5/2/2011 SCHOOL COMMITTEE Minutes

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1 The American Society ofHeating f'ri r 1tion and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has adopted the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as one set of criteria for assessing indoor air quality and monitoring of fresh air introduced by MVAC systems (ASHRAE, 1989). The NAAQS are standards established by the US EPA to protect the public health from six criteria pollutants, including carbon monoxide and particulate matter(CJS EPA, 2006). A s recommended by A SHRAE, pollutant levels of fresh-air introduced to a building should not exceed the NAAQS levels .S RAE, 1989). The NAAQS were adapted by reference in the Building Officials & Cade Administrators (BOCA)National Mechanical Cache of 1993 (BOLA, 1993), which is now an HVAC standard included in the Massachusetts State Building Code SBBRS, 1997). According to the NAAQS, carbon monoxide levels in outdoor air should not exceed 9 ppm in an eight-hour average US EPA, 2006). Carbon monoxide should not be present in a typical, indoor*environment. J it is present, indoor carbon monoxide levels should be less than or equal to outdoor levels. On the day of the assessment, outdoor carbon monoxide concentrations were non-detect(Nle) (Table 1). 'No measurable levels ofcarbon monoxide er re detected inside the building Taal 1). F Particulate.utter The CJS EPA has established NQS limits for exposure to particulate matter. Particulate matter is airborne solids that can be irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. The NAAQS originally established exposure limits to particulate matter w1th a diameter of 1 r less PM 10). According to the NAAQS, PM 10 levels should not exceed 150 micrograms per cubic meter �tg m3 in a 24-hour average US EPA, 2006). These standards were adapted by both ASHR E and BOLA. Since the issuance of the A HRAE standard and BOCA Code, US EPA established a more protective standard for fine airborne particles. This more stringent 12