Sustainable Test 2

multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
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Terms in this set (29)
multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
a chronic condition;
Symptoms include sensitivity to numerous chemicals and other irritants at very low levels of concentration. Exposure can affect one or more of the body's organ systems.
indoor air quality (IAQ)
condition of the air inside buildings, including the extent of pollution caused by smoking, dust mites, mold spores, radon and other gases, and chemicals off gassing from construction materials, furnishings, finishes, and equipment.
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
acute illness; A variety of symptoms (ie, cough, runny nose, inflamed and/or itchy eyes, sore throat, headache, etc.) affecting some of a building's occupants while they are in the building.
What are some of the triggers of MCS and SBS?
•Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - formaldehyde, pesticides, solvents, cleaning agents
•Petrochemical fuels (diesel, gasoline, kerosene, oil)
•Petroleum-based products
•Naturally occurring gases (chlorine, fluorine)
•Land emissions
•Animal waste emissions
For what products do the chemical triggers of MCS and SBS occur?
plywood, fiberboard, particleboard, paint, finishes, carpet adhesives, pressed wood furniture, solvents, veneered wood, glues, permanent markers, and more
As to the various products that designers specify, know which are good and bad choices when considering IAQ
-Wood: BEST CHOICE-Solid Wood flooring with a water-based, ultraviolet-cured finish that is applied in the factory
-Tile, Stone: GOOD-stone, ceramic, porcelain tiles, Solid, inert, durable - will NOT emit toxic gases
-Vinyl Tile, Sheet Vinyl, Linoleum: GOOD-Linoleum (natural, biodegradable and no VOC off-gassing) BAD-Vinyl tile and sheet vinyl contain polyvinylchloride (PVC)
-Wall Coverings: GOOD-Paper and Fibers (if biodegradable and/or with recycled content) BAD-anything with VOCs and/or made of PVC - OFF GASSING
-Ceiling Treatments: BEST CHOICE: Mineral-fiber ceiling tile without a vinyl surface
-Textiles: BEST CHOICES: Organic Cotton or other products such as EnviroTex or Climatex
What are the strategies for avoiding or treating health problems related to IAQ and how might these strategies be carried out?
-Create a healthy place to live: remodel with materials free of chemicals
-Create an oasis within the home: use low VOC paint
-Practice avoidance strategies: avoid people wearing perfume
-Use natural materials and products
-Take medication for chemical desensitization
What are the considerations in lighting decisions?
-quality: Must consider type and use of facility, geographic location, cultural expectations and functional demands
-quantity: Must consider light levels, distribution of light, glare control, brightness perception, appearance of the space, surface finishes (dark absorbs light, light reflects light)
What are the benefits of daylighting?
-Access to a view and interaction with daylight provides valuable environmental information
-Reduction of fossil fuel and electric energy use
Incandescent
Standard A19 bulb, least energy efficient
Halogenrequire transformer, 2X life of regular incandescent, especially efficient when a high light level is needed in a confined area for displays and accentsFluorescentvary in length, diameter, tube shape and CCT, must be matched to appropriate ballast, most energy efficientCompact Fluorescent (CFL)with integral electronic ballasts and standard screw-in base to replace standard incandescent, light focus and control are limitedHigh intensity discharge (HID)Outdoor lighting and lower wattage, Dimming is difficult, Very poor color renditionLow-pressure sodiumLowest color rendition (not a good interiors light source)Light-emitting Diode (LED)"solid-state" lighting (light source of the future), no filament - thus do NOT get hot, long life, small size, limited electrical useWhat is light pollution?excessive outdoor night light (uncontrolled and directed upward)What is light trespassing?light that extends over a property line and causes glare, energy wasteBe able to provide some strategies of energy-effective & efficient lighting design?quality of daylight, light-colored surfaces, energy efficient lighting equipment, automatic and manual lighting controls, lamps with higher efficacy, maintain regularly, replace outdated luminairesWhat are the advantages to a well-designed building?-Increased comfort -Improved durability of materials -Less space occupied by ductwork and piping -Reduced fading of textiles in front of window areas -Better indoor air quality -Reduced square footage, yielding fewer resources used, reduced construction waste, and reduced resources associate with building operationWhat are some solar design features?-Passive solar heating and cooling features -Daylighting -Solar Water Heating -Solar Space HeatingWhat are some water-conserving design features?-Rainwater capture -Storm-water reduction -Gray-water recycling -On-site wastewater treatmentWhat are the key components to reduce energy loss through the building envelope?insulation, window design, and air sealingWhat are strategies to avoid moisture problems?•In humid climates with warm summers, avoid using vinyl wallcovering on inside surfaces of exterior walls •When using steel studs on exterior wall insist on foam insulation sheathing applied to the exterior side •Be very careful in the use of a vapor barrier in warm, humid climatesWhat are strategies to prevent air leaks/infiltration?•Eliminate gaps through the building envelope (around ductwork, plumbing, electrical chases, stairwells and interfaces between diverse building materials •Use the final exterior finish as the interior air barrier and seal all seams •Seal all penetrations through the roof, floor and wall systems •When possible, test for air leakage with blower door equipment •Where present, seal air leaks between spaces above dropped ceilings and outside walls and roofs •Seal between interior spaces of buildings and shafts such as stairwells and mechanical chasesWhat are the factors that determine an energy efficient window?•Low U-factors •Thermal break that creates a separation between interior and exterior frame •Low-e glazing preferred or presence of inert gas •Tighter weatherstripping systems •Low air-leakage rates •Moderate to high transmission of visible light •Low transmission of invisible radiationWhat are considerations in choosing window treatments?ability to: •reduce heat loss or gain •filter UV rays •control light (when necessary) •produce the desired aestheticsWhat are some renewable energy sources for heating, cooling and hot water?•Passive Solar •Daylighting •Solar water-heating systems •Solar-heated ventilation air •Solar-space heating and cooling systems •Solar photovoltaic electricity systems •Solar thermal electricity systems •Green-power programsWhat are ways to reduce water demand and usage?•Low-flow showerheads •Water-efficient faucet aerators •Sensor-activated faucets •Low gallons per flush (gpf) or composting toilets •Nonwater-use urinals •Efficient clothes washers •Efficient dishwashers •Foot or knee controls for faucets