Indoor Pollution: Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Microbiological Respiratory Hazards Associated with Air Conditioning and Ventilation System. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission UPDATE on FORMALDEHYDE [PDF]: US CPSC, retrieved Feb 2013, renewed 17 April 2015, original source: Brief, R. S. and T. Bernath. Sources: Off-gassing from urea formaldehyde foam insulation, plywood, particle board, and paneling; carpeting and fabric; glues and adhesives; and combustion products including tobacco smoke. Sometimes, specific contaminants like dust from construction or renovation, mold, cleaning supplies, pesticides, or other airborne chemicals (including small amounts of chemicals released as a gas over time) may cause poor IAQ. Modern office buildings are generally considered safe and healthful working environments. American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Much of the specialized equipment is available through the OSHA Health Response Team (HRT), Cincinnati Technical Center (CTC), or Regional Offices. The TLV and BEIBook and Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values on Chemical Substances, 7th Edition are available through the ACGIH website at http://www.acgih.org. California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Table AC-1, Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), in California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 8 Section 5155, last viewed October 2, 2019. Room air in which contaminants are generated should be discharged directly outdoors rather than recirculated. The investigator should be aware that there may be other health effects in addition to those listed. Levels in excess of the above do not necessarily imply that the conditions are unsafe or hazardous. It is not a standards setting body. The use of filtration, electronic cleaners, chemical treatment with activated charcoal or other sorbents; Humidity control in the range of 20%-60%; and. Em= 500 1,000 + 45 200 + 40 200 Are there designated smoking areas that have separate, nonrecirculating exhaust systems? NIOSH has determined that inadequate ventilation is the main problem in 52% of their IAQ investigations. Lyon, France: IARC. Web site last accessed on October 18, 2019. Most of the PELs contained in the Z-Tables of 29 CFR 1910.1000 were adopted from the Walsh-Healy Public Contracts Act as existing Federal standards for general industry. Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide Health Risks of Indoor Pollutants. Of all the states that have OSHA-approved State Plans, California has the most extensive list of OELs. Indoor Air Quality. ASHRAE Standard 62-73: Standards for Natural and Mechanical Ventilation. 1987. Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance, Permissible Exposure Limits - Annotated Tables. ACGIH Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances in the Work Environment. Provides a series of questions and answers about indoor air quality. This has been demonstrated by the reduction in allowable exposure limits recommended by many technical, professional, industrial, and government organizations, both inside and outside the United States. The computation formula which shall apply to employee exposure to more than one substance for which 8-hour time weighted averages are listed in subpart Z of 29 CFR part 1910 in order to determine whether an employee is exposed over the regulatory limit is as follows: The cumulative exposure for an 8-hour work shift shall be computed as follows: American Academy of Industrial Hygiene (AAIH). 1975. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include: conjunctival irritation nose and throat discomfort headache allergic skin reaction dyspnea declines in serum cholinesterase levels nausea emesis epistaxis fatigue dizziness Microorganisms and Other Biological Contaminants (Microbials). The ACGIH TLV specifies an 8-hour time weighted average for total diesel hydrocarbons (vapor and aerosol) of 100 mg/m3. it is recommended that OSHA or NIOSH limits be used for those individual compounds and that they not be included in the Total VOC value. TLV: 1,000 ppm (5). The walkaround inspection should cover all the affected areas. Controlling Exposure to Hazardous Drugs, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Page for updated information. 1910.1026, is stayed or is otherwise not in effect. If, after the remedial action, the illness persists in the workplace, the affected personnel should be considered for permanent reassignment to another area. These include averaging periods, size selective measures and similar information. ACGIH is a private, not-for-profit, nongovernmental corporation. NIOSH has established occupational exposure limits for compounds not included in the OSHA Z Tables. Guidelines for Assessment and Sampling of Saprophytic Bioaerosols in the Indoor Environment. Benzene Click here for permission request form. Current OSHA PEL: 0.75 ppm TWA, 2 ppm STEL 1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL 1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 0.3 ppm (0.37 mg/m 3) CEILING, A2 Description of Substance: Nearly colorless gas with a . "Items to Consider When Investigating Complaints Relative to the Office Environment." Often employee complaints result from items such as cigarette smoke, odors, low-level contaminants, poor air circulation, thermal gradients, humidity, job pressures, lighting, work-station design, or noise. 1988. Viewable at http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5155table_ac1.html. Since Em is less than unity (1), the exposure combination is within acceptable limits. Appendix III:2-1. A Citizen's Guide to Radon. During the walkaround inspection, the investigator could determine the building characteristics, discuss with knowledgeable personnel the proper operation of the HVAC systems, verify information obtained from the employer and employee interviews, perform ventilation-system testing, and, if appropriate, collect screening samples to identify potential causes of the problem. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Acute health effects: No acute health effects are known but chronic exposure may lead to increased risk of lung cancer from alpha radiation. Since long-term exposure to VOCs can cause damage to the liver, kidneys and the central nervous system, the RESET standard formulates IAQ performance targets for an average daily exposure to TVOC concentrations, as listed in Table below. Minimize exposure by limiting occupancy of contaminated airspace, limiting use of offending sources to specific areas or times, or evacuating contaminated areas until they can be ventilated adequately. Sources: Tobacco smoke, fossil-fuel engine exhausts, improperly vented fossil-fuel appliances. Em is the equivalent exposure for the mixture. If carbon dioxide levels exceed 1,000 ppm it does not necessarily indicate that the building is hazardous and should be evacuated. Section 6(a) of the OSH Act granted the Agency the authority to adopt existing Federal standards or national consensus standards as enforceable OSHA standards. 2,000 ppm in solution). Two hours exposure at 150 ppm Two hours exposure at 75 ppm Four hours exposure at 50 ppm Substituting this information in the formula, we have (2 150 + 2 75 + 4 50) 8 = 81.25 ppm Since 81.25 ppm is less than 100 ppm, the 8-hour time weighted average limit, the exposure is acceptable. These levels are only guidelines. . Acute health effects: Tobacco smoke can irritate the respiratory system and, in allergic or asthmatic persons, often results in eye and nasal irritation, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, headache, and related sinus problems. 250 to 2000 ppb Look for VOC sources if this average level persists for a month. The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for CO are 9 ppm for 8 hours and 35 ppm for 1 hour. (i) This standard applies to any operations or sectors for which the exposure limits in the beryllium standard, 1910.1024, are stayed or is otherwise not in effect. Please see the NIOSH Pocket Guide for additional limits, skin absorption and other designations, and explanations. New York: ASHRAE. Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) are guidance values for assessing biological monitoring results concentrations of chemicals in biological media (e.g., blood, urine). Products and equipment powered by internal combustion engines such as portable generators, cars, lawn mowers, and power washers also produce CO. During an 8-hour work shift, an employee may be exposed to a concentration of Substance A (with a 10 ppm TWA, 25 ppm ceiling and 50 ppm peak) above 25 ppm (but never above 50 ppm) only for a maximum period of 10 minutes. Here is a common chart of TVOC levels expressed as milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) and also micrograms per cube meter (ug/m3): Basically, in order to be safe you want the TVOC to be below 0.3 mg/m3 or 300 ug/m3. Cal/OSHA enforces its PELs in workplaces under its jurisdiction. This document contains a high level discussion of indoor air quality given that ASHRAE has published many informative documents related to indoor air quality such as the Handbook -- Fundamentals (ASHRAE 2017a) (particularly Chapters 9 through 12) and two IAQ guides: "Indoor Air Quality Guide - Best Practices for Design, Construction and Also, some specific diseases have been linked to specific air contaminants or indoor environments, like asthma with damp indoor environments. Physical hazards including noise from nearby sources such as air conditioning systems and printers, inadequate lighting, stress from the operation of video display terminals (VDT's), vibration sources, extremes of heat, cold and humidity, drafts, and poor air circulation. Click here for permission request form. They include headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, lack of concentration, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Reduction of job stress by: (a) adequate flow of information from management to employees; (b) explanation of any changes introduced into the workplace including new chemicals, ventilation, production modification, and work schedules; (c) maximizing employee participation in planning and implementing changes; (d) stress reduction techniques including exercise, biofeedback, and assertiveness training; and (e) training workers to understand chemicals they may be working with and their health effects, dose/response relationships, and results of environmental evaluation. Sixty cubic feet per minute per person is recommended for smoking lounges with local mechanical exhaust ventilation and no air recirculation.4. Lioy, P. J. Appendix III:2-2. OSHA enforces these limits under section 5(a)(2) of the OSH Act. PELs are 8-hour time weighted averages (TWAs) unless otherwise indicated. Therefore, some products that are labeled as "no VOC" or "low VOC" under the CAA can actually contain volatile organic chemicals that are toxic, sometimes at high levels. Ergonomic problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome or inflammatory disorders of the tendons and joints of keyboard operators due to tasks requiring repetitive motions. Investigating Office-Related Complaints, Appendix III:2-2. For the most current OELs and information on notations such as skin absorption, users should consult complete listings and explanations from Cal/OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH. Please see the NIOSH Pocket Guide for additional limits, skin absorption and other designations, and explanations. airborne chemicals (VOCs) LEVELS MEAN? These symptoms often disappear when the employee leaves the workplace. Radon. Acute health effects: Eye, respiratory and mucous membrane irritation. Viewable at http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5155table_ac1.html. When possible, use local exhaust ventilation and enclosure to capture and remove contaminants generated by specific processes. OELs for hundreds of additional substances have been adopted by Cal/OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH. Levels in Homes. Other substances8-hour Time Weighted Averages. Tobacco smoke contains several hundred toxic substances including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, tars, and nicotine. The following are general recommendations which, where relevant, should be standard procedure. 1,000-2,000 ppm: level associated with complaints of drowsiness and poor air 2,000-5,000 ppm: level associated with headaches, sleepiness, and stagnant, stale, stuffy air; poor. Miscellaneous Inorganic Gases. 29 CFR 1910.1000 [82 FR 2735, January 9, 2017]. A simple traverse of the fresh-air intake duct may provide adequate information to determine the fresh-air flow. 12/23/2020 - Review of the Ozone NAAQS - Final Decision; 7/13/2020 - Review of the Ozone NAAQS - Proposed Decision; Additional . National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Feb. 1989. Has there been any recent renovation or maintenance that can be a source of contaminants, such as painting, carpet installation, air conditioning repairs, use of acid drain cleaners, carpet cleaning, disinfecting of HVAC system, pesticide application? = Chemical Abstract Service Number, PNOR = Particulates not otherwise regulated. If levels inside a building are detected greater than 100 ppm, the building should be evacuated until the source is identified and corrected. 0-250 ppb The VOC contents in the air are low. OSHA's former limit for carbon dioxide was 5000 ppm as an 8-hour TWA. The TLVs in the annotated tables are reprinted with permission from ACGIH. Symptoms include chills, fever, muscle ache, chest tightness, headache, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, and nausea. [71 FR 16673, April 3, 2006; 81 FR 16861, March 25, 2016], Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Sampling methods and equipment are covered in. (g) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) from the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg) (Web site last accessed on October 18, 2019). 1987, 1988. In these cases, measures . ACGIH has established TLVs for compounds not included in the OSHA Z Tables. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. Carbon Dioxide NIOSH has a REL for carbon dioxide not to exceed 5,000 ppm over an 8-hour TWA and a 15-minute TWA STEL of 30,000 ppm for carbon dioxide in workplace air. Is smoking allowed in the office, in adjacent areas or in areas serviced by the same ventilation system? RELs are for up to 10-hour time weighted averages (TWAs) during a 40-hour work week unless otherwise indicated. and infections such as legionellosis are seen. American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The following States have Indoor Air regulations: California New Jersey 1910.1000 (d) (2) (i) Based on screening results, validated sampling procedures may be required to further quantify employee exposures. Oil Well Derrick Stability: Guywire Anchor Systems, Industrial Robots and Robot System Safety, Excavations: Hazard Recognition in Trenching and Shoring, Controlling Lead Exposures in the Construction Industry: Engineering and Work Practice Controls, Acute Health Effects of Major Indoor Air Contaminants, Appendix III:2-1. (n) See Table Z2 for the exposure limits for any operations or sectors where the exposure limits in 1910.1024 are stayed or otherwise not in effect. During the walkaround inspection, professional judgment must be exercised to determine if samples should be collected to evaluate potential sources and potential contaminants including gases, vapors, and particulates. 1986. In addition to the values listed in this table, the Z tables in 29 CFR 1910.1000 list skin absorption designations. Two hours exposure at 75 ppm New Jersey: Noyes Data Corp. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). 29 CFR 1910.1000 [82 FR 2735, January 9, 2017]. Substituting this information in the formula, we have Appendix III:2-1 presents a brief discussion of these items. Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) refer to airborne concentrations of chemical substances and represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, over a working lifetime, without adverse effects. The combined effects of multiple, low-level air contaminants have not been investigated thoroughly and may be a cause of the problem. Levels of carbon monoxide inside buildings should not exceed 9 ppm. 3, 2006; 71 FR 36008, June 23, 2006.]. OSHA recognizes that many of its permissible exposure limits (PELs) are outdated and inadequate for ensuring protection of worker health. OSHA has adopted a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of .75 ppm, and an action level of 0.5 ppm. Building-related illnesses are those for which there is a clinically defined illness of known etiology and include infections such as legionellosis and allergic reactions such as hypersensitivity diseases and are often documented by physical signs and laboratory findings. An employee's exposure to any substance listed in Table Z-2 shall not exceed the exposure limits specified as follows: 8-hour time weighted averages. . National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (2019) NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Fisk, W. J. et al. E is the equivalent exposure for the working shift. CAS number: 50-00- NIOSH REL: 0.016 ppm TWA, 0.1 ppm 15-minute CEILING; NIOSH considers formaldehyde to be a potential occupational carcinogen as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990]. Available at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1000, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, ALUMINUM METAL AND INSOLUBLE COMPOUNDS - ACGIH, ARSENIC AND ITS INORGANIC COMPOUNDS - ACGIH, CALCIUM SILICATE, NATURALLY OCCURRING AS WOLLASTONITE - ACGIH, o-CHLOROBENZYLIDENE MALONONITRILE - ACGIH, 1,3-DICHLORO-5,5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN - ACGIH, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL METHYL ETHER (DPGME) - ACGIH, DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE: Notice of Intended Change - ACGIH, GRAIN DUST (OAT, WHEAT, AND BARLEY) - ACGIH, GRAPHITE, ALL FORMS EXCEPT GRAPHITE FIBERS - ACGIH, HEPTACHLOR and HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE - ACGIH, HYDROGEN CYANIDE AND CYANIDE SALTS - ACGIH, PENTYL ACETATE, ALL ISOMERS - PENTYL ACETATE, ALL ISOMERS - ACGIH, APPENDIX F: MINIMAL OXYGEN CONTENT - ACGIH, MANGANESE, ELEMENTAL AND INORGANIC COMPOUNDS - ACGIH, METHYLACETYLENE-PROPADIENE MIXTURE - ACGIH, NICKEL AND INORGANIC COMPOUNDS, INCLUDING NICKEL SUBSULFIDE - ACGIH, OXALIC ACID, ANHYDROUS AND DIHYDRATE - ACGIH, SILICA, CRYSTALLINE -QUARTZ AND CRISTOBALITE - ACGIH, TELLURIUM AND COMPOUNDS (NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED), EXCLUDING HYDROGEN TELLURIDE - ACGIH, 1,1,1,2-TETRACHLORO-2,2-DIFLUOROETHANE - ACGIH, 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLORO-1,2-DIFLUOROETHANE - ACGIH, 4,4'-THIOBIS(6-tert-BUTYL-m-CRESOL) - ACGIH, TIN AND INORGANIC COMPOUNDS, EXCLUDING TIN HYDRIDE AND INDIUM TIN OXIDE - ACGIH, TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE, 2,4- OR 2,6- (OR AS A MIXTURE) - ACGIH, 1,1,2-TRICHLORO-1,2,2-TRIFLUORO-ETHANE - ACGIH, TURPENTINE AND SELECTED MONOTERPENES - ACGIH, URANIUM (NATURAL) AND ITS SOLUBLE and INSOLUBLE COMPOUNDS - ACGIH, VINYLTOLUENE, ALL ISOMERS: Notice of Intended Change - ACGIH, http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5155table_ac1.html, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1000, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance, Acetylene dichloride; see 1,2-Dichloroethylene, Arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As) see 1910.1018, Benzene; See 1910.1028; See Table Z-2 for the limits applicable in the operations or sectors excluded in 1910.1028, Benzo(a)pyrene; see Coal tar pitch volatiles, Beryllium and beryllium compounds (as Be); see, Butadiene (1,3-Butadiene); See 29 CFR 1910.1051; 29 CFR 1910.19, 2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene; See beta-Chloroprene, 1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane; See Epichlorohydrin, 2-Chloroethanol; See Ethylene chlorohydrin, Coal dust (greater than or equal to 5% SiO, Coal tar pitch volatiles (benzene soluble fraction), anthracene, BaP, phenanthrene, acridine, chrysene, pyrene), Diacetone alcohol (4-Hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone), 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP); see 1910.1044, 1,2-Dibromoethane; see Ethylene dibromide, 1,2-Dichloroethane; see Ethylene dichloride, 1,2-Dichloropropane; see Propylene dichloride, 4-Dimethylaminoazo-benzene; see 1910.1015, Dimethyl-1,2-dibromo-2,2-dichloroethylphosphate, 2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanone; see Diisobutyl ketone, Diphenylmethane diisocyanate; see Methylene bisphenylisocyanate, Di-sec octyl phthalate (Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate (Cellosolve acetate), 0.05 ppm for exposures to mixture of ethylene glycol dinitrate and nitroglycerin, Ethylene glycol methylacetate; see Methylcellosolve acetate, Ethylidene chloride; see 1,1-Dichlorethane, Fluorotrichloromethane (Trichlorofluoromethane), Glycol monoethyl ether; see 2-Ethoxyethanol, 2-Methoxyethyl acetate (Methyl cellosolve acetate), Methyl acetylene propadiene mixture (MAPP), Methyl amyl alcohol; see Methyl Isobutylcarbinol, Methyl cellosolve acetate; see 2-Methoxyethylacetate, Methyl chloroform (1,1,1-Trichloro-ethane), Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK); see 2-Butanone, Monomethyl hydrazine; see Methyl hydrazine, Nickel, metal and insoluble compounds (as Ni), 0.05 ppm for mixture of nitroglycerine and ethylene glycol dinitrate, Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), PCB; see Chlorodiphenyl (42% and 54% chlorine), Petroleum distillates (Naphtha) (Rubber Solvent), Rhodium (as Rh), metal fume and insoluble compounds, Silica, amorphous, diatomaceous earth, containing less than 1% crystalline silica, Silicates (less than 1% crystalline silica), Talc (containing asbestos): use asbestos limit: see 29 CFR 1910.1001, Talc (containing no asbestos), respirable dust, Silver, metal and soluble compounds (as Ag), 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-tri-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), Tetrachoroethylene; see Perchloroethylene, Tetrachloromethane; see Carbon tetrachloride, Tetryl (2,4,6-Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine), Tin, inorganic compounds (except oxides) (as Sn), 1,1,1-Trichloroethane; see Methyl chloroform, 2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl-methyl nitramine; see Tetryl, Vegetable oil mists (except castor, cashew nut or similar irritant oils), CAS No. The most effective engineering control for prevention of indoor air quality problems is assuring an adequate supply of fresh outdoor air through natural or mechanical ventilation. Factors to be evaluated include inside and outside contamination sources; the HVAC system, e.g., location of air source, contamination, and proper operation; and occupational contributors, such as those listed in Appendix III:2-1. The TLVs and BEIs are copyrighted by ACGIH and are not publicly available. C is the concentration of a particular contaminant. Contact the Directorate of Technical Support for information about laboratories experienced in the analysis of microbial samples and with knowledge of the health effects. 1983. 4 II. Includes ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide. Em = (C1 L1 + C2 L2) + . The time-weighted average applies to the cotton waste processing operations of waste recycling (sorting, blending, cleaning and willowing) and garnetting. Available at http://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1000. These in turn had been adopted from the 1968 Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). NIOSH recommends no more than 35 ppm for 1 hour. Cal/OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH have OELs in addition to those listed in the annotated tables. For more information and documentation, consult with these organizations. OSHA's Hazard Communication standard (1910.1200 Appendix D) requires that safety data sheets list not only the relevant OSHA PEL but also the ACGIH TLV and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the safety data sheet. However, they can be purchased in their entirety on the ACGIH website. Includes the use of natural, dilution, local exhaust, or increased ventilation efficiency. Cal/OSHA has established occupational exposure limits for compounds not included in the OSHA Z Tables. 1986. Adopted by ACGIH with Intended Changes. Personal Correspondence to Edward Baier, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. See Important Note on ACGIH TLVs, which is also reprinted with permission from ACGIH. Cal/OSHA sets a TWA at 25 ppm, and a ceiling at 200 ppm. Sources: Combustion products from gas furnaces and appliances; tobacco smoke, welding, and gas- and diesel-engine exhausts. Meyer, B. McLellan, R. K. 1983. Sources of these compounds include solvents, liquid fuels, furniture, carpets and other fabrics. Department of Health and Human Services. 8-47, Table N1) concurred that the proposed limits were appropriate. Such exposure must be compensated by exposures to concentrations less than 10 ppm so that the cumulative exposure for the entire 8-hour work shift does not exceed a weighted average of 10 ppm. Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Indoor Air Quality in Commercial and Institutional Buildings, Preventing Mold-Related Problems in the Indoor Workplace, An Office Building Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality, Protect Yourself: Cleaning Chemicals and Your Health, Protecting Workers Who Use Cleaning Chemicals, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Discusses indoor air quality in schools as it may affect the health, performance and comfort of school staff and students. Investigations of indoor air quality (IAQ) often fail to identify any harmful levels of specific toxic substances. NIOSH has established occupational exposure limits for compounds not included in the OSHA Z Tables. With low oxygen levels being the biggest cause of death in confined spaces, accurate oxygen level measurements are essential. 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