Keeping Buildings Healthy How to Monitor and Prevent Indoor Environment Problems

by O'Reilly, James T.; Hagan, Philip; Gots, Ronald; Hedge, Alan

• ISBN13: 9780471292289
• ISBN10: 0471292281
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-05-19
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience

Summary

Each year, thousands of people experiencing flu-like symptoms due to poor air quality and ventilation in the workplace. Other indoor environment dangers that can affect the health of workers range from exposed asbestos insulation to subtle psychological dangers such as limited sunlight. This work is designed to help readers resolve existing indoor air problems and prevent air quality issues from occurring in the future. Suitable for both manufacturing and clerical environments, this book offers legal, medical, industrial hygiene, and engineering expertise found in no other single publication.

Author Biography

JAMES T. O'REILLY is Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Cincinnati, Ohio. PHILIP HAGAN is Director of Safety and Environmental Management, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. RONALD GOTS, MD, is a physician with the International Center for Toxicology and Medicine in Rockville, Maryland. ALAN HEDGE, PhD, is a professor in the College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xiii	(4)
About the Authors	xvii
1. Does This Building Have an Indoor Environmental Quality Problem?	1	(28)
Philip Hagan
Introduction	1	(1)
What Is an Indoor Environmental Quality Problem?	1	(1)
Definitions	2	(2)
Managing IEQ	4	(6)
Triggers for IEQ Investigations	10	(2)
Responses by the IEQ Team	12	(4)
Building Codes	16	(1)
Federal Guidelines	17	(3)
State Regulatory Programs	20	(1)
Indoor Environmental Standards and Guidelines	21	(2)
Mitigation and Control Strategies	23	(3)
Notes	26	(3)
2. What Factors Can Affect an Indoor Environmental Quality Complaint?	29	(42)
Philip Hagan
Introduction	29	(1)
Water Quality	29	(4)
Noise	33	(1)
Lighting	34	(1)
External Factors that Affect IEQ: Outdoor Environment/Climate/Weather	35	(3)
Internal Systems Factors: Pollutant Pathways and Driving Forces	38	(1)
Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning Systems	39	(8)
Housekeeping	47	(2)
Nonroutine Operations	49	(1)
Site Characterization	50	(1)
Resolution of the Complaint	51	(1)
Indoor Air Pollutants	51	(8)
Allergens and Pathogens	59	(2)
Controlling Biological Contaminants	61	(5)
Sampling for Industrial Hygiene	66	(3)
Notes	69	(2)
3. Investigating Health Complaints	71	(22)
Ronald E. Gots
Purpose	71	(1)
Introduction	71	(2)
The Many Causes of Symptoms: Differential Diagnosis	73	(2)
Effective Triage	75	(6)
Investigation	81	(4)
Evaluating and Choosing Consultants	85	(2)
Case Studies	87	(3)
Summary	90	(1)
References	90	(3)
4. Indoor Air and Health: Clear-Cut, Equivocal, and Unlikely	93	(26)
Ronald E. Gots
Introduction	93	(1)
Indoor Air's Scientific Debate	94	(2)
Terminology	96	(2)
Medical Investigation of Causation	98	(1)
Building-Associated Symptoms	99	(1)
Factors in the Workplace that Can Produce Symptoms	99	(8)
Chronic Illnesses Alleged to Be Caused by Environmental Factors in Office Buildings	107	(3)
Summary	110	(1)
References	111	(8)
5. What Can We Learn about Indoor Environmental Quality Concerns from Studies?	119	(18)
Alan Hedge
Overview	119	(1)
Factors Causing IEQ Concerns	119	(5)
IEQ Concerns and Nonenvironmental Variables	124	(2)
Factors Causing SBS: A Multifactorial Model	126	(2)
Summary	128	(1)
References	129	(8)
6. Investigating Health Complaints: Behavioral Aspects	137	(26)
Alan Hedge
Building Standards	137	(1)
Sick Buildings or Sick People?	138	(1)
Results from IEQ Research Studies	139	(2)
Personal Influences on Reporting IEQ	141	(5)
Cognitive Influences on Perceived SBS	146	(3)
Psychosocial Influences on Reporting SBS	149	(2)
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Environmental Illness	151	(1)
How to Tell Sick Building Syndrome from Mass Psychogenic Illness	152	(2)
Are Psychosocial Factors the Real Culprits?	154	(2)
References	156	(7)
7. Communicating Results of the Investigation	163	(14)
Alan Hedge
Introduction	163	(1)
Organizing and Managing Information Flow	163	(3)
Responding to News Media	166	(2)
Newspaper and Magazine Interviews	168	(2)
Radio Interviews	170	(2)
Television Interviews	172	(1)
"Ambush" Television Interviews	173	(1)
Formal News Conferences	174	(1)
Preventing Panic	175	(2)
8. Government Inspections of the Building	177	(4)
James T. O'Reilly
Practical Issues	177	(1)
Legal Rights	178	(1)
How the Inspection Is Conducted	179	(1)
Required Reports	179	(2)
9. Indoor Health Litigation and the Building Management	181	(8)
James T. O'Reilly
Introduction to Litigation Options	181	(1)
Why Would Anyone Sue?	181	(1)
What Does the Indoor Health Claimant Need to Prove?	182	(1)
What Steps Should Be Taken when a Lawsuit Is Threatened?	183	(1)
What Steps Should Be Taken When the Suit Is Filed?	184	(1)
Who Are the Defendants?	185	(1)
When Is a Class Action Used?	185	(1)
What Is the Document-Discovery Process?	186	(1)
Will My Deposition Be Required?	186	(1)
Do Lawsuits Usually Reach a Jury Verdict?	187	(2)
10. Litigation by the Tenant's Employees	189	(8)
James T. O'Reilly
Liability Risks for the Building Owner	189	(1)
Legal Theories	190	(4)
How Should the Building Owner Interact with Other Defendants?	194	(1)
Threats of Adverse Publicity	195	(2)
11. Legal Options of the Complaining Occupant Employees	197	(12)
James T. O'Reilly
Introduction	197	(1)
How Workers' Compensation Interacts with Indoor Health	197	(1)
Important Elements of Workers' Compensation	198	(2)
Can Employees Sue Despite Workers' Compensation Barriers?	200	(2)
Dealing with the Complainer: Limitations	202	(2)
Pretermination Considerations	204	(1)
Unions and the Complaining Worker	204	(1)
Worker Complaints to Government	205	(1)
The Employer's Role in the Employee's Liability Action against Vendors	206	(3)
12. Complaints by the Tenant Company	209	(6)
James T. O'Reilly
Handling Complaints before Litigation	209	(1)
Claims of Economic Damage Based on Owner's Breach of Lease	209	(2)
When Habitability Warranties Are Implied	211	(1)
Damage Claims for Interruption of Work	211	(2)
Incentives Not to Sue the Building Owner	213	(1)
Counterclaim by the Building Owner	214	(1)
13. Building Owner's Options to Sue Persons Other than Tenants	215	(10)
James T. O'Reilly
Introduction	215	(1)
Architects and Designers	215	(5)
Product Manufacturers	220	(2)
Real Estate and/or Buildings' Prior Owners	222	(3)
14. Insurance Law Implications of Indoor Health Claims	225	(2)
James T. O'Reilly
Notice Requirements	225	(1)
Exclusions of Pollution Coverage	225	(1)
Duty to Assist the Insurance Carrier	226	(1)
Other Insurance Issues	226	(1)
15. Case Study: The Brigham and Women's Hospital Experience	227	(30)
Tamara Lee Ricciardone
Introduction	227	(1)
Background	228	(1)
Increase in Health Complaints	229	(1)
Investigation of the Operating Room Suites	230	(9)
Investigation of the Patient Tower	239	(7)
Union Issues	246	(3)
Legal Issues	249	(5)
Practical Recommendations	254	(2)
Conclusion	256	(1)
16. Case Study: Anchorage, Alaska	257	(4)
Alan Hedge
References	259	(2)
17. The Chicago High-Rise IEQ Case	261	(10)
Robert L. Graham
Cynthia A. Drew
Introduction	261	(1)
Factual Background	262	(1)
The City's Lawsuit	263	(1)
Joan Whitmer's Intervention Suit	264	(1)
Frank Whitmer's Personal Injury Lawsuit	265	(1)
Postscript	266	(1)
Avoiding Lawsuits in IEQ Situations: Lessons Learned	267	(2)
Conclusion	269	(2)
Appendix A. Additional Reference Materials on Indoor Environmental Health	271	(4)
Appendix B. Federal Agencies with Roles in Addressing IEQ	275	(2)
Appendix C. EPA and OSHA Contact Information	277	(2)
Appendix D. Standards and Reference Organizations	279	(2)
Appendix E. ASHRAE Guidelines	281	(2)
Appendix F. Private-Sector Contacts	283	(6)
Appendix G. Publications	289	(4)
Appendix H. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Contact Information	293	(4)
Appendix I. Considerations when Responding to Health Complaints	297	(2)
Appendix J. Research Report to Building Owners and Managers Association International, Institute of Real Estate Management, International Council of Shopping Centers, National Apartment Association, National Association of Realtors(R), and National Multihousing Council (Results of a National Survey of Workplace Professionals, August 24, 1995)	299	(8)
Appendix K. Checklist for IEQ Evaluation of a Building	307	(46)
Index	353