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Garages and Toxic Vapors
- Gasoline vapors are toxic.
- There are two ways which gasoline fuel evaporates from your vehicle:
1) Due to the increase in daily temperatures, the vapor in the
fuel expands and leaks from the vehicle if the evaporative controls
on the vehicle are not working properly. Evaporation for daily
temperature changes occur each day for all vehicles with gasoline
fuel in the tank, even when stationary.
2) Evaporation from the fuel delivery system when a hot engine
is turned off and the vehicle is stationary. The vapors arise
as the heat from the engine and hot exhaust reach the fuel system
where fuel is no longer flowing. Older vehicles with carburetors
(carburetor float bowls) contribute significantly to evaporated
gasoline vapors.
- Pressure imbalances in houses suck garage vapors (which can include
evaporated gasoline vapors) into living spaces through cracks in furnaces,
duct work, the garage ceilings and walls, and doors leading into the
home. People in the building sciences world call it the ''stack effect.''
Quick Links to information on attached garages:
- Indoor
Air Pollution. Arctic Science Journeys is a radio service highlighting
science, culture, and the environment of the circumpolar north. Produced
by the Alaska Sea Grant College Program and the University of Alaska
Fairbanks.
- BUILDING
CODE AMENDMENT JUSTIFICATION RESEARCH: POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY MITIGATION
RELATIVE TO ATTACHED GARAGES. This paper reports on research that
utilized the Sealed Housing for Evaporation Determination (SHED) method
for measuring auto emissions in a confined space to facilitate measurement
of "off-gassing" of automobiles in a simulated garage space.
Results show there is adequate evidence that a pollutant source is
likely to exist in the garage space, to the extent that migration
of the pollutant into the living space needs to be mitigated. This
data is used to justify the statement that building codes should require
a dedicated exhaust vent (passive minimum) for any garage attached
to a residential family unit. PDF version of above paper.
- An excerpt from the summary of Architectural,
Behavioral and Environmental Factors Associated with VOCs in Anchorage
Homes; A. Schlapia, S. Morris, Document # 98-A504, presented at
the 91st Annual Meeting of the Air & Waste Management Association
(San Diego, CA) June 1998. Additional information about this study
may be obtained by contacting Steve
Morris, Municipality of Anchorage.
Please contact Cindy
Heil for additional information concerning garages and toxic vapors.
Phone 907-269-7579.
What is Indoor Air Pollution?
Indoor air pollution can be any number of pollutants. Radon, asbestos,
tobacco smoke, solvents, cleaning solutions, carbon monoxide, mold,
and fungus can pollute indoor air. Indoor air pollution souces include
attached garages, new carpets and furniture, water leaks and condensation,
chemical storage, poorly operating heaters, and is worsened by inadequate
ventilation.
Here are some facts:
What are the potential health effects?
The health effects depend on the chemical, its concentration in the
air, and the length of exposure. Long term health effects can include:
- cancer
- chronic bronchitis
- asthma
- decreased lung capacity and performance
Health effects from short-term exposures to high concentrations
of some toxicant:
- irritation of eyes, nose and throat, headaches
- dizziness and fatigue
- asthma attacks
- decreased reaction time and other nervous system impacts
What are Alaska-specific concerns?
Indoor air pollution is exacerbated by our climate.
- Homes are tightly sealed against the cold weather.
- Attached garages are a source of pollutants from cars and stored
fuels and solvents.
- Cold weather keeps people indoors longer and more often.
What are people doing about it?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed
a strategy to reduce indoor air pollution. The EPA believes public
policy dictates efforts taken to reduce people's exposures to potentially
harmful hazardous indoor air pollutants. This will occur through use
of current laws, and may include regulations.
The EPA also plans to resolve indoor air problems through design,
construction, operation, and maintenance of public buildings. Finally
the EPA plans to implement effective research and development activities.
See http://www.epa.gov/iaq/
for additional information. Also see the EPA's indoor air pollution publication: "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Pollution"
For additional information about Indoor Air Quality, please contact:
Clint Farr
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Air and Water Quality
410 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 303
Juneau, AK 99801-1795
phone: 907-465-5127
email: clint.farr@alaska.gov
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