A Brief Overview for Building Maintenance Rowan University Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
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Transcript A Brief Overview for Building Maintenance Rowan University Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
A Brief Overview for Building Maintenance
Rowan University
Department of Environmental
Health and Safety
Mold Overview
Wide variety of molds may be present in building
materials
Common ones include:
Alternaria
Aspergillus
Penicillium
Stachybotrys
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Mold Overview
Fungi can be
Toxigenic
Pathogenic
Allergenic
Irritant
Some Fungi are beneficial and required for good
health.
All effect individuals differently.
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Mold Overview
Adverse effects
Runny nose, dermatitis and headaches to aggravation of
asthma, allergic reactions and hypersensitivity
pneumonitis.
Toxic effects have only been observed in laboratory
settings. Indoor environments cannot present this level
of exposure.
Exceptions-Silos, post disaster conditions, confined spaces
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Mold Overview
Chronic Exposure
Claims of Memory Loss, Peripheral Neuropathy,
Diminished Capacity, Loss of Consort, and many other
significant illnesses
Medical Experts do not concur.
Would be unlikely to find all cases are unrelated.
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Mold Overview
Actual fungal infection in construction is rare (e.g.
aspergillosis, histoplasmosis)
Most infected persons have only minor symptoms
and recover naturally
Small percentage of the population (@ 5%) may
suffer more severe infections
Persons usually have pre-existing condition that makes
them susceptible (e.g. immune system impairment)
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Mold Overview
Current medical tests can only document exposure to
fungi has occurred.
Tests cannot determine source, place, or time of
exposure.
Exposure to fungi occurs naturally in both the indoor
and outdoor environments
Medical tests are of limited use.
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The Role of Moisture
Moisture
Nutrient
Fungal
Spores
Mold needs water to grow
Temperature
Liquid Water
Water Vapor impacting surfaces
Other growth requirements are met in every
building
The only component that can be reasonably
controlled is moisture
Hillmann Environmental Group, LLC
Reasons for Mold Growth on
Building Materials
Moisture accumulation = mold growth
Design or construction flaws (improper vapor barriers,
leaky roof, failure to provide drainage at foundation
walls, etc)
Events such as pipe leaks or flooding
Failure to protect building materials in storage on job
Over air-conditioning
Modern, energy efficient buildings, appear more
susceptible
Airtight construction inhibits drafts and airflow
that dry out damp materials
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Reasons for Mold Growth on
Building Materials
Shipment of New Material may gather moisture.
Phasing of Project may allow new Material to be
Exposed to Elements.
Once Installed, Possibilities Exist for Accidental
Moisture Intrusion.
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Obvious indicators
of Microbial growth
and Contamination
are:
Visible growth
Musty Odors resulting
from:
Active Growth
Digestion while
degrading substrates
Water Damaged Materials
Rowan University
Department of Environmental
Health and Safety
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Water Damaged Materials
Rowan University
Department of Environmental
Health and Safety
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Water Damaged Materials
Rowan University
Department of Environmental
Health and Safety
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Water Damaged Materials
Rowan University
Department of Environmental
Health and Safety
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Water Damaged Materials
Rowan University
Department of Environmental
Health and Safety
Mold Awareness
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Assessing the Situation
New York City DOH Guidelines on Assessment and
Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments
“A visual inspection is the most important initial step in
identifying a possible contamination problem.”
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Assessing the Situation
In most cases visual inspection will be sufficient to
identify areas that require remediation.
Be sure all contaminated areas are identified.
In wallboard material mold growth may extend up to 1
meter beyond what is visible.
Inaccessible areas may be your largest concern; Behind
wallboard, under wallpaper, below rugs, etc.
A moisture meter can be useful in assessing porous
materials that may be contaminated and should be
disposed.
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Assessing the Situation
Contractors frequently ask if sampling or air
monitoring should be done
The New York DOH Guidelines state:
“Bulk or surface sampling is not required to undertake a
remediation.”
“Air sampling for fungi should not be part of a routine
assessment......decisions about appropriate remediation
strategies can usually be made on the basis of visual
inspection”
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Assessing the Situation
Currently there are no occupational exposure
limits for fungi in the work place
ACGIH is steering clear of numerical values*
Must put sampling in context – indoor vs. outdoor
concentrations, species diversity
If bulk or air monitoring is desired, an experienced
professional should be retained
Viable vs. Non-viable Sampling
A laboratory accredited by the AIHA Environmental
Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program
(EMLAP) should analyze any samples
* ACGIH 1999 Bioaerosols Assessment & Control
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Fungal Contamination During
Construction or Renovation
Contractors are aware of fungal problems from
bird or bat droppings
Typically encountered during rehab of older buildings,
especially those with attics
Increased likelihood that contractors may
encounter moldy building materials
Materials include drywall, ceiling tiles, carpeting, etc.
Common during rehabilitation of historic buildings
Buildings subject to flooding or having poor drainage
Upgrading of buildings in use
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Fungal Contamination During
Construction or Renovation
New Construction
Microbial Control Specifications being designed into
more Construction Documents
Building Owners are placing burden on Contractor to
control future microbial growth
Manufacturers are more aware of mold concerns
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Remediation Guidelines
There are no federal regulations regarding mold
remediation at this time.
NYC DOH are common guidelines
NADCA has extensive guidance
The most important action is to stop all sources of
moisture and dry out materials as quickly as possible
using fans and dehumidifiers.
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Remediation Guidelines
Ozone air cleaners
Not recommended – don’t waste money!
A study by US EPA (EPA-600/R-95-154 Oct. 1995)
demonstrated that ozone is not effective for killing airborne
fungi even at high concentrations (6-9 ppm)
Ion Precipitators-Have not proven to be effective
Charcoal Filtration for odor control
Face velocity is nearly always too high for effective capture
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Regulations
OSHA Regulations
Contractors should be aware of other OSHA regulations
that may be triggered during a mold remediation
project:
29CFR1926.103 - Respiratory protection
29CFR1926.102 - Eye and face protection
29CFR1926.59 - Hazard Communications
29CFR1926.51 – Sanitation
General Duty Clause!
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Additional Information
Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of
Fungi in Indoor Environments
New York City Department of Health; Bureau of
Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology
Bioaerosols, Assessment & Control (2nd Edition)
ACGIH
American Industrial Hygiene Association
Biosafety Committee
Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation
Program
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Additional Information
National Air Duct Cleaners Association
American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air
Conditioning Engineers
Internet Sources…Endless!
IIRC Guidelines- S500/S520
The Environmental Health and Safety Office
[email protected]
x-5105
EHS Website-Concern Form
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ANY QUESTIONS
Rowan University
Department of Environmental
Health and Safety
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