Environmental Services

To submit an Indoor Air Quality concern, fill out a Request for Indoor Air Quality Testing and Investigation form.

The Air Quality Index is used as a means of reporting daily air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates for the five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act. These include ground level ozone, particle pollution (or particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. There are established national air quality standards to protect public health and to make it easier to understand, the air quality index is divided into six categories corresponding to a different level of health concern:

• Good: The AQI value for your community is between 0 and 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
• Moderate: The AQI for your community is between 51 and 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.
• Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: When AQI values are between 101 and 150, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. This means they are likely to be affected at lower levels than the general public. For example, people with lung disease are at greater risk from exposure to ozone, while people with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to particle pollution. The general public is not likely to be affected when the AQI is in this range.
• Unhealthy: Everyone may begin to experience health effects when AQI values are between 151 and 200. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
• Very Unhealthy: AQI values between 201 and 300 trigger a health alert, meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects.
• Hazardous: AQI values over 300 trigger health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

The Central Piedmont Chemical Hygiene Plan states all policies, procedures, and responsibilities that serve to protect employees from the health hazards that are associated with laboratories. The goal of this plan is to minimize the risk of injury or illness to laboratory workers by ensuring that they have the training information, support, and equipment needed to work safely with hazardous chemicals. This plan includes standard operating procedures, exposure control measures, training, risk reduction, personal protective equipment, and other pertinent information that is vital in keeping our employees safe at Central Piedmont. 

For more information, review the Central Piedmont Chemical Hygiene Plan.

The purpose of the Hazard Communication Program (also known as HazCom) is to protect users from injuries and illnesses associated with using hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Employees have the right-to-know and understand the hazards that they are exposed to when working with hazardous chemicals. To accomplish this, the program includes the following elements; maintaining a list of hazardous chemicals (a chemical inventory), making Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) accessible, ensuring that chemical containers are properly labeled, and providing the information, training, work practices, PPE and equipment capable of protecting employees.

Review Section 5 of the Chemical Hygiene Plan to better understand the different types and hazards of chemicals at the college. The plan also includes labeling requirements, material safety data sheets, and information on employee training.

Maintaining a written hazard communication program is an OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 (e) requirement.

A safety data sheet lists information on chemical substances or mixtures and contains information on the manufacturer, chemical identification, hazardous ingredients, physical/chemical characteristics, fire/explosion hazards, reactivity, health hazards, precautions, and control measures.

Individual departments at the college are responsible for maintaining and updating safety data sheets as items are purchased or replaced. Safety data sheets should be filed within the department where the chemical is used and also in the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Email Environmental Health & Safety to obtain a data sheet on a particular substance.

Do not accept donated chemicals from outside organizations.

Chemical hazardous waste is described as any solid, liquid or gaseous waste material that, if improperly disposed of, can pose substantial hazards to a person’s health and the environment. A chemical is deemed hazardous if it exhibits one of the following characteristics: ignitibility, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity. Chemical hazardous waste includes some of the following: chemicals that are no longer in use, mislabeled chemicals, used compressed gas cylinders, or materials contaminated with hazardous materials (e.g., rags, paper towels, etc.). 

For additional guidance on hazardous chemical waste pick-up procedures, review the EHS Chemical Waste Pickup Protocol guideline.

To submit a request for chemical waste pickup, fill out a Request for Hazardous Chemical Waste Pickup form and email it to Environmental Health & Safety.

Biological hazardous waste is described as infectious agents of hazardous biological materials that present a risk or potential risk to the health of humans, animals, and the environment. Examples of bio-hazardous waste include some of the following: human blood and blood products, sharps waste, animal waste, and microbiological wastes. 

Note: Prior to pickup, all biohazardous waste must be properly packaged. For packaging instructions, review the Bio-Hazardous Waste Disposal Guide.

To submit a request for biohazardous pickup, fill out a Request for a Hazardous Bio Waste Pickup form.

Universal waste is described as hazardous wastes that are produced by households and many different types of businesses. Some items that are considered universal wastes are: spent (burned out) fluorescent lamps, spent sodium and mercury vapor light bulbs, batteries (sealed lead acid), mercury-containing equipment (MCE), non-PCB ballasts, and recalled pesticides. 

For more information handling universal waste, read the Universal Waste Information Guide.

To submit a request for universal waste pickup, fill out a Request for Universal Waste Pickup form.

Concerns about indoor exposure to mold have been increasing as the public becomes aware that exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. The Mold Prevention and Remediation Plan presents guidelines for the prevention of mold and moisture problems in facilities at Central Piedmont.

Currently, there are no federal standards or recommendations for airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors. By implementing the following prevention and remediation strategies, Central Piedmont helps to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff, as well as prevent any damage to campus buildings and facilities.

Mold Prevention Steps

1. Regular Inspection: Regular inspection of all campus buildings is crucial to detect and prevent mold growth. The inspection should be carried out by a professional mold inspector or maintenance personnel trained in identifying mold and its sources.
   1. To submit an Indoor Air Quality concern, fill out a Request for Indoor Air Quality Testing and Investigation form.
   2. Upon submission, an EHS team member will conduct an IAQ assessment and convey report findings within 24 hours to the requestor.
   3. Any issues noted (elevated humidity, high temps, etc.) will be sent to Facilities Services and ABM for remediation. Should mold growth be suspected during the IAQ assessment, EHS will contract a third party mold testing company to conduct site testing.
2. Identify and Fix Moisture Issues: Moisture is the primary cause of mold growth. Addressingany moisture problems immediately is essential to preventing mold. This can include repairingleaks in roofs, windows, and pipes, controlling humidity levels, and properly ventilating areas that generate moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
3. Monitor and Control Humidity: Indoor humidity levels should be kept under 54%. Regular monitoring and control of indoor humidity levels are crucial to preventing mold growth. Humidity levels can be monitored using humidity sensors and controlled through the use of dehumidifiers and HVAC systems.
4. Educate Occupants: Education of our students, faculty, and staff about mold prevention is crucial. Faculty, staff, and student should be informed about the importance of reporting any mold sightings or water leaks immediately.
5. Response Plan: This plan addresses any mold growth detected on campus. 
6. Professional Remediation: Professional mold remediation may be necessary if the mold growth is extensive or if the source of the moisture is not immediately identifiable. The mold remediation company should be licensed, certified, and experienced in mold removal.
7. Document and Communicate: All mold inspections, prevention, and remediation activities are documented and communicated to students, faculty, and staff to maintain transparency and ensure everyone is aware of the actions taken to prevent and remediate mold growth.
8. Regular Review and Update of the Plan: This mold prevention and remediation plan is reviewed and updated annually to ensure that it remains effective and according to the latest industry best practices.