5/2/2011 SCHOOL COMMITTEE Minutes

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Y status. Inadequate ventilation and/or elevated temperatures are major causes of complaints such as respiratory, eye, nose and throat irritation, lethargy and headaches. For more information concerning carbon dioxide, consult Appendix A. Indoor temperature measurements ranged from' 68'F to 76° F, which were within or close to the tower end of the MDPH recommended comfort range in areas surveyed the day of the assessment(Table 1). The MDPH recommends that indoor air temperatures be maintained in a range of 7 ° F to 7 ° F in order to provide for the comfort of building occupants. In many cases concerning indoor air quality, fluctuations of temperature in occupied spaces are typically experienced, even in a building with an adequate fresh air suppler. Relative humidity in the building ranged from 26 to 64 percent. The MDPH recommends a comfort range of 40 to 60 percent for indoor air relative humidity. Relative humidity measurements were within the recommended comfort range in all areas, except for the guidance areas where relative humidity levels were 6 to 27 percent higher than other areas. The higher relative humidity levels in the guidance area are largely related to a leak that occurred in a mechanical room near the first floor guidance area and as a result had moistened carpet and other building materials;this is discussed further in the Moisture/microbial Concerns section of this report. Relative humidity levels in the building would be expected to drop during the whiter months due to heating. The sensation of dryness and irritation'.is common in a low relative humidity environment. Low relative humidity is a very common problem during the heating season in the northeast part of the United States. Micro i Moi tore Concerns In order for building materials to support mold growth, a source of water exposure is necessary. Identification and elimination of the source of water moistening building materials Is