READ: Restoring Energy Efficiency Through HVAC Air Distribution System Cleaning

READ: Restoring Energy Efficiency Through HVAC Air Distribution System Cleaning

(2 RC) - This paper covers the specific topics of: A. How cleaning reduces HVAC energy consumption. B. How energy consumption can be calculated with pre‐cleaning and post‐cleaning measurements. C. Mechanical and other issues within HVAC systems that contractors encounter while inspecting and/or cleaning that can be reported and corrected to maximize HVAC energy efficiency… (NADCA, Nov 2016)

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READ: Interior Insulation Applications in HVAC Systems

READ: Interior Insulation Applications in HVAC Systems

(1 RC) - One of the critical aspects of HVAC systems is the insulation used inside metal ductwork, air handlers, mixing boxes, and other components of HVAC systems. Insulation materials need to be understood and handled properly to ensure optimum system performance and compliance with regulations. This paper covers the specific topic of internally insulated sheet metal ductwork and HVAC system components. Related topics, such as flex duct and duct-board, may be discussed in future papers… (NADCA, Nov 2016)

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READ: EPA updates its Indoor airPlus program

READ: EPA updates its Indoor airPlus program

(4 RC) - EPA regularly receives partner questions and comments regarding various aspects of the Indoor airPLUS program requirements. This Policy Record format will be used to provide regular updates on the resolution of future issues, including changes to program requirements and clarifications or refinements to the specifications. The primary purpose of this document is to allow stakeholders equal access to the latest policy issues and resolutions. This document also serves as an official program update… (EPA, Dec 2021)

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READ: EPA issues IAQ construction specifications

READ: EPA issues IAQ construction specifications

(1 RC) - These specifications were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to recognize new homes equipped with a comprehensive set of Indoor Air Quality features. They were developed with significant input from stakeholders, based on best available science and information about risks associated with IAQ problems, and balanced with practical issues of cost, builder production process compatibility, and verifiability… (EPA, Feb 2008)

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READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (part 3)

READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (part 3)

(4 RC) - Respirable dust can be inhaled into the gas exchange region of the lungs and has long been known to be a serious health threat to workers in many industries. In coal mining, overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can lead to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung. CWP is a lung disease that can be disabling and fatal in its most severe form, progressive massive fibrosis. In addition, miners can be exposed to high levels of respirable silica dust… (NIOSH, Aug 2021)

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READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (Part 2)

READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (Part 2)

(4 RC) - Respirable dust can be inhaled into the gas exchange region of the lungs and has long been known to be a serious health threat to workers in many industries. In coal mining, overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can lead to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung. CWP is a lung disease that can be disabling and fatal in its most severe form, progressive massive fibrosis. In addition, miners can be exposed to high levels of respirable silica dust… (NIOSH, Aug 2021)

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READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (Part 1)

READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (Part 1)

(4 RC) - Respirable dust can be inhaled into the gas exchange region of the lungs and has long been known to be a serious health threat to workers in many industries. In coal mining, overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can lead to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung. CWP is a lung disease that can be disabling and fatal in its most severe form, progressive massive fibrosis. In addition, miners can be exposed to high levels of respirable silica dust… (NIOSH, Aug 2021)

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READ: Investigation of IEQ Practices During Renovation Projects

READ: Investigation of IEQ Practices During Renovation Projects

(.50 RC) - The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted several Health Hazard Evaluations [NIOSH 2019] in workplaces with reported health concerns associated with construction and renovation in occupied buildings. During these evaluations, NIOSH investigators identified issues that could affect indoor environmental quality such as a lack of dust control, the use of high emission building materials…(NIOSH, Jan 2020)

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READ: WHO Summarizes School Environment Policies (Part 2)

READ: WHO Summarizes School Environment Policies (Part 2)

(4 RC) - This report includes a summary of existing policies on providing healthy environments in schools and kindergartens, an overview of environmental risk factors in schools, information on design, methods and results of selected recently conducted exposure assessment surveys and a summary of pupils’ exposures to major environmental factors, such as selected indoor air pollutants, mold and dampness and poor ventilation in classrooms, sanitation and hygiene problems, smoking and the use of various modes of transportation to school… (WHO, Jan 2015)

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READ: WHO Summarizes School Environment Policies (part 1)

READ: WHO Summarizes School Environment Policies (part 1)

(4 RC) - This report includes a summary of existing policies on providing healthy environments in schools and kindergartens, an overview of environmental risk factors in schools, information on design, methods and results of selected recently conducted exposure assessment surveys and a summary of pupils’ exposures to major environmental factors, such as selected indoor air pollutants, mold and dampness and poor ventilation in classrooms, sanitation and hygiene problems, smoking and the use of various modes of transportation to school… (WHO, Jan 2015)

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READ: EPA Evaluates Residential Indoor Air

READ: EPA Evaluates Residential Indoor Air

(4 RC) - Possible exposure pathways associated with this site include inhalation of contaminated indoor air as well as dermal exposure to and incidental ingestion of contaminated soil, sediment, and surface water. The indoor air pathway was selected for evaluation first because of the potential for nearby residents to be exposed to volatile chemicals in their homes throughout the year… (ATSDR, Sept 2014)

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READ: EPA Investigates Vapor Intrusion at Elementary School

READ: EPA Investigates Vapor Intrusion at Elementary School

(.50 RC) - The U.S. EPA collected six sub-slab samples and six indoor air samples at Holden Elementary School in July 2011. The primary contaminants of concern at the site are components of the petroleum-based product gasoline and include benzene, hexane, and trimethylbenzenes. In addition, chlorofluorocarbon products were identified… (ASTDR, Apr 2012)

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READ: WI Health Department Investigates Indoor Mercury

READ: WI Health Department Investigates Indoor Mercury

(1 RC) - In response to a request from a health care provider about a patient and husband with elevated mercury levels in blood and urine and related health symptoms, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health investigated for mercury contamination in their west-central Wisconsin house. DPH inspected the house and tested for mercury vapors and found high mercury levels associated with adverse health effects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cleaned up elemental mercury at the affected house… (ASTDR, July 2009)

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READ: Wisconsin evaluates polyurethane on gym floors

READ: Wisconsin evaluates polyurethane on gym floors

(1 RC) - Milwaukee Public Schools requested assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, to evaluate potential health concerns associated with mercury-catalyzed polyurethane flooring in the gymnasium of South Division High School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The intent of this health consultation is to characterize and assess the human health implications of elemental mercury vapor levels in the air of the SDHS gym… (ASTDR, Dec 2010)

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READ: Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires

READ: Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires

(3 RC) - What can communities do to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke indoors? What interventions are effective for reducing wildland fire smoke exposures and risks? What science is available to support recommendations for communities to develop cleaner air spaces in larger buildings (e.g., schools, community centers)…(EPA, April 2021)

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READ: CDC - Principles of Biosafety

READ: CDC - Principles of Biosafety

(3 RC) - A fundamental objective of any biosafety program is the containment of potentially hazardous biological agents and toxins. The term containment describes a combination of primary and secondary barriers, facility practices and procedures, and other safety equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), for managing the risks associated with handling and storing hazardous biological agents and toxins in a laboratory environment… (Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Jun 2020)

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READ: EPA - Tools for Schools - Asthma

READ: EPA - Tools for Schools - Asthma

(1 RC) - Asthma has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting millions of people of all ages and races. An average of one out of every 10 school-age children now has asthma, and the percentage of children with asthma is rising more rapidly in preschool-age children than in any other age group. Asthma is a leading cause of school absenteeism due to a chronic condition, accounting for nearly 13 million missed school days per year… (EPA, Aug 2010)

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READ: EPA - Indoor Environmental Quality and Climate Change

READ: EPA - Indoor Environmental Quality and Climate Change

(3 RC) - Observations show that warming of the climate is unequivocal. The global warming observed over the past 50 years is due primarily to human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gases. These emissions come mainly from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), with important contributions from the clearing of forests, agricultural practices, and other activities… (EPA)

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READ: EPA - Building Codes and IAQ

READ: EPA - Building Codes and IAQ

(3 RC) - Conservation-minded building codes have the potential to reduce naturally occurring air exchange for buildings by tightening the envelope and reducing pressurization of unconditioned spaces (e.g. duct sealing). Indoor moisture, altered airflows, lowered air exchange all have the potential for increasing occupant risk of exposures to indoor generated contaminants..… (EPA, Sep 2009)

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READ: Ventilation & Formaldehyde Sampling of FEMA Trailers

READ: Ventilation & Formaldehyde Sampling of FEMA Trailers

(3 RC) - This report addresses two questions. First, are air formaldehyde levels in closed, unventilated trailers high enough to be associated with health effects in humans? Second, can simple measures such as running air conditioning or opening windows lower the levels of formaldehyde? Accordingly, the data were generated by conducting air sampling for formaldehyde in new, unoccupied trailers under three specific conditions.… (ATSDR, Oct 2007)

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