SARS and IAQ
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a disease syndrome that has recently emerged from the interior of China and appears to quickly spread from infected individuals. In a very short time, this disease has sickened thousands and killed hundreds worldwide.
How SARS Spreads
Public health experts think that SARS is spread by close contact between people. SARS is most likely spread when someone sick with the disease coughs droplets into the air and someone else breathes them in. It is possible that SARS also can spread more broadly through the air or from touching objects that have become contaminated. Recent research indicates that the SARS virus can survive on environmental surfaces for at least 24 hours.
In addition, not all of the cases can be explained by direct contact. Several health care workers caring for SARS patients have themselves come down with the disease even though they wore gloves masks and other protective gear while near the patients. This suggests that just being in the same building can be a risk factor.
Since little is presently known about the exact mechanisms of spread of SARS, many are taking precautions to protect against environmental vectors for its spread. This includes the possibility of spread through air currents and from environmental surfaces. One vital question that presently remains unanswered is whether or not ventilating systems can spread SARS. Until that possibility is ruled out, spread through HVAC systems must be considered.
Protecting Against HVAC Spread of Organisms
Until much more is known about the exact mechanisms of spread for SARS and the vectors active in such spread, the value of any product or technology designed to limit such spread can not accurately assessed. However, it is reasonable to take measures to limit any possible role of indoor air streams HVAC system components and other environmental surfaces. There are several practices that may provide a greater measure of safety in limiting the possibility of environmental vectors:
- Removing accumulated growth from indoor surfaces and disinfecting such surfaces. This has become a common practice in the areas of the world where the outbreak started and is greatest and consists of wiping surfaces down with a disinfectant solution. Such solutions specifically designed for environmental surfaces are available at most parts distributors and along with clean cloths should be part of every technician's collection of supplies. It is a good practice to wipe down tools and equipment with such a solution before moving it to a new work location.
- Protecting and treating indoor environmental surfaces to limit future growth of organisms.
- There are specific products registered for inhibiting growth on general indoor surfaces, HVAC system components (keeping coils and fans free of growth is especially important), and in the interior of air ducts.
- Condensate drain pans and humidifier sumps can serve as incubation sites for a broad spectrum of organisms. There are products that release a continuous supply of antimicrobial so as to prevent formation of biological slimes that may harbor organisms and support growth. Strips consisting of an active in a fabric pouch are more expensive than tablets, however, last longer and are more effective.
(All of the above products must hold EPA registrations specific to the application they are being used for.)
- Cleaning soils from interior surfaces and HVAC components without releasing irritating or noxious emissions into the environment.
- When HVAC system components such as fans and cooling or heating coils have not been cleaned for a year or more, they can accumulate a buildup of soil, spores, and active microbial growth that is resistant to removal. In these cases select a product that provides powerful cleaning activity against the types of soils that contaminate interiors of HVAC systems yet does not damage those components or release harmful or irritating fumes.
- For systems that are nearly new or have been well maintained, there are milder cleaners that are still effective. These highly concentrated products effectively remove light soils from both HVAC components and indoor surfaces. The right products are extremely low in both toxicity and environmental impact.
- Upgrading filtration can remove more of the organisms that are carried throughout buildings on air streams. This is an excellent time to contact those customers who have been considering an upgrade to their air cleaning capability. A high efficiency filtration system or just upgrading from low efficiency panel filters to pleated filters can make a significant difference in protection.
- Customer education - Most consumers are unaware of the amount of soil and contamination that builds up during the normal operation of their HVAC system. Show them those surfaces and explain how important it is to keep the interior of that system as clean as the surfaces in their home where they prepare their food.
In our business, we do not think of ourselves as being health care workers. We are, however, an important part of the team that provides a healthier lifestyle for our customers. Especially at times like this, your customers should have the highest level of protection and safety possible.
Dated: April 28, 2003
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.
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