Transcript Goa TechFest - IAQ and the Hospitality Section (08

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in the
Hospitality Section
TechFest – Goa – August 26, 2016
Donald Weekes, CIH, CSP, FAIHAtm
Agenda
 Introduction
 Hospitality Sector – India
 IAQ Contaminants
 PM10 and Particulates
 Mould
 Legionella and Water Systems
Rise of Tourism
 The Indian tourism and hospitality industry has emerged as a key driver
among the services sector in India.
 Its rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage, abundant natural
resources, and biodiversity provides numerous tourist attractions.
 Statistics have shown that total tourist visits to India has been steadily
increasing at a rate of 16% over the last five years.
Tourism & Economic Impact
 According to recent studies the travel and tourism sector in India provides
increasing socio economic benefits.
 It is estimated that the travel and tourism industry contributed a total of
approximately U.S. $ 136.3 Billion to India’s GDP in 2015.
 The GDP contribution from the travel and tourism industry is forecasted to rise 12%
in the next decade.
 The sector supported 40 million total jobs and is expected to increase at a steady
2.1% by 2023.
IAQ Contaminants
 PM10 PM2.5 - Particulates
 Outdoor and Indoor Levels
 Microbial Contaminants
 Mould, Legionella, etc.
 Volatile Organic Contaminants (VOC’s)
 Outdoor and Indoor Levels
Airborne Particulates
 Atmospheric Environment – March, 2016 - “Indoor air quality
scenario in India—An outline of household fuel combustion”,
Rohra & Taneja - Department of Chemistry, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
University, Agra
 Burning of Fossil Fuels for Cooking
 80% of rural households – biomass fuel for cooking
 ¼ of all ambient PM2.5 – from cooking
 80% women are exposed to its health perils and 27.5% of
under-five mortality in India is a result of the deadly effects
 Worldwide: 4 million deaths and 5% disability-adjusted lifeyears from exposure to cooking particulates and fumes
Cooking Stoves - Biomass
Airborne Particulates - IAQ
Thatcher et al., 2001
Airborne Particulates - IAQ
 Most effective reduction of particulates in hospitality
venues (bars, cafes, restaurants) – full smoking bans
 Implementation of full smoking bans: reduction of the
PM2.5 concentration of between 70 and 97%.
 ASHRAE Study: does not see ventilation systems as a
useful instrument to protect from passive smoking in
these venues (ASHRAE, 2005).
Microbial Contamination
 Trip Advisor reviews – Some hotels in India
 “We found a room badly made, in need of repair, smelling
of (also visible) mould. Also in the spa there was
mouldiness all over the place.”
 “The rooms were so moist from the mold on the walls that
everything in my luggage felt wet after staying in the room
for a few hours. “
 “The hotel does not have a single window, therefore the
moisture is running down the windows every morning. The
whole place is mould-infested and most rooms smell
terribly.”
Microbial Contamination
Courtesy of Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng
Opryland Hotel - 2010
Classes of Biological Responses to
Mould
 Fungal Infection
 Immunologic Reactions
 Allergic or Hypersensitivity
 Irritant Reactions
 Toxic Reactions
Summary
 Most common health effects are:
 Allergic and hypersensitivity reactions
 Irritant reactions
 Fungal infections tend to be opportunistic and related to
the individual’s condition of health
 Health effects from mycotoxins need further research,
unless exposure to high concentration (e.g., Organic Dust
Toxicity Syndrome (ODTS)) or ingestion of mold
contaminated food
Microbial Contamination
Courtesy of Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng
Microbial Contamination
Courtesy of Joseph Lstiburek,
Ph.D., P.Eng
Microbial Contamination
Courtesy of Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng
Microbial Contamination
Courtesy of Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng
Microbial Contamination
Courtesy of Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng
Microbial Contamination
Courtesy of Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng
Legionella Disease in Hospitality
 In the past information on Legionella outbreaks around the world has been
very limited.
 However, recently all over the world, Legionnaires Disease (LD) has been
associated with the Hospitality and Leisure Industry, and it has been
gaining media attention.
 In 2013 a guest staying in a Hotel in the Chennai District of India contracted
symptoms of Legionnaires disease.
Pneumonia Cases on The Rise
 In 2013, it was estimated that pneumonia was the cause of 60,000 deaths
across India.
 Due to the similar symptoms Legionnaires’ Disease is typically
misdiagnosed as pneumonia.
 The rate of misdiagnosis of Legionnaires Disease is unknown at this time.
However according to the CDC can happen quite often when specific tests
are not conducted.
What is Legionella?
 Found in freshwater lakes, rivers, groundwater, and
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soils
The bacteria was first identified in 1976 when a
respiratory disease caused 34 fatalities during a
convention for the American Legion of Pennsylvania
According to The Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA): Legionella causes ¾ of disease
outbreaks linked to drinking water in the USA.
Reported cases to CDC have increased over the past
decade.
Mostly but not only during summers.
Legionella Bacteria
 Exposures to Legionella: inhalation or
aspiration of mists, vapours, and droplets
that contain the bacteria.
 Mild febrile illness (Pontiac fever) to a
potentially fatal form of pneumonia
(Legionnaires’ disease).
 Susceptible population (age, illness,
smoking).
 More than 10% are fatal.
 Permanent damages to respiratory
system.
What supports Legionella
bacterial growth?
 Temperatures 20-45°C (68-113oF)
 Can survive at a maximum RH of
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65% in aerosol form.
Survives under a wide range of
dissolved oxygen levels.
The presence of biofilm and organic
matter amplifies the Legionella
bacterial growth.
Rust
Sludge
All these support biofilm
Scale
formation!
Organic matter
Possible Sources of Legionella Bacteria
 Incoming Water
 Cooling towers
 Humidifiers
 Showers
 Ice Machines
 Fountains
 Faucets
 Pools, spas, etc.
Intent of Standards and Guidelines
 Provide a preventative frame work to reduce Legionella
contamination in building systems
 Standardize a process for all stakeholders involved in the
design, construction, and operation of a building to use
 Provides requirements for:
 Design
 Operation
 Maintenance
 Testing
 Reporting
ASHRAE Legionella Standard
 Standard 188 - 2015
 Building Code format
 Focussed on the
Development of water
management program
 The design, maintenance
& operation of building
water systems
 Monitoring (sampling)
part of Program
AIHA Legionella Guideline
 Recognition, evaluation &
control of Legionella
Bacteria
 Focus on risk assessment
rather than risk
management
 Environmental monitoring
to determine the
effectiveness of controls
 NOT air sampling
Legionella in building water
systems
 Legionella in building water systems cause infection when:
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Inoculation of the bacteria
Virulence factors
Conditions are favourable for amplification
A mechanism for dissemination is present
Source
Recipient
Pathway
Water Systems Inspections
- Main Focus
 Proactive
 Design

Do’s and do not’s
 Operation and Maintenance
 System/Facility Risk Assessment
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Inventory and identification of susceptible building
water systems
Maintenance Procedures
 Testing Protocols
Water Systems Included
● Cooling Towers/Evaporative Condensers.
● HVAC and components (drain pans,
humidifiers).
● Open water systems (fountains, pools,
reservoirs).
● Domestic hot water systems.
● Domestic cold water systems.
What to look for
 Water source
 Water quality
 Stagnant water
 Nutrient availability
 Possible deficiencies
 Temperatures
 Corrosion
 Scaling
 Bio-fouling
 Microbial growth
Cooling Towers
 Visual inspection should be conducted for:
 All wetted surfaces
 Spray Nozzles
 Drift eliminator
 Tower basin
 Check clarity of water
 Locate the cooling tower drifts to air
intakes/exhausts.
 Document history of elevated bacterial levels.
 Review the O&M including water treatment.
 Check bleed-off system
 Calibration and inspection of water monitoring
and dosing equipment
 Measure water temperature and check for
presence of slime.
 Finally, check for leaks and unexplainable
water losses
Legionella Hazards: Cooling Towers
 Existence of organic matters, excess scale, and corrosion help
Legionella grow.
 Cooling towers do not continuously circulate water, which
provides conditions ideal for Legionella growth (standing
water).
 Cooling towers do operate during winter.
 Variations in water chemistry over time lead to a change in
bacteria levels.
Site Visit – HVAC Components
 Identify all the components of
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HVAC systems (central and
compartmental) including
drain pans, humidifiers, and
air filters.
Check air filters for water
damage.
Verify the type of each
humidifier and its reservoir
(i.e. steam, spray)
Does water stagnation exist in
drain pans/humidifiers?
Standalone air conditioners in
LAN rooms.
Open Water Systems
Large exterior ponds with jets –
much aerosolization
Exterior pond – low aerosolization
Site Visit – Open Water Systems
 Identify all open water
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systems (decorative fountains
and reservoirs, non-potable
water storages, etc.).
Determine if system causes
water aerosols.
Verify water temperature.
Location of system in relation
to exhausts, vegetation,
public areas.
Document history of elevated
bacteria levels.
Domestic Hot Water Systems
 Promoting Growth
of Legionella
Bacteria:
 Temperatures
maintained below
60 °C
 Dead legs
 Sediment and
biological growth
Site Visit – Domestic H/C Water
 All hot water tanks, shower
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facilities, sinks, faucets,
drinking fountains.
New buildings: tend to
have lots of small tanks.
Piping subjected to
prolonged water
stagnation.
Re-circulation pumps/lines
to prevent standing water.
Verify hot water storage,
supply and return
temperatures.
O&M of Domestic Water Systems
 Conduct a full risk assessment of:
Cold water systems.
 Hot water systems.
Use of temperature controls:
 Hot water distributed at 60°C or higher.
 Cold water distributed below 20°C .
Remove dead legs/ dead ends in pipes, and flush out other
pipes infrequently.
Sampling - Location and frequency of testing is dependent
on risk assessment.
To further control Legionella, the use of biocides and
disinfection treatments can be used.
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SOPs
 Once a level of risk is
assigned to each component
of each system based on
hazard characteristics.
 Standard Operating
Procedures for
 Start-up
 Regular O&M
 Disinfection
 Inspecting, cleaning, testing,
disinfecting.
Testing
 To test or to not test.
 Methodology and
techniques – Dipslide vs.
Culture.
 Where to test.
 Interpretation of results.
 Interpretation of
exposures.
 Field Test Kits.
 Methods that are selective for
Legionella bacteria.
 Conventional culture methods
versus PCR.
 Culture is Gold Standard.
www.emlab.com
wwwnc.cdc.com
Failures of Disinfection
 NY Times Headline – Oct. 1,
2015: ‘Legionnaires’ Bacteria
Regrew in Bronx Cooling
Towers That Were Disinfected’
 ‘The 15 water-cooling towers
that were found to be
contaminated this week amid a
new cluster of Legionnaires’
disease cases had been
disinfected less than two
months ago, New York City
officials said on Thursday,
raising questions about how
successful the city can be in
containing the disease.’
Acknowledgements
 Momin Malek, EIT – InAIR Environmental Ltd.
 Lan Chi Nguyen Weekes, P.Eng. – InAIR
Environmental Ltd.
 Mark St-Pierre, EIT – InAIR Environmental Ltd.
 Joe Lstiburek - Building Science Corporation
Questions?