Cal Iaq

National Academy of Sciences Report on Asthma and IAQ. Late Breaking! Funded by U.S. EPA, NAS Institute of Medicine just issued an important report, Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures , on the role of indoor environmental pollutants in the development and exacerbation of asthma. The report concludes that exposure to indoor pollutants is an important contributor to the asthma problem in this nation, and it support the Administrations initiative to increase awareness of the impact of indoor air pollutants on asthma exacerbation & development, and to increase the use of effective indoor environmental interventions. The NAS press release is at the executive summary can be found at: , and the EPA asthma web-site is at

Green Building Practices: An Architectural Perspective. Plan to attend an upcoming seminar by two leading professionals in the architectural field, March 7, 1:30 to 3:30 pm in Sacramento (Community College Executive Board Room, 1102 Q Street, 3^rd Fl). There will be two talks:

Seminar on IAQ and Performance in Schools.  Lisa Heschong, Partner, Heschong & Mahone Group will give a seminar on Studies of Human Performance and the Indoor Environment: Effects of Daylighting in Schools and Retail Sites.  This talk will address the application of epi-style study design and methods to human performance outcomes.  These unique studies quantify the influence of environmental factors, notably daylight as an illumination source, on student test scores and on retail sales.  Linear regression analyses were used to control for other influences on performance.  Study reports are available on-line at the PG&E web site: . The seminar will be on February 15, (Tuesday), 10 am to 11:30 am,in the Auditorium, DHS Laboratory Facility, .

New journal article on an ozone generator. The journal article by ARB staff, "Ozone emissions from a personal air purifier," has been published in the Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, November/December issue (info on the journal as available on-line Ozone levels measured 1 to 6 inches above small consumer devices advertised as air purifiers exceeded various types of health-based standard levels set by the U.S. FDA and OSHA and the California ARB.

Input on green building projects. ARBs Indoor Program staff recommended performance specifications and reviewed the submitted bids for carpet for the new Cal/EPA building for potential impacts on indoor air quality. As part of the Sustainable Building Committee for the DGS Capitol East End office building project, staff reviewed and rated the proposals submitted to DGS for the East End project. Staff also has participated in discussions regarding potential development of a State Green Building Task Force that would assist DGS in developing specifications for different types of buildings in different climate zones to assure healthful indoor air quality and the efficient use and protection of resources.

Havice Hearings on School Indoor Environmental Quality. Representatives from ARB, DHS, Dept. of Education, and other state agencies participated in interim hearings on school indoor air quality sponsored by Assemblywoman Havice, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on School Safety. School consultants, US EPA Region 9, and others testified at the hearing as well. ARB noted that there are few standards that directly apply in schools; notably, building material emission standards are lacking. DHS and others noted the need for ventilation, moisture control, and proper operation and maintenance of both traditional and portable classrooms. Assemblywoman Havice was the only legislator attending the Sacramento hearing, although staff of other members also attended, and one other committee member attended the southern California hearing.

Underwriters Laboratory Standard 2117, for indoor products. ULs General Standards workgroup met in the last quarter; ARB participated by conference phone. The group continues to work in a circular fashion, re-visiting issues previously decided upon. UL management has recognized the need for progress by the General Standards workgroup, and actively participated in this meeting. However, success is not likely until appropriate operating rules are identified and followed by members. The General Standards workgroup and ULs overall Technical Committee for the standard are scheduled to meet in February in Florida.

Responses to various public and agency information requests. Citizens, local government representatives, the Department of Personnel Administration, and the Governors Office requested recommendations on protective measures and/or indoor air cleaning devices during northern California forest fires and the Modesto tire fire this past fall. ARB, other Cal/EPA agencies, and DHS all provided various types of assistance and advice. The South Coast Air Quality Management District requested information on indoor pollutant levels and test methods to assist them in monitoring and planning major airport expansions, which will involve home tightening for noise insulation. The Department of Toxic Substances Control requested indoor VOC data to help evaluate measurements in a home near McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento.

News of General Interest. The California Regional Residential Building Science Training will be at San Ramon, January 25-26. Affordable Comfort, Inc. is organizing the event, which will train building professionals and those in allied trades on "house as a system" thinking, which is being promoted through recent CEC building standard revisions. Topics will include practical ways to prevent or solve problems, comfort complaints, and CO alarm calls.

School Health. EHIB personnel continue to provide technical consultation to schools and individuals with health concerns regarding a variety of environmental agents, including indoor molds and chemical contaminants either on school sites or from adjacent properties. Debra Gilliss, MD, MPH, is currently working with other state agencies to address concerns regarding cancer cases allegedly associated with emissions from landfills next to two schools in southern California.

Staff Presentations:

Sierra Region Radon Survey. A survey of radon exposure in the Sierra region of California was started this fall. Alpha track radon detectors were sent to 1000 residences, recruited from a population-based random mailing using DMV registration records in 14 counties. Detectors will be left in place for 12 months, to determine long-term residential exposures. A subset of public elementary schools in these counties has also been recruited for classroom measurements of radon concentrations. Funding is being provided by a U.S. EPA State Indoor Radon Grant, and IAQS is working in collaboration with the DHS Radon Program in the Division of Drinking Water and Emergency Management.

ETS. After a delay of a few months due to some difficulties with the LBNL subcontract, the study will start in January. We will start with comparing two real-time instruments for measuring particle phase of ETS. A detailed protocol has been developed for this comparison study. A full-time Research Associate has been hired to assist us with the entire study. In addition, a manuscript entitled A Survey of Environmental Tobacco Smoke Controls in California Office Buildings was submitted for review to Indoor Air. The authors are Kai-Shen Liu, Leon Alevantis and Francis Offermann.

Collaboration on study of Lead in Homes. IEQ staff provided statistical consultation in the chamber evaluation of vacuum cleaners in the removal of lead dust conducted by Steve Wall, DHS Outdoor Air Quality Section Chief. Completion of the initial chamber experiments allowed selection of vacuum cleaners to be used in a field project funded by U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Office of Lead Hazard.

Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Death Study. The manuscript entitled Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Deaths in California from Residential and Other Nonvehicular Sources, has been accepted for publication by the Archives of Environmental Health. The authors are Kai-Shen Liu, Katrina Paz, Peter Flessel, and Jed Waldman of the DHS-IAQ Program, and John Girman (U.S. EPA/IED). In addition, Kai-Shen Liu presented the results of the California study at a public hearing held by the San Francisco Public Health and Environmental Committee in January.

Continuing Activities on Pesticide Exposure Study. Janet Macher is continuting work on Community Partnership for Evaluating and Preventing Pesticide Exposures to Young Children. Prinatal home visits were started, as well as collection of Burkard samples at a community site in Salinas. SOPs and QA/QC for bioaerosol/aeroallergen samples were reviewed.

PM Study Likely to Start. Janet is co-investigator on a new proposal submitted and approved by CARB: 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 in Fresno, California.

Presentations and Committees.

Hexane use by Vehicle Mechanics. Serious nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) was found in two Bay Area auto mechanics who were using brake cleaners containing n-hexane. Although n-hexane has long been known as a neurotoxin, this is a newly recognized occupational hazard for mechanics. HESIS has responded with several surveys to determine the extent of exposure; notifications to product manufacturers, industry groups, and labor organizations; and a worker education fact sheet (in development). A pilot study is underway to determine the extent of undiagnosed disease in workers using these products.

Wildfire Smoke - Protective Measures. HESIS provided technical assistance to the US Forest Service regarding protective measures for a large number of California workers exposed to smoke from an ongoing forest fire. "Indoor" areas in temporary structures for work and housing were affected, as well as outdoor areas. Our recommendations addressed respiratory protection, exposure reduction, medical removal of at-risk workers, employee education / hazard communication, and related regulatory issues.

Theatrical Fog and Smoke. Responding to complaints from opera employees, HESIS investigated the occupational health impact of several products used in theatrical settings. We concluded that adverse health effects among employees of the theater, including asthma, upper respiratory / mucous membrane irritation and headaches, were likely due to artificial fog products and smoke from propane torches used during productions. Recommendations addressed substitution of products, prior notice to employees, obtaining Material Safety Data Sheets, and ventilation.

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.

The conference served as a starting point for new secondhand smoke initiatives in additional shared spaces. Several presentations highlighted local efforts to enact voluntary policies and local ordinances to make hotels, nursing homes, apartment complexes, condominiums, dorms, playgrounds, parks, doorways, and college campuses, smoke-free. The conference also served as a kick-off for a new ad directed at enhancing compliance with smoke-free bars. Although it was still in "rough-cut" form, it promises to have a strong impact.

Airborne Contaminants 8 CCR 5155. After completing a series of ad hoc advisory committee meetings on the subject, the Division has completed a proposal to update the PELs of 8 CCR 5155. The proposal has been transmitted to the Standards Board for their consideration and adoption.

The CIWG-IAQ members join with LBNL-IED staff in sending our best wishes to Joan Daisey for her speedy recovery.

Childrens Environmental Health Protection (SB 25). SB 25, the Children's Environmental Health Protection, was signed by Governor Davis. It requires OEHHA and ARB to do 7 tasks:

Study of Portable Classroom Ventilation. As part of a class project, Kathleen Vork ( with Neil Klepeis (), conducted a pilot investigation of ventilation in a number of portable classrooms. Facilities personnel and teachers in Oakland and Fremont were interviewed. A report of this will be available in the future.

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (TFS): We provided orientation training on the IAQ TFS Action Kit program for the Beverly Hills USD, to kick off its formal implementation at all (five) of its schools. BHUSD experienced a situation similar to that in the Saugus Union SD after media coverage of "toxic portable classrooms" heightened community concerns.

Our primary TFS activities continue to focus on the Oakland and San Francisco USDs, chosen because they are large urban school districts where logistics make it possible for our tiny Indoor Environments Team to have extended hands-on involvement. Since the fear of the unknown is one barrier to IAQ program implementation in schools, we feel that "pilot" schools can demonstrate that a school IAQ operations and management program is beneficial, and not onorous. TFS implementation is being rolled out at a few Oakland schools, without a pronounced district administrative engagement in the process. EPA staff are leading Oakland "pilot schools" on "walk-throughs"of their facilities. In SFUSD, we are working closely with the District at a number of levels, including participating in its "IAQ Program Implementation Committee," which is in the process of launching approximately fourteen IAQ TFS "pilot" sites. This exciting and innovative process, supported by upper management, is bringing together diverse district elements such as the Health Program, Facilities, and the teachers union which typically do not communicate on issues like IAQ.

School IAQ "Mentor" Program. We are working with the ALA of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties to support their interest in providing administrative support for organizing the much-needed IAQ TFS "Mentor" program, an idea developed with the local AIHA chapter, but which has been delayed by the absence of administrative and organizing oversight. The major surge in interest in IAQ by school districts, coupled with current successes in launching "pilot" schools, has created a pressing need for "Mentors" who can facilitate schools transition to a new paradigm on IAQ - that addressing it is everybodys business, and there is much that non-technical people can accomplish by using the IAQ TFS Action Kit.

Offering Mentors to individual schools can help them overcome the fear of the unknown - dealing with IAQ. This Mentor program has already been successfully piloted in LA County, and is being replicated in Arizona by the American Indoor Air Quality Council and ALA. The amount of effort required from Mentors is reasonable, and great benefit will redound to the community and to awareness of IAQ issues in the state. Our prior request to IAWG for volunteer mentors elicited almost no response. Please consider stepping forward to help advance real-life program implementation of IAQ science.

Presentations.

We still await word from HQ as to the availability of FY2000 fund to expand asthma-related activities. However, it is probable that we will be hosting an "HMO Summit" on asthma and indoor environments. We also expect to provide a two-day workshop on maintaining "Asthma-friendly" indoor environments via our training center, the University of Tulsa.

Radon in Drinking Water Standard. The proposed standard for radon in drinking water has been released, comment period ends February 4,. The proposal provides states flexibility in how to limit the public's exposure to radon by focusing on the greatest health risk, radon in indoor air. The proposal lays out two options for states, either adopt a maximum contaminant level of radon in drinking water or adopt an alternative maximum contaminant level and reduce indoor radon levels through a Multi-Media Mitigation Program (which is more cost-effective). The multi-media mitigation program would require states to set goals for increasing radon resistant new construction in homes/schools and also increasing testing and mitigation of homes during real estate transactions.

Committee Report Status. LATE BREAKING! We received word that Indoor Environmental Quality in California Schools: An Assessment of Needs and Opportunities may be approved for release soon! As you may recalled, comments on the committee report were sent to DHS by departmental staff at ARB, CDE, CEC, DGS, DHCD and OEHHA, and the report was re-titled and updated in August. We will try to have the report posted on the web as soon as possible.

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., .

In early January, Assemblyman Shelly reintroduced some components of his Healthy School bill by amending AB 1043, a 2-year bill still in the Assembly from last session. The bill passed the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Material Committee (7-0) and awaits action by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The current version can be found on-line at LegInfo.

Green Building Taskforce. The Taskforce has finalized the text for the Charter and Interagency Agreements. The following Agencies are involved: State and Consumer Affairs, Environmental Protection, Health and Human Services, and Resources. The Departments involved are: CIWMB, CEC, DHS, ARB, DGS, DOF, DWR, and OEHHA. Various goals have been established and lead persons have been assigned. A February 1, signature date is anticipated by all the Departments and Agencies involved. Secretary Adams is planning a signing ceremony in front of the State Capitol.