ASHRAE Journal - January 2023 - 32

COLUMN IEQ APPLICATIONS
operation can be major contributors to measured spore
concentrations, and sampling results cannot be attributed
to either mold growth or remediation efficacy.
There are no accepted standards for airborne mold.
While an association between occupant health effects
and airborne mold concentrations has not been established,
dampness has been found to be related to asthma
and other effects.4 A detailed moisture investigation
will not only provide a relative estimate of occupant
exposure but can also identify the moisture source and
extent of moisture damage, including mold growth.
Engineering approaches to moisture diagnostics are discussed
in ASHRAE publications.4,5
Investigating IAQ Concerns Attributed to VOCs
Many practitioners rely on air sampling to determine
the validity of IAQ complaints attributed to VOCs and
to recommend mitigation measures. Interpretation of
these data generally assumes that health risks at the
parts-per-billion level are known, compounds of concern
exceed normal background and that measured
concentrations are representative of occupant exposure.
However, these assumptions are not supported by the
science and, as a result, conclusions based on VOC sampling
alone are not reliable.
Hundreds of different VOCs are typically detected in
the air of non-industrial buildings at the parts-per-billion
level. Criteria have not been developed to differentiate
background from elevated concentrations. Health
effects at low concentrations are largely unknown (proposed
target values are derived from effects at much
higher exposures). Formaldehyde is unique among
VOCs in that health studies have been conducted in the
IAQ range. Proposed VOC target values are not generally
accepted as IAQ standards. In addition, VOC test results
only reflect concentrations under a limited number of
conditions, at best. While findings based on measured
VOC concentrations alone cannot be considered conclusive,
an assessment of general conditions is useful
in determining the validity of a complaint, emission
source(s), and impact on occupants.1
Research is needed to understand the relationship
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between indoor air contaminant concentrations and
adverse effects. Methodologies used in past studies have
been insufficient to reflect critical variables. A more
comprehensive methodology recently used to evaluate
the impact of VOCs and ventilation rate on occupants'
cognitive abilities6 could also be used to evaluate health
effects at IAQ concentrations. Such a study could document
signs and symptoms in test subjects with known
hypersensitivity to irritants and allergens under controlled
source emissions and ventilation to help fill critical
knowledge gaps with respect to impacts of VOCs and
dampness on occupant health.
References
1. AIHA. 2017. " Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Criteria for New
Construction. " White Paper. American Industrial Hygiene Association.
2. EPA and NIOSH. 1991. " Building Air Quality Guide: A Guide for
Building Owners and Facility Managers. " U.S. EPA and NIOSH.
3. Haas, P., E. Light, R. Morse, S. Lattanzio. 2011. " Using the USEPA
Building Assessment Survey & Evaluation (BASE) Study Data to
Challenge Commonly Used Criteria to Interpret Airborne Mold Levels. "
Proc. of 12th International Conference of Indoor Air Quality and Climate 2011.
4. ASHRAE. 2020. " Damp Buildings, Human Health and HVAC
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ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.o rg J A N U A RY 2 0 2 3
Design. " ASHRAE.
5. 2019 ASHRAE Handbook-HVAC Applications, Chap. 64.
6. Allen, J. et al. 2016. " Associations of cognitive function scores
with carbon dioxide, ventilation, and volatile organic compound
exposures in office workers: a controlled exposure study of green
and conventional office environments. " Environ Health Perspect
124(6):805- 12.
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ASHRAE Journal - January 2023

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