Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 59.95
Liaison Mari Acob-Nash
Submission Date Dec. 14, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

North Seattle College
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00 Tim Albertson
Sustainability Coordinator
Student Development Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and/or guidelines in place to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the policies and/or guidelines to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources:

The college has implemented a 'No Idling' policy on campus. Employees using gasoline or diesel powered vehicles and light trucks should turn them off if idling more than 30 seconds. Larger diesel vehicles operating under heavy load should be allowed to idle for 3 minutes to cool down. Finally, vehicles should not be left running while unattended. Visitors to campus, including buses and contractor/vendor vehicles are subject to this policy. 'No Idling' signs are placed strategically around campus.


Has the institution completed an inventory of significant air emissions from stationary campus sources or else verified that no such emissions are produced?:
No

Weight of the following categories of air emissions from stationary sources::
Weight of Emissions
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) 0 Tons
Sulfur oxides (SOx) 0 Tons
Carbon monoxide (CO) 0 Tons
Particulate matter (PM) 0 Tons
Ozone (O3) 0 Tons
Lead (Pb) 0 Tons
Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) 0 Tons
Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) 0 Tons
Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations 0 Tons

A brief description of the methodology(ies) the institution used to complete its air emissions inventory:

One stationary location and building was conducted, but was not inclusive of the entire campus that included:
• Temperature: The temperature in the tested space was fairly consistently and is unlikely to have a negative impact on indoor air quality.
• Humidity: The humidity levels at the time of inspection generally remained within the
recommended standards in most areas. Locations NSCC-01 and NSCC-02 had brief periods of elevated humidity levels at the beginning of the testing periods. This is likely an aberration caused by device set up and not an indication of a ventilation issue. Sample locations NSCC-03, NSCC-04, NSCC-05 and NSCC-06 showed brief periods where the minimums were slightly below the recommended minimum of 30%, but the averages for all locations were within recommended standards. Those levels of low humidity, measured in this report, may cause complaints of dryness or respiratory irritation in sensitive occupants. This is likely due to an excess of outdoor air that is being introduced through the HVAC system during cold weather. If complaints of dryness or respiratory irritation are made, the client can contact their HVAC contractor and decrease the level of outdoor air being introduced into the environment, but this will likely resolve itself when the temperature increases.
• Carbon Dioxide: The carbon dioxide levels in the tested areas were well-within the
recommended ranges, if not lower than expected. Sample location NSCC-01 showed a maximum
carbon dioxide level of 1461 ppm at the beginning of the testing period. This is likely an
aberration cause by device set up and not an indication of a ventilation issue.
• Total VOC's (volatile organic compounds): The tVOC levels in the tested areas were well below the recommended levels and is unlikely to have a negative impact on indoor air quality.
• Carbon Monoxide: No carbon monoxide was detected during the testing period.
• Mold spores: No elevated levels found in the tested locations.

Sampling Locations:
• NSCC-01: Financial Aid Offices
• NSCC-02: Presidential Area
• NSCC-03: VP for Students
• NSCC-04: Business Office
• NSCC-05: Student Services 1
• NSCC-06: Student Services 2


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The above test came about out of request by employees from a noted smell that arose due to construction that was in proximity to outdoor intake vents.


The above test came about out of request by employees from a noted smell that arose due to construction that was in proximity to outdoor intake vents.

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.