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Home My WebLink AboutMiscellaneous - 1 FIELDSTONE COURT 4/30/2018Fr n n 0 c fob -19-01 06:1AA GordonAirQuality 508 670 1337_ P_o2 1Js 60RDON AIR QUALITY CONSULTANTS, INC: P.O. Box 5739.6 Minton Road aMmica, Messwhuseits 01821-5239 Tel. (978) 6639213 • Fu (978) 670.1332 February 16, 2001 Project No. Barkan -04 Ms Janet Meany Barkan Management Company, Inc. 268 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 Dear Ms Meany: On February 1, 2001, I went to Rosemary Brennan's residence located at- 1C Fieldstone Court in North Andover, to identify the black "soot" which was deposited on walls and to locate the source of the soot. The following sections of this letter report present the scope of work, the sampling and analytical methodology, the results of the testing, my comments and general recommendations. I. Scope of Work The scope of work was well defined. IC involved collecting samples of the black particulates, identifying the particulates ar)d at.r.empring to locate their source. Specifically, the following tasks were performed -- 1. Take wipe samples of suspect particulates from several selected locations: 2. Perform a qualitative evaluation of the heating system (in the hallway) : 3_ determine the airborne particle counts in selected locations; 4. Make observations regarding issues that could affect the indoor air quality; 5. Generate and submit a report presenting the results, along with our comments and general recommendations. CORDON AIR OUA1_ITY CONSULTANTS. INC- ZO'd gig§ Leg eL6-1 Out saWoy 06p},A poOM dI£: TO 1O-Z0--4eW F4ab-19-01 06:19A GavdonAirQuali,ty 11. Kothodology 508 670 1332 1_03 The test methodologies used for this evaluation were those which are generally accepted by the industrial hygiene community. Specifically, the methodologies used for this study are as follows: 1. Particulate identification Samples were collected on special membrane filters. The samples were transported to STL Laboratories in Billerica, MA for analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Polarized Light Microscopy.- A brief description of the method follows: A representative_ portion of each sample filter was sectioned and collapsed using an acetone vaporizer. The sample was mounted in index oil (n=1.605) on glass slides for an initial PLM examination. Another portion of each sample was mounted on double sided tape and coated with evaporated graphite for the SEM analysis. Photos were taken of each dust sample by PLM at -120X, Percentages of the material composing the dust samples were made by visual estimate by the PLM. The percentages and identification of materials was confirmed by SEM examination. EDX spectra and SEM ptiotomicrographs were taken of the soot detected in sample ?. and of a iron sphere detected in sample 3. 2. Airborne Particle Counts The airbarr:e particle counts were measured using a calibrated MetOne particle counter which counts and sizes airborne particulates. 3. Obsexvatione General observations were made regarding the areas assessed to determine issues which may impact the overall indoor air quality. III. Results Table 1 presents the results of the testing - 2 GORDON AIR QUALITY CONSULTANTS. INC. £O'd 9199 L89 8L6-1 Z>uL sauaoy a6P�.4 POOH d1£=10 10-ZO-SEW Fed -19-Q1 06:19A t'adrdonAirQua7ity 5oe 670 1332 P-04 Table 1 5ariace Particulate Identification Sample Location Particulate Identification Sample #1 95% Opaques (ambiguous opaques, paint chips) Kitchen ceiling 3% Mineral grains and wails 2% Cellulose (cotton & paper fibers) Sample #2 90% Opaques (ambiguous soots or opaques) Living Room TV set 5% Biologicals (skin scales, starch grains) screen 3% Cellulose (cotton 6 paper fibers) 2% Mineral grain (lime) Sample N3 60% Biologicals (skin scales, starch, Rug under front pollen, spores, trichome) door 20% Cellulose (cotton & paper fibers) 10% Opaques (ambiguous opaques, paint. chips) 5% Mineral grains (lime, k -feldspar) 3% Soots (oil, coal?) 1t Glass fibers 1% Synthetic fibers Sample #4 94% Mineral grains 3edroom d ipper 3% Ce)lul.ose (cotton & paper fibers) bottom 2% Opaques (ambiguous soots, paint chips) 1% Biologicals (skin scales) Sample #5 52% Biologicals (skin scales, starch, cob bedroom wall web, trichome, mold) 254 Cellulcse (cotton & paper fibers) 20t Opaques (ambiguous soots, paint chips) 3% Mineral grain 2_ particle Counts The particle counts were all above 10,000,000 particles per cubic foot which is the maximum that the instrument can measure, typical household airborne particle counts range from 500,000 to 1,500,000 particles per cubic foot. T am certain that the excessively high particle counts were due to a recently smoked cigarette in the, residence which invalidate the airborne particle count measurements. 3 GORDON AIR QUALITY CONSULTANTS, TNC. tFO'd 9199 L99 8L6-1 ;'Dui sauaoy 06P�.A poem dZE=TO TO-ZO-uVW Fob 19-01 06:19A GordonAivQuality 506 670 1332. P_.05 3. Beating Systea The apartment is heated by a gas fired furnace located in a "closet" in the hallway_ It is a forced hot water system which means there is no ductwork to be concerned about. At the time of my testing, the chimney draft was very good. There were appropriate provisions for bringing in combustion air. The "closet" was under negative pressure which means that air was moving from the hallway into the "closet" instead of from the "closet" into the hallway. This is as it should be so that even if there is a backfire from the furnace (i didn't see any signs of blow -back) the smoke would be exhausted out through the chimney and should not migrate into the hallway. Even if an incident did occur, and smoke was blown into the hallway, the front door to the Brennan residence would have to be opened for any significant amount of smoke to enter_ 4. observatlons Black "sooty" deposits were noted on walls throughout the residence. They were only noted on walls where a baseboard radiator was located. Unheated walls were clean- IV., lean_ IV., Discussion Of Results. 1. Partieulatis Identification Sootwas detected in the sample taken from the television set screen in the living room, on the rug sample, on the bottom of the bedroom slipper and on the wall samples. The analyst states that, for the most part, the soot on the samples matches the morphology of natural gas soot and candle soot. This soot is composed of very fine, sub -micron sized particles that conglomerate into wispy groups. The morphology and chemical composition of these two soot sources are very similar to each other. The EDX (electron microscopic) ,pectrum of this sample detected low concentration of sulfur, chlorine, potassium and silicon. This spectrum is close to both natural gas soot standards and candle 4 c,ORDON AIR QUALITY CONSULTANTS, INC. SO'd 9199 L89 8L6-'1 out sauaoy aGP�-& poor► dZE:=10 10-ZO-SEW FQb-19-01 06;70A GordonARr-Quality 5OO 670 1332 P.06 soot standards. In addition, the opaques in the sample did not appear to have any defining characteristics. Paint and ambiguous opaques appear throughout. 'the sample taken from the rug under the front door also contained a variety of biological material, much of it skin scales. Mineral grains were present at lower percentages. Some were bright under crossed polars, indicating that quartz or lime particles.may be present. A few paint chips were detected in the sample. The sample taken from the bottom of a bedroom slipper contained a high percentage of mineral grains. These grains appeared fine and small and covered the entire filter. Cellulose was detected in the sample. The kitchen wall/ceiling sample was heavily loaded with Opaques. Opaques are typically harmless. They are probably from paint, organic binders from a variety or plastics, rubbers and glues used throughout a house. There is a very high proportion of opaques in these samples. Some of the samples contain a high percentage of biologicals which could be mold. There is a possibility that some of the "soot" is actually black mold. I can rest for mold or just assume that it is mold and make recommendations for abatement. The mold can be abated at the same time as the wall soot. 2. Airborne Particulates The concentrations of airborne particulates could not be :accurately measured because of the cigarette smoke background_ I don't believe that this is a necessary measurement to make ubatement recommendations. 3. Reating Systan The heating system was working fine and does not appear to be the cause of the wall stains. V. Conclusions and ReCa ellendations In conclusion, it does appear that soot is impacting on the walls and ceilings above the baseboard. radiators. 5 GORDON AIR QUALITY CONSULTANTS, INC. 90'd 9199 L89 8L6-1 Dui savoy 06P1r-A Poon► dZ£=T0 TO-ZO--AEW Feb -19-01 06-20A GaardonAirQuality 506 670 1332 P.07 This phenomenon is caused by the updrafts created by the hot radiator. This type of radiator is designed to draw room air, which contains submicron particulates including soot, and pass the air (arid particulates) by the hot radiator surface which heats the air and "drives" it upwards towards the ceiling. When the air currents containing the submicron particulates reach the ceiling, the particles impact on the trail and ceiling at the point where they join. Some of the particulates are deposited on the wall. The distinctive pattern on the walls is caused by the configuration of the radiator. The hotter sections drive the air up faster than the cooler radiator components. Note that most of the particulates found in the samples were not soot. These particles were found on the walls, but were either transparent or white so that they blend in with the wall paint and were not visible like the black soot. particles. Fortunately, according to the literature, the the particles does not appear to be harmful to My recommendations are as follows: composition of one's health. ---� 1. Clean or paint all walls in the residence. If there is concern for mold, the walls should also be washed with a mild disinfectant. 2. Current industrial hygiene literature states that candies often cause this type of problem. I recommend that candles not be burned in the space unless there is an exhaust located nearby like a bathroom exhaust, for example or during the warmer weather when Windows can be opened and the heat is not on. Note that the kitchen exhaust does not exhaust outside. 3. Install an electric stove. Gas stoves often give off soot especially when a cold, wet, pot or pan is placed onto the burner_ Any yellow flame indicates that soot is being formed. --� 4. As an option, baffles can be placed above the radiators to direct the submicron particulates away from the walls. 6 GORDON ALR QUALITY CONSUL !'ANTS, INC. LO -d 9199 L89 8L6-1 Z)ut SOW04 a6p�.,4 pooM dZ£=T0 TO-ZO--4pW r Feb -19-01 06:?OA Got`donAirQuality SO$ 670 1332 P.Oa If you have any questions about this report, or would like to have a meeting to discuss it, please contact tae at (9-18) 663- 9213. incipal Consultant Gordon Air Quality Con QEP tants, Inc. 7 GORDON AIR QUALITY CONS111.: TANTS, INC_ 80'd 9199 L99 BL6-1 Dui SOW 06p�.,1 poor► d££=10 10-ZO-�AEW� 3 6 tr*" 4 Date ..... I TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER PERMIT FOR WIRING This certifies that ...... ..... . ......... I . :�. P . , . , .... , ... ( .. i . r" . "( . ...... . ( . (- . . ........ ... . .... .... . .. ... has permission to perform ....................... wiring ftr the building of ....... zj(j ( ) A ...... * . ....... I ..... ............... at..................................... fW ........................ e, North An Mass. Fee.A'0�... Lic. No...�EI I ............. . .. ...... ......... ............... ELECTRI AL INSPECTOR Check # t ommonnraa[d a�cc%�u„ac�%welfs 2aparinrenl of -`ire &raicm BOARD OF FIRE PREVENTION REGULATIONS Permit No, Occupancy and Fee Checked tev. 111991 m."'. APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO- PERFORM ELECTRICAL WORK All %%,urk to be performed in accordance with the Massachusetts Electrical Code (NIEC), 527 CMR 12.00. (PLEASE PRINT IN INK OR TYI'E ALL INTORMATION) Onte: City or Town of: To the Inspector o Wires: By this application the undersigned gives notice of his or her intention to perform the electrical work described below. Location (Street & Number) Owner or Tenant ��( FLt� �n �S ��--- Telephone No, Owner's Address /� L.uaGdrl�g,c ago' Is this permit in conjulictiori with n building permit? YesNo / /� nil ❑ � � '(Ghee!: Appropriate Box)Purliose of Building ASIeiKKTtt�J Wilily Authorization No. Existing Seri -ice t\tops �d4(6 1101 t Oyencead ❑ Uud •rd �. b No. of Meters . Nei.• Service SjqjnP_ Anips / Volts Overhead ❑ Undord b ❑ i`io. aCi4lelers� Number f F ed o e ers and Ampactly Location and Nature of Proposed Electrical !York: r-- Canr letio►r of the follnvirrQ Liable Lina be waived b tl / ' ` Nat of Recessed Fixtures No, of Lighting Outlets No, of Ceii,-Susp. (Paddle) Falls No. of Hot Tubs re ns cctor of °' ° Total Fraltsfonucrs LA Generators KAVA i o. o merguilcy tg ung Batte Units No. of Lighting Fixtures Sirimnling Pool Above ❑ in- ❑ Lind. Lind. No. of Receptacle Outlets No. of Oil Burners ;FIRE ALARt :J_ iYo. of Zones No. of Switches No. of Ranges No. of Gas Burners No. of Air Cond. oral Tons . of Detection and Initiating Devices k No, of Alerting Devices No. of Waste Disposers No. of Dishwashers Heat Pump Number Eons_ Ihl Totals: — - Space/Area Heating KW No. o Sel - ontaincd Detection/Alerting Devices Local ❑ iv Untcipa Connection CD Other No. ref Dryers Healing Appliances I{�y Security Systems: No, of Devices or Equivalent Daia Wiring: No. oflleviccs or Equivalent lelecomnruatcattons 1 •irtt;g: No. o.f llevices or E uivalent t o. ^f Nater IIealcrs KiV tVo. of No. of Signs Ballasts No. H}drontassage Bathtubs OTHER: No. oftllotors Total HP daadr additional detail if desired. or as required by the Inspector of {Vires. INSURAiIiCE COI EltAGE: Unless waived by the ou-ner, no permit for the performance of electrical work may issue unless the licensee provides proof of liability insurance including "completed operation" coverage or its substantial equivalent. The undersigned certifies that such coverage is fn force, and has exhibited proof of same to the permit issuing office. CHECK ONE' I`rSUR1\NCE [/ BOND ❑ OTHER ❑ (Specify:) 03 Estimated Value of Electrical Work:' (When required by municipal policy-) (Exp ation Date) Work to Start:Inspections to be requested in accordance with MEC Rule 10, and upon completion. I ccr tifj , utulcr the dins mrdclu palties of perjury; Mal the information oil flus application is true and complete. FULNI NAME: ` LIC. NO.: Licensee: I A2ie_ P4 Signature (If applicable, enter "cYra�pt" in roe license n umber line LIC. i`i O.: o10S�' t, Address: 66X A r O 3 Bus. Tel. No;• OWNER' 1NSUR.ANCE NVA1VER: 1 am aware that the Licensee docs not have the liability insurance overage normallyrequired by law. B\ my signature below, I hereby waive this requirement. 1 atn the (check onc) ❑ owner ❑ o« ner's agent. Oivner/Agent Signature Telephone No. Pi:RMIT rEE• : S