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NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:Indoor Environmental Quality |
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Maintaining Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) during Construction and Renovation FAQs for the Workplace
Construction and renovation projects in office settings can adversely affect building occupants by the release of airborne particulates, biological contaminants, and gases. Careful planning for IEQ and the prevention of exposure during these activities is essential. ParticulatesParticulate material such as dusts and fibers are likely to be produced during construction and renovation activities. Sources include drywall, plaster, concrete, soil, wood, masonry, flooring, roofing, and ductwork. Non toxic dusts are irritants and can exacerbate lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. Materials that contain fibers such as fiberglass composite materials or insulation can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract when disbursed in the air and/or inhaled. Toxic dusts containing asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or lead can cause serious long-term health effects. For all construction and renovation dusts, a plan to minimize exposure should be implemented. Appropriate containment should be in place to prevent disbursement into occupied areas. Certified and licensed contractors are required to conduct renovation. Biological MaterialsChronic dampness from water intrusion leads to increased bacteria, mold and other microbes in a building environment. Microbial-contaminated materials require special precautions prior to demolition to prevent biological dusts from dispersing in the occupied space. Another example of biological contamination is an accumulation of bird or rodent droppings. In both cases, uncontrolled disturbances could spread potentially allergenic or infectious dust to occupied building areas. It is therefore important to implement appropriate engineering controls and decontamination techniques to minimize all occupant exposure. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Some building materials release gases called VOCs. Common VOC sources include:
Occupants with VOC exposure often report disagreeable odors, exacerbation of asthma, irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, headaches and drowsiness. Health symptoms associated with VOC exposure can be minimized by choosing low VOC emitting products. What workers can doWhen workers suspect their health problems are caused by construction and renovation exposures in their work areas, workers should:
What management and building owners can doTo prevent health problems from being caused by construction and renovation in the workplace, owners and managers should: Respond to building-related health concerns of workers.It is important that clear procedures for recording and responding to IEQ complaints be established to ensure an adequate and timely response. These include:
ResourcesEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) - IAQ Building Education and Assessment Model (I-Beam) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Construction New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH) - Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLOSH) Boston College Environmental Health and Safety - Maintaining Indoor Air Quality
ReferencesSMACNA [2008]. IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction, 2nd Edition. Kuehn, Thomas [1996]. Construction/Renovation Influence on Indoor Air Quality.
Page last updated:December 12, 2008
Page last reviewed:August 1, 2008 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Division of Respiratory Disease Studies |
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