Mission
The mission of the committee is to provide a forum for exchanging ideas and information about indoor environmental quality and to participate in the development and analysis of related technological and regulatory issues.
Goals and Objectives
Goal #1: Assemble, evaluate, and disseminate to occupational and environmental health professionals information relevant to environmental quality in occupied indoor locations, including nonoccupational uses.
Objective #1: Discuss and act upon indoor environmental quality issues.
Strategies:
Designate specific members to track and report on identified issues.
Respond to AIHA Board requests to address specific issues.
Meet yearly at AIHce and at other appropriate times.
Solicit papers; organize sessions; and provide session arrangers, chairs, and monitors for the AIHce.
Prepare guidelines for publication on limits for chemical and physical agents that will provide individuals occupying the buildings freedom from distracting odors, discomfort, and health effects.
Identify, evaluate, and comment on monitoring techniques for the major agents of concern.
Identify building, and ventilation system designs that cause unacceptable environments and designs that can be used to correct problems and protect individuals.
Objective #2: Provide education and training on indoor enviromental quality and related matters.
Strategies:
Goal #2: Actively participate in identifying and responding to indoor air quality issues.
Objective #1: Identify, evaluate, and comment on proposed legislation, regulations, and standards affecting indoor air quality.
Strategies:
Monitor and report on relevant activities by rule-making organizations.
Participate in the development of standards by organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and U.S. Green Building Council.
Develop working realtionships with other related associations such as the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).
Develop and recommend positions to the AIHA Board.
Project Teams
AIHA USGBC VOC
Project Team
In March 2014, members of the American
Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
Committee and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Indoor Environmental Quality
Technical Advisory Group (IEQ TAG) met by teleconference to discuss the Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design certification program version 4 (LEED v4) post-construction
IEQ testing credit. Specifically, the attendees discussed the total volatile organic
compounds (TVOCs) and target chemicals listed in LEED Building Design &
Construction (BD&C) Credit: Indoor Air Quality Assessment - Table 1:
Maximum Concentration Levels.
The IEQ TAG members and USGBC staff
provided information and questions to the AIHA IEQ Committee members (see
attached). In particular, there was discussion about the “Speciated VOCs” on
the list. It was agreed that the AIHA IEQ Committee should conduct a review of
the information and questions provided by USGBC, and that a report on the
findings would be issued to the USGBC IEQ TAG.
At the AIHA IEQ Committee meeting
convened in May 2014 at AIHce (San Antonio), the AIHA USGBC VOC Project Team was
authorized to begin work.
The Project Team teleconferenced three times to discuss the issues: in June, August, and
September 2014. This report is based on the discussions
that took place during these meetings, as well as the correspondence that occurred between Project
Team members between
meetings.
The focus of this paper is on the USGBC LEED
v4 post-construction, IAQ sampling requirements, specifically for individual VOCs.
This paper does not pertain to the conducting of indoor air quality (IAQ)
investigations, or collection of VOC measurements, in occupied buildings.
Electronic Cigarettes in the Indoor Environment
This AIHA white paper describes the potential exposures and health risks associated with the use of electronic cigarettes. The white paper reviews current scientific information, evaluated the effects of chemicals used in e-cigarettes and emitted from them, and indicates that while e-cigarettes may appear to provide a ‘safer’ alternative to tobacco cigarettes, these products can emit airborne contaminants that may affect both the use rand people nearby.
Corrosive Drywall: A Guidance Document
This document focuses on assessing structures for Corrosive Drywall and overseeing corrective measures. It includes procedures and supporting information for field practitioners and is intended to help answer basic questions such as, "Does my home or building have CDW?" and "How can I restore normal air quality?" In this document, the term "remediation" is limited to the decontamination process (i.e., removal/ treatment) and will not address restoration of corrosion damage. The document was co-sponsored by the Construction Committee and the IEQ Committee.
PCBs in the Built Environment
The IEQ Committee developed a white paper in response to the growing evidence that exposures from polychlorinated biphenyls, in both vapor and particulate matter form, emanate from PCB-containing products in the building environment. In most cases, building owners and occupants are not even aware of the existence of these materials and their potential hazards.
Facts about Mold
AIHA's "Facts about Mold" document represents a consensus statement by a group of experts about important aspects of the “state of the science.” The guidance offered is practical information based on years of experience addressing mold issues, and this document does not claim to be a definitive or comprehensive position statement. Because it is not comprehensive, it should always be used in conjunction with other existing guidance documents, as well as professional judgment by qualified consultants and public health officials.
Corrosive Drywall White Paper
As announced in an Oct. 13, 2010,
press release, the
white paper identifies the problems posed by corrosive drywall and the role of science in understanding the resulting safety and health issues. Sponsored by the AIHA® Biosafety and Environmental Microbiology Committee, Construction Committee, and Indoor Environmental Quality Committee.
Awards
Lila Albin (Formelry the AIHA IEQ COmmittee Best IEQ Paper Award)
2013
John W. Martyny, Kate A. Serrano, Joshua W. Schaeffer & Mike V. Van Dyke, Potential Exposures Associated with Indoor Marijuana Growing Operations, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 10:11, 622-639.
2012
Lozier MJ, Curwin B, Nishioka MG & Sanderson W. (2012): Determinants of Atrazine Contamination in the Homes of Commercial Pesticide Applicators Across Time, J Occup Environ Hyg. 2012; 9(5):289-297.
2011
Pierce JS, Abelmann A, Spicer LJ, Adams RE, Glynn ME, Neier K, Finley BL, Gaffney SH. Characterization of Formaldehyde Exposure Resulting from the Use of Four Professional Hair Straightening Products J Occup Environ Hyg. 2011; 8(11):686-99.
AIHA IEQ Committee Best IEQ Paper Award Winners (1997-2010)
Gloria D. Coronado; William C. Griffith; Eric M. Vigoren; Elaine M. Faustman; and Beti Thompson. Where’s the Dust? Characterizing Locations of Azinphos-Methyl Residues in House and Vehicle Dust Among Farmworkers with Young Children. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2010; 7(12): 663 – 671.
Franzblau A, Zwica L, Knutson K, Chen Q, Lee SY, Hong B, Adriaems P, Demond A, Garabrant D, Gillespie B, Lepkowski J, Luksemburg W, Maier M, and Towey T. An Investigation of Homes with High Concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, and/or Dioxin-Like PCBs in House Dust. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2009; 6(3):188-199.
McKernan LT, Hein MJ, Wallingford KM, Burge H, and Herrick R. Assessing Total Fungal Concentrations on Commercial Passenger Aircraft Using Mixed-Effects Modeling. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2008; 5(1):48–58.
Glazer CS, Martyny JW, Lee B, Sanchez TL, Sells TM, Newman LS, Murphy J, Heifets L, and Rose CS. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Aerosol Droplets and Bulk Water Samples from Therapy Pools and Hot Tubs. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2007; 4(11):831-40.
Shaughnessy, R and R. Sextro. What Is an Effective Air Cleaning Device? J Occup Environ Hyg. 2006; 3(4):169–181.
Nicas, M., W.W. Nazaroff, and A. Hubbard. Toward understanding the risk of secondary airborne infection: Emission of respirable pathogens. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2005; 2(3):143-154
Mahooti‐Brooks, N, Storey, E, Yang, CS, Simcox, NJ, Turner, W, and Hodgson, M., Characterization of Mold and Moisture Indicators in the Home. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2004; 1(12):826-39.
Samimi, B.S. and Ross, K. Extent of Fungal Growth on Fiberglass Duct Liners With and Without Biocides Under Challenging Environmental Conditions. App Occup Env Hyg. 2003; 18(3):193-199.
Earnest, G.S. K.H. Dunn, R.M. Hall, et al. An Evaluation of an Engineering Control to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisonings of Individuals on and Around Houseboats. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 2002; 63(3):361-369.
Weber, A. and E. Page. Renovation of Contaminated Building Materials at Facility Serving Pediatric Cancer Outpatients. App Occup Env Hyg. 2001; 16(1):2-31.
Robbins, CA, Swenson, LJ, Nealley, ML, Kelman, BJ and Gots, RE. The Health Effects of Mycotoxins in Indoor Air: A Critical Review. App. Occup Env Hyg. 2000; 15(10):773-784.
Krake, A.M., K.A. Worthington, K.M. Wallingford, and K.F. Martinez. Evaluation of Microbiological Contamination in a Museum. App Occup Env Hyg. 1999; 14(8):499-509.
Lewis, RD, Breysse, P, Lees, PSJ, Diener-West, M, Hamilton, R, and Eggleston, P. Factors Affecting the Retention of Dust Mite Allergen on Carpet. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1998; 59(9):606-613.
Brauer, M., J. Kostiuk and N. McNabb. Improved Ice Arena Air Quality with the Use of a Three-Way Catalytic Converter and Fuel Management System. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1997; 58(8):608-612.
Officers