brandy toft air quality specialist itep iaq course march 2013
TRANSCRIPT
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE TRIBAL
RADON PROGRAMBrandy Toft
Air Quality Specialist
ITEP IAQ CourseMarch 2013
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Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Leech Lake Reservation–rural area located in North Central Minnesota
864,158 acres, over 78% is water/wetlands
268 miles of rivers/streams 270 fishable lakes 40 wildrice lakes Serving 12,000 in
14 communities
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Government Structure and Operations
Sovereign government Council of five elected officials Employ over 2,000 people 3 casinos…proceeds go to human services 18 Divisions
Housing 620+ Housing homes
Div of Resource Management Fisheries, Land, Environmental, Admin, Forestry, GIS,
Conservation Enforcement, Wildland Fire
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Air Quality Program – Started 2001
Projects include Radon Air policy (NTAA) Mining Permit, NEPA, EIS, EAW review Indoor Air Quality Green Team (compost, food soverign, wind, solar,
sustainability) Air Pollution monitoring Diesel retrofitting (School bus, on/off road) Burn barrel mitigation/exchange Education and outreach
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Starting IAQ
Started IAQs in 2004 1st IAQ – No idea…thought had idea, but… Father is a carpenter, limited building
experience
Training in 2004 but 2008 multiple courses
Since then over 80+ IAQs completed Community member homes Office buildings, individual offices
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Starting IAQ
Trainings – choose carefully Tribal, ITEP, EPA, private, Universities,
Montana Tribal Healthy Homes
Learn MORE hands on, repeated exposure
Worked with R5 IAQ Center of Excellence Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe Requested to do assessment on government
building OJT – trained during with assessment
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However, Not Certified…
…but qualified to be certified Liability issues, protect LLBO Currently limited resources
Really requires a dedicated, full time program
In assessments provide disclaimers Have tenant/resident sign disclaimer
Stress informational and educational, not to be used for court cases
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Tools of the Trade
Initial purchase – used GAP/103 funding Tramex moisture meter Delmhorst pin moisture meter Bora scope Camera
Next Psychrometer Q-trak
THEN…used Radon grant funding Infra-red camera
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Tools of the Trade…
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Partnership with Housing
Started in 2007 and building on each day Not an easy in…took time to build
relationship
Radon training, testing, mitigation, construction
Assist with IAQ assessments Serve as another set of senses Back up each other Share equipment
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Work To Make Better Homes
Building better, more efficient Fixing insulation issues, windows
Ensuring proper ventilation bathrooms, HRVs, ranges
Efficient, sustainable, green (solar furnaces)
Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC) Control radon and other soil gases Control moisture – double whammy!
Educate Housing builders, administration, tenants
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American Lung Association Project
24 homes for asthmatic mitigation - $6,000/home
Homes with asthmatic elders or children Partnerships re-enforced, learn together
Building science stressed and how to test Understand pressure flows & how a building
operates Learned how to operate instruments,
use senses Blower doors
Learned that every IAQ can be puzzling
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New Partnerships - Leveraging Leech Lake Community Services OSHA Tribal Representative Work with other Tribes
Phone, visits
Some not or never will be partners “Disliked very much” by Facilities
Manager
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New Tenant Classes
Housing new tenant classes (8 to date)
Overview of IAQ and what they can do Stress to be own advocate Why IAQ important and tips Reporting small problems before BIG
problems How to change filters
Many don’t know – 1st time introduction
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Doing IAQs
Every place is unique, different system
Still learning every time, scared to miss info Go in with confidence, not cocky Willing to learn from each IAQ Use network contacts for assistance/guidance
Usually take 1-2 hours for initial assessment A good day to write report
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IAQ Reports
IAQ check list and field notes
LLAP detailed IAQ report (3-8 pages) Pictures Description of home/office Description of issues found and of
concern List of findings and suggestions Enclose educational materials JUST THE FACTS…
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Final IAQ Page
Findings The Leech Lake Air Program recommendations are as follows:1. Furnace #1 – Change furnace filter every month. Ensure
correct size and install filter slot cover.2. Furnace #1 – Investigate and reroute condensate line to
sump pump or sewer.3. Furnace #2 – Change furnace filter every month. Ensure
correct size and install filter slot cover.4. Furnace #3 – Change furnace filter every month. Ensure
correct size and install filter slot cover.5. Furnace #3 – Repair leaking condensate pipe in N crawl
space.6. EACH furnace MUST professionally inspected, cleaned, and
maintained each year.7. Date each filter change on filter with a sharpie or pen. (cont.)
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Final IAQ Page (cont.)
8. Must use pleated air filters, MERV rating 7-8, change monthly, fit filter slot, and install filter slot cover.
9. HRV should be checked with each furnace filter change and cleaned if necessary (spring with pollen/insects/seeds). Every 3 months the pre-filters and core must be cleaned.
10. Install another HRV in building. With multiple furnaces and zones, coupled with the square footage of the building, another HRV is required.
11. If there are floor vents, the registers can be removed and the boot of the ductwork vacuumed out.
12. Vacuum carpeting at least twice to three times a week (e.g. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) at end of day.
13. If carpeting is removed, replace with hard surface flooring that can be swept and mopped.
14. Fungus identified growing in N crawl space. Remove fungus. Remediate crawl space for moisture to remediate for fungus.
15. Poly barrier requires sealing at each joint with tape designed for poly, adhered to the walls and center posts by either special adhesion caulking or by mechanical fasteners and around any penetrations
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No time to advertise…
“Unfunded” ~ limited scope of workplan
Only by word of mouth Other duties – have to balance However - Who else is there to do it?
IAQ is one of the best ways to improve someone’s health; to assist Tribal
members with direct impact.
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Funding
EPA GAP EPA 103 EPA SPRIG Radon EPA Environmental Justice
LEVERAGE RESOURCES!!! Use Housing wages as match Be creative Network! Work with State, other Tribes,
Organizations
