BPI Indoor Air Quality 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the BPI action level for ambient carbon monoxide (CO) in a home that requires immediate evacuation of occupants?
- 9 ppm
- 35 ppm (Correct answer)
- 70 ppm
- 200 ppm
Correct answer: 35 ppm
BPI requires immediate evacuation when ambient CO reaches 35 ppm, consistent with the EPA's 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
Question 2: Which naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps through foundation cracks is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States?
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
- Radon (Correct answer)
- Methane
Correct answer: Radon
Radon is produced by the natural decay of uranium in soil and rock and is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for about 21,000 deaths annually.
Question 3: What is the EPA's recommended action level for radon at which mitigation of a home is advised?
- 2 pCi/L
- 4 pCi/L (Correct answer)
- 6 pCi/L
- 8 pCi/L
Correct answer: 4 pCi/L
The EPA recommends mitigation when radon levels reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air in the home.
Question 4: Which of the following is the most common residential source of formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound (VOC)?
- Natural gas combustion appliances
- Pressed wood products and adhesive-bonded materials (Correct answer)
- Asphalt roofing shingles
- Copper water supply piping
Correct answer: Pressed wood products and adhesive-bonded materials
Pressed wood products such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard use urea-formaldehyde resins that off-gas formaldehyde into the living space.
Question 5: Which building component is the primary entry point for radon gas into a home's living space?
- Attic ventilation openings
- Window frame gaps and seals
- Cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors (Correct answer)
- Roof penetrations and flashing
Correct answer: Cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors
Radon migrates from the soil upward through cracks, expansion joints, sumps, and other openings in foundation walls and slabs into the home.
Question 6: What is the primary indoor air quality concern associated with combustion spillage from heating appliances?
- Elevated indoor humidity causing mold growth
- Carbon monoxide infiltrating the occupied living space (Correct answer)
- Oxygen depletion reducing combustion efficiency
- Thermal discomfort near the appliance location
Correct answer: Carbon monoxide infiltrating the occupied living space
Combustion spillage occurs when flue gases including carbon monoxide reverse into the living space instead of venting outdoors, posing serious poisoning risks.
Question 7: Which household product category is a major source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene and toluene in residential buildings?
- Ceramic floor tiles
- Paints, varnishes, and cleaning products (Correct answer)
- Concrete block walls
- Fiberglass insulation batts
Correct answer: Paints, varnishes, and cleaning products
Paints, varnishes, solvents, adhesives, and cleaning products off-gas VOCs such as benzene, toluene, and xylene into indoor air.
BPI Indoor Air Quality 1
What is the BPI action level for ambient carbon monoxide (CO) in a home that requires immediate evacuation of occupants?