By Bob Baker

It is hard to find someone more qualified to talk about IAQ and healthcare than Bill Phillips of Phillips and Linders International in Winter Park, Florida. Bill has BS in Biochemistry, 15 years of experience in R & D on indoor environmental issues and most recently as a healthcare administrator. He is currently a doctoral student in Environmental Engineering. His company, is a multi-disciplinary firm of architects, interior designers, clinicians, and IAQ consultants providing a broad range of design, consulting and educational services throughout the Western Hemisphere with a strong leaning toward senior housing design. In addition, they supply modular medical clinics for emerging countries.

Bill has a real interest in education about IAQ. He has long taught seminars and short courses on the indoor environment. He believes that there is an urgent need to educate facility managers and others about the impact of our indoor environment on our well being, productivity and health. Most recently, he has been the prime mover (and principal author) of a new Internet based IAQ educational course. This multi-module course entitled "Principles and Applications in Indoor Air Quality" is endorsed by the faculty of the University of Florida M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction and is overseen by the School of Architecture to ensure maintenance of standards. I reviewed the first several modules and was impressed both by the content and presentation of material. I recommend the course to anyone who wants to better understand indoor air quality issues. It is especially useful for facility managers and HVAC contractors who want a comprehensive introduction to the subject.

Before IAQ

As Bill puts it, "I was into indoor air quality before it existed." As a healthcare administrator, he came to believe in the early 1980's that the quality of the indoor environment was important to the welfare of his patients. (The term IAQ was not commonly used until the mid to late 1980's). Back then, few paid any attention to conditions inside as long as occupants were not freezing or burning up. Bill noticed the quite different conditions in various residential facilities and saw a relationship between these and the apparent happiness and well being of the residents. This caused him to take a closer look at what factors beside thermal comfort might impact persons working and living in a facility. As he learned, he began to share that knowledge with others and even today, retains a strong belief that there is a pressing need for facility owners and managers to better understand the impact of air quality on their profits both present and future.

Bill's Outlook

We asked Bill for his observations as we enter the first decade of the 21st century. He responded that there are still many who need education on the facts surrounding indoor air quality. In spit of the many articles that have been written and training courses that have been held he often runs across responsible individuals who have little or no knowledge of the impact of indoor air contaminates. In addition to the lack of information, there is a lot of misinformation that often comes from stories in the popular press. As an example, he pointed out a recent article in the Wall Street Journal about the air quality in hotels. Although the article did some good by alerting readers to a significant problem, some of the test methods used by the reporters are not ones in use by any competent investigator.

When asked to rate current awareness on a one to ten scale, Bill offered the opinion that we are between 6 and 7. He quickly added, however, that the science of the indoor environment is only at a 1 or 2 and this is a problem. We know that we face an important problem but not enough research has been done to fully understand the solutions. When asked why, he replied that, in part, this is normal, as research in to a new area tends to lag the identification of the need.

Also, he has a concern that research may be lagging because facility managers have not made IAQ a major priority. This is because the media headlines concerning high profile problems have drawn attention to IAQ in a negative way. Therefore, the facility manager who pushes for a strong indoor air quality program may be seen as one who has a problem. The stigma that is often attached to IAQ problems is counterproductive. A positive development is that universities are beginning to include IAQ components in their scholastic offerings. Bill feels we may be only two to three years away from the time when one or more universities will offer a full degree program in the field.

Leadership?

Bill suggested that one of the things that has slowed the recognition of IAQ, as a major issue is the lack of a clear focus from an academic, regulatory or professional standpoint. There are many professionals that have an interest in IAQ. These include engineers, consultants, attorneys, contractors, industrial hygienists, duct cleaners, restoration contractors and others. Each of these includes program content on IAQ during their technical meetings and conferences and some individuals in each of these professions devotes all or a major portion of their time to IAQ matters. What has been lacking is a central point of focus where all of these different disciplines meet to consider IAQ matters. Bill believes that some organization will eventually emerge that provides such a focus similar to the role of AIA relative to building design. Several such as the Association of Energy Engineers and Envirosense have contributed significant value. ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers) has provided much leadership and significantly advanced the science of IAQ. However, ASHRAE is a standards setting body and as such may not be ideal as the main IAQ focus. In addition, many perceive that the proposed revision of ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 (63-R) moved the society too close to the role of a regulatory body such as OSHA or EPA. Thus there is pressure for a more conservative role.

Bill suggests that many of these matters will resolve themselves over the next few years. He sees facility managers working in conjunction with risk managers and insurance providers promoting good IAQ in a positive manner. Facility managers and their professional organizations will abandon any fear of being stigmatized and provide leadership. IAQ will be seen as a natural complement to our increasing interest in improving and protecting the environment. Engineers and consultants will encourage and support this direction. Possibly one of the several organizations that have recently been formed to serve as a central meeting place for the various professions interested in IAQ will emerge as the perceived leader and fill the current vacuum. In his opinion, that would be good but is not necessary. He believes that IAQ as a field of academic study will achieve full standing in one or more universities within the next two to three years.

Those interested in learning more about "Principles and Applications in Indoor Air Quality" can log on to www.trainonline.com or call Phillips and Linders at 407-740-0645.

Mr. Baker's field of expertise is the control of contamination in air-conditioning and ventilating systems by mold, mildew and bacteria. He writes and speaks frequently about the efficacy, legal risks, and regulatory issues involved in various control strategies. He serves on ASHRAE Technical Committee TC 2.3, TC 2.4, TC 9.8, and Sampling of Airborne Particulate Concentration in Commercial and Residential Buildings GPC 17P. He also serves as a member of ASTM D22.06 (Indoor Air Quality) and is on the Board of Directors of the Indoor Air Quality Association and the Florida Public Health Foundation. Because HVAC applications encompass new uses from an U.S. EPA regulatory standpoint, Mr. Baker works closely with the EPA and industry groups, including serving as the chair of the IAQ committee of the Consumer Specialty Products Association, to help formulate policy in this area.

Bob Baker is Chairman and CEO of BBJ Environmental Solutions, Inc., a company specializing in providing clean air through environmentally responsible products, such as BBJ MicroBiocide , BBJ Micro Coil Clean , "FreshDuct Odor Eliminator ", and BBJ Mold and Mildew Remover™ as well as the revolutionary new Power Coil Clean™. For additional information, Mr. Baker can be reached at (800) 889-2251 or through the company web site at http://www.bbjenviro.com.