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Test/QA Plan for Mold-Resistant Gypsum Board Testing
Prepared by:
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, NC
Approved by:
RTI Project Manager: "Signed by Karin K. Foarde on January 31, 2007"
Karin K. Foarde
RTI Quality Assurance Manager: "Signed by W. Gary Eaton on January 31, 2007"
W. Gary Eaton
EPA Project Officer: "Signed by Timothy Dean on September 12. 2008"
Timothy Dean
EPA Quality Assurance Manager: "Signed by Robert Wright on September 12, 2008"
Robert Wright
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This document serves as the Test and Quality Assurance (QA) plan for mold-resistant gypsum
board testing. The Quality Management Plan (QMP) under which this work is conducted is the
Verification Testing of Air Pollution Control Technology Quality Management Plan, Revision
2.2, February 17, 20051. This QMP was approved by EPA for the ETV program and fulfills the
requirements of the ETV program-level QMP.
Acknowledgement
RTI would like to thank the companies who provided funding for the test method development:
American Gypsum, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum Corporation, Gypsum Association, and National
Gypsum. In addition, RTI appreciates the stakeholders and gypsum manufacturers who input to
this program.
Stakeholders
Taj ah Blackburn, U.S. EPA
Doris Betancourt, U.S. EPA
Elliott Horner, Air Quality Sciences
AlisonKinn, U.S. EPA
Laura Kolb, U.S. EPA
Russ Jerusik, Hercules
David Marciniak, General Services Administration
Janet Macher, CA Department of Health Services
Marc Menetrez, U.S. EPA
Tony Worthan, Air Quality Sciences
Robert Thompson, U.S. EPA
Vendors
Leo Bissonnette, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum
Robert Bell, USG Corporation
Charles Byers, USG Corporation
Kendall Clark, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum
John College, BPB America
Michael Danks, American Gypsum
John Donohue, USG Corporation
David Drummond, National Gypsum
Jessica Noggle, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum
Paul Shipp, USG Corporation
Rick Weir, National Gypsum
Robert Wessel, Gypsum Association
Wayne Wilson, LaFarge
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Al: Title and Approval Sheet i
A2: Table of Contents iii
List of Figures v
List of Tables v
A3: Distribution List vi
List of Acronyms/Abbreviations/Definitions vii
SECTION A: PROJECT MANAGEMENT 1
A4: Project/Task Organization 1
A4.1: Management Responsibilities 1
A4.1.1: EPA Project Officer 1
A4.1.2: RTI Project Manager 1
A4.2: Quality Assurance Responsibilities 2
A4.2.1: EPA Quality Assurance Manager 2
A4.2.2: RTI Quality Assurance Manager 2
A5: Problem Definition/Background Information 2
A6: ESTE Testing Description and Schedule 4
A6.1: Description of Testing 5
A6.1.1: Identification and Acquisition of Mold-Resistant Gypsum Board 5
A6.1.2: Testing 6
A6.1.3: Preparation of Report 6
A6.2: Schedule 6
A7: Data Quality Objectives and Criteria for Measurement Data 7
A8: Special Training Requirements/Certification 7
A9: Documentation and Records 7
A9.1: Laboratory Documentation 7
A9.2: QA Reports 7
A9.3: Reporting 8
A9.4: Verification reports 8
A9.4.1 Environmental Sustainability Criteria 8
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SECTION B: MEASUREMENT/DATA ACQUISITION 9
Bl: Test Design 9
B1.2: Static Chambers 9
B1.2: Test Organisms 9
B1.2: Sample Preparation and Inoculation 9
B2: Sampling Methods Requirements 10
B3: Sample Handling and Custody Requirements 11
B4: Analytical Methods Requirements 11
B5: Quality Control Requirements 11
B6: Instrument/Equipment Testing, Inspection, and Maintenance Requirements 12
B7: Instrument Calibration and Frequency 12
B8: Inspection/Acceptance Requirements for Supplies and Consumables 12
B9: Data Acquisition Requirements (Non-direct measurements) 12
BIO: Data Management 12
B10.1: Data Recording 13
B10.2: Data Analysis 13
Bll: Datastorage 13
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SECTION C: ASSESSMENT/OVERSIGHT 14
Cl: Assessments and Response Actions 14
Cl.l: Audits 14
C1.2: Corrective Actions 14
C2: Reports to Management 15
SECTION D: DATA VALIDATION AND USABILITY 16
Dl: Data Review, Validation, and Verification Requirements 16
D2: Validation and Verification Methods 16
D3: Reconciliation with Data Quality Objectives 16
References 17
RTI Operating Procedures Referenced in the Test/QA Plan 20
Appendix A: Moisture Test 21
Appendix B: Emissions Test 23
Appendix C: AQS Test Method 26
FIGURES
Figure 1. Organization Chart 1
Figure 2. Diagram illustrating the conditions required for fungal growth on a material 3
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. CommonFungi Found on Wallboard 4
Table 2. Data Quality Objectives 6
Table 3. RTFsETV Assessments 14
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A3: Distribution List
EPA
Dr. Timothy Dean
Dr. Marc Menetrez
Dr. Doris Betancourt
Mr. Robert Wright
Research Triangle Institute
Ms. Karin Foarde
Ms. Deborah Franke
Dr. Jonathan Black
Dr. Keith Esch
Mr. Michael Herman
Ms. Lauren Pugh
Ms. Tricia Schwartz
Dr. W. Gary Eaton
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List of Acronyms/Abbreviations/Definitions
January 31,2007
Page vii
ACH
ADQ
AQS
ASTM
&w
CPU
DNPH
DQO
EPA
ESTE
ERH
ETV
g
GC/MS
ISO
MC
ML
ML SOP
QA
QAM
QAPP
QC
QMP
RH
RTI
sec
SOP
spp
t
TOP
T/QAP
TSA
TVOC
VOC
Mg
(j,m
air changes per hour
audit of data quality
Air Quality Sciences
American Society for Testing and Materials
water activity
colony forming unit
2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine
data quality objective
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
environmental and sustainable technology evaluations
equilibrium relative humidity
environmental technology verification
gram(s)
gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
International Organization for Standardization
moisture content
microbiology laboratories
microbiology laboratory standard operating procedure
quality assurance
quality assurance manager
quality assurance project plan
quality control
quality management plan
relative humidity
Research Triangle Institute (RTI International)
second(s)
standard operating procedure
species
temperature
technical operating procedure
test/quality assurance plan
technical system audit
total volatile organic compounds
volatile organic compounds
microgram(s)
micrometer(s)
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January 31,2007
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A4: Project/Task Organization
The Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program was established by the Office of
Research and Development of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to accelerate the
development and commercialization of improved environmental technologies through third party
verification and reporting of performance. The Environmental and Sustainable Technology
Evaluations (ESTE) projects respond directly to EPA's need for credible performance
information on technologies that can address high-risk environmental problems. RTI will
perform the testing, evaluate the data, and prepare the verification reports. The various quality
assurance (QA) and management responsibilities are divided between EPA and RTI key project
personnel as defined below. The lines of authority between key personnel for this project are
shown on the project organization chart in Figure 1.
EPA Project Officer
Timothy Dean
RTI Project
Manager
Karin Foarde
RTI Technical Staff
EPA Quality
Assurance Manager
Robert Wright
RTI Quality Assurance
Manager
W. Gary Eaton
Figure 1. Organization Chart. Dotted lines indicate organizational independence.
A4.1: Management Responsibilities
Project management responsibilities are divided between EPA and RTI personnel as listed
below.
A4.1.1: EPA Project Officer
Timothy Dean is the EPA Project Officer for the contract. He is responsible for oversight of this
program.
A4.1.2: RTI Project Manager
The RTI Project Manager Karin Foarde is responsible for task implementation and technical
quality control. The RTI Project Manager is also responsible for the following:
Update and deliver revisions of the Test/Quality Assurance Project Plan (T/QAP),
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Define task objectives in coordination with EPA,
Develop a detailed work plan schedule,
Halt testing if there is a quality or safety problem,
Work with vendors and stakeholders,
Provide oversight of AQS work,
Review work progress to ensure that task budgets and schedules are met, and
Prepare verification reports.
Karin Foarde will also be the technical leader and will review and compare the results for
consistency based on her experience with the respective components of the tests.
A4.2: Quality Assurance Responsibilities
QA responsibilities are divided between the EPA and RTI personnel as listed below.
A4.2.1: EPA Quality Assurance Manager
The EPA Quality Assurance Manager (EPA QAM) Robert Wright will conduct audits of RTFs
QA System1 and of specific technical activities on the project as specified by EPA. He will be
available to resolve any QA issues relating to performance and EPA QA requirements. Specific
functions and duties of the EPA QAM include approving the contents of this T/QAP and
subsequent revisions, performing a ISA (technical system audit) on RTI, and reviewing QA
reports prepared by RTI, including RTFs internal QA evaluations and audits.
A4.2.3: RTI Quality Assurance Manager
The RTI Quality Assurance Manager (RTI QAM) W. Gary Eaton is organizationally
independent of the RTI Project Manager and is responsible for ensuring that QA/quality control
(QC) procedures described in this T/QAP are followed. In addition, the RTI QAM will:
Maintain regular communication with the EPA QAM regarding QA issues,
Report on the adequacy, status, and effectiveness of the QA program to the Project Manager,
Conduct an internal TSA after samples have been received and cut for distribution. This will
constitute a "readiness review." A conversation will also be held among QAM, AQS
contact, and RTI Project Manager to inquire about the AQS quality system. An audit of data
quality (ADQ) will be conducted after results from day zero are in hand. Any TSA items not
completed during "readiness review" will be completed at the time of the ADQ.
Provide QA oversight of AQS work,
Halt testing if a quality or safety problem is found in the TSA, after consultation with RTI
program manager,
Ensure that corrective action, if necessary, is properly implemented and documented,
Review and approve test (including QC) reports, and
Prepare the QA section of each verification report.
A5: Problem Definition/Background Information
Fungal growth and the resulting contamination of building materials is a well-documented
problem, especially after the reports from New Orleans and the U.S. Gulf Coast post Hurricane
Katrina. However, contaminated materials have been recognized as important indoor fungal
reservoirs for years. For example, contamination with fungi has been associated with a variety of
materials including carpet, ceiling tile, gypsum board, wallpaper, flooring, insulation, and
heating, ventilation and air conditioning components2'3'4'5.
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Exposure to fungi may result in respiratory symptoms of both the upper and lower respiratory
tract such as allergy and asthma6. Everyone is potentially susceptible. However, of particular
concern are children with their immature immune systems and individuals of all ages that are
immunocompromi sed7'8.
One approach to limiting exposure is to reduce the levels of fungi in the indoor space. For some
sensitive individuals, limiting exposure through
avoidance is an effective control method; however,
avoidance is not always possible or practical. The
investigation, development, and application of
effective source controls and strategies are essential
to prevent fungal growth in the indoor environment.
Mold resistant wallboard is a potentially effective
method of source control.
Figure 2 illustrates the combination of moisture and
nutrients required for microbial growth on a
material. Sufficient nutrients for growth may be
provided by the material itself or through the
accumulation of dust on or in the material. For
wallboard, some of the component(s) of the
wallboard itself may provide the necessary nutrients, but wallpaper and paint can also provide
the nutrients. When sufficient nutrients are available, _. . _. ... ^ . ^
... . . ,, . . . . . figure 2. Diagram illustrating the
the ultimate determinate tor microbial growth is ,-. , f ,, , .,
& conditions required for fungal growth
availability or water. The more hygroscopic a on a material
material (i.e., wallboard) is, the more impact on the
overall hygoscopicity the surface treatments may have.
This test plan addresses three specific characteristics of mold resistant building material: (1)
mold resistance, (2) emissions of VOCs and aldehydes, and (3) moisture content. Mold
resistance is the critical measurement, so the T/QAP is focusing on mold resistance. Moisture
content and emissions of VOCs and aldehydes are ancillary tests; information can be found in
Appendix A and B, respectively. Other characteristics, such as fire resistance, are important and
should be considered by users of the products, but are beyond the scope of this test plan.
A building is not a sterile environment, nor should it be. In fact, a building is frequently a
reservoir for microorganisms. While many different types of microorganisms occupy indoor
spaces, it is well-recognized that fungi can colonize and amplify on a variety of building
materials if sufficient nutrients and moisture are present. These contaminated materials are
known to be important indoor reservoirs. Fungal growth on natural and fabricated building
materials can be a major source of respiratory disease in humans.
Table 1 provides information on common environmental fungi that have been isolated from
contaminated wallboard.
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Table 1. Common fungi found on wetted wallboard.
Organism
Acremonium spp.
Alternaria spp.
Aspergillus spp.
Chaetomium spp.
Cladosporium spp.
Epicoccum spp.
Fusarium spp.
Penicillium spp.
Stachybotrys spp.
Trichoderma spp.
Materials That Support Growth
Colonizes damp wallboard
Grows indoors on a variety of substrates
Colonizes damp wallboard
Commonly found on damp wallboard paper
Colonizes continuously damp wallboard
Colonizes continuously damp wallboard
Colonizes continuously damp wallboard
Commonly found on damp wallpaper
Colonizes continuously damp wallboard
Grows well on damp wallboard paper
Mold resistance testing will be performed following the guidelines outlined in ASTM 6329-9S9.
This method was developed as part of a more comprehensive project to apply indoor air quality
engineering to biocontamination in buildings. One of the primary goals was to provide a
scientific basis for studying indoor air biocontaminants. Available methods from ASTM,
AATCC, UL, and others for evaluating the resistance of a variety of materials to fungal growth
were surveyed at the initial stages of that project. Although the basic principals were similar, a
major concern was the way growth on the different materials was evaluated. Although in some
cases, quantitative methods for inoculation were employed, none assessed growth as the endpoint
quantitatively. The strategy was to develop a method that would provide a quantitative endpoint
for growth in a well-controlled environment and to improve repeatability and comparability. The
method has been successfully used to evaluate fungal resistance on a variety of materials
including ceiling tiles and HVAC duct materials 10'n'12>13.
A6: ESTE Testing - Description and Schedule
The ESTE testing for mold-resistant gypsum board will be performed under the U.S. EPA's
quality system where the goal is to ensure that environmental programs and decisions are
supported by data of the type and quality needed and expected for their intended use, and that
decisions involving environmental technology are supported by appropriate quality-assured
engineering standards and practices. The implementation of the EPA Quality System is based on
a graded approach, meaning that quality systems for different organizations and programs will
vary according to the specific objectives and needs of the organization. EPA requires that
contractors performing research or testing for EPA have both a quality management plan1 and a
quality assurance project plan (QAPP) (or test plan) - this document.
The ETV management plan states:
The quality system for the overall ETV program seeks to be consistent with industry
consensus standards. Each verification organization shall implement a valid and approved
quality system. The Agency's required quality system for cooperative agreements and
contracts is ANSI/ASQC E4. Each verification test will be performed according to
planned and documented, pre-approved test/QA plans. All technical statements in ETV
verification reports shall be supported by the appropriate data14.
ETV requires that all test plans, data and results be reviewed by both the company (in this case,
RTI) and the EPA project quality managers. In addition, both RTI and EPA perform audits of the
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RTI ESTE quality system and how the testing is being performed and how ETV quality
management performs.
EPA uses the data quality objective (DQO) process as defined in Guidance on Systematic
Planning using the Data Quality Objectives Process (QA/G-4)15. The DQO process is used to
establish performance or acceptance criteria, which serve as the basis for designing a plan for
collecting data of sufficient quality and quantity to support the goal of a study15. DQOs may
include specific values for accuracy and precision, but they will often provide one value that
incorporates both entities.
EPA and ETV strongly support the use of international consensus standards, however,
recognizing that a laboratory will need to supplement standards with their own SOPs. The
following sections indicate which standards are used in developing this QAPP/test plan. This
document is written in a format defined by EPA that includes sections not found in a standard
test method. This document will indicate sections and document information when procedures
are being used from those documents.
A6.1: Description of Testing
The ESTE verification test includes separate tests to be performed on each gypsum board
submitted for testing:
Mold resistance testing.
VOC and aldehyde emissions testing, and
Moisture content
Testing for VOC and aldehyde emissions and moisture content are ancillary tests.
The testing consists of the three steps summarized below:
Acquiring the mold-resistant gypsum board products for testing,
Performing the testing of the boards, and
Preparing verification reports and summary statements.
Each of the three tests is discussed separately. The moisture test can be found in appendix A. The
VOC and aldehyde emissions test can be found in appendix B.
A6.1.1: Identification and Acquisition of Mold-Resistant Gypsum Board
The companies will provide one bundle (two sheets) of their gypsum board to RTI for mold
resistance and moisture content testing. Tricia Schwartz will be the custodian at RTI and will be
responsible for storage, labeling, etc. of the products. She is responsible for documentation
showing chain of custody. Each piece of wallboard will be labeled as will the samples cut from
it. The products will be stored in the Building 11, Bay 1 storage room at RTI until used and will
be retained until the verification report for the product is approved. All products will be logged
in upon receipt and will be checked out for testing, then the unused portion will be returned to
the storage room when testing is complete.
A minimum of four 12" x 12" squares will be shipped to AQS for VOC testing using AQS-
approved packaging. AQS will follow their own procedures for sample collection and handling
(AQS Method, Sections 5.3-5.9 - Appendix C.
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A6.1.2: Performance of Mold Resistance Testing
Mold resistance testing will be performed following the guidelines outlined in ASTM 6329-9S9.
The specifics of the test and the related SOPs are discussed in further detail in Section B1.2. In
overview, the test organisms are inoculated by pipette directly onto the surface of each wallboard
piece in sufficiently high numbers to provide an adequate challenge, but at a level that is realistic
to quantitate. The tests will run for 12 weeks. Within the 12 weeks of the test, four test days,
Day 0, Week 1, Week 6, and Week 12 will be evaluated. Day 0 will provide the baseline
inoculum level. A sufficient number of test pieces will be inoculated simultaneously for all four
test days. All of the pieces for one material and one test organism will be put in the same static
chamber. Two test organisms, Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus versicolor will be used.
The chambers will be set to 100% ERH for the tests with S. chartarum and at 85% for A.
versicolor. On each test day (including day 0), five replicates of the test material pieces are
removed from the chamber, placed in sterile buffer, and extracted by shaking. The resulting
suspension of eluted organisms is plated and microbial growth on materials quantitated by
manually enumerating colony-forming units (CPU),
The numbers of CPU eluted on test days week 1, 6, and 12 and compared to the baseline at Day
0. The numbers of CPU are expressed as logic. The results will be reported as the log change in
CPUs between Day 0 and Week 1, Day 0 and Week 6, and Day 0 and Week 12.
A6.1.3: Preparation of Report
The final step is to complete the verification report and verification statement for each product
tested and submit them to EPA for review.
A6.2: Schedule
The verification will begin when the T/QAP is approved by EPA and will continue at least until
all three initial products are tested. The vendors who have taken part in the test plan development
will be requested to submit their products while the T/QAP is in EPA review. Testing may
continue beyond that if there are additional products to test.
A7: Data Quality Objective and Criteria for Measurement Data
Data quality objectives (DQOs) are qualitative and quantitative statements designed to ensure
that the type, quality, and quantity of data used are appropriate for the intended application. The
DQO for the critical measurement, quantitation of fungal growth on an individual test date, is
found in Table 2.
Table 2. Data Quality Objectives
Test
Mold
Resistance
Parameter
Quantitation of
fungal growth on an
individual test date
DQO
Precision
± 5-fold difference
Accuracy
10% of the plates
will be counted by
a second operator.
± 20% agreement
between the
operators
Completeness
100%
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All RTI and AQS data will be reviewed for accuracy (correctness) and reasonableness. If the
results are deemed unreasonable (e.g., internally inconsistent), they will be discarded, the
procedures reviewed, and the test repeated if necessary. Data points that are analyzed and
determined to be obvious outliers will be discarded without requiring the entire test to be
repeated.
A8: Special Training Requirements/Certification
There are no specialized certification requirements specified for these tests. The RTI Project
Manager will be responsible for overseeing all work and ensuring that RTI personnel are fully
trained in each operation for the microbial and moisture testing. RTI personnel working with the
mold resistance testing are trained to perform all of the required procedures, including
determining microbial growth. Under their ISO 9001-2000 quality management system, the AQS
quality assurance report (Appendix C) documents that all staff are trained and knowledgeable for
the VOC testing they will perform.
A9: Documentation and Records
This section identifies the documents and reports to be generated as part of the verification
program and the information to be included in the verification reports. A description of the data
management system established for this task is presented in Section B. 10.
Requirements for record keeping and data management for the overall program are found in the
Quality Management Plan (QMP) for the Verification Testing of Air Pollution Control
Technology, Revision 2.21, including Table 5-1, Records Management Responsibilities for ETV.
All RTI microbiology laboratories (ML) SOPs and TOPs (Technical Operating Procedures) are
maintained on file at RTI. Access to these files is permitted on-site at RTI and will be available
for review during internal and external TSAs. AQS will make their SOPs available for review.
A9.1: Laboratory Documentation
The culturable test organism counts or CPUs from each test piece on each test day will be
entered in the project notebook or recorded by a computer. If recorded to a computer, the file
will be saved to the hard drive and later copied to a CD or shared directory for backup.
A9.2: QA Reports
The RTI QAM will perform an internal TSA based on the approved T/QAP during the first
month of verification; this is considered suitable because this testing program is using well-
known measurement systems components. A report will be prepared for the Project Manager
within 15 days of completion of the audit.
The RTI QAM will perform an ADQ of all RTI and AQS data. As part of the ADQ, RTI will
also review AQS QA results and verify that AQS has met all QA/QC requirements for this
project. RTI will provide a report of the ADQ to EPA with the verification report for review.
RTI will cooperate with audits performed by the EPA Project Officer, EPA QAM, or their
designee insofar as resources permit. EPA will perform a TSA for this project.
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A9.3: Reporting
After the completion of tests, the control test data, sample inventory logs, calibration records,
and certificates of calibration will be stored in the laboratories. Copies of these will be made for
RTI and EPA QA. Calibration records will include such information as the instrument being
calibrated, raw calibration data, calibration equations, analyzer identifications, calibration dates,
calibration standards used and their traceabilities, identification of calibration equipment used,
and the staff conducting the calibration. Final reports of self-assessments and independent
assessments [i.e., technical systems audits, performance evaluations, and audits of data quality
(TSAs and ADQs)] will be retained as required by ETV and RTI. Each verification report will
contain a QA section, which will describe QA activities and the extent to which test data comply
with DQOs.
A9.4: Verification Reports
Verification reports will be prepared by RTI personnel and reviewed by RTFs Project Manager
and QAM prior to submittal to the EPA Project Officer for review.
There shall be a general discussion of the test process giving dates and other information as
appropriate.
The microbial resistance will be reported as the log change in CPUs between the start date and
each of the four test dates. Each test organism will be reported separately.
The DQO will be reported. The results of the ancillary moisture and emissions tests will also be
included.
A9.4.1: Environmental Sustainability Criteria
A section of the verification report and the verification statement will focus on environmental
sustainability, with information provided by the vendor.
The verification organization will work with the vendor to estimate impacts on solid waste
disposal from replacing wallboard less frequently, using the test results for microbial resistance.
If possible this should be done quantitatively with uncertainty estimates.
The gypsum board vendor will supply the following:
Information regarding the chemicals or other product characteristics that engender the
product microbial resistant.
For chemical additives that are claimed to confer microbial resistance, the vendor shall
provide the identity of the chemical and a summary of toxicity information relative to the
chemical. The quantity of the chemical used in the product wallboard shall also be
provided. It is expected that this information will come from the MSDS sheet, which can
be included as an appendix to the report.
Additional information relative to the environmental sustainability of the product such as
recyclability/reusability of the product and disposability of the product and use of
renewable resources or other criteria the vendor deems relevant to the environmental
sustainability of the product.
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SECTION B: MEASUREMENT/DATA ACQUISITION
Bl: Test Design
Mold resistance testing will be based on ASTM D6329-989, "Standard Guide for Developing
Methodology for Evaluating the Ability of Indoor Materials to Support Microbial Growth Using
Static Environmental Chambers".
Bl.l Static Chambers
Acrylic desiccators will serve as the static environmental chambers. The desiccators are sealed so
there is no air exchange and serve as good static chambers. The chamber humidity will be
maintained through the use of saturated salt solutions (ASTM E104-0216) or sterile water.
Temperature control is externally controlled and maintained at room temperature. Prior to use,
the chambers will be decontaminated following ML SOP #017 (Standard Operating Procedure
for the Decontamination of Humidity Chambers). The chambers will be characterized following
ML SOP #005 (Standard Operating Procedure for the Characterization of Relative Humidity
Chamber) once prior to initiation of the testing.
The chambers will be set to 100% ERH for the tests with Stachybotrys chartarum and at 85% for
Aspergillus versicolor. The ERH in each chamber will be monitored with a hygrometer.
B1.2 Test Organisms
Selecting the "correct" test organism is critical to any test; therefore selection criteria were
developed. The selection criteria used to choose the appropriate test organisms for this study
were:
(1) the reasonableness or likelihood of the test material being challenged by that particular
organism when in actual use, and
(2) that they cover the range of ERHs needed to bracketing the ERHs where fungal growth
can occur on building materials.
While exposure to many of the fungi can be considered problematic, none are as controversial as
exposure to Stachybotrys char tar uml7'n. There are numerous reports demonstrating an
association between exposure to S. chartarum and adverse respiratory heath effects; but none is
as compelling as the paper simply entitled Stachybotrys by Etzel19, which reviews what has been
learned about Stachybotrys and its association with pediatric pulmonary disease. Pulmonary
hemosiderosis among infants was reported in Cleveland, OH, in the early 1990s (Etzel20 et al.)
although the findings were not sufficient to support an association between Stachybotrys
chartarum on wallboard and the disease (Montana21 et al., Etzel22 et al., CDC MMWR23). In
another study, mycotoxin produced from S. chartarum on wetted wallboard has been found to be
water-soluble and was toxigenic in vitro (Black24 et al.).
Two fungi will be used as test organism, Aspergillus versicolor and Stachybotrys chartarum.
Both are from the RTI culture collection (CC). The CC number for S chartarum is 3075 and was
received from EPA NERL. A. versicolor is CC #3348, and it is a field isolate. Prior to initiation
of the testing, their identification will be confirmed by standard techniques. Aspergillus
versicolor is recommended because it is a xerophilic fungus and capable of growing at lower
relative humidities. Stachybotrys chartarum is recommended because it requires high levels of
available water to grow and has been associated with a number of toxigenic symptoms. A.
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versicolor is frequently reported as a causative agent of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and has
been isolated from a number of problem buildings. Both have been reported as growing on
gypsum wallboard.
B1.3 Sample Preparation and Inoculation
Small (at least 4 cm x 4 cm), replicate pieces of test mold resistant wallboard will be prepared
and inoculated. To minimize error and demonstrate reproducibility, five pieces of each sample
type will be processed on each respective sampling day. Because there are four test dates, a
minimum of 20 pieces will be prepared simultaneously. Each piece is placed on a separate
labeled sterile petri dish
Fungi media, cultures, spore isolation, suspension, quantitation, and inoculation on the test
wallboard will follow: ML SOP #001 (Standard Operating Procedure for Media Preparation -
Dehydrated); ML SOP #002 (Standard Operating Procedure for the Preparation of Sterile
Water); ML SOP #003 (Standard Operating Procedure for the Preparation of Sterile Buffer); ML
SOP #009 (Standard Operating Procedure for the Quantitative Evaluation of Microorganisms);
ML SOP #012 (Standard Operating Procedure for the Quantitation of Viable Spores in
Suspension Preparation); and ML SOP #058 (Standard Operating Procedure for Direct
Inoculation of Materials with a Spore Suspension). A review of those steps follow.
The fungi challenge suspensions are prepared by inoculating the test organism onto solid agar
media, incubating the culture at room temperature until mature, wiping organisms from the
surface of the pure culture, and eluting them into sterile 18-Mohm distilled water to a known
concentration to serve as a stock solution. The organism preparation is viewed microscopically
to verify purity of spores (absence of hyphae). The suspension is diluted in sterile 18-Mohm
distilled water if needed to a concentration of approximately 105 - 106 CFU/mL. The test pieces
are inoculated (usually with 5 10|iL spots in an X configuration) by pipet onto the surface of the
wallboard test piece and allowed to dry in the biosafety cabinet. The goal is to load each of the
individual test pieces with approximately 103to 105 CPU/piece. The fungi spore suspension is
quantified on appropriate media to enumerate the inoculum.
On each test day (including day 0), the test pieces will be removed from the static chamber,
placed in approximately 30 mL sterile buffer, and extracted by shaking using a vortex or wrist
action shaker. The extract is diluted if needed and plated on agar media to determine CPU.
B2: Sampling Methods Requirements
The mold resistance sampling method requirements and critical dimensions and configurations
of the test chamber are specified in Foarde25 et al. All sampling methodology will comply where
appropriate. Static chambers are maintained in accordance with ML SOP #005 (Standard
Operating Procedure for the Characterization of Relative Humidity Chamber), ML SOP #009
(Standard Operating Procedure for the Quantitative Evaluation of Microorganisms), ML SOP
#017 (Standard Operating Procedure for the Decontamination of Humidity Chambers), and ML
SOP #058 (Standard Operating Procedure for Direct Inoculation of Materials with a Spore
Suspension). Where used, all equipment will be calibrated and operated according to the
manufacturer's specifications.
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Each SOP has its own QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL section, which
includes the QC checks, which are available at RTI. As one example, ML SOP #001 Standard
Operating Procedure for Media Preparation - Dehydrated, the QC checks are as follows:
If balance has an internal calibration program, that may be used, or a check weight can be
used as first and last weighing. Refer to the procedures outlined in the appropriate user's
manual for more specific calibration instructions if needed.
Balances are professionally calibrated annually.
If the Manostat is used, the desired volume of media dispensed is checked with a
graduated cylinder or tube before filling plates.
Incubate plates at room temperature (on counter) for at least 3 days (no more than 5) prior
to use so that contaminated plates may be identified (appearance of any colonies) and
disposed of in an appropriate manner. Media for bacteria may be used if necessary after
1 day.
Inoculate several plates (~2 out of 100) with a loop of the appropriate organism to prove
the media's ability to sustain growth (see supervisor to ascertain incubation time and
temperature).
Record the reaction in the media preparation notebook.
After quality control tests have been completed, store bagged and labeled plates upside
down in a refrigerator (2-5 °C).
B3: Sample Handling and Custody Requirements
Sampling methods and laboratory procedures are described in specific laboratory SOPs. These
SOPs address any anticipated failures and the methods that will be employed to overcome these
failures. Most of the methods are well-known sampling methods; therefore, sampling failures
are not anticipated. Any additional project-specific considerations will be addressed and
included in an updated SOP. Supporting measurements, such as temperature, relative humidity
or atmospheric pressure, will be recorded in laboratory data logs, run sheets or notebooks.
B4: Analytical Methods Requirements
The analytical method requirement for the mold resistance in static chamber test is described in
ASTM D6329-989. The requirements for biological testing are described in the appropriate ML
SOPs.
B5: Quality Control Requirements
The static chambers are decontaminated and cleaned in accordance with ML SOP #017
(Standard Operating Procedure for the Decontamination of Humidity Chambers). All media and
reagents are handled as outlined in ML SOP #001 (Standard Operating Procedure for Media
Preparation - Dehydrated) and ML SOP #003 (Standard Operating Procedure for the Preparation
of Sterile Buffer). All laboratory surfaces are disinfected using ML SOP #023 (Standard
Operating Procedure for Regular Disinfection of Laboratory Surfaces). All laboratory equipment
including the autoclave sterilizer is verified using ML SOP #019 (Standard Operating Procedure
for Maintenance and Record Keeping of Laboratory Equipment).
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B6: Instrument/Equipment Testing, Inspection, and Maintenance Requirements
RTI ML instrument maintenance is done in accord with the ML's SOPs.
B7: Instrument Calibration and Frequency
Calibration will be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations or
annually. Recommended instrument calibration frequencies are provided in the respective SOPs
and/or manufacturer's manuals. Pipettes will be calibrated gravimetrically following ML SOP
#013 (SOP for Pipet Calibration).
Calibration for chemical analysis instruments are defined in the AQS test method Section 6
(Appendix C).
B8: Inspection/Acceptance Requirements for Supplies and Consumables
Chemicals, supplies, and other consumables will be purchased from sources that have provided
high-quality products to the laboratory in the past. Materials such as growth media will be
purchased from a single source to help ensure uniformity throughout the duration of the project.
All supplies will be inspected by the lab personnel. RTFs purchasing department will assist with
the return of any equipment or materials that do not meet project requirements. Items will be
NIST traceable when possible.
B9: Data Acquisition Requirements (Non-direct measurements)
No types of data are needed for project implementation or decision making that would be
obtained from non-measurement sources such as computer databases, programs, literature files,
or historical databases.
Manual methods of primary data acquisition (e.g., visual CPU counting) are described in ML's
SOPs, while automated data acquisition equipment (e.g., balances and environmental controls) is
checked using procedures recommended by the manufacturer. Procedures for screening and
verifying manually entered data are used to reduce input errors to a minimum through different
members of the staff double checking each other. Non-experimental data, such as an MSDS,
will be included in the project notebook and a copy maintained in the RTI Project Manager's
project file.
AQS follows data acquisition procedures as specified in its test plan and ISO 9001 plan.
BIO: Data Management
Guidelines for data management in the ML include the description, location, format, and
organization of all types of records. The RTI Project Manager will oversee all data management
activities. This section identifies the activities and processes planned for documenting the
traceability of the data, calibrations, and information in the verification report. Corrections to
manual entries are made on the same line (where possible), and are initialed and dated.
B10.1: Data Recording
Data for this task will be collected either by computer or by manual (handwritten) entries.
Observations and records (e.g., sample description and collection information) will be recorded
manually in lab notebooks kept exclusively for this task.
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B10.2: Data Analysis
Analysis will be performed as defined in ASTM D6329-98, Section 12.3.3.
B10.3: Data Storage and Retrieval
Laboratory notebooks containing manually recorded information and data output
generated from instrumentation will be stored in the custody of the project leader for the
duration of the project. Access to the notebooks is controlled; any changes made are initialed and
dated, thus maintaining a good audit trail.
Spreadsheet files including raw and calculated data will be stored on computers. The files will
be downloaded to a network server which is backed up nightly. Access to the files are controlled,
with file names indicating date and initials of person creating file, thus maintaining a good audit
trail.
Following ETV policy, data files will be archived for 10 years following the end of the project
and reports will be kept in perpetuity. The records will not be destroyed without written
approval from EPA.
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SECTION C: ASSESSMENT/OVERSIGHT
Cl: Assessments and Response Actions
Cl.l: Audits
RTI will be subject to both external and internal audits as specified in the ETV QMP1, especially
Table 9-1, ETV Assessments. A subset of that table is shown below, Table 3. Audits based on
this test/QA plan include Technical System Audits (TSAs). RTI and AQS raw and summary data
are subject to Audits of Data Quality (ADQs). An external TSA will be conducted by EPA or a
designated representative. Other external audits may be performed. The auditor(s) will
document their findings and note where corrective actions are necessary. The auditor(s) will
distribute audit reports to those listed in Section A3 as well as to the supervisor whose laboratory
was audited. RTI will provide the QA reports, including the ADQ report, to EPA with the
verification report for review.
Table 3. RTI's ETV Assessments
Assessment Tool
Technical
Systems Audits
Audits of Data
Quality
Assessors
Self
RTI QAM
Independent
EPA QAM
Self
RTI QAM
Independent
EPA QAM
Subject of
Assessment
Test/QA plan
Raw data and
summary data
Minimum
Frequency
Serf
Once per technology
evaluation
Independent
Once per year, as
applicable
Serf
At least 10% of the
data in each
technology
evaluation
Independent
Each technology
evaluation, as
applicable
Reason for
Assessment
Assess
technical
quality of
evaluations
Assess data
calculations
and reporting
Report Reviewed by
EPA Project Officer
EPA QAM
RTI Project Manager
EPA Project Officer
EPA QAM
RTI Project Manager
C1.2: Corrective Actions
Technical personnel will have the direct responsibility for ensuring that whenever accuracy or
bias is outside the limits of the DQOs for the critical measurements that corrective actions are
taken. If procedures are found to be faulty, corrective action will also be taken.
Corrective actions include:
Problem identification;
Attempting to find the cause;
Attempting immediate steps to remedy the situation (if possible);
Reporting or documenting the problem;
Planning for corrective action (if major repairs are needed);
Checking that the problem was corrected;
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Documenting the corrective actions taken; and
Recommending changes to instruments, SOPs, etc., to avoid similar future occurrences.
The RTI QAM and Project Manager will be jointly responsible for proper documentation of
corrective actions. Minor corrective actions are to be recorded in the laboratory notebooks.
Major problems will be addressed as outlined above. All corrective actions will be noted in the
verification report. Depending on the time and expense involved with necessary corrective
actions, it will be necessary to consult the Program Manager or the sponsor before implementing
any changes in the planned activities.
C2: Reports to Management
The RTI Project Manager will notify the EPA Project Officer when testing under this project is
being conducted. The RTI Project Manager will submit verification reports, as well as data, to
the RTI QAM. The RTI QAM will submit reports of all technical assessments to the RTI Project
Manager. The RTI Project Manager will submit verification reports to the EPA Project Officer.
TSA and ADQ reports will be sent to the EPA Project Officer and QAM.
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SECTION D: DATA VALIDATION AND USABILITY
Dl: Data Review, Validation, and Verification Requirements
The verification is acceptable if all the measured parameters fall within the DQO limits described
in Table 2. The test operator and analyst are responsible for checking that all measured
parameters fall within prescribed limits before continuing testing.
D2: Validation and Verification Methods
Both the test operator and the test analyst will verify that the test data have been correctly
entered and processed and that all manual calculations are correct. They will verify all newly
developed or modified software, including spreadsheets for correctness before using the software
to process project data.
Each verification report will be reviewed by the RTI QAM for compliance with the applicable
method and for the quality of the data reported.
The RTI QAM will check for the following:
Data completeness,
Initial and continuing calibrations, and
QC reference and internal standards.
D3: Reconciliation with Data Quality Objectives
Each ETV verification report will present the critical and relevant ancillary measurements.
The program manager will be responsible for reconciling data sets with the DQOs. She will work
with the QAM for the mold resistance testing and with RTI technical staff and AQS for the
moisture and emissions testing. This will be done during the ADQ and will be reported in the
ADQ report.
Actual data quality will be compared with the DQO specified in Section A7; if the data quality
meets or exceeds the objectives and verification specifications have been met, the test data will
be considered acceptable. If exceptions are identified, the issues will be investigated for impact
on the credibility of the data, the EPA QAM will be consulted, and the verification results
disposed of on the basis of this careful consideration. If the impact is not significant, the data will
be reported with indication of the exceptions.
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References
1. RTI (Research Triangle Institute). 2005. Quality Management Plan for Verification Testing
of Air Pollution Control Technology, Revision 2.2, Research Triangle Park, NC.
http://etv.rti.org/apct/pdf/apctqmp.pdf
2. Morey, P.R., 1988, "Microorganisms in Buildings and HVAC Systems: A Summary of 21
Environmental Studies," Proceedings of the ASHRAE Conference on Indoor Air Quality,
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA,
pp 10-24.
3. Reynolds, SJ,, AJ. Steifel, and C.E. McJilton, 1990, Elevated Airborne Concentration of
Fungi in Residential and Office Environments, American Industrial Hygiene Association
Journal, Vol. 51, pp 601-604.
4. Leese, K.E., E.G. Cole, and J.D. Neefus, 1992. Biocide Mitigation of a Mold Contaminated
Building: An Initial Preventive Approach, Proceedings, American Industrial Hygiene
Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
5. Kozak, P.P., et al, 1980. Currently Available Methods for Home Mold Surveys. II. Examples
of Problem Homes Surveyed, Annals of Allergy, Vol. 45, pp 167-176.
6. Garrett, M.H., Rayment, P.R., Hooper, M.A., Abramson, M.J., and Hooper, B.M. Indoor
airborne fungal spores, house dampness and associations with environmental factors and
respiratory health in children, Clinical and Experimental Allergy 1998: 28: 459-467.
7. Rylander, R. and Etzel, R. Indoor mold and children's health. Environmental Health
Perspectives Supplements 1999:107: 465-517.
8. Gent, J.F., Ren, P., Belanger, K., Triche, E., Bracken, M.B., Holford, T.R., and Leaderer,
B.P. Levels of household mold associated with respiratory symptoms in the first year of life
in a cohort at risk for asthma. Environmental Health Perspectives 2002: 110: A781-A786.
9. ASTM D6329-98(2003), Standard Guide for Developing Methodology for Evaluating the
Ability of Indoor Materials to Support Microbial Growth Using Static Environmental
Chambers, American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.
10. Foarde, K.K. and M.Y. Menetrez. 2002. Evaluating the Potential Efficacy of Three
Antifungal Sealants of Duct Liner and Galvanized Steel as Used in HVAC Systems. Journal
of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology. 29:3 8-43.
11. Foarde, K.K. and J.T. Hanley. 2001. Determine the Efficacy of Antimicrobial Treatments of
Fibrous Air Filters. ASHRAE Transactions. Volume 107, Part 1. 156-170.
12. Chang, J.C.S., K.K. Foarde, and D.W. VanOsdell. 1995. Growth Evaluation of Fungi
(Penicillium andAspergillus spp.) On Ceiling Tile. Atmospheric Environment. 29:2331
2337.
13. Foarde, K., E. Cole, D. VanOsdell, D. Bush, D. Franke and J. Chang. 1992.
Characterization of Environmental Chambers for Evaluating Microbial Growth on Building
Materials. In: IAQ '92 Environments for People, proceedings; 185-190.
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14. U.S. EPA. 2002. Environmental Technology Verification Program Quality Management
Plan, EPA/600/R-03/021, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, OH.
http://www.epa.gov/etv/pdfs/qmp/00_qmp_etv.html.
15. U.S. EPA, 2006).Guidance on Systematic Planning using the Data Quality Objectives
Process (QA/G-4), Washington, DC. http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/g4-fmal.pdf
16. ASTM El04-02, 2002, Standard Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity by
Means of Aqueous Solutions. American Society for Testing and Materials, West
Conshohocken, PA.
17. Kuhn, D.M. and M.A.Ghannoum, 2003, Indoor mold, toxigenic fungi, and Stachybotrys
chartarum: infectious disease perspective, ClinMicrobiolRev, 16:144-172.
18. Robbins, C.A., Swenson, L.J., Nealley, M.L., Gots, R.E. and Kelman, BJ. 2000. Health
effects of mycotoxins in indoor air: a critical review. Applied Occupational and
Environmental Hygiene 15: 773-784.
19. Etzel, R.A., 2003. Stachybotrys, Curr OpinPediatr, Vol 15 (1) 103-106.
20. Etzel, R.A., Montana, E., Sorenson, W.G., Kullman, G.J., Miller, J.D., Jarvis, B.B.,
Dearborn, D.G., 1996. Pulmonary hemosiderosis associated with exposure to Stachybotrys
atra, Epidemiology, 7, S3 8.
21. Montana, E., Etzel, R.A., Allan,T., Horgan, T.E., Dearborn, D.G., 1997. Environmental risk
factors associated with pediatric idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage/hemosiderosis in a
Cleveland community, Pediatrics, 99, 117-124.
22. Etzel, R.A., Montana, E., Sorenson, W.G., Kullman, G.J., Allan, T.M., Dearborn, D.G.,
1998. Acute pulmonary hemorrhage in infants associated with exposure to Stachybotrys atra
and other fungi, Arch. Pediatr. Adolesc. Med., 152, 757-762.
23. CDC MMWR, 2000. Update: Pulmonary Hemorrhage/Hemosiderosis Among Infants
Cleveland, Ohio, 1993-1996, JAMA 283, 1951-1953.
24. Black, J. and Y.M. Menetrez. 2006. Solvent Comparison in the Isolation, Solubilization, and
Toxicity of Stachybotrys chartarum spore trichothocene mycotoxins in an established in
vitro luminescence protein translation inhibition assay. Journal of Microbiological Methods,
66:354-361.
25. Foarde, K. (b), VanOsdell, D., Chang, J., 1994. Static chamber method for evaluating the
ability of indoor materials to support microbial growth. In: American Society for Testing and
Materials Symposium, Washington, D.C., pp. 25-28.
26. West, M.K. and Hansen, E.G. (1989) "Determination of material hygroscopic properties that
affect indoor air quality", In: Proceedings IAQ '89 - The Human Equation: Health and
Comfort, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.,
Atlanta, GA, pp. 224-231.
27. Foarde, K. (a), Dulaney, P., Cole, E., VanOsdell, D., Ensor, D. and Chang, J. (1993)
"Assessment of fungal growth on ceiling tiles under environmentally characterized
conditions", In: Proceedings Indoor Air '93, 4, pp. 357-362.
28. Pitt, J.I. (1981) Food storage and biodeterioration, Biology of Conidial Fungi. Academic
Press, pp. 111-142.
29. Corry, J. (1987) Relationships of water activity to fungal growth, Food and Beverage
Mycology, VanNostrand Reinhold, pp. 51-99
30. RTI. 1999. Large Chamber Test Protocol for Measuring Emissions of VOCs and
Aldehydes From Commercial Furniture. US. EPA ETV Program.
http://www.epa.gov/etv/pdfs/vp/07_vp__furniture.pdf
31. Air Quality Sciences. 2006. Method for the Evaluation of Emissions from Gypsum Board
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Using Environmental Chambers. GGTM.P055.RO, Marietta, GA.
32. ASTM. D5116-06, Standard Guide for Small Scale Environmental Chamber Determinations
of Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/Products, American Society for Testing and
Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.
33. ASTM, D6670-01 (2001) Standard Practice for Full-Scale Chamber Determination of
Volatile Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/Products, American Society for Testing
and Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.
34. ASTM, 2003. D6196-03, Standard Practice for Selection of Sorbents, Sampling, and Thermal
Desorption Analysis Procedures for Volatile Organic Compounds in Air, American Society
for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.
35. EPA. Compendium of Methods for Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient
Air, EPA report 600/4-89/017. This report is available to the public through the National
Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161; PB90-116989. This contains EPA
TO-1, EPA TO-11 and EPA TO-17. Two supplements to this document are available on the
EPA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/clhtml/pubtitie.html.
36. ASTM, 2003. D5197-03 Standard Test Method for Determination of Formaldehyde and
Other Carbonyl Compounds in Air (Active Sampler Methodology), West Conshohocken,
PA.
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RTI Operating Procedures Referenced in the Test/QA Plan
ML SOP #001 Standard Operating Procedure for Media Preparation - Dehydrated
ML SOP #002 Standard Operating Procedure for the Preparation of Sterile Water
ML SOP #003 Standard Operating Procedure for the Preparation of Sterile Buffer
ML SOP #005 Standard Operating Procedure for the Characterization of Relative Humidity
Chamber
ML SOP #007 Standard Operating Procedure for the Gravimetric Determination of Moisture
Content
ML SOP #009 Standard Operating Procedure for the Quantitative Evaluation of
Microorganisms
ML SOP #012 Standard Operating Procedure for the Quantitation of Viable Spores in
Suspension Preparation
ML SOP #013 Standard Operating Procedure for Pipet Calibration
ML SOP #017 Standard Operating Procedure for the Decontamination of Humidity Chambers
ML SOP #019 Standard Operating Procedure for Maintenance and Record Keeping of
Laboratory Equipment
ML SOP #023 Standard Operating Procedure for Regular Disinfection of Laboratory Surfaces
ML SOP #058 Standard Operating Procedure for Direct Inoculation of Materials with a Spore
Suspension
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Appendix A Moisture Testing
Impact of Moisture on Building Materials
It is well established that molds can colonize and amplify on a variety of building materials if
sufficient nutrients and moisture are present. Commonly, sufficient nutrients are available and
water is usually the growth factor most limiting the establishment and growth of microbial
populations. Sufficient moisture for growth may become available through water incursion from
leaks and spills, condensation on cold surfaces, or absorbtion or adsorption directly from the
indoor air. The amount of water required is not large, and materials that appear dry to cursory
inspection may be capable of supporting microorganism growth. Because moisture is so
important, knowing the amount of available moisture in a material is critical to preventing and
controlling microbial growth and amplification on materials.
Performance of Moisture Testing
Moisture testing will also be performed following the guidelines outlined in ASTM 6329. Two
types of measurements are commonly used to evaluate building material moisture: most
engineers think in terms of moisture content (MC) and many microbiologists utilize water
activity (aw). MC, defined as mass of water per unit mass of dry material, is measured
gravimetrically (West and Hansen26; Foarde27 et al.). It is a bulk measurement of the water in a
sample of the material. The aw, primarily used to relate the water content of foods to the ability
of microorganisms to grow on them, is defined as the equilibrium RH (ERH) above a sample of a
material, divided by 100 (Pitt28).
In the test described in this document, the ERH is the RH in a closed chamber containing a
material sample after the material and the air in the chamber have reached water equilibrium.
Therefore, the aw of the material that has been equilibrated in a closed chamber having an RH of
94% is 0.94. Corry29 stated that aw is the proportion of "available water for biological reactions."
It is a useful laboratory measurement when RH conditions are known to be at equilibrium.
For porous materials such as wallboard, MC and ERH (or aw) are related through the material's
water adsorption isotherm, and different relationships are obtained for different materials. In this
test, the MC for each test material will be determined at four ERHs, 100%, 94%, 85% and 62%.
There is no need to test lower ERHs as microbial growth cannot occur below ~ 60% ERH.
For microbial growth, the aw or ERH is the important number as it indicates how much water is
available for growth. The MC will be determined for each test material, but will be reported only
as a reference value. This reference value will provide two pieces of information. First, the
actual MC at the time of the test. This may be useful for comparison purposes if other samples of
the same material are tested at a later date. Additionally, while the microbial resistance testing
will be performed with the test material at ERH, in buildings the RH of a space and the materials
in the space are not at equilibrium. Therefore, another measure such as MC would be important.
Test Design for Moisture Testing
In addition to ASTM D6329, ML SOP #007 (Standard Operating Procedure for the Gravimetric
Determination of Moisture Content) will be followed. The details are described below.
Replicate small (at least 4 cm x 4 cm) pieces of the test material will be used. Pieces will be
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placed on sterile dishes on the shelves in the static chamber. Equilibration time will depend
upon both the material to be tested and the chamber relative humidity selected for the test and
will be determined for each material prior to testing. Equilibration will be defined as when the
bulk moisture content of the material reaches a constant value. A calibrated analytical balance
will be used.
At least five chambers will be used. One each will be set at 100%, 94%, 85% and 62% ERH. The
fifth chamber will contain a desiccant for a near 0% RH baseline comparison.
Data Analysis for Moisture Testing
Analysis will be performed as defined in ASTM D6329, Section 8.3.2.
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Appendix B. Emissions Testing
Impact of Emissions of VOCs and Aldehydes from Building Materials
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes are of a concern for indoor air quality
because of adverse health effects. Many items in buildings may emit VOCs and aldehydes,
including paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials
and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless
copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and
photographic solutions. Manufacturers of these items have been working since the early 1990s
(or earlier) to reduce emissions from their products. EPA has sponsored research and testing on
low emission products. Under an earlier RTI developed a test method for measuring VOC and
aldehyde emissions from commercial furniture30.
This test plan includes measurement of emissions of aldehydes and VOCs from gypsum board
under conditions designed to approximately simulate product use. Formaldehyde and total
volatile organic compounds (TVOC) can be measured in addition to a range of other aldehydes
and individual VOCs. Emissions levels are determined by placing a piece of the board into a
small environmental test chamber under specified test conditions then measuring chamber air
concentrations of aldehydes and VOCs at selected time intervals. Product-specific emission
factors are calculated from the chamber air measurements. The method provides a standard test
to reproducibly and accurately measure emissions from gypsum board under controlled
laboratory conditions.
Chemical testing of VOCs and aldehydes will be performed by Air Quality Sciences (AQS) as a
service, not as a subcontract. AQS will use the "Method for the Evaluation of Emissions from
Gypsum Board Using Environmental Chambers.31" (AQS method - Appendix C) AQS was a
subcontractor to RTI for the Indoor Air ETV Pilot and participated in round-robin volatile
organic compound (VOC) testing. The company was founded in 1989 by Marilyn Black to
provide chemical and biological services to commercial and government clients. AQS provides
emissions testing of consumer products, construction materials, and interior furnishings for
chemical and particle releases to indoor environments and verification of the data for consumer
and regulatory acceptance and risk evaluation. Their laboratories are ISO 9001:2000 registered
for quality management. AQS publishes a quarterly quality assurance report with details of their
quality system and the latest results for key performance measurements.
Performance of Emissions Testing
The emissions testing will be performed by AQS using their "Method for the Evaluation of
Emissions from Gypsum Board Using Environmental Chambers31" (Appendix C). Testing
follows the guidance of ASTM D5116-0632, "Standard Guide for Small Scale Environmental
Chamber Determinations of Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/Products"; ASTM,
D6670-0133, "Standard Practice for Full-Scale Chamber Determination of Volatile Organic
Emissions from Indoor Materials/Products"; and RTFs ETV protocol for EPA30, "Large
Chamber Test Protocol for Measuring Emissions of VOCs and Aldehydes From Commercial
Furniture". Other standards are used for measurement and analysis as described in the AQS test
method. RTI will send AQS samples to be tested. A minimum of four 12" x 12" squares will be
shipped to AQS using AQS-approved packaging. AQS will follow their own procedures for
sample collection and handling (AQS Method, Sections 5.3-5.9 - Appendix C). A sample is
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placed into an environmental chamber. Measurements are taken over time for VOCs and
aldehydes. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is used to determine the quantity of
VOCs and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV)
detection is used for aldehydes.
Test Design for Emissions Testing
The testing will be performed according to the AQS method, Section 6, Chamber Testing
Protocol (Appendix C). Emissions levels are determined by placing the test objects into an
environmental test chamber under specified test conditions then measuring chamber air
concentrations of aldehydes and VOCs at selected time intervals. Product-specific emission
factors are calculated from the chamber air measurements.
Aldehydes in chamber air samples are collected on silica gel cartridges coated with
2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The DNPH-aldehyde derivatives on the cartridges are
eluted with acetonitrile then analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with
ultraviolet (UV) detection.
VOCs in chamber air samples are collected on sorbent cartridges (tubes). VOCs trapped on the
cartridges are thermally desorbed then analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
(GC/MS). Results of these analyses will be reported as mg/m3 (or (j, g/m3) and may be used to
estimate concentrations in chamber air samples.
Sampling will be performed according to the AQS method, Section 6 (Appendix C), as described
in Section Bl.l of this document. The AQS test method specifies guidelines in Section 5,
Sample Collection, Handling, and Product Tracking.
Analysis for Emissions Testing
Chemical analysis will be performed according to the AQS Method, Section 6 (Appendix C).
For individual VOCs, the analytical methods are based on ASTM D6196-0334, "Standard
Practice for Selection of Sorbents, Sampling, and Thermal Desorption Analysis Procedures for
Volatile Organic Compounds in Air". AQS also references EPA methods T01735,
"Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Ambient Air Using Active Sampling onto
Sorbent Tubes" and TO-135, "Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Ambient Air
Using Tenax Adsorption and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry".
The analytical methods for formaldehyde, and other low molecular weight aldehydes are based
on ASTM D5197-0336, Standard Test Method for Determination of Formaldehyde and Other
Carbonyl Compounds in Air (Active Sampler Methodology)".
Data analysis will be performed as defined in the AQS method, Section 6 (Appendix C).
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Quality Assurance and Control for Emissions Testing
QC requirements for emissions testing will be performed according to the AQS Method, Section
6 (Appendix C) and include the following:
1. Air change: LOACH+/-5.0%
2. Mixing: +/-5.0%
3. Air Tightness: <0.03 ACH
4. Recovery*: 100%+/-20%
*recovery is based on average recoveries from Toluene, Decane, and Formaldehyde.
The RTI program manager and QAM will oversee the AQS QC process.
AQS follows acquisition procedures as specified in their ISO 9001 plan. Under their ISO 9001-
2000 quality management system, AQS documents that all staff are trained and knowledgeable
for the work they perform. Calibration for chemical analysis instruments are defined in the AQS
test method Section 6 (Appendix C).
All AQS data will be reviewed for accuracy (correctness) and reasonableness. In addition, AQS
raw and summary data are subject to ADQs. AQS shall provide RTI sufficient documentation
that RTI and EPA will be able to perform audits. If there are proprietary SOPs or other
documents, an accommodation will be made. The RTI program manager will be responsible for
reconciling the AQS emissions data sets with the DQOs.
The emissions test results will be reported as mg/m3 (or (j, g/m3) TVOC and VOCs by species,
unless all parties (EPA, RTI and vendor) have agreed that only TVOC shall be reported.
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Appendix C: Method for the Evaluation of Emissions from Gypsum Board Using Environmental
Chambers (AQS Method)
Available upon request.
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