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Environmental Safety Solutions, LLC 240 Madison Ave, 9th
floor New York, NY
Introduction
On May 25, 2006, we conducted air samplings in the
interior basement area at a residence in Carmel, New York
- Methodology
- Testing involved the collection of four (4) air samples.
The following is a brief description of collection media
used in this survey: Air-O-Cell-Air sampling cassette – manufactured by
Zefon International, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA is a sampling device
connected to a micro-pump that draws 1 5L/min of indoor air into the cassette,
onto a slide, designed to collect airborne particles.
-
Particle measurement uses LIGHTHOUSE HANDHELD 3016
Particles Meter.
-
Visual inspection and Observation., Olympus
Digital Camer
3.
ResultsThe major analytical
results are presented as follows:
3.1 Airborne particles ID
3.1.1 Air Sample # 1 collected when ESS technician
perform demolition job using an “electric breaker hammer” and using the
“enviroboot model EB 1” (see photo # 1) connected to HEPA vacuum cleaner.
3.1.2 Air Sample # 2 collected when ESS technician
perform demolition job (see photo # 2).
Table 1: Airborne Particles, per
Location (particles per cubic foot)
|
Sample # 1, With EB1 |
Sample # 2, Without EB1 |
| Skin Fragments: |
3,181 ppcf |
|
| Inert Organics: |
3,181 ppcf |
95,430 ppcf |
| Clays: |
|
3,181 ppcf |
| Halite: |
|
92,249 ppcf |
| Aluminum Oxide: |
3,181 ppcf |
|
| Total Particles: |
9,543 ppcf |
190,860 ppcf |
3.2. Particle measurement
3.2.1 Air Sample # 3 collected when ESS technician perform demolition
job using an “electric breaker hammer” and using the “enviroboot model EB 1” (see
photo # 1) connected to HEPA vacuum cleaner.
3.2.2 Air Sample # 4 collected when ESS technician perform demolition job
(see photo # 2) Instrument Model: HANDHELD 3016
Instrument Serial #: 041002014
Downloaded On: 5/28/2006 10:22:17
Particle Data: Differential
Data Duration: 5/19/2006 13:41:44 to 5/25/2006 12:31:10
0.3 Timestamp
Location micron
Fig 2:
Airborne Particles: Indoors versus outdoors and size of
particles
3.7. Visual
inspection and Observation.
Photo
#1:
Photo #
2:
4. Description of Major Analytical
Results.
For your convenience, following is a brief description of
our major analytical findings General characterization is made with respect
to the most common known health effects of the various species of the identified
genera.
Airborne particles as Total
Suspended Particles (TSP) concentrations represent the largest range of
particles, including those which are respirable (as small as 3 micron and less)
and can reach the alveolar area of the lungs, and thoracic (less than 5
micron), which can reach the trachea and all the airways and those between
5-10 micron (inhalable), which can reach only the inside of the nose, mouth,
trachea and upper airways, but cannot reach the gas-exchange areas in the
lower lobes of the lungs. Besides the potential health effects on exposed
individuals, TSP have the physical quality of carrying and dispersing odors
and odorless gases generated by an interior source, such as work stations,
office equipment, building materials, carpets, wallpapers, etc. The range
of the particles we tested was: 0.3 microns (µ), 0.5 µ, 1.0 µ, 2.5 µ, 5.0 µ and 10.0 µ.
How long particles remain airborne, before their
sedimentation on interior surfaces, depends on their size and weight: if for
particles of 1 it takes 4 hours, and for 0.3particle
5-6 days, 10.0 particle will take only 3 minutes. Heavier particles larger than
10.0 fall down and are deposited on interior surfaces and released into the air
when disturbed in the process of human activity. They are removed by cleaning,
as TSP (below the size of 1 0.0 particles) can be primarily eliminated by means
of ventilation and filtration.
Particles under 1 m in size normally constitute
99.9% of the number of particles in room air, and have a mass, which make up ca
30% of the total mass. The movement of particles in air is also affected by
their charge and the presence of electric fields. For particles of the order of
1m, their charge and the presence of electric fields are of significance, for
e.g. particle deposition on the skin, while deposition of larger particles is
governed by air movements. Dust indoors contains a large amount of specific
allergens. It is an indisputable fact that an elevated particle content in air
increases the load on the airways, and that at the same time these particles may
be carriers of specific irritating and allergenic agents. The particle content
of air should therefore be kept low, i.e. elimination measures such as good
cleaning and good ventilation (inclusive of good filtration of supply
air).
Conclusions;
Using the “Enviroboot model EB1” reduce
significantly the level of the Respiratory Suspended Particles
(RSP)" |