Spring air cleaning in schools

The transition from winter to spring
can cause poor air quality in schools.

The winter months bring changes in weather conditions and building-occupant behaviors, and therefore changes to how school facilities are operated and maintained.

In addition, spring weather may bring heavy rain and possible flooding to certain parts of the country which can impact the indoor environment in schools.

It is particularly important to put in place proactive indoor air quality (IAQ) management practices to effectively manage the transition from winter to spring conditions.

Follow the tips below to help your school prepare for seasonal IAQ challenges.

Inspect and maintain ventilation systems 
During cooler weather, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system may be working overtime. Good ventilation system design, operation and maintenance are critical to providing clean and healthy air in schools. Regularly inspect your ventilation system and establish a maintenance plan to provide adequate air ventilation, control odors and reduce the levels of pollutants that cause most IAQ problems inside school buildings. The Ventilation Checklist and Backgrounder offer in-depth guidance to schools for inspecting ventilation systems.

Control moisture levels to prevent mold
In many regions, the change in seasons brings a change in outdoor temperature and humidity and an increase in rain or flooding, which can lead to moisture problems and mold growth. Maintaining the relative humidity in school buildings between 30 and 60 percent will help control mold. In addition, prompt and effective remediation of moisture problems, including drying wet areas within 24 to 48 hours, is essential to prevent mold growth.

Proactively use Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Wintertime means more time spent indoors by students and staff, and the cooler weather can bring in unwanted pests who are seeking shelter from the cold. Pest populations can be eliminated, prevented or controlled by creating inhospitable environments for pests (removing basic elements that pests need for survival) and by blocking pest access into buildings. Follow the IPM checklist to help identify potential pest problems in schools buildings.

Involve everyone
In addition to the tips above, in order to maintain healthy indoor environments during this time of year and year-round, it is critical to ensure everyone plays a part. Open communication is a key component to securing buy-in from your school community members about the importance of proactive IAQ management and sustaining these plans long-term. The Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools: Communications Guide is a companion tool to the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit that outlines the benefits of implementing an IAQ management program. It also includes case studies.

The IAQ Tools for Schools is designed to help schools maintain a healthy environment in school buildings by identifying, correcting and preventing IAQ problems. 

Source: EPA

Poor indoor air quality is a serious concern in schools, as it can affect children, teachers and staff equally. Children are susceptible to the airborne chemicals, odors, gases, particles, dust, allergens, bacteria, viruses and molds and poor IAQ has been shown to lower productivity, increase absenteeism, aggravate asthma and respiratory diseases and other health concerns.
For better quality air, schools need to implement the tips above and make sure that indoor air quality is improved. Electrocorp has designed mobile yet sturdy air cleaners for schools that can remove the widest range of airborne contaminants with their activated carbon + HEPA air filter system. Contact Electrocorp for more information.

Retirement homes: For a greener future

Seniors are at greater risk for
respiratory and auto-immune diseases

As people live longer, the need for retirement homes, nursing homes and adult congregate living facilities increases.

To date, approximately 10 million seniors in the United States are or will live in one of these types of homes.

For the average healthy person, exposure to harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, furniture and paints may not have immediate or long-term effects. Seniors, however, are particularly at risk.

As we age, our immune systems become less effective, making us more vulnerable to disease and infection. As a result, autoimmune diseases and cancers are more prevalent, as are cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

What the experts suggest

Indoor environmental experts have come up with three important elements necessary for ensuring good indoor air quality:         

• Source control
• Ventilation
• Air cleaning

Source Control

Source control is the process of eliminating the causes of air pollution at the source, such as in building materials. The EPA agrees that source control is the only way to eliminate indoor air pollution, but it is impossible to completely rid the air of contaminants. As a result, it is suggested that buildings are outfitted with furniture, paint and cleaning products that are low in volatile organic compounds. It is also important to regularly test for high humidity. This is a sure-fire way of detecting early signs of mold. By starting as simply as that, the quantity of pollutants will be reduced.

Ventilation

A good HVAC ventilation system will allow for a constant flow of air to pass. It can also aid in minimizing the threat of mold. But an HVAC system alone is not enough. It can bring in pollutants, such as pollen and dust from the outside as well as circulate pollutants that are already indoors. Ensuring a regular cleaning of the filters in the HVAC system will aid greatly in reducing built-up contaminants indoors.

Air Cleaning

A good ventilation system is incomplete without an air cleaning solution. Because HVACs are limited in their capacity to rid the air of allergens and pollutants, air cleaners will pick up the slack. These cleaning units will adsorb airborne chemicals with activated carbon filters. HEPA filters will trap particles and the need for constant cleaning will be significantly reduced.

Source: GREENGUARD

Electrocorp’s air cleaners

Electrocorp's air filtration systems can outfit retirement homes with air cleaners that will help reduce the risk of illness through airborne chemicals. With options for HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, and even UV germidical lamps, Electrocorp can provide cleaner air solutions for seniors.

Do you or someone you know live in a retirement home, nursing home or adult congregate living facility? Tell us your indoor air quality stories.

Show your support for greener and healthier working and living environments by becoming a follower of this blog!

To learn more about Electrocorp’s products, contact us through our website.

Saving energy without compromising health

Indoor air quality is a huge concern in today’s efforts to make homes more energy-efficient

Airtight buildings and homes can affect the occupants'
health and well-being, experts say.

People all over North America are putting their renovation dollars where they think it counts – in eco-efficient updates and insulated structures that tighten up homes.

But while saving energy and thereby money in form of fuel costs is a good idea in general, it should not be done without special consideration to potential health impacts.

Airtight buildings do not have a natural air exchange between indoor and outdoor air that older buildings may have and insufficient ventilation and higher concentrations of indoor air pollutants have become serious public health risks.

Some of the most serious concerns include

• Buildup of allergens indoors that can cause or aggravate conditions
• VOCs like formaldehyde from constructions materials, flooring, cabinets, furniture and other sources
• Toxic chemicals from new computers, appliances and common household cleaning products
• Mold from lack of ventilation and high humidity or moisture problems
• Undetected high levels of radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer
• Carbon monoxide from appliances, fireplaces and other sources

Poor indoor air quality can cause people to experience symptoms of sick building syndrome and respiratory effects. It is no wonder that asthma rates are rising exponentially.

In any home, whether energy upgrades are being done or not, indoor air quality needs to be considered and measures need to be taken to keep indoor air pollution to a minimum.

Source: Maine Indoor Air Quality Council

Remove indoor air pollutants during and after home upgrades

Choosing the most eco-friendly and non-toxic materials and making sure there is adequate ventilation during and after renovation or building projects are important steps to better indoor air quality – but after all is said and done, an air cleaner with the right air filters will provide the most complete protection from airborne pollutants.

Electrocorp has designed portable air cleaners for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications that will also be the safest and most effective air filtration systems during and after home energy upgrades and construction projects.

The air cleaners feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter as well as HEPA filtration and optional UV lamps to capture not only airborne chemicals, VOCs, gases, fumes and odors but also particles, dust, allergens, mold, bacteria, viruses and other toxins.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and options.

Offices can be healthy and provide great indoor air quality

Natural light and good indoor air quality help
make a workplace healthier and more productive.

We often write blog posts to warn readers about the dangers of poor indoor air quality, which can be a problem in many office buildings.

But there are also a number of exemplary offices with outstanding indoor air quality, so we decided to focus on the things many companies and organizations do right when it comes to their offices.

One such example is the Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainable Technology, which houses a non-profit group that helps children become environmental stewards.

The building received a LEED Gold certification and was recently featured in a Globe and Mail article.

Here are some of the features that make this building a healthy and safe place to work:

• Open-concept workspace: It helps work flow and collaboration and also helps with the heating and cooling from the exposed concrete ceilings.
  
• Natural light and green views: Most of the workers don’t need to use electrical lamps, since there is a lot of natural light flooding into the building. About 90 percent of the floor space offers a view of the conservation area surrounding the building.
  
• Low-VOC products: The interior walls were painted with low-VOC or no-VOC paints, so they won’t off-gas harmful volatile organic compounds.
  
• Healthy furniture: The office furniture has been certified by Greenguard to contain no toxic materials that emit harmful gases.
  
• Ventilation: The building gets a constant supply of fresh outdoor air, which is either warmed or cooled in underground earth tubes.
  
• Filtration: The air also passes through UV filtration to neutralize airborne pathogens (bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms).
  
• Building automation: The centre is working on another innovation that keeps track of how many employees are inside the building to adjust the air-handling unit and lights in certain areas.

These types of systems and innovations help keep energy bills low and turn the office space into a much healthier environment, which can help with absenteeism figures and productivity, experts say.

It’s good to know that office planners, employers, workers and others are getting savvier and more interested in advanced workplace technologies and design.

Source: Globe and Mail

Not working in a LEED certified building yet? Most office buildings have a long way to go to provide the best possible working environment when it comes to indoor air quality and other factors. Electrocorp’s air cleaners for offices and for office printers provide the right air filters and technologies to indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and other chemicals, particles, dust, allergens, bacteria, viruses and mold. Contact Electrocorp for more information.
  

Companies benefit from green buildings and better IAQ

Workers often complain about office
temperature and air quality.

While workers’ productivity and satisfaction depend on a variety of factors, one important aspect is indoor air quality, experts say.

Green buildings that offer improved indoor air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, views and acoustics can have a positive effect on worker health and well-being, morale, comfort and productivity, a growing number of studies show.

Companies, in turn, can save money on sick leaves, absenteeism, replacement training, overtime pay, compensation and other costs.

A case study done by Sustainability Victoria and the Kador Group in 2005-2006, examining a green retrofit and the effects on the workers showed that there was:

• A 44 percent reduction in the monthly average cost of sick leave
• A 9 percent improvement in the average typing speed of secretaries and notciable improvement in overall accuracy
• Up to 20 percent reduced incidence of headaches among workers and improvements in colds and flu, sore eyes, fatigue and concentration issues
• A 12 percent rise in self-reported productivity

According to a March 2010 British study of 10,000 property and construction professionals, more than half (55 percent) complained about the office temperature and 45 percent were unhappy with the ventilation or air quality.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Improve IAQ at the workplace

Electrocorp specializes in a variety of versatile air cleaners for commercial and industrial applications.

The air cleaners can be stand-alone, plug-and-play units, they can be attached to the HVAC system or they can be mounted to the ceiling.

They remove a wide range of indoor air contaminants commonly found in offices and workplaces, including chemicals, odors, gases, fumes, particles, bacteria, viruses and molds. Find out more about the activated carbon + HEPA filtration system.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and customizable solutions.

Students need better air quality in schools

Poor indoor air quality affects most
school children.

Learning institutions are supposed to help children get the knowledge and tools they need to succeed as an adult – but what if the indoor air quality in schools provides a serious obstacle?

The indoor air quality in schools should be a primary concern for parents and authorities, according to a recent article by Lourdes Salvador, the founder of MCS America.

Salvador quoted researchers Cartieaux and colleagues who studied the IAQ in schools and identified children as “one of the most sensitive groups to atmospheric pollution because their bodies are actively growing and they breathe higher volumes of air relative to their body weights than adults do.”

Many factors contribute to poor IAQ in schools

As with most people who spend the majority of their time indoors, IAQ is of prime importance for children going to school every day.

Common sources of poor indoor air quality in schools:

• Outdoor air pollution 
• Building materials
• Paints
• Dust
• Arts and crafts supplies
• Markers, pens, etc.
• Fragrances
• Pesticides
• Sanitizing products
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Bacteria and viruses
• Molds
• Many other sources

Often, the problem is exacerbated by improperly maintained ventilation system or simply insufficient ventilation systems for the classroom sizes and student population.

Effects of poor IAQ in schools

Respiratory symptoms and diseases such as asthma and allergies increase when air quality is poor. Some studies have shown that students’ academic performance also suffers.

Researchers have found that exposure to ambient levels of air pollution leads to an increase in emergency room (ER) visits for acute respiratory symptoms, the article says.

The best way to improve air quality is to increase ventilation and open windows. Free standing air filters or those which attached to the heating and air conditioning also help to reduce allergens and pollution.

Portable air cleaners provide a simple, cost-effective solution

Electrocorp offers a wide range of air filtration systems for schools and universities.

These air cleaners remove harmful chemicals and odors with the help of a deep bed of activated carbon as well as particles with a HEPA filter.

Contact Electrocorp for more information.


Related posts:

• Air pollution near schools linked to poorer student health, academic performance
• Poor indoor air quality in university
• Schools plagued by air problems
• Toxic chemicals and bad air quality in schools
• University building management and air quality

  

Poor indoor air quality in university

Bad air quality in schools and universities can inhibit the learning process

Universities are designed for higher education, but what if the university air quality was affecting your grades by causing headaches, nausea and fatigue?

With old buildings, on-going renovation projects, laboratories, art studios and print shops, schools and learning institutions are a hub for indoor air pollution.



Here are a few areas of concern: 

Administration Offices and Print Shops

Carpeting, copy machines, printers, upholstery and even cleaning products all contribute to indoor air pollution in your school, the associated offices and print shops. Administrative staff, print shop workers and students are all susceptible to short and long-term effects associated with printing.

Acute symptoms may include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and skin rashes; however, repeated long-term exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone and paper particulate may cause damage to the lungs, liver and central nervous system.

Fine Arts & Art Studios

Your university may produce some of the most brilliant artists, but the fine arts department and art studio contributes to poor university air quality. Art studios may be producing some of the most hazardous chemicals, gases, odors and particles. Many Fine Art disciplines require supplies such as paints, pastels, ceramics and plasters that produce both gaseous and particle pollutants.

Paint, used with brushes or as an aerosol, contains turpentine and other solvents and pigments that can prove hazardous to your health. Similarly, ceramics contain lead, which may cause anaemia, as well as damage to the brain and nervous system. Additionally, plastics, pastels and ceramics may produce wood, rock, pigment and silica particles that are capable of causing a number of respiratory problems when inhaled.

Architectural Modeling

In Civil Engineering and Architectural departments, laser engraving is used for exterior, interior, landscaping and urban modeling.  Materials such as wood, plastics and foam are often used to create these models.  As a result, students and staff are regularly faced with particulate smoke from wood, metals, polyethylene and acrylic, most of which produce noxious particles, VOC gases and carcinogens.

Air Quality in the Science Department

A science laboratory is an excellent place for learning and research; however, science departments and laboratories are home to numerous biohazards, pathogens, airborne chemicals, bacteria, animal dander and toxic dust particles.

Libraries and Archives

Libraries and archives are a place of study and research, but some of the most caustic pollutants in museums, galleries and archives are chemical gases released from the books and artifacts as they decompose.  Combined with mold, dust mites and particles, the university air quality in these areas make it hard to concentrate.

Improving university air quality will help both students and staff members perform better.  When you’re not coughing, sneezing or fighting a painful headache, it is a lot easier to concentrate.  Department heads should consider investing in air purification, because cleaner air equals brighter minds.

Electrocorp's portable, plug-and-play air filtration systems with activated carbon and HEPA filters provide a fast and effective way to mitigate chemicals, odors, fumes and particles in schools and universities. Contact us today for more information.

ASHRAE issues new guideline for indoor environments

The new guideline considers interactions of air quality, thermal conditions, lighting, and acoustics especially for low-energy buildings.

Many buildings suffer from indoor air
quality problems.

ASHRAE has published a new guideline to facilitate improved indoor environments by considering interactions of air quality, thermal conditions, lighting, and acoustics.

ASHRAE Guideline 10-2011, Interactions Affecting the Achievement of Acceptable Indoor Environments, contains an assembly of knowledge on the complexity of indoor environments and the impact they have on building occupants.  Guideline 10 is especially significant in the design of low-energy buildings.

“The guideline summarizes what research and experience have taught us about the complex interplay of the wide range of factors that determine occupants’ reactions to the buildings they inhabit,” Hal Levin, chair of the committee writing the guideline, said.

The guideline is intended to help users understand existing documents dealing with indoor environments, including all applicable ASHRAE standards related to energy, ventilation, indoor air quality, and thermal conditions with a focus on the effect of these systems on occupants.

“It can provide assistance to building design professionals and building operators by making them aware of the major interactions that have the potential to impact the indoor environment,” Levin said.

“We believe the guideline will help draw attention to the narrowly-defined scopes of the widely-used standards and the significance of combined or interactive effects in determining the acceptability of an indoor environment.”

Visit the ASHRAE bookstore for more information.

Source: Buildings.com

Electrocorp has designed air filtration systems for facility management, odor control, and offices as well as a wide range of industries where indoor air quality is an issue.

Related Articles

• ASHRAE: Data Centers Can be Even Warmer (datacenterknowledge.com)
• VOC Removal: Five Plants that Clean the Air and Remove VOCs (green-buildings.com)
• Identifying Indoor Air Quality Problems (everydayhealth.com)

Protect yourself from explosive chemicals

Minimize risks when working with chemicals.

Remember the chemical disaster in Bophal, India, in the 1980s or the 2008 Bayer CropScience explosion in the U.S.?
For industries and laboratories that handle toxic chemicals, there is a constant threat of dangerous developments and near-accidents.
The National Academies Press says that “prudent execution of experiments requires not only sound judgment and an accurate assessment of the risks involved in laboratory work, but also the selection of appropriate work practices to reduce risk and protect the health and safety of the laboratory workers as well as the public and the environment.”

Be extra careful when dealing with chemicals
They outline four fundamental principles that all laboratory workers dealing with chemicals should keep in mind:

• Plan ahead. Determine the potential hazards associated with an experiment before beginning it.
• Minimize exposure to chemicals. Do not allow laboratory chemicals to come in contact with skin. Use laboratory hoods and other ventilation devices to prevent exposure to airborne substances whenever possible.
• Do not underestimate risks. Assume that any mixture of chemicals will be more toxic than its most toxic component. Treat all new compounds and substances of unknown toxicity as toxic substances.
• Be prepared for accidents. Before beginning an experiment, know what specific action to take in the event of the accidental release of any hazardous substance. Know the location of all safety equipment and the nearest fire alarm and telephone, and know what telephone numbers to call and whom to notify in the event of an emergency. Be prepared to provide basic emergency treatment. Keep your co-workers informed of your activities so that they can respond appropriately.

I-6500 series

Electrocorp has developed a range of air purifiers for laboratory workers, including the RAP series, the RSU series, the I-6500 series and Fume Hoods. Where high concentrations of flammable vapors (according to the MSDS) pose a threat of ignition, the I-6500 Explosion Proof promises to keep things safe.  It removes the toxic chemicals from the air and comes with explosion proof motor and switch, an after-filter housing, special carbon blends and particle filtration. The unit must be hard-wired by a certified electrician.

When buildings make you sick

Because of modern building materials and airtight constructions, the indoor air quality (IAQ) in many commercial buildings can have an adverse effect on people’s health and productivity.

This building sickness has been termed “Sick Building Syndrome” (SBS) and its cause cannot easily be identified.



Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome:

- Headache
- Eye, nose or throat irritation
- Dry cough
- Dry or itchy skin
- Dizziness and nausea
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to odors

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, these complaints can stem from other causes, including allergies and other illnesses, but studies show that symptoms may be caused or aggravated by poor indoor air quality.

What to do when you suspect Sick Building Syndrome

Step 1
Identify possible causes
Sick Building Syndrome has been associated with environments that feature inadequate ventilation. Does your building have a ventilation system and does it provide enough clean, outdoor air for every person in the room? Familiarize yourself with the recommended ventilation standards by organizations such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Building sickness can also be caused by chemical pollution released by building materials and furnishings in the building. Examples include adhesives, carpeting, copy machines and cleaning agents. Many modern-day products emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde. Often, chemical pollutants also enter the building from the outside, through poorly placed air intake vents.
Another possible cause for sick building syndrome is biological in nature. Bacteria, molds and viruses plague many interior spaces, and they thrive in moist and humid environments.
Keep these possible causes in mind during the initial walk-through.

Step 2
Introduce measures to improve indoor air quality
Source control: If the source of the pollution has been identified, you can take the appropriate steps toward removal and future protection. These steps depend on the specific problem in the building and may include periodic cleaning and maintenance of the filters in heating and air conditioning systems, fixing water leaks promptly as well as repairing any affected materials and using less pollutant products or limiting exposure to building occupants.
Ventilation: See above.
Air cleaning: EPA recommends using an air purification system as an adjunct to the two previous measures to capture smaller particles as well as chemicals and gaseous pollutants that are floating through the air. Many industrial and commercial settings have specific requirements when it comes to cleaning the air. You can find the right air purification system for offices, printing environments, workshops and other applications on Electrocorp's website.

Step 3
Collect information about indoor air quality
It’s better to know too much than to be ignorant, right? There are many useful resources out there that can help sort out your indoor air quality problems, provide odor control solutions and make workplaces healthier. Standards often change and air quality tests can provide helpful information.

University Building Management and Air Quality

Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Campus Life: Diversity and Air Pollution

Due to the multifaceted nature of building-use on a campus, air quality management within a University campus can be a significant challenge. It’s not uncommon to find art studios, laboratories and classrooms co-existing in the same facility with libraries, food services, faculty offices and student housing. This unique mix of activities produces a wide range of indoor air contaminants which, if not properly controlled, will reduce indoor air quality, even if HVAC systems are regularly maintained.

Ideal for LEED Buildings and Environmental Stewardship Initiatives

Electrocorp offers a full line of cost-effective, low maintenance solutions to improve indoor air quality and compliment LEED green building projects and environmental stewardship initiatives. Among the most effective and eco-friendly on the market, Electrocorp air cleaning systems use only safe and proven technology and are designed for reliable, 24/7 operation.  Choose from a wide selection of stand-alone room air cleaners or larger units that can be integrated into existing HVAC systems.

Custom Applications

Our exclusive deep-bed activated carbon and HEPA filtration system is ideal for removing a wide spectrum of chemicals, gases, odors, particles, bacteria and allergens.  We stock over 40 blends of activated carbon to target specific airborne pollutants and can customize units specifically for art or photography studios, laboratories, clean rooms, archives, food preparation and many other specialized applications. 

Contact us today for a customized product recommendation: 1-866-667-0297