BOARD MEETING DATE: June 1, 2007
AGENDA NO. 11

PROPOSAL:

Amend Contract with Thermal Comfort Systems for a Pilot Study of Classroom Air Purifier Systems at Three Elementary Schools

SYNOPSIS:

In December 2006, the Board approved a contract with Thermal Comfort Systems for a pilot study of classroom air purifier systems at three elementary schools. Following meetings with the contracting team and final classroom selection, the scope of work is now clearly defined and additional funds are needed to satisfy the objectives of the pilot study. These funds will be used for purchase and rental of air monitoring equipment and laboratory analyses needed to ensure meaningful results, and for any duct cleaning or other abatement measures that may be necessary prior to installation of the air purifier systems. This action is to amend the existing contract with Thermal Comfort Systems to provide additional funds in an amount not to exceed $380,000 from the Rule 1173 Mitigation Fee Special Revenue Fund.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, May 25, 2007. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item. The Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Amend contract with Thermal Comfort Systems, Inc. to provide additional funds to cover the cost to purchase/rent air monitoring equipment, laboratory analyses and minor repair and maintenance services in an amount not to exceed $380,000 from the Rule 1173 Mitigation Fee Special Revenue Fund #44.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On April 7, 2006, the Board approved the set-aside of $1,050,000 in mitigation funds from the Rule 1173 Mitigation Fee Program for a pilot study of classroom air purifier systems at Del Amo, Dominguez and Hudson Elementary Schools, and directed staff to prepare an RFP to solicit a qualified contractor(s) to complete the study. This action represented a significant step by the Board to address the air quality impacts to children attending schools near the refineries and other pollution sources. Staff attended several meetings with members from the community, Principals, school district staff, and teachers concerning the need to install air purifier systems in classrooms. Due to the different types of air cleaning products available, the limited application of these types of systems in classrooms, and the uncertainty in effectiveness, it was agreed the best approach would be to pilot test the air purifier systems in a few classrooms to determine the feasibility of applying these systems to additional classrooms.

In December 2006, the Board approved execution of a contract with Thermal Comfort Systems, Inc. to complete the pilot study of classroom air purifier systems at the three elementary schools. The project will involve the design and installation of air purifier systems in at least three classrooms at each school site, and conduct air testing before and after the installation to determine the effectiveness of the air purifiers in removing particles and gaseous air pollutants from the indoor air in the classrooms. Three different air cleaning approaches will be used and the effectiveness of each air purifier will be tested. The study will result in a final report documenting the findings which will be presented to the AQMD Governing Board for future action. The funds approved for this pilot study are comprised of mitigation fees collected from refineries as a result of excess VOC emissions from pressure relief devices (PRDs) subject to Rule 1173.

Proposal

The contract with Thermal Comfort Systems, Inc. was executed on April 16, 2007 in an amount not to exceed $547,590. The project, as currently approved, involves the design and installation of air purifier systems at the three schools, and air testing before and after the installation using basic instruments, such as a laser particle counter for particulates and vacuum canister sampling for volatile organic compounds. Following several meetings with the contractor, subcontractors, school districts and other key individuals involved in this project, the air testing design was finalized, including compounds to be tested, test duration, test methods, instruments needed, number of samples, and laboratory analyses to be performed. The need for additional air monitoring equipment was identified. There was significant concern the project, as currently approved, would not provide continuous, real-time measurements of VOC concentrations to identify any spikes in air pollution levels. There was also concern the project did not address ultrafine particles, which are an emerging health concern and may not be efficiently removed by the air purifier systems. Black carbon was also identified as a pollutant of concern given the location of the school sites. AQMD staff consulted the CARB Manager of the Indoor Exposure Assessment Section concerning the air testing design, and worked closely with the contractor to identify the air pollutants to be tested and the types and number of air monitoring equipment needed to ensure sufficient data are obtained and a proper assessment of the removal efficiencies of the air purifier systems can be made.

A list of air monitoring equipment needed to complete the air testing for the pilot study and the cost of purchasing and/or renting such equipment was provided to AQMD. The types of specialized air monitoring equipment include, but are not limited to: a condensation particle counter for ultrafines, a ppbRAE photo ionization detector for real-time VOC measurements, an aethalometer for real-time measurements of aerosol black carbon, and PM10 impactor sampler. AQMD staff considered many factors in finalizing the air testing design, such as the objectives of the pilot study, pollution sources in the region, and the availability of air monitoring equipment already owned by AQMD. Both the cost to rent and purchase the air monitoring equipment was considered and the most cost-effective option was selected. The air monitoring equipment to be purchased with funds under this contract will be owned by AQMD and turned over to AQMD after the air sampling work is completed. The air purifier systems may remain in place upon completion of the pilot study at the discretion of the school/school district.

Additional funds are also needed to perform duct cleaning and/or any other abatement measures related to the existing air handling systems prior to installation of the air purifier systems. The performance of the air handling systems will be investigated prior to installing the air purifier systems and there may be a need to conduct minor repair and/or maintenance activities to ensure proper and efficient operation of the air purifier systems once installed.

This action is to amend the existing contract with Thermal Comfort Systems to provide additional funds in an amount not to exceed $380,000 to cover the costs associated with purchase/rental of air monitoring equipment, laboratory analyses and minor repair and/or maintenance service to the existing air handling units prior to installing the air purifier systems. The costs associated with the air monitoring equipment are estimated to not exceed $300,000, including shipping and sales tax. The costs for the repair and/or maintenance service to the air handling systems are estimated not to exceed $80,000. The total amount of the additional funds, including $380,000, will increase the total project cost to $927,590, which is below the total amount set-aside by the Board in April 2006 for this pilot study.

Benefits to AQMD

The successful implementation of this pilot study will meet a community need to address air quality impacts at local schools and provide mitigation for excess VOC releases from PRDs subject to Rule 1173. The pilot study will also reduce particles from the indoor air, which is an additional benefit.

Resource Impacts

The total cost of the proposed contract amendment shall not exceed $380,000. Sufficient funds are available from the Rule 1173 Mitigation Fees Special Revenue Fund.