Postconference Report on the Second NSF International Conference on Indoor Air Health

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Postconference Report on the Second NSF International Conference on Indoor

Air Health

The Second NSF International Conference on Indoor Air Health: Trends and

Advances in Risk Assessment and Management provided an open forum for lively

discussion and serious debate at the historic Radisson Deauville in Miami

Beach, Florida USA, January 28-31, 2001. With increased attendance of 25%

over the 1999 conference, the 248 participants represented industry,

regulatory agencies, public health organizations, research and testing

services, trade associations, media and academic communities from 18

countries, 38 states, and the District of Columbia.

NSF International President Dennis Mangino, American Lung Association

National Policy Assistant White, and Florida Deputy State Health

Officer Hunter opened the conference program and overviewed the

conference agenda. Keynoter Eckhardt Johanning of Fungal Research Group

explored the scope of human health-related effects in " Fungi, Mycotoxins and

Bioaerosols: A Follow-up of the Saratoga Springs (NY) Meeting. " Keynoter

ph Wysocki of U.S. Department of Agriculture's ative State

Research, Education and Extension Service addressed national programs and

issues in " Indoor Air Quality Education. " Keynoter Dietrick Schwela from the

World Health Organization (WHO) Occupational and Environmental Health

Division offered international insights into " The Progress of Work and

Achievements: Initiatives of WHO in Air Quality. "

Including the keynote session, the technical program included 63

presentations in eleven general and two interactive poster sessions.

International Center for Toxicology and Medicine's Gots gave the

featured presentation on " Indoor Air and Health: Emphasize Health and

Minimize Engineering " in the session on Public Health Aspects of Indoor Air

Quality. Complementary presentations were given on indoor air quality

policies; indoor climate and noise issues; new building occupants' problems;

and statistical vs. knowledge-based models of moisture damage index

research.

Ed Light of Building Dynamics gave the featured presentation on " Mass

Psychogenic Illness Attributed to Indoor Air: Diagnosis and Management " in

the session on Health Endpoints and Case Studies. Complementary

presentations were given on microbiological contamination and the role of

social amplification; complaints as reflections of inadequate indoor

environments; review of IAQ and childhood asthma relationships; and healthy

indoor air for people with asthma and allergies.

Jerry Tulis of Duke University Medical Center gave the featured presentation

on " Hurricane Floyd Aftermath: Mold, Mold and More Mold " in the session on

Risk Assessment of Microbiological Contaminants. Related presentations were

given on novel models to evaluate exposure to molds and mycotoxins; a case

study of new media for improved recovery of Stachybotrys chartarum; and

ochratoxia A produced by aspergillus Ochraceus growing on nutrient media.

E. of Toxcon Health Sciences Research Center gave the featured

presentation on " Use of Human Clinical Studies for Improved Risk

Characterization of Consumer Products " in the session on Risk Assessment of

Chemical Contaminants. Complementary presentations were given on the

derivation of health-based action levels for indoor air contaminants; the

irritation potency of building material emissions; human health risks from

inhaled formaldehyde; and sensory irritation or other non-cancer endpoints

for determining reference concentrations.

In the session on Risk Assessment of Particle Contaminants, presentations

were given on experience with accidental exposure to combustion products;

composition and particle size distribution of kitchen aerosols; particulate

flow over backward facing step; and characterizing household dirt from 1928

to 2001.

Kannan Krishnan of University of Montreal gave the featured presentation on

" Interaction-Based PBPK Models and Risk Assessment of Volatile Organic

Compounds Occurring as Mixtures " before the panel discussion in the session

on Risk Assessment Methods for Complex Mixtures. Adam Tetz with American

Lung Association of Minnesota's Health House Program conducted a

consumer/builder panel on home environments using principles of Health House

Design, Construction and Use.

In the session on Indoor Air Quality Education, presentations on innovative

approaches in teaching Oregon high school students and indoor air science

education in Slovakia preceded the panel discussion by Shaughnessy

of University of Tulsa College of Engineering; Varney of East

Tennessee State University College of Public and Allied Health, and Sandy

Wiggins of North Carolina State University Housing and Environment Extension

Service.

A. of H.L. Group gave the featured presentation on

" Designing and Commissioning Healthy Buildings " in the session on

Ventilation Design. Complementary presentations were given on effects of

humidity on VOC emissions from loaded filters; multipoint monitoring system

validation and analysis; engineered solutions for mitigation of IAQ

problems; and outdoor air intake location design strategies.

In the session on Ventilation Assessment, presentations were given on new

building IAQ with uniform ventilation systems; HVAC system contributions to

total fiber burden; ventilation assessment using carbon dioxide monitoring;

formaldehyde reduction using room air filtration systems; and ventilation

hygiene assessment. In the session on Ventilation Mitigation, presentations

were given on negative air ionization for removing VOCs and particulate

matter; lessons learned from HVAC duct cleaning and coating project;

correcting predecessors' mistakes; and humidity management and control of

airborne transmission of infectious disease.

Companion poster presentations on Contaminants covered sampling and analysis

of volatile contaminants; assessment and management of indoor motor-sports

events; and indoor radon exposure. Poster presentations on Indoor Air Health

Issues included an overview of the hazards of neglected air conditioners;

ways to reduce the effects of allergens; protecting high-risk populations

using county heat advisory and mitigation plans; and short and long term

water intrusion dangers.

Sponsors, contributors and supporters included American Industrial Hygiene

Association, American Lung Association, Association of Home Appliance

Manufacturers, Cutter Information, Ecology Center of Southern California,

Florida Department of Environmental Health, Indoor Environment

Communications, National Environmental Health Association, National Indoor

Environmental Professional Association, National Trade Publications,

Rimbaugh Publishing, World Health Organization and Pan American Health

Organization. Sponsoring publications included Cleaning and Maintenance

Management and Cleaning and Maintenance Distribution, IE Connections, IEQ

Strategies, Industrial Hygiene News, Pollution Control News, Pollution

Equipment News, and The Synergist.

The exhibits program highlighted products, services and technology by

Aerotech Laboratories, Analytical Services, BGI, BMS Catastrophe, Center for

Public Health Education, Entech Instruments, Health House, Healthy Indoor

Environments, Indoor Environment Communications, National Environmental

Health Association, National Indoor Environment Professional Association,

NSF International, Precision Air, Pure Air Control Services, Quest

Technologies, SKC, Therma Stor Products, UltraViolet Devices and print media

in the Publishers' Corner.

The program showcased IAQ monitoring and sampling systems, ultraviolet

germicidal irradiation and photocatalytic oxidation systems, ionization

treatment systems, energy efficient high-capacity dehumidifiers, plumbing

and mechanical systems technology, data monitoring and assessment services,

sanitizer and disinfection services, odor/dust/debris removal systems,

hazard management services, microbial control technology, and air treatment

systems. Also represented were sensory evaluation and perception

laboratories, environmental and building diagnostics laboratories,

microbiological testing and analysis services, instrumentation providers,

bioaerosol research companies, consulting firms, third-party certifiers,

publishers, trade associations and professional organizations.

Pre-conference training workshops were offered on IAQ Microbial

Investigation, Sampling and Remediation Measurement by Vince ;

Managing an Effective Compliance Program by Vik Ahuja; and Building an

Investigation Program Applying ISIAQ Guidelines by Ed Light. The conference

program also included proceedings, daily social events, and guest/spouse

activities.

The proceedings for both first and second conferences are available for $95

each pre-paid by check, credit card or money order (shipping included). The

first conference two-volume set has 33 papers, the round-table transcript,

and 425 pages; the second conference proceedings has 48 papers and 366

pages. For more information contact Cheryl Anne Farmer by telephone at (1)

734 913 5789; by fax at (1) 734 827 6840/6831; or by e-mail at

conferences@....

Copyright © 2001 NSF International