Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/745428
RINK PHOTO STARRINKS.COM NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2016 / 31 EVERY YEAR THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF INCIDENTS during the winter months at ice rinks in North America and around the world where people become sick due to elevated levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and/or nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). These incidents have been commonly linked to the following factors: • Machines powered by fossil fuels, such as ice resurfacers and ice edging equip- ment that have not been properly maintained by a qualified professional. • Facility ventilation equipment that is not working properly and/or has not been maintained on a regular basis by a qualified professional. • The absence of an ongoing indoor air quality-monitoring program at the facility. The headlines always seem to point the finger at ice resurfacing equipment as the primary culprit of poor indoor air quality. However, ice resurfacing equipment manufacturers must meet stringent EPA emissions standards in order to sell their products within the United States. In reality, it is usually the lack of proper maintenance of the equipment after it is purchased that is the root cause of the problem. Ice resurfacing and ice maintenance equipment are not the only potential contributors to poor indoor air quality in ice rinks. Any equipment that burns fossil fuel (gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas) such as infrared bleacher heaters, hot water heaters and boilers, furnaces, dehumidifiers, forklifts, scissor or boom lifts, generators and idling vehicles outside the rink can all contribute to unacceptable levels of carbon monoxide and/or nitrogen dioxide. AWARENESS