulation in Canada later in 2006 for products sold in Canada.

·        NRC Study Compares Hydronic Heating and Forced Air

The National Research Council’s Institute for Research in Construction is about half way through a study comparing the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of Hydronic and forced air heating. 

·        NY First State to Require Schools to Use Green Cleaning Products

The State of New York has signed legislation to protect children, teachers and all school personnel from toxic cleaning products commonly used by schools. For details go to http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/05/april17_05.htm

December 2004

·         Asbestos Watch: Vermiculite Insulation

More than 70 per cent of the vermiculite ore mined in the world came from the Libby mine in Montana, which included a natural deposit of tremolite asbestos. As a result, much of the vermiculite from the Libby mine was contaminated with tremolite asbestos, a highly carcinogenic form of asbestos. More than 1.5 billion pounds of raw contaminated ore (roughly one tenth of the Libby mine’s production) was sent to processing plants across Canada to be made into Zonolite attic insulation for Canadian use. The material was on the list of eligible materials for the federal government's Canadian Home Insulation Program (CHIP), a program that offered grants to homeowners from 1977 to the mid-1980s.

Health Canada has issued both homeowner and workplace advisories that some vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos fibres. Their consumer alert states: “These products can cause health risks if disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition. However, there is currently no evidence of risk to your health if the insulation is sealed behind wallboards and floorboards, isolated in an attic, or otherwise kept from exposure to the interior environment.” 

Professionals working with asbestos (e.g. renovators who might be exposed to old insulation) should be trained in the appropriate safety protocols. Consumers should hire trained professionals when disturbing Zonolite insulation and any other materials suspected to contain asbestos. See Resources below. 

Research & Development  

Summer 2004

•  U.S. Institute of Medicine Links Mold to Asthma

Scientific evidence links mold and other moisture factors to asthma symptoms in otherwise healthy people, according to a U.S. Institute of Medicine report. Given the frequency of moisture problems in buildings and their links to respiratory problems, excessive indoor dampness should be addressed through a broad range of public health initiatives and changes in how buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained, said the committee that wrote the report.

To read more or to listen to an audio stream of the report briefing, go to http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news.nsf/isbn/0309091934?OpenDocument

• Employees Look to Ergonomics for Productivity Edge

Want to know what makes an office worker more, or less, productive? According to a recent survey by Microsoft Hardware, 90 percent of workers believe their productivity is directly linked to their workstation design, and most would choose ergonomic tools to increase their efficiency over company-wide morale-building programs. http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=950

• Daylight Dividends
  
  The Lighting Research Center (LRC) is part of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY, NY.  It claims to be the leading university-based research center devoted to lighting, and to offer the world's only M.S. degree in lighting. The Centre established the Daylight Dividends program to build market demand for daylighting (use of natural daylight) as a means of improving indoor environmental quality; to overcome technological barriers to effectively reap the energy savings of daylight; and to inform and assist state and regional market transformation and resource acquisition program implementation efforts. It also provides resources on designing lighting for older adults.  (see also New Resources, below) http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/

Winter / Spring  2004

 ·         Research on Cost-effective Open-Plan Environments (COPE)

The most common office design in North America is the open-plan office. Based on recent research, the National Research Council’s Institute for Research in Construction provides guidance and software tools to help decision makers choose design options that both minimize expenditures and the risk of occupant dissatisfaction in the areas of: noise, lighting, ventilation and indoor air quality, and workstation design. Details: http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ie/cope/index.html

• NRC studies Indoor Environment Contributions to Organizational Productivity

There is growing consensus to suggest that improved indoor environment quality can significantly improve health and productivity. It is also estimated that around 80% of all costs of operating a typical office building are related to employees' salaries and benefits. The objectives of this new initiative, by the National Research Council’s Institute for Research in Construction, are to develop and execute new research to address the effects of office design and operation on organizational productivity.

• Anti-Allergy Bed Covers May Not Help

Two recent studies (New England Journal of Medicine, July 17, 2003) have concluded that using allergen-impermeable bedding covers to prevent exposure to dust mites does not reduce asthma or allergy symptoms.  Source:  IAQRC News  www.iaqresourcescanada.com

•  Mouse Allergens Important in Inner Cities
  A recent report published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology indicated that mouse allergens were more prevalent in dust samples collected from inner city dwellings than both dust mite and cat allergens.  95% of the homes tested had elevated levels of mouse allergens and 20% of the children in those homes tested positive for mouse allergen sensitivities. Source: Aerotech Monitor, Summer 2002  http://www.aerotechlabs.com/Aero

• How to Measure the Degree of Acoustic Comfort Provided by Multi-Family Buildings

This CMHC Research developed a reliable way of measuring the degree of acoustic comfort afforded by housing complexes. Details: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/03-116-e.htm  

• Noise Isolation Provided By Gypsum Board Partitions
  
  Produced by CMHC and IRC, this report discusses the results of 350 sound transmission tests conducted on gypsum board partitions of various compositions. Available from the Canadian Housing Information Centre     http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/02-108.html

• Technology Roadmap for Intelligent Buildings

This Technology Roadmap explores and explains the current status and imminent opportunities offered by the accelerating evolution and use of intelligent building technologies, such as automated building control systems. The focus is on commercial, institutional and high-rise residential buildings, both new projects and retrofits, in a five-year time horizon. Details:http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/03-114-e.html    Source: CABA  www.caba.org

• Open Source Opens Door for Modular Buildings with Modular IEQ Systems

According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), “Open source strategies have dramatically improved the quality, value, and variety of products in other industries, from electronics to automotive. In contrast, most new homes and apartments are generic, low-grade, and expensive.” The MIT Open Source Building Alliance (OSBA) has been established to develop and test strategies (and ultimately, recommend standards) that will lead to the scalable introduction of new materials, technologies, applications, and services into the built environment. It is a strategy developed by MIT for an open source web of industrial relationships, combined with modularity.   MIT believes that this approach is necessary to remove barriers to innovation, and that it will create exciting opportunities related to energy conservation, proactive home-based preventative health care, and new forms of work, learning, entertainment, and the mass-customization of highly personalized residential environments.  http://architecture.mit.edu/house_n/web/projects/OSBAProspectusNov11-2003.pdf   Source: CABA  www.caba.org

Government and Industry Programs

December 2004

•  PWGSC To Develop Indicator Of Indoor Air Quality

Public Works and Government Services Canada through its Innovations and Solutions program, in collaboration with associated research partners is developing an indicator of indoor air quality in federal office buildings. The indicator will compare the quality of air inside and out. For example, a value of 1.0 for a particular contaminant of concern would suggest that indoor air is equivalent to outdoor air. The ndicator will be evaluated for potential incorporation into a Federal Office Base Building Standard.  For further information communicate with Karen.Pero@pwgsc.gc.ca; Ed.Morofsky@pwgsc.gc.ca; Soheil.Rastan@statcan.ca

• EPA launches the First Annual National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management for Health Plans and Health Care Providers

A new awards program has been launched that recognizes health plans and health care providers for leadership in addressing management of environmental triggers as part of a comprehensive asthma management program.  Winners will receive national recognition of their achievements. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/

Summer 2004

• Health Canada Releases Revised Mold Guidelines for Public Buildings

Health Canada just released a report entitled "Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: Health Effects and Investigation Methods". This document is a revision of an earlier version published by Health Canada and the Federal-Provincial Advisory Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health (CEOH) in 1995. The intent of the revised report is to update the information and to reconcile certain practical aspects of the document with newer publications from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and other cognizant authorities. The purpose of this document is to assist front-line public health workers in the management of potential health risks associated with fungal contamination in public buildings. The report consists of two parts: (1) a review on health effects of indoor molds, and (2) a guide for the investigation of mold contamination in non-industrial workplaces. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/air_quality/pdf/fungal_contamination.pdf

• EPA and Ad Council Launch latest Asthma Media Campaign

The EPA, along with the Ad Council, has launched the second phase of the Childhood Asthma Campaign, featuring a new round of Public Service Announcements for television and radio. This campaign sustains EPA's efforts to inform parents of children with asthma that serious asthma attacks can be prevented, and to motivate them to take action to reduce asthma triggers in their own homes.  EPA's "Goldfish Campaign" is for television, radio, newspaper and outdoor displays.  The Public Service Announcement (PSA) highlight specific triggers of asthma attacks that most parents might never imagine could cause an attack.  To find out more or view the new PSA, go to www.epa.gov/asthma/psa.html

Winter / Spring  2004

• Energy Retrofit Assistance for Large Buildings (ERA)

Lower energy costs, shorten payback periods and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change; work with Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency. Qualified organizations may receive up to 50 percent of approved costs for the development and planning of energy retrofits – up to $25,000 – and up to 25% of the cost of implementing or expanding the scope of new energy retrofit projects – up to $250,000 project costs for organizations with three or fewer buildings.   Details: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/eii/home.cfm?PrintView=N&Text=N

• Canadian Construction Association Issues Guidelines
  on Mould Remediation

  The CCA has created a Mould Information Site to inform the national construction industry about its responsibilities vis a vis the prevention and remediation of mould. See more below, under Large Buildings.

• Flight Attendants Want Help With Toxic Cabin Air

The Association of Flight Attendants International, the union representing more than 50,000 flight attendants and 26 airlines, testified in US court this past summer on the health effects of toxic air in aircraft cabins. Source: IEQ Strategies, September, 2003. 

• Recent Canadian Statistics

What follows are some recent statistics from a survey conducted on behalf of The Holmes Group for the Bionaire® brand. 

When asked if they were personally concerned about indoor air quality, 60 per cent of Canadians said yes, they were personally concerned. Of those that agreed, 64 per cent were from Central Canada.

When asked what their level of awareness of harmful effects of poor indoor air quality, 82 per cent of Canadians responded they were very or somewhat aware

When asked what are believed to be the causes of poor indoor air quality:94 per cent of Canadians identified tobacco smoke , 91 per cent of Canadians identified mold and mildew; 89 per cent of Canadians identified the circulation of stale/poor air; 73 per cent of Canadians identified fireplace emissions; and 71 per cent of Canadians identified pets

When asked what they do to combat poor indoor air quality: 97 per cent of Canadians said they opened windows; 90 per cent of Canadians said they clean and/or dust frequently; 64 per cent of Canadians said they clean the furnace filter l; and 32 per cent of Canadians said they use an air purifier.

The poll was conducted by Maritz: Thompson Lightstone and sponsored by The Holmes Group for the Bionaire® brand and is based on interviews with 1,000 Canadians, aged 18 and older, between September 25th, 2003 and October 2nd, 2003.  The results have a margin of error of +/- 3.10%, nineteen times out of twenty.  Source: Bionaire

• Noise a Key Factor in School Building Design School

Classrooms must be designed to be especially quiet so the students can concentrate on and learn from their teacher's voice. That is because pre-adolescent children handle background noise and reverberation differently than adults. Source: ASHRAE Journal, February 2003.

• Halifax Healthy School Raises the Bar for Public Buildings in NS 

With 1500 students, Halifax West is the largest school Nova Scotia has built in at least 30 years. While breaking new ground in healthy school design and construction, and with the extensive evaluation of construction methods and building materials which took place at every stage, the school was still built on time and below budget. What was accomplished at Halifax West will become part of the Design Requirements Manual (DRM) for all public buildings in Nova Scotia. Details at: http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Education/CASLE/casle.html

• CRT Computer Monitors Demand Increased Ventilation

Denmark's International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy has found that personal computers with traditional (cathode tube) computer monitors can be a strong indoor pollution source. It recommends that ventilation rates in spaces with such such computers be two to three times higher than required for human use of the space (bioeffluents) alone. Source: IEQ Strategies, April 2003. 

• AIHA Reports on Microbial Growth Task Force Study

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) convened its Microbial Growth Task Force in 2001.The task force found that amplification or growth of mould on building services requires remediation as rapidly as possible, along with the sources that have led to its generation. The use of bleach or other biocides was found to be questionable in most cases. Source: IEQ Strategies, June 2003. 

• HVAC&R Pesticide Should be Last Resort 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) antimicrobial division director Frank Sanders says the agency is concerned about an increase in unnecessary pretreatments of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems with antimicrobial pesticides. The concerns focus on the efficacy of such systems, and the risk that possible health effects may be worse than the effects caused by the contaminants to be controlled. Source: IEQ Strategies, June 2003.

• University Establishes Centre for Indoor Environments and Health, Prepares Draft of Clinicians' Mould Guide

The University of Connecticut 's Centre for Indoor Environments and Health is about to release a guidebook to help physicians evaluate whether patients' symptoms are related to indoor mould exposures. Tentatively called "Guidance for the Recognition and Management of Health Effects Related to Moisture and Mould Exposures Indoors", the guidebook was produced with financial assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Centre was created within the University's Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine because so many patients have been having health problems related to indoor environments. Dr. Paula Schenck, the Centre's Assistant Director, will be speaking at the AWMA/HIP International Conference in Vancouver this fall. Source: IEQ Strategies, January 2003, and personal communication with Dr. Schenck.

• MVOC's Used to Sniff Out Mould 

1. Prism Analytical Technologies Inc. says its new Mold Scan service can detect microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) at levels as low as 90 parts per billion. Clients use Mold Scan tubes to collect samples at a site and then send the tubes to the company for analysis and reporting. Details at: www.pati-air.com.

2. Pure Air Control Services and Air Quality Sciences provide similar services. Details at: www.pureaircontrols.com, www.aqs.com 

3. Lab Results LLC says that a "Mould Dog" (a registered trademark for a dog certified for mould detection) can quickly find hidden mould in any building, enabling the mould to be located and removed efficiently and economically. Details at www.labresultsllc.com Source: IAQ Strategies, March and June 2003. New Gypsum Panels Help With Moisture Control U.S. Gypsum Company says its new Sheetrock Brand Hunitek gypsum panels are moisture- and mold-resistant. Details at www.usg.com Source: IAQ Strategies, June 2003

• Low-Emission Recycled Products Available

Recycled-content building materials can perform about the same as standard products, according to a new study funded by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMG). Prior to the study, little was known regarding emissions from recycled-content products. Included in the study is a list of low-emitting products that not only contain recycled content but also contribute to good indoor air quality. Source: GreenBiz.com 

• Indoor Air 2002 Conference Proceedings Available

The Conference Proceedings from Indoor Air 2002 are now available at a reduced price of US$ 50 for the CD and US$ 75 for each 5 volume print version. The CD is fully searchable and compatible with both PCs and Macs. The Proceedings contains 726 Conference papers and covers the major indoor environmental issues. Abstracts available at www.indoorair2002.org/abstracts.htm. Order Proceedings at www.indoorair2002.org/buy_proceedings.htm.

• Indoor Health and Productivity (IHP) Project Estimates Potential Savings and Productivity Gains of $US 35-200 billion annually in the U.S. 

To identify and communicate key IE research findings to policy makers, design practitioners, facility managers, construction and energy service companies, and building investors, the Subcommittee on Construction and Buildings, under the National Science and Technology Council in the USA created the Indoor Health and Productivity (IHP) Project. In 2001, it nominated and peer-reviewed 26 top research studies on the topic.

The findings in these papers indicate:

• Potential Savings and Productivity Gains of $US 35-200 billion annually in the U.S.

• Strong links between building characteristics and acute respiratory illnesses such as influenza and colds. Higher ventilation rates, lower occupant densities, lower rates of sharing space, or ultra-violet irradiation of air were associated with 23% to 76% reductions in symptoms. One study showed a 35% reduction in short term absences.

• Benefit-to-cost ratios of 14:1 for increased ventilation, and 8:1 for increased filtration efficiency.

• Performance improvements of 20% among students in classrooms  with the most natural daylight, compared to those in classrooms with the least natural daylight.

For details, read IEQ Strategies, 15:6 (June, 2002) 

• Ontario Lung Association Reviews Residential Research on the Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollutants

The Ontario Lung Association has completed a detailed review of best available research studies into the respiratory health effects of air pollutants common to residential settings. The results will help to guide further development of their C.A.N. DO program (Movement for CleanAir Now). In the summer of 2001, they also commissioned a public opinion survey, assessing attitudes and beliefs of Ontarians on issues related to indoor and outdoor air quality. Both documents are now available at www.on.lung.ca/cando. Your feedback is welcomed to Brian Stocks, Air Quality Manager, bstocks@on.lung.ca

• US EPA To Pilot Test Asthma Education Approaches

The US EPA plans to award between two and four one-time grants (valued up to $US 150,000 each) during FY 2002 and 2003. The funds will support and assess the effectiveness of performance-based pilot studies of asthma education and management. This includes indoor asthma trigger identification, mitigation, and approaches to educating families with asthma on how to reduce their exposure to indoor asthma triggers. 

• US EPA Warns that Using Most Anti-microbial Products in Ventilation Systems May Pose Hazard to Users, Occupants 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned about the "use of sanitizer and/or disinfectant products, and possibly other types of antimicrobial products to treat the surfaces of heating, ventilation and, air -conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems, typically as part of air-duct cleaning.

For details, read IEQ Strategies, 15:6 (June, 2002)