1999-01-26William T. Burke III, R.S., C.H.O.
Director of Public Health
BOARD OF HEALTH
90 COLON STREET
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSE'I'FS 01915
Telephone (978) 921-8591
Fax (978) 922-5695
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
The Honorable William F. Scanlon, Jr.
Mayor
Director of Public Health
January 26, 1999
SUBJECT: Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment
(BEHA) - McKay School Indoor Air Assessment
Enclosed, for your information, is a copy of the report by Cory Holmes,
Environmental Analysts from BEHA regarding the December 4, 1998 indoor
air assessment at the aforementioned school.
Kindly contact me if you have any questions regarding this matter.
W.B.
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cc Thomas Scully, Director of Community Services
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INDOOR AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT
McKay Elementary School
Beverly, Massachusetts
Prepared by:
MassachuseRsDepartment ofPublicHealth
Bureau ofEnvironmentalHealthAssessment
January, 1999
Background/Introduction
At the request of a parent, the Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment (BEHA)
was asked to provide assistance and consultation regarding indoor air quality issues and
health concems at the McKay Elementary School in Beverly Massachusetts.
On December 4, 1998 a visit was made to this school by Cory Holmes,
Environmental Analyst, of BEHA's Emergency Response/Indoor Air Quality Program. Mr.
Holmes was accompanied for portions of the inspection by Bill Burke, Director, Beverly
Health Department and Richard Burnham, Head Custodian. This request was prompted by
indoor air quality issues concerning renovations in the school. At the time of the
assessment, students and faculty from the Ayers Ryal Side Elementary school had been
temporarily relocated to the McKay school while the Ayers Ryal Side school ~-as
undergoing renovations. Renovations of the McKay school were originally scheduled to be
completed during the slimmer of 1998. Renovations at the McKay school have had to be
continued during the current school year.
The school is a three-story red brick building, built in 1909. As mentioned
previously, the school was undergoing renovations at the time of the assessment. including a
new roof, brickwork and new windows.
The second and third floors contain general classrooms. The first floor contains the
main office, nurse's office, several classrooms and several specialty rooms. Located on the
basement level are the cafeteria/auditorium, general classrooms, boiler room and the L/D
resource room.
Methods
Air tests for carbon dioxide were taken with the Telaire, Carbon Dioxide Monitor
and tests for temperature and relative humidity were taken with the Mannix, TH Pen
PTH8709 Thermo-Hygrometer.
Results
This school has a student population of 300 and a staffof approximately 35. The
tests were taken under normal operating conditions, Test results appear in Tables 1-3.
Discussion
It can be seen from the tables that carbon dioxide levels were elevated above the
comfort guidelines set by the BEHA (i.e., 800 ppm) in thirteen of the fourteen areas
surveyed, which is indicative of an overall ventilation problem in this school.
Ventilation
This building does not have a modern mechanical ventilation system, but uses a
gravity/natural ventilation system to provide airflow to most classrooms in combination with
openable windows. The exception is two new basement classrooms in which mechanical
ventilation is being installed. Mechanical ventilation for these rooms will be provided by a
ducted exhaust and unit ventilator (univent) system. At the time of the assessment only the
exhaust ventilation had been installed.
In the majority of classrooms, ventilation is provided by a series of louvered vents.
Each classroom has an approximately Y x 3' grated air vent, on an interior wall near the
ceiling, which is connected by an airshaft to the school boiler. Noted in classrooms
throughout the school were window shades that had been cut and mounted to cover these
warm air vents, apparently to cut down on drafts into the classroom. These vents were
originally designed with pull-chains connected to louvers, which adjust the airflow.
Therefore, these shades may not be necessary and may actually serve to block warm-fresh
air from entering classrooms.
A corresponding 3' x 3' vent exists in each room near the classroom doorways that is
connected to an exhaust ventilation shaft that runs through the roof to the basement. These
exhaust ventilation shafts are connected by basement passageways to the back of the
building. The building has two of these shafts on either side. Classrooms were constructed
around these shafts to provide exhaust ventilation. Each of these ventilation shafts exists on
either side of the school, and terminates in a "hearth"-like opening in the basement.
Air movement is provided by the stack effect. The heating elements warm the air,
which rises up the warm air ventilation shafts. As the heated air rises, negative pressure is
created, which draws cold air from the basement area into the heating elements. This system
is designed to draw air from two sources in the basement: fresh air from an openable
window on the exterior wall of the building and return air from the exhaust ventilation
shafts. These sources of air mix in the basement prior to being drawn into the heating
elements. These mixing areas are located in small ventilation rooms, currently being used
for storage, located in basement classrooms. The percentage of fresh air to return air is
controlled by the amount the window is opened to limit fresh air intake. Fresh air in winter
is supplied throughout the building by the warm air vents. In addition, airtight doors to
these ventilation rooms should be replaced to restore the intended function of the roon~.
Lastly, the windows located in the ventilation rooms that provide fresh air in the basement
were shut.
4
Exhaust ventilation is provided by cool air vents. As the heating elements draw air
into the warm air ducts, return air is drawn from the "hearths" at the bottom of the exhaust
ventilation shafts. Negative pressure is created in these shafts, which in turn draws air into
the cool air vents of each classroom. The draw of air into these cool air vents is controlled
by a draw chain pulley system. A percentage of return air rises up the ventilation shaft to
exhaust outdoors.
It was noted that this portion of the ventilation system had been deactivated due to
renovation concerns. In order to avoid the entrainment of construction materials into ·
classrooms via the exhaust vents, these vents were covered with plywood in each of the
classrooms. Once renovations are complete, it is recommended that these vents be reopened
in order to restore the natural/gravity ventilation system to ~vorking order. In addition, the
control mechanisms for this natural ventilation system should be inspected for function.
Once the heating system is shut down, ventilation within the building is controlled
by use ofopenable windows in classrooms. The exception, again are the new basement
classrooms which will be outfitted with mechanical ventilation.
The Massachusetts Building Code requires a minimum mechanical ventilation rate of
15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per occupant of fresh outside air or have openable windows
in each room. The ventilation must be on at all times that the room is occupied. Providing
adequate flesh air ventilation with open windows and maintaining the temperature in the
comfort range during the cold weather season is impractical. Mechanical ventilation is
usually required to provide adequate fresh air ventilation.
Carbon dioxide is not a problem in and of itself. It is used as an indicator of the
adequacy of the fresh air ventilation. As carbon dioxide levels rise, it indicates that the
ventilating system is malfunctioning or the design occupancy of the room is being exceeded.
When this happens a buildup of common indoor air pollutants can occur, leading to
discomfort or health complaints. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) standard for carbon dioxide is 5,000 parts per million parts of air (ppm). Workers
may be exposed to this level for 40 hours/week.
The Department of Public Health uses a guideline of 800 ppm for publicly occupied
buildings. A guideline of 600 ppm or less is preferred in schools due to the fact that the
majority of occupants are young and considered to be a more sensitive population in the
evaluation of environmental health status. Inadequate ventilation and/or elevated
temperatures are major causes of complaints such as respiratory, eye, nose and throat
irritation, lethargy and headaches.
Microbial Concerns
A number of rooms had water-damaged ceiling plaster and ceiling tiles, which are
evidence of roof or plumbing leaks. Water-damaged materials can provide a source of mold
and mildew growth and should be replaced after a water leak is discovered and repaired.
Several classrooms also had a number of plants. Plant soil and drip pans can serve
as source of mold growth. Plants should also be located away from univents.
Classroom 11 has had a history of water leaks and wet carpeting. A musty odor ~vas
detected in this room which may be from the carpet. The American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends that carpeting be dried with fans
and heating within 24 hours of becoming wet (ACGIH, 1989). If carpets are not dried
within this time frame, mold growth may occur. Water-damaged carpeting cannot be
adequately cleaned to remove mold gro~vth.
Renovations
At the time of the assessment renovations were almost complete. Renovation
activities to be completed included; roof trim, minor masonry work and the installation of
windows to a few remaining areas of the school. The school planned to have windows
replaced in all classrooms. According to school personnel, while windows were being
replaced, students were temporarily relocated. Areas around windows in classrooms were
double sealed with plastic sheeting and duct tape to prevent dust and renovation debris from
entering the classroom. Old windows were then removed, new frames were put in and glass
was installed. Classrooms were reportedly given two days for caulking materials to ct/re
before classrooms were reoccupied.
During the assessment a chemical odor was noted in classroom 2, which was
occupied at the time. The odor was determined to be from caulking materials, which had
not enough time to cure. As a precaution, the students were removed from the classroom
and relocated. BEHA staff also recommended that the classroom be closed, and that exhaust
fans be put in the windows to create negative pressure in the classroom. It was also
recommended that care be taken to ensure surrounding ~vindows be shut to prevent the
entrainment of these odors into other areas of the building. Since the assessment was
conducted on a Friday morning, it is presumed that this would allow ample time for ..
materials to cure and odors to disseminate.
Since there is no mechanical ventilation system, care must be given to prevent
renovation pollutants from migrating into classrooms. The Material Safety Data Sheets for
the caulking products used by the contractor contain VOCs (Dow Coming, 1998), which can
readily evaporate into the interior environment during drying. Exposure to VOCs can be
irritating to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. Local mechanical exhaust ventilation,
sealing of classrooms in occupied areas and allowing ample time for VOCs to off-gas and
dissipate is recommended.
Also noted were a number of mechanical lifts being used outside the building. It is
recommended that engines for this machinery only be operated as needed and not allowed to
idle for long periods of time. The idling of machinery or other construction vehicles can
lead to the entrainmerit of vehicle exhaust into the building via the ventilation system or
open windows
Other Concerns
The cafeteria/auditorium and the L/D resource room contained exposed fiberglass
insulation. Fiberglass insulation can be a source of skin, eye and respiratory irritation to
certain sensitive individuals.
Combination classroom 6 & 7 had holes in the wall to allow for pipe penetration.
Ms. Glasser's classroom was separated from the boiler room by an incomplete wall. Holes
and spaces in ceilings and walls are breaches of the building envelope and provide a means
of egress for odors, fumes, dusts and vapors.
As mentioned previously, the ventilation rooms in basement classrooms which serve
as mixing plenums for the natural ventilation system have no doors installed and are being
used for storage. Materials stored in the ventilation shaft areas or used in the adjacent
classrooms can be drawn in by the natural ventilation system to be distributed into other
areas of the building.
In new basement classroom # 1, an abandoned drain trap was observed. If not
properly sealed, sewer gas can bypass a dry drain trap into the room causing nuisance odors.
Conclusions/Recommendations
Renovations:
In order to minimize building occupant exposure to construction materials during
renovations the following recommendations should be followed:
1. Establish communications between all parties involved with school renovations to
prevent potential IAQ problems. Develop a forum for occupants to express
concerns about renovations as well as a program to resolve IAQ issues.
2. When possible, schedule projects which produce large amounts of dusts, odors and
emissions during periods when the building is unoccupied or at least during periods
of low occupancy. Disseminate scheduling itinerary to all affected parties. This can
be done in the form of meetings, newsletter or weekly bulletin.
3. Obtain MSDS' for all construction materials used during renovations and keep them
in an area that is accessible to all individuals during periods of school operation.
4. Consult MSDS' for any material applied to the effected area during renovation
including any sealant, carpet adhesive, tile mastic, flooring materials and glue.
Provide proper ventilation and allow sufficient curing time as per the manufactures
instructions concerning these materials.
5. Use local exhaust ventilation and isolation techniques to control renovation
pollutants. Precautions should be taken to ax'oid the re-entrainment of these
materials into the schooFs ventilation system. The design of each system must be
assessed to determine how it may be impacted by renovation activities. This may
entail shutting down systems during periods of heavy construction and demolition,
ensuring systems are isolated from contaminated environments, sealing ventilation
openings with plastic and utilizing filters with a higher dust spot efficiency
(SMACNA, 1995).
If possible, relocate susceptible persons and those with pre-existing medical
conditions (i.e. hypersensitivity, asthma) away from areas of renovations.
An on-ongoing, scrupulous housekeeping regimen to reduce dirt, dust and other
common irritants should be implemented. This may include constructing barriers,
sealing off areas, and using high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) equipped
vacuum cleaners in conjunction with wet wiping to control for dusts.
General Indoor Air Quality:
In view of the findings at the time of the inspection, the following recommendations
are made to improve general indoor air quality:
Repair the warm air and cool air pulley chain/louver door system to provide
ventilation in this building as designed. Remove window shades mounted in front of
air vents. Upon completion of renovations, restore the building' s vent system to
improve air movement, which would consist of removal of plywood from exhaust
vents in classrooms and the use of radiators located in ventilation shafts. Regulate
airflow in these classrooms with the use of the gravity/natural ventilation system
louvers and windows in ventilation rooms to control for comfort.
Remove stored items in ventilation rooms. Install airtight doors to the entrance of
ventilation shaft areas to prevent entrainment of odors from classroom activities by
the natural ventilation system.
10
If restoration does not provide adequate comfort control, consider contacting a.
ventilation-engineering tinn.
Continue with roof replacement, monitor for leaks and replace any remaining water-
stained ceiling files and/or plaster. Examine area above these tiles for mold growth.
Disinfect areas of water leaks with an appropriate antimicrobial.
Inspect carpeting in classroom 11 for mold growth. Remove carpeting if moldy.
Disinfect areas of floor underneath water-damaged carpeting with an appropriate
antimicrobial.
Examine drip pans of plants for mold growth. Disinfect with an appropriate
antimicrobial where necessary.
Seal utility holes throughout the school and spaces in the wall separating the boiler
room from Mrs. Glasser's classroom, to avoid the migration of odors, fumes and
vapors into adjacent areas.
Replace damaged pipe insulation to prevent the distribution of fiberglass into
classroom air.
If not functional, ensure floor drain in new classroom # 1 is properly sealed to prevent
the back up of sewer gas.
11
References
ACGIH. 1989. Guidelines for the Assessment of Bioaerosols in the Indoor Environment.
American Conference of Govemmental Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH.
Dow Coming Corporation. 1998. Material Safety Data Sheet. 790 Silicon Building Sealant,
Natural Stone. T.L. Webb.
OSHA. 1997. Limits for Air Contaminants. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. Code of Federal Regulations. 29 C.F.R 1910.1000 Table Z-1-A.
SBBRS. 1997. Mechanical Ventilation. State Board of Building Regulations and
Standards. Code of Massachusetts Regulations. 780 CMR 1209.0
SMACNA. 1995. IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction. 1~ ed.
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, Inc, Chantilly, VA.
12
TABLE1
Indoor Air Test Results - McKay Elementary School - Beverly - December 4, 1998
Remarks Carbon Temp. Relative Occupants Windows Ventilation
Dioxide oF Humidity in Room Openable Intake Exhaust
~ppm %
Outside 383 76 24
(Background)
Room # 9 890 79 28 22 Yes Yes Yes
Room # 5 805 79 27 20 Yes Yes Yes
Room # 10 1049 80 27 20 Yes Yes Yes
Room# 1l 1455 77 31 22 Yes Yes Yes
Room # 12 1123 76 3 l 0 Yes Yes Yes
Room # 2 1370 77 30 18 Yes Yes Yes
Room # 4 912 77 34 21 Yes Yes Yes
Remarks
Exhaust closed, windows open and
partially plastic covered, wall
cracks comer of wall/ceiling
Water-damaged windows/caulking
broken, open, 4 plants, terrariums
(10+), exhaust closed
Exhaust closed, 4 plants, roofers
working outside window on roof
Musty odor, exhaust closed, water-
damaged plaster ceiling/windows,
history of wet carpet
Water-damaged ceiling, moist
window sills, wall crack comer,
exhaust closed, occupants gone 5
min.
Chemical odors (caulking material)
Window open, exhaust closed,
space around pipe, personal fan
* ppm = parts per million parts of air
CT = water-damaged ceiling tiles
Comfort Guidelines
Carbon Dioxide -
Temperature -
Relative Humidity -
< 600 ppm = preferred
600 - 800 ppm = acceptable
> 800 ppm = indicative of ventilation problems
70 - 78 °F
40 - 60%
TABLE2
Indoor Air Test Results - McKay Elementary School - Beverly - December 4, 1998
Remarks Carbon Temp. Relative Occupants Windows Ventilation
Dioxide °F Humidity in Room Openable Intake Exhaust
*ppm %
Speech Room 574 79 27 1 No Yes Yes
Cafeteria/Auditorium
165 Yes Yes Yes
Room # 3 1184 79 31 38 Yes Yes Yes
Room # 1 833 81 27
Mrs. Cummings 947 75 32
Grade 2
Vent Room
IdD l(csource I(oom 981 76 3 I
New Basement
Classroom # I
26 Yes Yes Yes
0 Yes No No
1 No No No
0 Yes No Yes
Remarks ~
Dry erase board
Cracked window
Exposed Fiberglas
Supply shut down, exhaust blocked,
water-damaged ceiling plaster,
windows sealed with plastic, 5
plants, moist window sills, dusty
window sills
Dry erase boards
Supply shut down
Broken cabinet - odors penetrating
Storage of boxes and materials, no
doors on vent room
Hole in wall Fiberglas exposed
Occupants gone 15 rain
Abandoned drain
Dry erase board
Comfort Guidelines
Carbon Dioxide
Temperature -
Relative 1 lumidity -
< 600 ppm = preferred
600 - 800 ppm = acceptable
> 800 ppm = indicative of ventilation problems
70 - 78 °F
40 - 60%
* ppm = parts per million parts of air
CT = water-damaged ceiling tiles
TABLE3
Indoor Air Test Results - McKay Elementary School - Beverly - December 4, 1998
Remarks Carbon Temp. Relative Occupants Windows Ventilation
Dioxide °F Humidity in Room Openable Intake Exhaust
*ppm %
New Basement 0 Yes No Yes
Classroom # 2
Grade # 2 0 Yes No No
Glasser
Room # 8 1109 74 35 19 Yes Yes Yes
Combination 1092 78 35 20+ Yes Yes Yes
Classroom # 6 & 7
Remarks
Windows open, plastic sealed
Vent room spaces, window open
CT (4), boiler room odors
Exhaust closed, dusty window sills,
5 plants
Exhaust closed, space around pipe,
6 plants
Comfort Guidelines
Carbon Dioxide -
Temperature -
Relative 1 lumidity -
< 600 ppm = preferred
600 - 800 ppm = acceptable
> 800 ppm = indicative of ventilation problems
70 - 78 °F
40 - 60%
~ ppm = parts per million parts of air
CT = water-damaged ceiling tiles