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
Goal #1: Assemble, evaluate, and disseminate to occupational and environmental health professionals information relevant to environmental quality in occupied indoor locations, including nonoccupational uses.
Goal #2: Actively participate in identifying and responding to indoor air quality issues.
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
The E-Cig Project Team initially developed an AIHA white paper that 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 user and people nearby.
The E-Cig Project Team continues to monitor the evolving science addressing emissions and health effects from electronic cigarettes, and is working on a review article with updated information for the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.
The IH's Role in Disaster Response
Disasters can happen anywhere at any time and often with little to no warning. As specialists in the field of industrial hygiene and safety, it can fall to industrial hygiene professionals to help people figure out a safe way to begin on the long road to recovery. The Disaster Project Team is developing a document to help guide IHs and the general public through the seemingly endless maze of government agencies and private industry references of by providing a “one-stop shop” of many critical resources. The resources identified in this document will provide general guidance on the hazards that may be encountered after a disaster. Understanding the hazards associated with a disaster enables IHs to assess the risk, develop and implement controls and reevaluate residual risk as recovery operations continue. However, not all recovery efforts should be handled without professional assistance, particularly when they pose significant risk. The document will also help homeowners and business owners recognize when assistance from those knowledgeable about the hazards and methods to protect occupants and the environment is needed.
Legionella Awareness Outreach & Education
The Legionella project team is actively presenting to various organizations regarding the AIHA guidance document. In addition, we are working with ASHRAE, AIHA and other organizations to explore the development of Legionella education/certification programs for facilities managers, technicians and professionals.
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 Guidance Document and White Paper
The guidance 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.
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.
IEQ Committee Memorial Scholarships, Grant, and Awards
Philip R. Morey Memorial Scholarship
The Philip R. Morey Memorial Scholarship was endowed in 2015 through generous donations from Dr. Morey’s colleagues, friends, and family. The Philip R. Morey Memorial Scholarship fund is designed for undergraduate and graduate students that are studying a curriculum involving indoor air quality science and technology, or students who are conducting research in the indoor air quality field. For more information about Dr. Morey, read the full story here.
To contribute to Phil Morey Memorial Scholarship fund, please:
Mark “My Donation is for a specific Scholarship” and then select the “Philip R. Morey Memorial Scholarship” on the right.
Fill in “Donor Information”
Fill in “Payment Information” Please be advised if you pay by credit card, you’ll either Fax the form to 703-207-3561 or call Laurie Mutdosch at 703-846-0735.
Stephen C. Davis Future Leadership Institute Memorial Grant
As a visionary leader, mentor and strong advocate of the Industrial Hygiene/Occupational Health (IH/OH) profession globally, Stephen C. Davis recognized the importance of investing in the next generation of IH/OH professionals. To honor his legacy and provide opportunities for the profession’s future leadership, the Stephen C. Davis Future Leadership Institute Memorial Grant has been established.
To make a donation, simply complete the donation form and return it via mail, a scanned copy attached to email, or fax to the attention of Laurie Mutdosch, 703-207-3561.
The Lila Albin Award for the Best Indoor Environmental Quality Paper
Since 1997, the AIHA Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Committee has evaluated peer-reviewed journal articles to bestow this award at the committee’s annual meeting. Papers must: (a) be peer reviewed and published during the previous year in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene; (b) provide practical information and expand knowledge base of IEQ professionals; (c) address a critical IEQ issue; and (d) present the topic clearly and engagingly. In 2012, the award was renamed in honor of the late Lila Albin, Ph.D. to honor her skills, energy and enthusiasm as Chair of the AIHA IEQ Committee, as AIHA Indiana Local Section President, and as Board Member/On-line editor for the American Institute of Chemists. Lila earned her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Health Physics, Industrial Hygiene and Indoor Air Quality at Purdue University and did her Ph.D. dissertation on the bioactivity of carpet extracts.
2018: Jaime Butler-Dawson,
Kit Galvin, Peter S. Thorne & Diane S. Rohlman (2018) Organophosphorus pesticide residue levels in homes located near
orchards, Journal of Occupational and
Environmental Hygiene, 15:12, 847-856
2017: Aleksandr B. Stefaniak, Ryan F. LeBouf, Jinghai Yi, Jason Ham, Timothy Nurkewicz, Diane E. Schwegler-Berry, Bean T. Chen, J. Raymond Wells, Matthew G. Duling, Robert B. Lawrence, Stephen B. Martin, Jr., Alyson R. Johnson, and M. Abbas Virji for "Characterization of Chemical Contaminants Generated by a Desktop Fused Deposition Modeling 3-Dimensional Printer," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2017.
2016: Patrick Steinle for "Characterization of Emissions from a Desktop 3D Printer and Indoor Measurements in Office Settings," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2016; 13:2, 121-132.
2015: Paloma I. Beamer, Kevin R. Plotkin, Charles P. Gerba, Laura Y. Sifuentes, David W. Koenig, and Kelly A. Reynolds for “Modeling of Human Viruses on Hands and Risk of Infection in an Office Workplace Using Micro-Activity Data,” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 12:4, 266-275
2014: Kee-Hean Ong, Roger D. Lewis, Anupm Dixit, Maureen MacDonald, Mingan Yang & Zhegmin Qian for "Inactivation of Dust Mites, Dust Mite Allergen, and Mold from Carpet," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 2014
2013: John W. Martyny, Kate A. Serrano, Joshua W. Schaeffer & Mike V. Van Dyke, for "Potential Exposures Associated with Indoor Marijuana Growing Operations," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 2013, 10:11, 622-639.
2012: Lozier MJ, Curwin B, Nishioka MG & Sanderson W. for "Determinants of Atrazine Contamination in the Homes of Commercial Pesticide Applicators Across Time," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2012; 9(5):289-297.
2011: Pierce JS, Abelmann A, Spicer LJ, Adams RE, Glynn ME, Neier K, Finley BL, Gaffney SH. for "Characterization of Formaldehyde Exposure Resulting from the Use of Four Professional Hair Straightening Products," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 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.
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