Indoor Air Quality - Tools for Schools Action Kit for Canadian Schools

Chapter 14: Renovation And Repair Checklist (Continued)

Painting

If using this section separately:

Instructions - Painting checklist

1. Read the IAQ Action Kit - Introduction, Backgrounder and How to Get Started sections.
2. Read the General Renovation and Repair Checklist.
3. Read each item on this checklist. Check off each box () as you complete the activity.
4. Check the triangle () if you do not require help with the activity OR check the circle () if you need additional help.
5. Return this checklist to the school board's IAQ coordinator and keep a copy for future reference.

Name
Room or Area
School
Date Completed
Signature

There are many factors to consider before beginning a painting project. Special care should be taken if sanding a surface is required prior to painting, because of the dust released into the air. The dust may contain lead particles. Exposure to lead can affect children's mental growth, and interfere with their nervous system development, which may cause learning disabilities and impaired hearing. In adults, lead can increase blood pressure.

The type of paint is an important decision. For instance, both solvent-based and water-based paints release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause indoor air quality (IAQ) problems. Water-based paints produce less VOCs than solvent-based paints, but may produce them over a longer period of time.

Durability is important. A relatively low-emitting paint may cause more IAQ problems in the long run than a higher-emitting paint, if the surface covered with low-emitting paint must be repainted more often. In addition, until recently, many water-based paints (even interior paints) contained mercury as a fungicide. Any paint that contains mercury should not be used indoors.

Confirm that the painted surface is lead-free before preparing a surface for repainting

Check painting records or old paint cans to determine whether the paint contains lead.
Conduct an initial screen using a trained lead paint inspector.
If there is lead in the existing paint, contact a trained lead-based paint contractor.
No lead found in existing paint
Paint contains lead or testing is needed to determine if lead is present in existing paint.

Select a low-VOC emitting paint that is free of lead and mercury

Evaluate existing stocks of paint (properly dispose of paints containing lead or mercury, or that have higher VOC emissions than new paints).
Evaluate new paint before you purchase it. Express your indoor air quality concerns to paint suppliers and use their technical personnel as a resource. Not all paint suppliers have information on pollutant emissions; consult other sources (e.g., manufacturers) if your paint supplier cannot provide adequate information.
Selected an appropriate paint.
Need to discuss which paint to use with an IAQ specialist.

During exterior painting, minimize occupants' exposure to odours and contaminants

Schedule exterior painting to occur when the building is unoccupied (e.g., weekends or vacation periods).
Keep nearby windows and doors closed as much as possible.
Occupants' exposure is minimized.
Need help to minimize occupants' exposure.

During interior painting, minimize occupants' exposure to odours and pollutants

Schedule painting to occur when the area is unoccupied (for example, on weekends or during vacation perio ds), and allow time for paint odours to dissipate before occupants return to the area. If the area being painted has a heating, cooling, and ventilation system that is shared with other areas, those areas should also be unoccupied. Special consideration should be given to exam periods and other times when sensitive individuals may be less able to modify their activities to avoid contaminants.
Use supply and exhaust fans to remove paint fumes from the building. Operate supply fans continuously (24 hours/day, 7 days/week), at the highest possible outdoor air supply setting, from the beginning of the painting work until several days after painting has been completed.
Block return openings to prevent air circulating from the work area to occupied areas.

Caution: Consult with your local fire department for more information on fire regulations and prevention.

Keep records on IAQ outcomes resulting from painting activities. Consider testing air at various times to characterize the airborne concentration of VOCs. This will help to determine what ventilation rates and times are required to ensure acceptable IAQ for occupants. Air testing is not a regular requirement but may provide valuable general information for planning and executing future painting projects.
Occupants' exposure is minimized.
Need help to minimize occupants' exposure.

Use appropriate storage and disposal practices for paints, solvents, clean-up materials, and asbestos-containing materials

Seal containers carefully after use.
Keep paint containers in designated storage areas equipped with exhaust ventilation. Do not store materials in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment rooms.
Use an appropriate waste disposal method to dispose of any paints containing lead or mercury.
Follow appropriate provincial or federal requirements for the disposal of asbestos-containing materials.
No problem found with storage and disposal.
Need help with storage and disposal.

Problem Summary

All activities on this checklist have been completed and no help is required.

OR

A list of problems and/or assistance required is attached.

Comments Form

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit for Canadian Schools

We anticipate revising the Tools for Schools Action Kit in the future. To help us ensure that the Kit meets the needs of those who are using it, please send us your comments about how easy or difficult you found the Kit to use. Suggestions for how to make the Kit more useful are especially welcome. If
a reply is requested, please provide your name, address and phone number along with the completed sheet and mail it to:

• Health Canada
  Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
  Indoor Environments Division
  Room 120, Environmental Health Centre (P.L. 0801D)
  Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2

Comments or Suggestions:

Your role at the school (e.g., custodial staff, teacher, etc.):

Checklist (s) used:

Optional for correspondence purposes:

Name:
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