Indoor Air Quality Association

​Lydia and John Lapotaire, CIEC

This full day workshop will provide the attendees with an interdisciplinary understanding of mold assessment in accordance with the ASTM 7338, as required by the DBPR MRS 0704 Guidelines. The key topics covered will demonstrate how to apply this understanding to mold assessments, physical inspection, cause and origin, and proper report documentation. Attendees will learn about why air sampling is not necessary in most mold assessments, how to conduct a comprehensive visual investigation, and what components are required for a thorough report. Upon completion of the course, attendees will have a better understanding of:

• The prevailing standard of practice regarding mold assessments, the ASTM D-7338
• The goal of a mold inspection
• The limitations of mold sampling
• The value in a physical mold inspection
• How to identify and establish the area and extent of mold growth
• How to identify and report the cause and origin of the moisture supporting the mold growth
• How to summarize and organize the information and observations obtained for a Report or Remediation scope of work
• How to do a thorough report by reviewing multiple actual case studies together

Carl Grimes, HHS, CIEC

This full day workshop will introduce the principles of occupant inclusion in IAQ assessments, provide specific tools for obtaining that information, and demonstrate how to apply these tools to benefit the occupant and protect the assessor.

Assessing occupant complaints in buildings, especially homes, is fraught with challenges and uncertainty because of the need for information that goes beyond measuring building properties. The lack of tools for including occupant experiences has been an obstacle which also unnecessarily eliminates important, sometimes critical, details for a successful environmental intervention. The inclusion of specifics about the occupant’s experiences also raises concerns of crossing into the forbidden area of medical issues, and the need to avoid becoming entangled in psychological dynamics. 

In this workshop, attendees will explore helpful tools that have been developed based on peer-reviewed and published research papers from the University of Texas, Health Science Center in San Antonio. Additionally, our presenter, Carl Grimes, will share the worksheet he created: Complaint Equation and Personal Impact Rating, which has evolved since 1987. He will share his insights and experiences that made this into an effective tool for including occupant experiences and concerns in IAQ inspections. The final exercise of the workshop will combine the above background into the development of an Individualized Action Plan which the client will be able to execute in the field.

Todd Usher, PhD

Todd Usher has been building high performance homes with improved indoor air quality for over 22 years. As an adjunct professor at Clemson University, with a PhD in Planning, Design and the Built Environment, Todd brings us a wealth of knowledge and insight. Todd will share innovative, yet readily available, construction practices that result in buildings with measurable improvements in indoor air quality. He will discuss some of the latest innovations in building materials, technologies, and systems that promote sustainability and can bring health benefits to occupants and cost savings to building owners. Todd will also focus on the numerous client benefits and relative cost of different construction innovations. Attendees will learn how sustainable construction, building science, and indoor air quality are all interconnected.  

Lydia and John Lapotaire, CIEC

Inspectors in humid climates are challenged with identifying the cause of excessive duct sweating in sealed and traditionally vented attics. This course will help mold assessors identify the issues that lead to duct condensation, excessive duct sweating, the associated mold growth, and the methods of correction and mold remediation. Learn how a traditionally vented attic should be vented and what causes the ducts to suddenly begin to sweat. Understand how the sealed attic is a conditioned space and find out how to incorporate it into the building envelope and manage it properly. Further, learn how to properly do a mold assessment for this space, including a plan for remediation. Find out about the different types of sampling that can help you, as well as their limitations. Finally, learn how to identify the causes of condensation that lead to the mold growth. This presentation cannot prevent you from sweating in the attic, but you’ll be ready to take on the problem with much greater insight.

Mike Meyer, MS, CMI

With over 5,000 IAQ assessments and 22 years in the industry, Mike Meyer will help you make the most out of your assessments with his insights on using two types of particle meters in IAQ inspections — an ultrafine meter (less than 0.1 um) and a fine meter (0.3-10 um). Fine meters may detect mold spores; dust; and soot from fires, incense, and candles. Ultrafine meters may detect extremely fine airborne particles, including: cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust, and cooking by-products. They are a useful check on filtration in a building, including whether HEPA air scrubbers are working, and if unfiltered outside air is entering. Often when we are asked to check for mold what we discover instead are high levels of ultrafine or fine particles that can produce the same health symptoms. Perhaps of greatest recent interest has been health concerns related to gas stoves, which several jurisdictions are attempting to ban. This course will include many examples demonstrating the effectiveness of each of these meters in the field, with the goal of ultimately helping you become a better IAQ detective. 

Albert Baerren, CIEC

What is reality in IAQ? Is it the actual physical manifestation of our environment, or what we perceive it to be? As IAQ professionals, we gather data and use it to paint as accurate a picture as possible of environmental conditions in a way that will be useful to our clients in solving their problems. But what happens when our clients have preconceptions based on a lack of knowledge or misinformation, and our picture of reality conflicts with theirs? Individual interpretations of our work can vary widely, no matter how succinct we are in writing our reports or verbally explaining the results. How should we account for our client’s preconceptions, if at all, from pre-proposal to the final report? This discussion will use a case study of VOC assessment to focus on how we can gauge client expectations, set parameters on those expectations prior to conducting any work, and finally deliver scientifically based results that serve their best interest, whether they believe it or not.

Carl Grimes, HHS, CIEC

Standards for IAQ are being addressed and researched on multiple fronts. A growing number of organizations and research groups are seeking to address and define health and wellness in the indoor environment. This session will examine three of them, identify their characteristics, and propose a way forward for how we can integrate their findings and recommendations into our roles in IAQ. First, we will review the ASHRAE Guideline 10-2023, Interactions Affecting the Achievement of Acceptable Indoor Environments, which now includes a definition of “moisture,” plus an interim definition of “health,” within an inclusive IEQ framework. Next, we will look at Dr. Claudia Miller’s group at the University of Texas, San Antonio, who published their research: House Call Interventions, Does improving indoor air quality lessen symptoms associated with chemical intolerance? Their research demonstrates that in-home chemical exposure sources can be identified; the occupants can then be shown how to remove or replace the sources; and finally, reduced symptoms could be measured using a peer reviewed self-assessment questionnaire. Finally, we will look at the development of an ASHRAE Position Document on ‘Health and Wellness in the Built Environment,’ which is nearing completion.

 Jason Green, COH, IEP

Malodors include odors that are perceived to be unpleasant, offensive, an inconvenience, or an annoyance. And that is only the beginning. Odors are exasperating because they can be difficult to quantify, measure, assess, and then determine how to remediate. This informative session led by Occupational Hygiene Specialist and Vice President of IAQA Australia, Jason Green, will provide the guidance you’ve been wishing for on all things odor! What really constitutes an odor, why do we care about odors, and how do we find and recognize the sources of odor? Jason will also demonstrate and evaluate the insights into odor that are provided by an odor panel and odor surveys. This presentation will include case studies showing typical odor problems and their origins and will also cover the emerging issues with assessment and remediation, plus ongoing odor management. By the end of this presentation, you will have a much better handle on tackling those exasperating odors, and a basic plan to remediate and manage them.

Patrick O’Donnell, CIEC 

In today’s modern world, proficiency in managing buildings, their inhabitants, operational processes, and indoor environmental controls is essential. When issues arise that negatively impact occupants or indoor operations, those tasked with assessing these conditions must grasp their ultimate objective: collaborating as part of a team to propose effective solutions. This often involves understanding, selecting and using appropriate instrumentation, sampling techniques, industry-accepted guidelines, standards, and critical control parameters, along with a grasp of building design, associated components, and infrastructure. Through actual case studies, Patrick O’Donenell will illustrate a “building sciences approach” that adequately identifies and resolves intricate problems. The case studies will span residential, commercial, and healthcare settings and will address issues such as air and water quality, as well as building enclosure concerns and processes. It will be clear why professionals in the practice of building sciences should take a team approach, with the end result meeting the goal of providing acceptable indoor conditions.  

Derrick A. Denis CIAQP, CAC, CIEC, CEOP

Join IAQ veteran Derrick A. Denis on a journey delving into the numerous hazards associated with the hoarding of objects and animals. Be edutained and leave more prepared to deal with this all-too-common scenario facing our community.

 There’s always the initial shock and awe of a built environment with 150 cats, or with 55 dogs, or packed with contents you are forced to crawl over to reach the occupant. Aside from the spectacle, there are real hazards facing the assessors, the remediators, the EMS teams, the fire department, the neighbors, and the residents. 

 As indoor environmental quality (IEQ) experts, we are often retained by landlords, property managers, city officials, property owners, or family members to offer guidance in returning the built environment to a habitable condition. The inquiries vary, but the theme is generally “What on Earth do we do with this mess?” Let’s talk about it.

Jason Green, COH, IEP

If there are floods or fires or other significant building impacts and damage, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) need to be identified before they can be remediated safely. Materials such as asbestos are a constant and ongoing issue present on many sites. There are emerging issues with the increasing demand for reused and recycled building materials due to contamination by asbestos-containing waste materials. Case studies and real-life examples will be discussed. Risk communication is key when you are determining appropriate, targeted remediation and ongoing building management strategies.

 The management of asbestos materials and products in workplaces is widely legislated. Achieving the standards of work health and safety of employees, contractors and the general public is the basis of managing asbestos obligations. This session will provide you with an insight into asbestos and its many and varied risks. It will be practical, informative, interactive and industry-relevant presentation experience.

Greg Weatherman, CMC

 CIRS, or chronic inflammatory response syndrome, is a multi-system, multi-symptom illness characterized by exposure to biotoxins to include those from water damaged buildings. This could include innate immune response to biotoxins from filamentous mold and endotoxins from bacteria, as well as biotoxins from Actinobacteria such as Mycobacteria or Streptomyces. In this presentation, Greg will discuss testing methods often requested by physicians when attempting to diagnose and treat people with CIRS symptoms. Testing generally consists of screening methods based on mold specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSqPCR) for mold and next generation sequencing (NGS) for bacteria. Further testing could include culturable sample results to confirm the presence of mold species as corroboration. Rarely, secondary metabolites (mycotoxin) testing is performed when needed. These sensitive test methods are needed to identify what may be the source of inflammatory health complaints for healthcare providers to use for diagnostic decisions.

R. Christopher Spicer, CIH, CSP, CHMM

Industry consensus for indoor environmental/air quality (IAQ/IEQ) assessment, evaluation and management largely prescribes the operational parameters for field practitioners. Water damage and mold growth has continued to be a major influence on IAQ/IEQ, and the current status/updates for consensus standards published by ASTM and IICRC will be summarized. Similarly, published relevant guidance from AIHA and ACGIH, reflecting peer reviewed journal publications and advances in technology, will be reviewed. Impact from wildfires and structural fires has emerged as an IAQ focus, and evaluation and management/remediation guidance from AIHA, and IICRC Standards S760 and S700 will be presented. Finally, a proposed IAQ regulatory framework forwarded by Johns Hopkins University through the Model State Indoor Air Quality Act will be summarized.