By Chip Halverson, M.Ed., ND2 student at NCNM
Lately in the news you often hear or read about Indoor Air/Environmental Quality. You may see it abbreviated IEQ or IAQ. I prefer the former, as it is more inclusive of the many issues facing building occupants. The EPA has determined human exposure to pollutants is 2-5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, more contaminated then outside air. Health experts extol the dangers of mold and toxic chemicals and the media often headlines the closure of “sick buildings or school”. 
You may wonder if this issue is really new in our nations schools and homes. Do these media stories describe new issues or an old problem? Is it really toxic mold and chemicals or just poor ventilation?
For over a decade I have been involved primarily as teacher, coach, union leader, activist, parent, administrator, lobbyist and now as a student working with schools both regionally and nationally in an attempt to educate all stakeholders on the importance of a healthy indoor environment. The past two years I have served on NCNM’s safety committee as the student government Safety Liaison. Not surprisingly my 4th grade son is the student rep for his schools Pesticide Free Playground.
For some time much of my energy was devoted to working with local school districts and teacher unions. In the early years much of our focus centered on what I now call, “the things we could see and smell” like mold and chemicals. Over the years I discovered the latter are certainly important, but often the main culprit was often unrecognized for a variety of reasons, as result, I have shifted much of my focus on educating people on “the things we can’t see or smell”, but nevertheless are just as concerning.
One important area of IEQ work often neglected is particulates because we often can’t see them and if we do they have become accepted or marginalized as just “common household” dust. Of course particulates vary, as do potential health problems. Of course all of this is dependent on the health of who is occupying the building or room. For example pollen or dander can create havoc on someone with allergies or asthma, but for many people they simply have no reaction on first contact. Mold is everywhere and for the most part benign, however even small amounts of mold can become problematic.
One particulate that is gaining attention and has become ubiquitous in school environments and in buildings with false ceilings is glass fiber particulates. The source of these glass fibers is often found in ceiling tiles or above the false ceiling in the form of insulation often used for attenuation of sound in the ductwork. I encourage you to become more familiar with the issues of glass fiber as you preview the many IEQ issues in the resources below.
Particulates/Glass Fiber Resources
Below are must-reads for schools with IEQ problems and/or districts considering new construction or remodeling projects. The information will not only make for healthier school environments but also will likely save thousands of tax dollars along with countless hours in the event of a problem. The IEQ culprit is often related to particulates and you will be able to go straight to solving the problem, instead of needless guessing in an attempt to figure out what to do first.
- A highly recommended resource on particulates, specifically glass fiber is Russ Crutcher’s paper titled “Glass Fiber and Health Complaints”. You can print a free copy from his webpage by clicking on his publication link. You will also find many other useful pieces of information on IEQ issues relating to particulates, testing, analysis, etc. He references many other great resources in his paper, including the reference entitled “Toxicology of Nasal Irritants” by Dennis Shusterman, MD, MPH. This paper provides a full spectrum of irritant-related upper airway health effects.
- The Fiberglass Information Network provides useful information about the issues with glass fiber particulates. Click on News and scroll to the bottom for links and to read about the research Allen Hedges, PhD. from Cornell University has done relating to glass fiber contamination and health issues. This is not a new IEQ issue, Hedges and colleagues have been researching and publishing on the issues of glass fiber for decades. This site is a great resource to help you understand the potential health effects of glass fiber, including issues involving glass fiber ceiling tiles and attenuating HVAC systems with fiberglass.
- This site has additional information on particulates, including glass fiber.
Chip’s Top 6 sites for more information on IEQ
- The EPA connects you to great resources on a variety of IEQ issues
- IEQ resources from the National Education Association
- Learn more about the national IEQ movement in schools
- Learn more about issues with particulates, including testing and prevention
- Learn more about Alan Hedge, PhD, research on glass fiber
- Get a copy of the 3-Step School IAQ Program and free subscription to the IAQ in Northwest Schools Newsletter
You can check out the IEQ trivia question to give you a little more history of the issue!
Question: What year and who made these IEQ statements about schools?
“The effect of ventilation upon health of students is a subject of universal interest to parents and educators, and at present is receiving the marked attention of school authorities.”
“I visited several of the rooms, and found the air in all, offensive to smell, the odor being such as one would imagine old boots, dirty clothes, and perspiration would make if boiled down together.”
“Thorough ventilation has been neglected by many school officials on account of the increased expense it causes.”
“It is necessary for the proper ventilation of our school rooms that an adequate supply of fresh air should be admitted, which should be warmed before being admitted to the room, and which should be discharged as contaminated, after its expiration.”
“The ventilators ought to be arranged on the opposite sides of the rooms, in order to insure a current, and an abundant supply of air.”
Answer: Over 100 years ago by R.V. Pierce, M.D. a former member of the U.S. Congress
When’s the last time you checked your air filter? It might be time for a little spring cleaning!