Overview

• Why are IEQ and Health important?
• Potential /IEQ issues in low energy homes
• Selected health studies
• Selected ventilation and IAQ studies: new homes and rehabs
• Other IEQ issues
• Conclusions

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Kitchen Ventilation

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• Cooking is a major source of moisture, particulate matter, and combustion pollutants (NO2, CO, PAHs, ultrafine particles)
• Gas stove use is a risk factor is asthma symptoms
• Proximity to gas stove in use is highest in pre-school children (the Apron String Effect)
• Potential health and comfort issue in low E homes that do not exhaust the emissions
• HRVs may not remove moisture and pollutants
• Recirculating hoods with charcoal filters are not effective

Kitchen Ventilation (contd.)

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• Range hoods can help control cooking emissions, but …
• Removal effectiveness, noise, and energy efficiency vary widely (see recent LBNL research and previous studies)
• Occupants usually do not use range hoods
• They can depressurize a tight home and atmospherically vented appliances

Kitchen Ventilation (contd.)

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Source: Adapted from Nelson B, 2010. Best2 Conference. http://www.energycodes.gov/publications/research/documents/baseline/Minn_Energy_Code_Bruce_D_Nelson_BEST2_paper.pdf.

200 cfm

95 L/s

350 cfm

Diagnosed Bronchitis and Asthma in Children �vs. Indoor Formaldehyde (Cases per 100)

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Source: Krzyzanowski et al., 1990, as cited in OEHHA, 2008, TSD for Non-cancer RELs, Formaldehyde, http://oehha.ca.gov/air/allrels.html.

• Kitchen formaldehyde levels drove prevalence rates, especially when ETS present. Lung function also decreased significantly .
• Formaldehyde exposure is known to sensitize and alter the immune system.

Heat Waves in California

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SoCal heat wave leaves thousands without power

27,000+ at SCE, 15,000 at LADWP, June 2010

Los Angeles Heat Wave Bakes At Record 113 Degrees

Power out for 30,000+ at SCE, 5400 at LADWP, September 2010

Climate change: High risk of �permafrost thaw

Nature, November 2011

Climate Change and Public Health

• Extreme weather-related events will increase in frequency and severity
• Heat waves
• Extreme precipitation, floods, and wind
• Wildfires
• Outdoor air levels of ozone, mold, and possibly some spores will increase
• Insect-born diseases will increase
• Need to consider for life-cycle performance and for resilience to extreme events and power outages

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Source: IOM/NAS, 2011. The Effect of Climate Change on Indoor Air Quality and Public Health. �http://www.iom.edu/Activities/PublicHealth/ClimateIndoorAir.aspx.

Predicted Increases in Annual Ave.Temperature (1961-1970 vs. 1970-1990, High Emissions Scenario) �

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Source: http://www.caladapt.org, Climate Tools.

Predicted Increases in Extreme Heat Days�(Fresno, Days over 104 F, High Emissions Scenario) �

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Source: http://www.caladapt.org, Climate Tools.

Extreme Heat Predictions

• Fresno example: over 70 days per year over 104°F in 2100, vs. <10 per year in 1950-1990.
• By 2100 there could be up to 100 more days per year with temperatures above 90°F in Los Angeles and above 95F in Sacramento.*
• # of Months/yr also increases.
• # of Warm nights/yr also increases.
• How can buildings and people adapt to these changes?

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Heat Mortality and Humidity

• Dry Tropical and Moist Tropical weather type are most often associated with increased mortality
• Heat-mortality relationship most significant for those �persons >74 years old (fastest growing group)
• Modeling predicts large rises in Dry Tropical and Moist Tropical regimes in California
• DT more inland, MT more along coast
• Very large increases in long episodes
• Up to five events per year of at least 10 days in some locations
• Acclimatization may help some; research needed
• What are the implications for building & HVAC design & operation?

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Source: Sheridan S, et al., 2011. Heat Vulnerability in California Under Future Climate Change (A Spatial Synoptic Classification Approach). CARB Chairman’s Seminar. http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/seminars/sem11.htm.

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Heat Wave and Vodka �a Deadly Mix in Russia:�Over 1200 Drown in June 2010

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Extreme Storms and Flooding

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Atmospheric Rivers from W. Pacific Ocean: Primary Cause of Extreme Precipitation and Flooding in CA

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Source: Ralph and Dettinger, 2011. EOS Transactions, AGU 92: 265-266.

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Severe Storms and Flooding in California

• Atmospheric “Rivers of Water” from SE Asia are projected to increase in frequency
• Precipitation up to 600 mm (22 in.) per day
• Run-off up to 10 X historical average
• High wind speeds
• Exacerbated by Asian dust storms
• $500B + in flood damage projected
• Can your building provide healthful, comfortable, and safe shelter �over its lifetime?

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Climate Change Effects on Buildings

Impact of climate change on corrosion and damage to concrete infrastructure in Australia

Wang et al., Climatic Change (2012) 110:941-957

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Optimizing a Passive House in S. California

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Source: Adapted from Irwin G, 2011. Passive House in Southern California. 2011 North American Passive House Conference. http://www.passivehouse.us/phc2011/2011%20Presentations%20PDF/keeping%20it%20cool%20flattened.pdf.

> 10% difference in frequency of overheating

% Time Overheating (modeled)

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7 Principles of Healthy Homes

• Dry: prevent mites, roaches, rodents, and molds, all of which are associated with asthma.
• Clean: help reduce pest infestations and exposure to contaminants.
• Pest-Free: reduce asthma episodes in children; avoid inappropriate treatment for pest infestations, since pesticide residues in homes pose risks for neurological damage and cancer.

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7 Principles of Healthy Homes�(contd.)

• Contaminant-Free: see previous list of indoor pollutants; minimize exposure to other suspect compounds (e.g. Red List)*
• Ventilated: increasing the fresh air supply in a home improves respiratory health.
• Maintained: reduces risks for moisture, pest, and for lead lead-based paint.
• Safe: reduce the major source of injuries among children, especially falls, followed by injuries from objects in the home, burns, and poisonings.

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Breathe Easy Homes: IAQ Features

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Source: Takaro et al., 2011. Am J Public Health 101:55–62.

Breathe Easy Homes �Asthma Intervention Study: Design

• 1600 energy efficient homes at High Point, Seattle
• Low income families, diverse ethnic groups
• Previous housing had singificant probems with moisutre, mold, and pests
• 35 Breathe Easy Homes, 2002-2007
• Children or adolescents with asthma
• Homes designed to reduce moisture, dust accumulation, and off-gassing from interior finishes and materials
• No pets or smoking

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Breathe Easy Homes: Design (contd.)

• Multiple interventions to reduce asthma triggers in 34 children and adolescents
• Several visits by community health worker over 1 year
• In-home education on asthma trigger reduction, self management, operation of home features
• Allergen free bedding
• Cleaning supplies

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Breathe Easy Homes: Design (contd.)

• Impact on asthma triggers and levels of allegens in house dust were measured
• Ventilation systems evaluated
• Allergens in house dust measured, �but not IAQ or moisture
• Respiratory symptoms, lung function, clinic visits, �and quality of life were tracked

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Breathe Easy Homes: �Results vs. Old Home

• Ventilation system did not perform as well as designed; commissioning and occupant training are needed.
• Asthma-free symptom days per 2 weeks:�decreased from 12.4 to 8.6
• Urgent asthma-related clinical visits �in last 3 weeks: decreased from 62% to 21%

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Breathe Easy Homes: �Results vs. Old Home �(contd.)

• Caretaker’s quality of life: increased from 5 to 5.7 (scale of 7)
• Average # of mold triggers: decreased from 1.5 to 0.003 (driven by rodent and water damage %s)
• Breathe Easy vs. less intensive intervention:
• >2X bigger reduction in nights with symptoms
• >2X bigger reduction in average # of asthma triggers

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Healthy Homes activities have led to further work on housing and health

• Disseminate guidelines for healthy homes construction and renovation
• Train housing inspectors, housing advocates, designers, builders, contractors, public housing agencies
• Update local housing codes
• Advocate for healthy and affordable housing for low income families
• Assist public housing tenants with asthma in obtaining appropriate units

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IEQ Requirements for Green Remodeling, NAHB Healthy Homes

• No natural draft equipment in conditioned space
• New carpets meet CDPH 01350 VOC limits
• Ventilation in bath, kitchen, and dryer
• HVAC ductwork and grilles inspected and cleaned
• Replace unsealed combustion gas dryer vent
• Example: incremental Cost for Apartment Units, �$590 to $981

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Challenges for improving IEQ focus, NAHB Healthy Homes

• Metric is needed for quantifying benefits of IEQ (when compared to energy and water efficiency)
• Can the claims be stated and demonstrated (without causing legal issues or violating FTC environmental marketing guidelines)?
• Can builders convey the value of IEQ when a direct monetary saving can not be demonstrated to the home buyer?

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Abatement cost <$50/ton

U.S. mid-range abatement curve – 2030

Source: McKinsey analysis

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

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Cost

Real 2005 dollars per ton CO₂e

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*

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-23*

Residential electronics

Commercial electronics

Residential buildings – Lighting

Commercial buildings –

LED lighting

Fuel economy packages – Cars

Commercial buildings – CFL lighting

Cellulosic

biofuels

Industry – Combined �heat and �power

Existing power plant conversion efficiency improvements

Conservation tillage

Fuel economy packages – Light trucks

Commercial buildings – Combined �heat and �power

Coal mining – Methane mgmt

Commercial buildings – Control systems

Distributed

solar PV

Residential buildings – Shell retrofits

Nuclear new-build

Natural gas and petroleum systems management

Active forest management

Afforestation of pastureland

Reforestation

Winter �cover crops

Onshore wind – Medium penetration

Coal power plants – CCS new builds with EOR

Biomass power – Cofiring

Onshore wind –

High penetration

Industry – CCS new builds on carbon-intensive processes

Coal power plants – CCS new builds

Coal power plants – CCS rebuilds

Coal-to-gas �shift – dispatch of existing plants

Car hybridi-zation

Commercial buildings – HVAC equipment efficiency

Solar CSP

Residential buildings – HVAC equipment efficiency

Industrial process improve-ments

Residential water heaters

Manufacturing – HFCs mgmt

Residential buildings – New shell improvements

Coal power plants– CCS rebuilds with EOR

Potential

Gigatons/year

Commercial buildings – New shell improvements

Afforestation of cropland

Onshore wind –

Low penetration

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Lorch, R. SB 11, http://www.sb11.org/media/lorch_materiaali.pdf

The Evolution of the Dwelling

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Moving Toward Simplicity, �Resilience, and Durability

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Source: Brew J, Rocky Mtn. Inst. �Deep Green: Saving Money While Reducing Risk & Improving Health.

Natl. Healthy Homes Conf., 2011.

Overview

• Why are IAQ/IEQ and Health important?
• Potential IAQ/IEQ issues in low energy homes
• Selected health studies
• Selected ventilation and IAQ studies: new homes and rehabs
• Upcoming IEQ issues in low E homes
• Conclusions

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Conclusions

• Potential health impacts of low energy buildings on IAQ and health could be significant
• There is a dearth of data, especially on health and comfort
• Further research is needed in several areas

Research Needs

• Human behavior
• Operation & maintenance
• User preferences, friendliness, training
• Mechanical Ventilation Performance
• Ventilation rates
• Mixing among rooms
• Depressurization of attached spaces
• Cooking appliance exhaust vent.
• Air filter performance
• Non-Energy Benefits:
• Human Health, Comfort, Performance
• Value and persistence; liability issues
• IEQ metrics needed to help get funding

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Blocked HRV intake�(CMHC TS 06-103)

• Follow Best Practice guidelines to maintain health, safety, and comfort of occupants
• Build tight, but ventilate right
• Keep pollutant sources out
• Create demand for low emission materials and consumer products
• Control odors, moisture, temperature, drafts, noise, pests
• Measure to verify that IEQ design goals are met:� �P pressure�V ventilation flow rates�C CO2 during occupancy�T temperature and humidity (thermal comfort)
• Improve durability and resilience to changing climate & outdoor air quaity
• Collect and share data whenever possible

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What do we do in the mean time?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Don Fugler, CMHC retired
• Daniel Aubin, NRC Canada
• Tim Takaro, Simon Fraser University
• Shelly Kawamura, Colorado State U.
• Linda Wiggington, ACI
• Rich Prill, WSU
• The Dry Climate Organizers

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“… Y,�Because We Love You”

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THANK YOU!

• Any Questions?
• Thought for the day: �“The future is already here – � it's just not evenly distributed.”� (William Gibson, The Economist, Dec. 4, 2003)
• Contact:�Tom Phillips�Healthy Building Research�Davis, CA�tjp835@sbcglobal.net

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