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BuildingEcology.com recommends:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Environment Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Air Quality home page. A wealth of resources, tools, and links for indoor air quality.
California Indoor Air Quality Program
The mission of the California Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program is to conduct and promote the coordination of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, and control of indoor pollution in California. The Indoor Air Quality Assistance Hotline offers guidance and information about indoor air quality issues.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Indoor Environment Publications
Search the Indoor Environment Department's bibliography of publications from 1995-2006.
IAQ: General
American Industrial Hygiene Association IEQ Committee
Assemble, evaluate, and disseminate to occupational and environmental health professionals information relevant to environmental quality in occupied indoor locations, including nonoccupational uses.
Building Commissioning Association
BCA is a professional organization dedicated to promoting effective approaches to the building commissioning process. The group defines commissioning as providing "documented confirmation that building systems function in compliance with criteria set forth in the Project Documents to satisfy the owner's operational needs." Recognizing that the scope of commissioning varies from project to project, the organization's goal is to achieve high professional standards while allowing for diverse and creative approaches to the commissioning process.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Indoor Environment Department
The Indoor Environment Department conducts a broad program of research, technology development and dissemination activities directed toward improving the health, comfort and energy efficiency of the indoor environment. Our work focuses on reducing the energy used for thermally conditioning and distributing ventilation air in buildings, improving indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort and the health and productivity of building occupants, and understanding human exposures to environmental pollutants found in indoor and outdoor air.
Building Research Establishment
BRE's mission is to build a better world and our vision is our unmistakable imprint on a highly regarded and sustainable built environment.
California Air Resources Board
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) carries out a non-regulatory Indoor Air Quality and Personal Exposure Assessment Program (Indoor Program) that includes sponsored research, exposure assessment, development of indoor air quality guidelines, and public education and outreach. The goal of the Indoor Program is to identify and reduce Californians' exposures to indoor air pollutants. The ARB is committed to pursuing actions to prevent indoor pollution and to effectively reduce the significant risk it currently poses to Californians.
Technical University of Denmark - International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy
The Centre's interdisciplinary research programme aims at developing design criteria and innovative technical solutions for the creation of healthy, comfortable and productive indoor environments that satisfy human requirements at moderate energy consumption. Many research projects involve exposure of human subjects to single or multiple indoor environment parameters and subsequent observation of the effect on their comfort, health and productivity. Studies take place both in indoor environment chambers, field experiment offices and in buildings in practice.
ecolabelling.org
ecolabelling.org is the global, independent database of ecolabels. An ecolabel is a logo that identifies a product or company that has met an environmentally preferable standard. Click on the link for more information on ecolabelling for green buildings, building products, and building services.
ISIAQ
International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ) is an international, independent, multidisciplinary, scientific, non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the creation of healthy, comfortable and productive indoor environments.
American Indoor Air Council
Nonprofit comprised of IAQ professionals and technicians to promote awareness, education and certification.
IAQ: Health
Indoor Air Scientific Findings Resource Bank
The IAQ-SFRB provides information summarizing the state of scientific knowledge about the relationships between people's health and productivity and the IAQ conditions or associated building characteristics in which the people work or reside. When possible, these relationships are expressed in quantitative terms using graphics, charts, or equations. The summaries also include brief descriptions of the actions that may be taken to improve the pertinent aspects of IAQ, including those related to building design, construction, operation, maintenance, and occupant activities. This web site also provides links for downloading published journal articles that were developed specifically for the IAQ-SFRB project. All of the information provided in the IAQ-SFRB has undergone review by multiple experts other than the authors.
Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)
RTECS is a compendium of data extracted from the open scientific literature. The data are recorded in the format developed by the RTECS staff and arranged in alphabetical order by prime chemical name. Six types of toxicity data are included in the file: (1) primary irritation; (2) mutagenic effects; (3) reproductive effects; (4) tumorigenic effects; (5) acute toxicity; and (6) other multiple dose toxicity. Specific numeric toxicity values such as LD50, LC50, TDLo, and TCLo are noted as well as species studied and route of administration used. For each citation, the bibliographic source is listed thereby enabling the user to access the actual studies cited. No attempt has been made to evaluate the studies cited in RTECS. The user has the responsibility of making such assessments.
American Lung Association Indoor Air Quality
The American Lung Association® is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States, with a National Office and constituent and affiliate associations around the country. Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, the American Lung Association® today fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health. The American Lung Association® is funded by contributions from the public, along with gifts and grants from corporations, foundations and government agencies. The American Lung Association® achieves its many successes through the work of thousands of committed volunteers and staff.
Indoor Air Institute
The Indoor Air Institute was formed in 2005 as an independent and unbiased organization to provide high quality, impartial, and relevant contributions to salient scientific and public policy questions concerning the indoor environment. All results from efforts undertaken by the Indoor Air Institute are made available not only to the sponsors, but also to other key decision-makers, the scientific community, and the public. Click on the link above for more information.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Intergrated Risk Assessment System
IRIS is a database of human health effects that may result from exposure to various substances found in the environment. IRIS was initially developed for EPA staff in response to a growing demand for consistent information on chemical substances for use in risk assessments, decision-making and regulatory activities. The information in IRIS is intended for those without extensive training in toxicology, but with some knowledge of health sciences.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Browse databases and other resources at IARC including the Monographs Database containing a complete list of agents, mixtures and exposures, all evaluated with their classifications, the Cancer Epidemiolgy Database which provides access to information on the occurrence of cancer worldwide, IARC's TP53 Database, and other useful resources.
National Toxicology Program
Searchable database of testing results and publications on thousands of chemicals. Test results are used by FDA, OSHA, and other regulatory and research agencies.
IAQ: Ventilation
ASHRAE Standard 62-2001
The purpose of this standard is to specify minimum ventilation rates and indoor air quality that will be acceptable to human occupants and are intended to minimize the potential for adverse health effects.
AIVC - Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre
The AIVC offers industry and research organizations technical support aimed at optimizing ventilation technology. They offer a range of services and facilities, including comprehensive database on literature standards, and ventilation data. They also produce a series of guides and technical notes. The Centre holds annual conferences and workshops and publishes a quarterly newsletter, Air Information Review.
Fact Sheet: Ventilation and Air Quality in Offices
Millions of Americans work in buildings with mechanical heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; these systems are designed to provide air at comfortable temperature and humidity levels, free of harmful concentrations of air pollutants. While heating and air-conditioning are relatively straightforward operations, the more complex processes involved in ventilation are the most important in determining the quality of our indoor air.
School Advanced Ventilation Engineering Software (SAVES)
The School Advanced Ventilation Engineering Software (SAVES) package is a tool to help school designers assess the potential financial payback and indoor humidity control benefits of Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems for school applications.
IAQ: Sources
State of California Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Specifications for Open Panel Office Furniture, 2006
This specification outlines requirements for certifying low-emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for office furniture systems under the California Department of General Services IFB 55756* - OPEN OFFICE PANEL SYSTEMS, issued November 22, 2006.
Carpet in Schools
The Carpet and Rug Institute is a non-profit trade association for the carpet and rug industry. Their website contains information on indoor air quality, carpet selection, allergy issues, maintenance, acoustics, and other issues.
Greenguard
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute™ (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program. As an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and buildings. GEI’s mission is to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air. A GEI Advisory Board consisting of independent volunteers, who are renowned experts in the areas of indoor air quality, public and environmental health, building design and construction, and public policy, provides guidance and leadership to GEI.
Toxicology Databases for the Work Environment
Compiled by the the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment, this site contains links to a variety of databases including chemical substances, occupational exposure limits, bibliographic, MSDSs and much more.
ChemFinder
Searchable chemical database.
MSDS Solutions
One of the largest MSDS databases in the world of over 2.5 Million, with 10,000 documents added each month. We are proud to boast over 350,000 subscribers to our services and over 1,500 eService clients.
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)
NAIMA is a trade association of North American (United States, Canada and Mexico) manufacturers of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products. NAIMA members manufacture the vast majority of fiber glass, rock and slag wool insulations produced and used in North America. The website offers information on products used for residential buildings, commercial & industrial buildings, HVAC/Duct systems, and more.
The Solvent Alternative Guide (SAGE)
Reliable, unbiased information on substitutes for hazardous solvents.
IAQ: Pollutants
California Indoor Air Quality Program - Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)
Various policy, reports, research and health information on environmental tobacco smoke.
IAQ: Building Materials
Pharos Project Wiki
Pharos is a project of the Healthy Building Network (HBN) who has partnered up with key players in the green building movement to bring you this tool. Pharos seeks to define a consumer-driven vision of truly green building materials and how they should be evaluated in harmony with principles of environmental health and justice. The Operating Principles of the Pharos Project are transparency, comprehensiveness, independence, accuracy and fairness applied to analyzing the impact building materials have on human health, the environment and communities – during production, use, and at the end of their useful life.
American Society for Testing Materials
Organized in 1898, ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. ASTM International is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services.
ASTM Technical Committee D22 Publications
Publications Sponsored by Committee D22 on Air Quality.
International Standardization Organization (ISO)
ISO is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from some 100 countries, one from each country. ISO is a non-governmental organization established in 1947. The mission of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services, and to developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity. ISO's work results in international agreements which are published as International Standards.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
Government program under the US EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention that is promoting the use of recycled and other green products.
Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus Program
Today's energy-efficient construction, which often limits outside air ventilation, places new demands on building materials manufacturers. To enable architects, specifiers and facility administrators to identify carpet and adhesive products with very low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), CRI enhanced its well-established Green Label Indoor Air Quality Testing program. Green Label Plus once again sets the standard for indoor air quality and ensures that customers are purchasing the very lowest emitting products on the market. The new "plus" symbolizes the carpet industry's commitment to a better environment for living, working, learning and healing.
Oikos Product Directory
This database of green building products and materials is available in print or on-line. Extensive listings are updated frequently on-line and semiannually in print.
IAQ: VOCs
California Indoor Air Quality Program - VOCs
Various VOC articles, reports and specs.
Organic Gases/Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands.
LBNL Report: Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air: A Review of Concentrations Measured in North America Since 1990
Abstract
Central tendency and upper limit concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured in indoor air are summarized and reviewed. Data were obtained from published cross-sectional studies of residential and office buildings conducted in North America from 1990 through the present. VOC concentrations in existing residences reported in 12 studies comprise the majority of the data set. Central tendency and maximum concentrations are compared between new and existing residences and between existing residences and office buildings. Historical changes in indoor VOC concentrations since the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 are explored by comparing the current data set with two published reviews of previous data obtained primarily in the 1980s. These historical comparisons suggest average indoor concentrations of some toxic air contaminants, such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane have decreased.
CARB Report: Common Indoor Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds - Emission Rates and Techniques for Reducing Consumer Exposures
Objectives
To characterize and quantify the emissions rates of VOCs, including TACs, from three general categories of common indoor building and decorating materials. Also, to measure the effectiveness of various practical measures that consumers can take to reduce their exposures to the VOCs emitted from these products during and after home remodeling activities. Materials studied included carpets, carpet pads, adhesives, vinyl flooring, and interior latex paint.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Indoor Environment Division Publications
Read the latest research on volatile organic compounds and more.
LBNL Report: Classification of Measured Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds Based on Noncancer Health and Comfort Considerations
Abstract
Building occupants are exposed to complex mixtures of air pollutants including many volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A recent review summarized the central tendency and upper limit indoor VOC concentrations measured in North American residences and office buildings since 1990. Although this database is limited in many respects, it serves as a useful starting point for evaluating the potential health and comfort effects of indoor VOC exposures. Excluding cancer and birth defects, the primary concern is chronic inhalation exposure to toxicants that can cause serious health problems. Additionally, building occupants react to the quality of indoor air through their sensory perceptions and frequently experience unpleasant odors and irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract.
An Introduction to Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.
IAQ: Chemistry
Indoor Air Chemistry: Cleaing Agents, Ozone and Toxic Air Contaminants
Abstract
When cleaning products and air fresheners are used indoors, occupants are exposed to airborne chemicals, potentially leading to health risks. Indoor air pollutant exposures owing to cleaning product and air freshener use depend on emissions from products, dynamic behavior of chemical species, and human factors. A series of experiments was conducted to investigate volatile organic compound emissions, concentrations, and reactive chemistry associated with the household use of cleaning products and air fresheners. Research focused on two common classes of ingredients in cleaning products and air fresheners: ethylene-based glycol ethers, which are classified as toxic air contaminants, and terpenes, which react rapidly with ozone. A shelf-survey of retail outlets led to the selection of 21 products whose chemical composition was characterized....
IAQ: Mold
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mold Resources
Introduction to mold, publications, images and much more.
California Indoor Air Qualiy Program - Mold
Information on mold codes, standards, legislation, health, remediation and research.
National Center for Environmental Health - Mold
CDC’s Mold Web site provides information on mold and health, an inventory of state indoor air quality programs, advice on assessment, cleanup efforts, and prevention of mold growth, and links to resources.
American Industrial Hygiene Association's Mold Resources
The key role of AIHA members in our society is protecting individuals from exposure to hazardous substances, (i.e., lead, asbestos, noise, radiation, biological chemicals) including exposure to fungi and other potentially hazardous microorganisms, commonly referred to as “mold”. Molds are ubiquitous in the environment, and can be found almost anywhere samples are taken. It is not known, however, what quantity of mold is acceptable in indoor environments with respect to health. For these reasons, and because individuals have different sensitivities to molds, setting standards and guidelines for indoor mold exposure levels is difficult and may not be practical.
Mold in My Home: What do I do?
This is an update of our info sheet providing basic information to people who have experienced water damage to their home. It describes health concerns related to mold exposure, and it also provides general guidelines on prevention, mold detection, as well as cleanup of mold contaminated materials.
Health Canada's Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: A Guide to Recognition and Management
This document is a revision of an earlier version published by Health Canada and the Federal-Provincial Advisory Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health (CEOH) in 1995. The intent is to update the information and to reconcile certain practical aspects of the document with newer publications from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and other cognizant authorities. The purpose of this document is to assist front-line public health workers in the management of potential health risks associated with fungal contamination in public buildings.
Indoor Fungal Glossary
Fungal glossary with descriptions and health effects.
The Fifth Kingdom
Search through over 800 pictures and animations that help illustrate concepts found in the book The Fifth Kingdom. Some of the actual chapters found in the book and CD-ROM are also included on this site.
MoldUpdate.com
MoldUpdate.com is a site where those interested in the issue of mold can come for current news, education, scientific links, litigation updates, state legislation and matters of mold as it relates to the insurance industry.
IAQ: Laboratories
Aerotech P&K
Aerotech P&K is a full service indoor air quality testing facility, specializing in the analysis of mold, bacteria, allergens, and chemical testing. They are a fully accredited (AIHA, A2LA) laboratories offer extremely competitive pricing, free inbound shipping of your samples with no minimums, and access to your reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Delivering the highest quality, legally defensible data in a timely manner is their top priority. They also carry a complete line of sampling equipment and supplies to meet all your needs.
IAQ: Useful Publications
Indoor Air International Journal of Indoor Environment and Health
Indoor Air provides a location for reporting original research results in the broad area defined by the indoor environment of non-industrial buildings. An international journal with multidisciplinary content, Indoor Air publishes papers reflecting the broad categories of interest in this field.
Atmospheric Environment
The subject matter of papers published in Atmospheric Environment covers air pollution research and its applications. Papers should present novel results based on experiments, theory and modelling of the atmosphere extending from the scale of buildings and streets to the globe. The main aim of Atmospheric Environment is to provide a scientific understanding of the consequences of natural and human-induced perturbations of the earth's atmosphere. Areas covered include air pollution research and its applications, air quality and its effects, dispersion and transport, deposition, biospheric- atmospheric exchange, atmospheric chemistry and induced changes in radiation and climate. Atmospheric Environment publishes original research and review articles, special issues and supplements, and New Directions columns.
Environmental Science & Technology
Published twice monthly, ES&T is a unique source of information for scientific and technical professionals in a wide range of environmental disciplines. In its research section, contributed material may appear as current research papers, policy analyses, or critical reviews. Also included is a magazine section called the A-Pages that provides authoritative news and analysis of the major developments, events, and challenges shaping the field.
Environment International
Environment International covers all disciplines engaged in the field of environmental research. It seeks to quantify the impact of contaminants in the human environment, and to address human impacts on the natural environment itself. We recognize that scientific issues related to environmental health and human welfare are inherently interdisciplinary and, therefore, we welcome articles that cover the entire spectrum of sources, pathways, sinks and interactions between environmental pollutants, whether chemical, biological or physical. The primary criteria for publication are scientific quality and environmental significance.
Indoor Air Quality Handbook
Co-edited by Jack Spengler, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation in the Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, the handbook describes human and building systems and how they interact with each other.
Indoor 2002 Abstracts
Download a .pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader) file containing abstracts of all the papers presented at the Indoor Air 2002 (3.7 MB.)
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene is a joint publication of AIHA and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association
The Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association is one of the oldest continuously published, peer-reviewed, technical environmental journals in the world. First published in 1951 under the name Air Repair, the Journal is intended to serve those occupationally involved in air pollution control and waste management through the publication of timely and reliable information.
IAQ: Conferences
Indoor Air 2008
The 11th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate will be held at the Technical University of Denmark, 17th August to 22nd August 2008.
Healthy Buildings 2006
HB 2006 is the 8th in a series of Healthy Buildings Conferences that started in 1988 at Stockholm and since then have taken place in Washington DC (1991), Budapest (1994), Milan (1995), Washington DC (1997), Helsinki (2000) and Singapore (2003). The issues addressed relate to indoor air quality and its impact on health. The main focus is on buildings as confined spaces where we spend around 90% of our life. HB 2006 was held in Lisboa, Portugal, June 4-8. Click on the link above for more details.
Indoor Air 2005
Indoor Air 2005, was held from September 4-9, 2005, in Beijing, China. The Proceedings are available. Please contact the conference secretariat for more information indoorair05@tsinghua.edu.cn
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