By Bob Baker

This conference was held at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington April 15th through the 17th. This was the sixth year that this conference has been held. It has become an established forum for discussion and communication about what is new in the field of Indoor Air Quality. It is an especially good conference for the contractor, building owner or other "end users". Much of the content of the program tracks is informational. Attendance at the conference can provide a contractor new to IAQ a short course on the indoor environment. Experienced professionals will find it an excellent way to catch up on what is new in tools, techniques, and theories. While some consider conferences sponsored by ASHRAE or AWMA superior for the quality of their scientific presentations, this event tends to be rich in everyday "how to" content. As a bonus, the accompanying exhibition gives a look at what is new in tools supplies and equipment.

Over the previous several years, the conference had been held in Baltimore near the trendy inner harbor. That was an attractive and popular location. This year it was moved to the nation's capitol. To this observer, it appears that the move was not a good one for overall attendance. Although a final count of attendees was not available, the crowds seemed thin compared to past years. What especially concerned me was that the end users that probably profit most from this conference appeared to be the group most left behind in the move from Baltimore. Possibly, many thought that the move was a signal that this conference was moving in content to more of an academic/government type of meeting. Hopefully the end user group will discover that there is still much of value and catch up next year.

The Ozone Debate

A highlight of the conference was the "great debate" on Friday morning. The value (or risk) of using ozone generators indoors to remove contaminates has been a hotly debated topic for years. Fans of ozone for air cleaning, who are mostly vendors of the devices or satisfied users, cite impressive stories of dramatic improvements to indoor environments where they are used. Opponents who include health authorities, University Researchers, and many government officials cite what they see as significant risks to health of building occupants where they are used. They also point out that ozone itself is a recognized contaminate and there are no scientific studies that document benefits from ozone and many that speak to the risks.

This was a unique opportunity for those in attendance to hear both sides of the debate bring out their best arguments. It is doubtful that neither the participants in the debate nor those in attendance who held firm convictions changed their minds as a result of this session. For a person new to the ozone issue or without much previous knowledge, it was an excellent opportunity to hear both sides so they could make their own personal decision.

During my presentation on Thursday, I was asked for my opinion on ozone. My response was that I had very little knowledge about the subject and therefore could not provide an informed opinion. I am, however, very sensitive to ozone and find it irritating. If I enter a building where an ozone generator is in use, I am quite uncomfortable. Thus, my personal experience tends to influence my attitude negatively. This issue will continue to generate interest. The FTC has an ongoing suit against several manufacturers claiming that they are making advertising claims that are not supported by scientific fact. Ultimately, these practices will have to stop or actual data developed that will prove the benefits being claimed.

A Foul Odor in Paradise

I moderated a session entitled Source Control of VOC's Particulates & Bioaerosols. Larry Robertson, President of Mycotech Biological, Inc. gave an excellent presentation outlining the nature and source of the various indoor contaminates in the context of the overall environment. I have never heard a clearer or more helpful explanation of the sources of the IAQ problems that we work to prevent and control.

My presentation was about a problem that a contractor friend of mine solved here in the Tampa Bay area. An upscale condominium development developed a foul odor because of fungal growth in a chase that carried the ac ducts from the first floor of the building to the roof mounted air handlers above the fourteenth floor. As the chase had been enclosed in concrete when the building was built, it was impossible to gain access to remove the contamination. He has been able to control the problem through periodic application of an antimicrobial we manufacture. The presentation pointed out that many buildings are in delicate balance and the effort needed to make the difference between a healthy and pleasant indoor environment and one that is a disaster can be very small. It also illustrated how a good preventative maintenance program can result in excellent air quality at a modest cost.

Litigation and Liability

This year's keynote speaker was attorney Susan Hickman of Hinshaw and Culbertson in Chicago. Ms. Hickman has a national indoor air quality practice and is a leading authority on the legal aspects of IAQ. She pointed out the enormous costs that a building owner will face from an IAQ problem, even if the case is eventually won or dismissed. Many contractors routinely face the question, "Why should I spend money to be sure that I have good air quality in my building?" Her talk provided all the answers you will ever need to that question. It was evident that the audience took notice. The many questions kept her on the platform for a longer time than she took to deliver her speech.

There are many health and productivity benefits to be gained from having good indoor air quality. Given this fact, it seems a shame that we have to use the threat of legal action to motivate building owners to take steps to assure good air quality. As this session reminded us, however, most building managers have very limited funds to spend on maintaining their buildings. They often can not afford to take an action just because it is the "right thing to do". The need sound economic reasons for expenditures. The legal risks from not maintaining an acceptable environment can provide that economic justification. We should not be ashamed of sharing such information with our customers.

Three Program Tracks

This year's program was organized into three tracks that provided a convenient way for those in attendance to plan their days. The first entitled, "Programs, Research, and Standards", provided an in depth look at was it going on in IAQ. It provided sessions on all the latest regulatory and standards developments as well as an overview of current research that is underway.

The second track entitled; "Evaluation, Remediation, & Prevention" served as a short course in IAQ techniques. The sessions included in this track provided an excellent introduction for a contractor considering IAQ services as a new business area or the experienced professional wanting an update on procedures and techniques.

The final track was "Healthy Building Management". Although this was directed at the building owner or manager who wants to improve the indoor environment, it provided an excellent program for a contractor providing IAQ services to commercial buildings. In many ways this is one of the more useful conferences from a practical application standpoint. Hopefully more contractors and end users will attend next year.

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.