Cal Iaq

Useful links on green building resources and related topics can be found on-line at: and

Portable Classroom Study. The Legislature approved an allocation of $1 million in the budget year for a study of environmental conditions in portable classrooms, which will be conducted jointly by DHS and ARB. On July 21, the ARBs Research Screening Committee approved a Request for Proposals for the field portion of the study. The study will examine VOC concentrations and sources in the classrooms, including formaldehyde; heating, cooling, and ventilation system performance and maintenance; the presence of mold and other biological contaminants; and other factors. The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released on August 3^rd, and proposals will be due in mid-September. Fieldwork is expected to begin spring.

Childhood Asthma Study. The ARB has funded a new five-year study to examine the relationship between air pollutants and childhood asthma. The UC Berkeley investigators, Drs. Ira Tager and Katherine Hammond, will measure pollutants and allergens outdoors and indoors along with data on the childrens health and asthma attacks. Approximately 500 children will be involved in the study. It is anticipated that indoor exposure monitoring will be conducted for about 100 of the children. The study is called FACES (Fresno Asthma Childrens Exposure Study). Indoor Program staff will serve as advisors to the study and manage some of the exposure assessment portions of the project.

Residential Cooking Study. A study to measure pollutant exposures and emission factors during various residential cooking activities is nearing completion. Staff visited the test home in Rohnert Park in the spring and observed data collection during stovetop and oven cooking, oven cleaning, and microwaving. The draft final report is due this fall, and papers will be presented at a conference of the International Society of Exposure Analysis in Asilomar in October.

Residential Air Cleaning Devices Fact Sheet. ARB recently published a fact sheet on Residential Air Cleaning Devices, authored primarily by Tom Phillips. The fact sheet answers common questions about air cleaners, dispels common myths, and recommends against using ozone generators. It is posted on-line at: .

Presentations

New Research Division Chief. The new Chief of ARBs Research Division is Bart Croes, P.E., who previously served as a branch chief in ARBs Planning and Technical Support Division.

Schools. Staff responded to a request for assistance from the Alameda County Health Officer regarding indoor mold at several schools in the Fremont Unified School District. We provided information regarding the health effects associated with Stachybotrys chartarum and other fungi found in classrooms for inclusion in printed material distributed to school administrators and parents. Staff also provided technical assistance to the Health Officer during a public meeting with parents, fielding questions regarding many aspects of indoor air quality and potential health effects for sensitive groups such as preschoolers and children with developmental disabilities.

Mold. Staff was also asked by the administration of San Francisco State University to review an environmental consultants report regarding potential health risks from fungi within the walls of a 10-year-old residence apartment building. We reviewed the consultants report, toured the affected building, provided technical assistance at a public meeting for residents, made recommendations to the administration regarding more thorough evaluation of the building and providing alternate housing to residents and discussed mold remediation strategies with the university custodial service.

Presentations and Committees

Childrens Exposure Studies. Janet Macher continues collaborations with researcher on two important studies on childrens exposure: the NIEHS-funded Community Partnership for Evaluating and Preventing Pesticide Exposures to Young Children (Salinas): and the CARB-funded Responses to Short-term Fluctuations in Particulate Air Pollution in Asthmatic Children: Implications for Asthma Natural History, Part B: Characterization of Asthmatic Childrens Air Pollution Exposure (Fresno). A UC Berkeley student, Lisa Pheatt, will be conducting her senior project, Endotoxin in Air and Dust, Particle Size Distribution of Airborne Endotoxin, in conjunction with the Salinas study, under Janet.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Study. Staff has begun work on the TRDRP-funded study, The effectiveness of designated smoking rooms in relation to AB 13. A comparison study of two real time particle-phase instruments was completed at LBNL. The data produced supported the use of a real-time aethalometer for determination of ETS-derived particulate matter. The experimental chamber at LBNL is nearly ready for experiments. We will start the chamber studies later in the summer. DHS staff will be conducting laboratory analyses of nicotine samples, and a senior chemist is preparing for this task. We are still awaiting receipt of the most recent California Tobacco Survey (CTS) data from the DHS Tobacco Control Section. This survey includes responses on several modified questions relating to workplace smoking policy submitted by IAQ staff.

Lead in Homes. IAQ staff has conducted statistical analyses for results of the chamber experiments done by Steve Wall of the Outdoor Air Quality Section. This component of a HUD-funded study of lead in homes is aimed to evaluate the efficiency of various vacuum cleaners in cleaning lead dust from solid surface flooring. They also work with the Childhood Lead Prevention Branch on data input, format and management of results to be collected from field work. In the microscopy lab, Don Scales () is studying household dust samples using our new Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Particles are surveyed for the presence of lead using x-ray microanalysis. Don reports that the back-scattered images turn out to easily discriminate between heavy metal particles and others. He is presently investigating the size and composition of these heavy-metal particles.

Indoor Air Quality Workshop for State & Local Officials. On March 24 and 25, Jed Waldman attended a workshop in Washington, D.C., for state and local indoor air quality (IAQ) officials from around the United States. This was the second such workshop convened by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI); the first took place 18 months earlier, in October 1998. Both workshops were sponsored by the U.S. EPAs Indoor Environments Division. Officials from 24 states and 6 local (county/city) governments participated in the workshop, along with representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and three offices within the U.S. EPA. In addition, the U.S. Green Building Council participated in a workshop session on incorporating indoor air quality issues into green building activities. The central purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for officials from around the country to share ideas, questions and strategies on building sustainable indoor air quality programs. A summary report has been prepared by ELI staff, and it can be requested from ELI .

Portable Classroom Study. DHS staff has been working with ARB staff on the study design and ARBs Request for Proposal for contractors to conduct the major field activities in the study. The study will examine VOC concentrations and sources in the classrooms, including formaldehyde; heating, cooling, and ventilation system performance and maintenance; the presence of mold and other biological contaminants; and other factors. IAQ laboratory staff will conduct determinations of allergens (dust mite, cat, dog, etc.) in dust sample extracted collected in classrooms. See the description given in the ARB Section.

Sierra Radon Survey. In the spring, staff visited 52 households in selected Sierra counties to verify questionnaire answers and radon monitors placement for QA/QC purposes. Water samples were also taken to determine the radon level in drinking water. Radon monitors placed in the household will be retrieved January. Radon monitors placed in 25 public elementary schools were retrieved at the end of the school semester and sent for lab analysis.

Visiting Scientist. Jeff Wagner, a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is collaborating with Janet Macher as a visiting post-doctoral scientist. Jeff is continuing work on a personal particle sampler that is miniature, passive, and capable of providing mass and chemical speciation as a function of particle size. An automated analysis technique is currently being devised for the sampler. The technique utilizes an environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray analyzer that have been programmed to acquire images and count and size particles automatically. This method should allow the sampling of lower aerosol concentrations over shorter time periods. The improved capabilities of the passive sampler will be tested in three different indoor environments using both 24-hour and 2-week samples. Passive results will be compared to those of several conventional, size-selective samplers, including a 37mm cyclone, MS&T impactor, and a Marple Personal Cascade Impactor. His work is sponsored by UNC in conjunction with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

VOC Study. After numerous delays due to lab remodeling, staff reassignment, and instrument failures, we are continuing the VOC study of new building materials. We have completed assembly of the mini-chambers where the building materials will be tested. We are now in the process of establishing a zero-VOC background before testing samples of actual building materials.

Presentations

Diesel Exhaust in a County Sheriff's Department. HESIS provided information on the hazards of exposure to diesel exhaust from trucks, buses, garbage trucks and other vehicles in the basement where Sheriff Department employees go to pick up prisoners. Staff discussed carbon monoxide toxicity and PAH carcinogenicity; the limitations of exposure standards in establishing "safe levels" to protect against diesel exhaust health hazards; use of ventilation and other control measures; and the employer's responsibility to provide a safe and healthful workplace.

Respiratory Infectious Diseases - Nursing Home Employees. HESIS provided information in response to concerns about transmission of respiratory diseases from patients, many of whom were being hospitalized with cough and fever. Several employees have developed respiratory illnesses and supervisors are unsure how to respond. Staff emphasized hand washing, but no special disinfectant for skin. To provide perspective on what is considered normal regarding respiratory illnesses, staff discussed the following background information on influenza from the CDC: (a) 10 - 20% of the general population gets influenza each winter; (b) prevalence this year is normal or average; (c) the vaccine is working this year; and (d) the average person gets two to three colds per year.

Cal OSHA Heat Stress Standard. HESIS is participating on the Cal OSHA Heat Stress Advisory Committee to assist Research and Standards in determining the feasibility of developing a standard and the proposed scope and content.

School Indoor Air Quality: Employee Health Issues. HESIS responded to an inquiry from school employees in a local district regarding rashes, respiratory problems, and other symptoms. The school was closed March 13 due to extensive mold on classroom surfaces; apparently Stachybotris atra was found. HESIS provided information and referrals concerning molds in indoor air, Workers Compensation, medical treatment, and relevant Safety Orders. HESIS also responded to an illness cluster report among teachers at a public High School. After reviewing inspection reports from Cal/OSHA and from a private consultant, HESIS concluded that there was no exposure requiring further investigation in relation to the illnesses reported, based on the information provided by the caller. HESIS did not discern an etiologic link among the illnesses described.

Dormitory Building Inquiry. HESIS assisted the Environmental Health Investigations Branch of DHS in responding to an IAQ inquiry regarding a residential apartment building for college students. Reportedly because of a failed construction material called Exterior Foam Insulation System, there is extensive moisure intrusion associated with mold growth in insulation cavities. This building will be occupied only until the end of the semester. Species found include Stachybotris sp. and Aspergillis versicolor. HESIS provided guidance regarding conservative options for the temporary abatement strategy, so as to minimize resident and worker exposures and to obviate the need for a respiratory protection program for custodial staff.

IAQ Inquiries. HESIS continues to receive calls from California workers, employers, and agencies regarding IAQ in the workplace. We offer phone consultation and referrals. Callers with occupational IAQ concerns should be referred to our 24-hour message line, . Please do not refer residence-related calls.

Mercury from Fluorescent Lighting Tubes. HESIS responded to a prison official who was concerned about the release of mercury vapor from fluorescent tubes, which are sometimes purposely broken by prisoners in small cells. Exposure can occur to prisoners and custodial staff. Calculated from manufacturer information, the worst-case exposure to mercury vapor could be approximately 850 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter), which exceeds the short-term limit for occupational exposures. HESIS advised that this level of exposure, if complete vaporization actually occurs, would be a significant health hazard.

ETS Conference. The Tobacco Control Section has begun to plan another ETS conference for Spring. Unlike the conference held last fall in San Diego, this conference will be national in scope, with participants being invited from throughout the country to attend.

Asbestos Training Approval Program. This new program is in the process of approving AHERA and other asbestos training courses which are required in existing Cal/OSHA Title 8 regulations. After June 30, only Division approved training providers will be allowed to conduct AHERA courses in California. The program will also establish and maintain a roster listing trained individuals validated by the Division. The aim of the new program is to assure high quality trained individuals to perform asbestos-related work, and to eliminate fraudulent asbestos training certificates which are presently in use. The program will be entirely supported by fees that will be collected by the program.

Airborne Contaminants 8 CCR 5155. After completing a series of ad hoc advisory committee meetings to develop a proposal to update the PELs of 8 CCR 5155, the Divisions proposal had a hearing at the May 11, , Los Angeles public meeting of the Cal/OSHA Standards Board. The Division is presently reviewing the comments from the public; the proposal will be ready for adoption by the Board soon.

Development of a Heat Stress Standard. The Division is in the process of developing a much needed heat stress standard. The Division has been conducting ad hoc advisory committee meetings to assist in developing a proposed standard. The next ad hoc advisory meeting will be held sometime this fall.

General Industry Lead Standard Recodified. The Cal/OSHA Standards Board has recodified the occupational lead standard for general industry from 8 CCR 5216 to 8 CCR 5198. The old section number was in Article 110 which is now reserved for carcinogen standards only. Other than the section number change, there is no change to the lead standard.

Petition for Changing the Laboratory Fume Hood Requirements. The Division conducted an ad hoc advisory committee meeting on May 2 to evaluate two petitions requesting The Cal/OSHA Standards Board to reduce the ventilation requirements for laboratory fume hoods and to establish a performance standard instead of the existing strict ventilation standard. There will be more meetings on this subject.

Legislation. A number of legislative bills were followed and some analyzed on their impact on OEHHA. These included AB 2260 (Health School Act of), SB 280 (State buildings and publicly funded schools: standards), AB 2161 (Portable classrooms: detoxification) and the trailer bill AB 2872. The trailer bill was signed by Governor Davis and its impact on OEHHA (that relates to IAQ) includes (a) the evaluation and update of cancer risk assessment on the fetus, infants, and children (b) the establishment of the Children's Environmental Health Center (c) the identification of chemical contaminants commonly found in school sites (based on child-specific exposures and physiological sensitivities) and (d) consultation with ARB and DHS on the portable classroom study.

Web-site Documents. The following documents are available for downloading from OEHHA's web site (see above):

CARB IAQ Conference. Barbara Spark presented twice from the podium at the CARB IAQ Conference in Sacramento, May 3-4, and one one final occasion spoke from the floor microphone. On each occasion, Barbara made a point of emphasizing the public purpose which would be achieved by the release of the CIWG-IAQ report on Indoor Environmental Quality in California Public Schools. We feel that release of this August report in the context of a clear and vocal state commitment to this issue will lend force to constructive activities already under way. Momentum has been growing on the IAQ/schools issue. A mechanism (IAQ Tools for Schools) is already available which can help schools prevent problems, and even resolve many existing problems without significant (sometimes, any) expense. U.S. EPA=s current (and time-limited) TFS grants have created a corps of individuals ready to help schools now. Successful efforts by these grantees could lead to additional federal funding for this purpose; alternatively, this funding could dry up. We hasten to emphasize that current state initiatives hold great promise and will reap significant rewards; our concern is that opportunities not be lost to prevent damage to property and possibly health in the interim.

Mold Courses Set for September 12-13, in San Diego. Dr. Richard Shaughnessy of University of Tulsa will provide workshops on Sampling (9/12) and Remediation (9/13) for Mold with Drs. Elliot Horner and Phil Morey in San Diego. Given the rising awareness of mold problems and the increased need for reliable training on these subjects, we hope that CIWG-IAQ members will spread the word on these Alast chance@ events. Registration information is available at the web site: . Those seeking more detailed information can request a brochure from the . Also, our office can provide the complete brochure text by e-mail. Send your request to

USA WEEKEND to Publish Cover Story on Mold/School IAQ. The Sunday newspaper supplement USA Weekend will feature an article on school IAQ with a particular emphasis on mold in the August 20 issue, with continuing web site coverage. EPA=s IAQ INFO line will be listed as a resource; calls for information may increase to a variety of public agencies and health organizations. Complicating matters for our Region 9 response, Barbara Spark will be away until 9/5, and our public information person Sid Efross is out on extended medical leave. As always, we will refer people to the CAL-IAQ and EHIB web pages.

Asthma/IAQ Event Pending. The final, general IAQpresentation with the University of Tulsa will be the course, Indoor Air Quality Asthma and Allergen Control. A course description and sample agenda can be viewed at the utulsa web site (see above) by clicking on Aclass schedule.@ The date may be in February, but we=re still grappling with the challenge of determining whether the LA or SF metro areas would be preferable for the site.

Guidance for Health Professionals on Recognition and Management of Health Effects Related to Mold Exposure. As a result of discussions between Barbara Spark and Michael Hodgson, a document to fill this need will be developed by an EPA grantee in the coming year. Dr. Hodgson will be a consultant to the project. Once the writing is completed, additional funding will be sought for production.

Grants For IAQ Tools for Schools (IAQ TFS). Thanks to the federal asthma initiative, Region 9 has been able to provide grants to a number of entities (all but one to American Lung Association affiliates) to advance efforts to help schools implement the AIAQ TFS@ program. While we can=t yet announce the grantees, many of the major metropolitan areas in California will be served. We expect to focus a good deal of our efforts in the coming year on coaching and interacting with these grantees, as well as with other ALA affiliates which may be getting similar grants from their national organization.

Success at SFUSD with IAQ TFS. The San Francisco Unified School District adopted an IAQ Policy that directed the School Health Programs to work with the Facilities Planning & Management Program to implement a policy based on the EPA Tools for Schools Action Kit. Of 15 pending Pilot Schools, eight schools have already initiated launched the program, including EPA-assisted Awalk-throughs.@ Corrective follow-up by District and school-site staff has already begun. The walk-throughs proved the Kit=s usefulnes by revealing actions which could be taken immediately to improve IAQ. The School District has now created a paid IAQ Coordinator position for Hene Kelly, the teachers= union representative who=s spearheaded district progress.

Grants for Open Airways For Schools. All the Region 9 grantees doing IAQ TFS work will also receive funds to bring AOpen Airways for Schools@ to 3rd-5th graders with asthma. This ALA program teaches children to manage their asthma, including indoor environmental triggers. Attempts will be made to accomplish IAQ TFS and O.A. for Schools at the same school sites.

In-Home Asthma Education. HQ has allotted to Region 9 $30K in grant funds to support in-home education for asthmatic children on indoor environmental triggers. Given the high per family cost for such interventions viz a viz the small size of the award, we are seeking additional information on existing programs prior to giving the grant.

National Indoor Environments Division In-Home Education Grants. Our HQ IAQ program has announced availability of grant funding totaling $200K, to fund projects up to $100K on asthma in-home education. The information (posted at this writing on the asthma page of the EPA IAQ web page ) elicited a great deal of interest. Applications must be postmarked by August 7, and a decision is expected by the end of the month.

IAQ TFS Mentor Program to Expand to SF Bay Area. Efforts are underway to expand the successful (L.A.) ALA/AIHA IAQ TFS Amentor@ program to the S.F. Bay area. This program has experienced some Afalse starts@ in SF due to the absence of a coordinator. Beth Saiki of the American Lung Association of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties will be filling that role in the coming year. Qualified mentors are not restricted to I.H.=s. What a fabulous opportunity for members of the CIWG-IAQ to get involved!

IAQ State Stakeholders Meeting Presented by The Environmental Law Institute (ELI). ELI presented its second national IAQ workshop for state and local officials in Alexandria, VA on March 24-25,. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia were represented. Barbara Spark from Region 9 office attended. At the request of those attending, there was considerable focus on public health issues relating to mold. A summary report was prepared by ELI staff, and it can be requested from ELI .

Healthy School Legislature,. An amended version of Assembly Bill (AB) 1207 was passed in the final days of the legislative session; but it was vetoed by Governor Davis. The final form of the bill and the Governors veto message can be found on-line at the States LegInfo web site, e.g., .

Healthy School Legislature,. Assemblyman Shelly reintroduced some components of his Healthy School bill with a new bill, AB 2260. The bill addresses pesticide use and best management practices for healthy schools. The bill passed the Assembly at the end of May, and passed in the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality. The bills status and its current version can be found on-line at LegInfo, .

Summary of AB 2260. The bill would require that the preferred method of managing pests at school facilities be effective least toxic pest management practices and would further require that the state take the necessary steps to ensure that the preferred method is carried out at school facilities. It would require each school site to maintain records of all on-site pesticide use for a period of 4 years and make the records available to the public upon request. The bill would require, on an annual basis, the school district designee to provide to all staff and parents or guardians of pupils enrolled at a school written notification addressing, among other things, expected pesticide use. It would require the school district designee to post warning signs prior to application of pesticides at a school facility. The bill would require the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) by July 1, and at least annually thereafter, to make a list of pesticides classified or identified, as prescribed, available to all schools, and it would require DPR to promote and facilitate the adoption of integrated pest management programs, including developing a model program guidebook in conjunction with other State agencies, maintain an internet website, and establish an integrated pest management training program. The bill would establish a Healthy Schools Ombudsman to maintain a toll-free telephone number to receive complaints and questions regarding possible school site environmental health hazards or contamination and respond as prescribed. The bill would require the Healthy Schools Ombudsman to develop and distribute to every school district a guidebook detailing available resources that address the environmental safety of a school site. This bill would require the Healthy Schools Ombudsman to prepare an annual report containing specified information for the Legislature to be submitted on an annual basis beginning no later than January 1,.

Capitol Area East End Project. DGS has agreed to the design and installation of underfloor ventilation at Block 225 on a demonstration basis. The requirement from Department of Finance (DOF) is that DGS funds a research study through the UC Berkeleys Center for the Built Environment (CBE) to study and quantify the economic benefits of this type of ventilation system including increases in productivity. A first draft of the study design has been developed by CBE. DOF had numerous comments on the study design and we plan to meet with them in the near future in order to discuss their concerns. An oversight document has been prepared by the Green Team and DGS. This document describes the Green Teams role in the design, construction, and operation of the East End Project. In addition, a matrix has been developed to assist DGS in contacting Green Team members during the change order process. The Green Team has met with both design/build teams and their contractors/subcontractors in order to discuss green issues.

Green Building TaskForce. Members of the taskforce gave a one-day training to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) on green building issues. About 130 individuals participated, including architects, engineers, and maintenance staff. The presentations were focused on how to address green issues on new construction and how to best maintain existing ones. This document has been finalized and is available on the web site of Eley and Associates: /lausd.

The Green Team has been meeting on a monthly basis. Members of the Green Team have been meeting with DGS on another new state project known as the Butterfield Project which will house the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). The Green Team has also been contacted from CalPERS presently planning a new state of the art green office building for their use.

Sustainability Executive Order. The Governors office has requested the identification of possible rollout events for the signature of the Executive Order. This executive order would set sustainable goals for state buildings and establish the California Sustainable Building Council and a Sustainable Building Taskforce (currently known as the Green Building Taskforce).