Why Focus On Particulate Matter?

ROCIS focuses a lot on the particles in our air. Several of the monitors used in the Low Cost Monitoring Project (LCMP) produce data about the particle levels, and we’ve designed numerous interventions that specifically target particulate matter. Why are we so fixated on particles? 

First and foremost, particle pollution impacts health. A study from the EPA revealed that an estimated 130,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2005 alone could be attributed to particulate matter (PM2.5). (2009 EPA Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter)

Moreover, Southwestern Pennsylvania is particularly at risk for this kind of pollution. Pittsburgh and the surrounding regions are consistently ranked among the worst ten regions in the United States for PM2.5 pollution.

This is definitely a problem worthy of attention, but it’s also an opportunity to make real change and improve the lives of people living in this area.

Want to learn more? The following two webinars will walk you through the details of particle pollution in indoor spaces. 

Participants will be able to: 

1. Identify why outdoor particulate matter is of concern to indoor air quality and occupant health
2. Identify factors that impact the exposure of occupants in indoor environments to outdoor particles
3. Cite limitations of this study and our understanding of indoor concentrations of outdoor pollutants
4. List three mitigation strategies that may be deployed with the intent of reducing indoor particle loads from outdoor pollution sources

PRESENTER: Brent Stephens, Ph.D., Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)

Dr. Brent Stephens is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). He has a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and an M.S.E. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, both from the University of Texas at Austin. Brent and members of his Built Environment Research Group (BERG) (http://www.built-envi.com/) at IIT conduct research on the intersections of energy and air quality in the built environment, primarily with field measurements in and around buildings. Their work continues to advance building science methods for assessing energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and environmental exposures within buildings.

RESPONDENT: Don Fugler, ROCIS Principal Investigator, Residential Focus, Ottawa, Ontario

Don spent 25 years conducting research projects for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), in the areas of residential energy use, ventilation, and indoor air quality. Between 1985 and 2010, he managed over 100 research projects. Since 2011, Don’s consulting work has addressed indoor air quality and energy issues for federal departments, NGOs, and individuals. He taught part of the IAQ course for Healthy Indoor Air Partnership training for HVAC and environmental professionals and is continuing work on CSA standard committee F300 (depressurization issues), and CGSB (radon).

Participants will be able to:

1. List four factors that increase a person’s vulnerability to particulate matter in their environment, and four health impacts that have been established
2. Describe the two primary ways the particulate matter is quantified as part of air quality assessment and the limitations of each
3. Given a case study involving an existing home with a high outdoor particle impact, propose a low-cost (<$1000) and a higher cost ($1,000 – $5,000) mitigation strategy 
4. Identify four factors to consider when retrofitting a forced air duct system with a high MERV filter

PRESENTER: Bill Turner, President / CEO, Turner Building Science and Design, LLC

Bill Turner is president/CEO of Turner Building Science and Design, LLC in Harrison, Maine. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Engineering from Northeastern University and served for ten years on the research staff of Harvard University School of Public Health. During that time he conducted longitudinal air quality studies inside and outside of homes in six cities, evaluating particles, VOCs, and gasses associated with combustion and other sources. Since then, Bill has focused on building science, sustainability, and resilience issues, including energy use, indoor air quality, moisture, building shell design, net zero buildings, building commissioning, and forensic air quality evaluations. His experience includes rebuilding existing homes and other buildings and designing new buildings. He has published and lectured extensively.

RESPONDENT: Tom Phillips, ROCIS Principal Investigator, Schools/Commercial Focus

Tom has spent his career at the intersection of research and policy, addressing public health, pollution, and buildings. At the California Air Resources Board from 1985 to 2009, he updated air quality standards and wrote IAQ guidelines for homes.  He served as technical advisor for green building programs and large exposure studies, and helped develop an ozone test method and emission standard for air cleaners.  He also designed and managed research contracts on exposure, activity patterns, and building ventilation. Since 2010, as principal at Healthy Building Research, Tom has focused on resilient building design and operation and on indoor environmental quality in low-energy buildings.