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Molds are the most common forms of fungi found on earth. They can grow on almost any material, as long as moisture and oxygen are available. Most molds reproduce through the formation of spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth. Airborne spores are found both indoors and outdoors. When spores land on a suitable moist surface, they begin to grow and release chemicals that digest and can eventually destroy the surface and underlying materials. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions.
Many molds are harmless but some can cause infections, asthma, allergy symptoms, and produce toxins. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing, and the effect of toxins is still not well understood. Nevertheless, mold remediation is often necessary to return working and living spaces to a safe condition and make them suitable for occupancy.
Health Effects of Mold:
Molds can cause mild to severe health problems in sensitive individuals when a sufficient number of airborne spores are inhaled. Some individuals are far more sensitive than others. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins).The most common health effects associated with mold exposure are allergic reactions, which can be immediate or delayed. Symptoms may include: Sneezing, runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, aggravation of asthma, and dermatitis (skin rash). Exposure to mold or dampness may also lead to the development of asthma in some individuals. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath.
In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.
Infants, children, and the elderly are more susceptible to health problems attributable to molds. In addition, people with the following underlying health conditions may be more sensitive to molds:
Individuals with allergies or existing respiratory conditions including asthma, sinusitis, or other lung diseases.
Individuals with a weakened immune system (e.g., HIV patients).
Recent organ or bone marrow transplant patients.
Patients recovering from recent surgery and receiving chemotherapy or long-term steroid treatment.
* Research on mold and its health effects is ongoing. This section provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure.
Recognizing Mold Hazards:
Molds are found everywhere in the environment, indoors and outdoors. Most molds are harmless but depending on the type of mold and the quantity, they can be harmful. There are thousands of species of fungus. We deal with about 80 different species in the world of household mold. Common types include:
Stachybotrys or “black mold” most widely used for identifying a dangerous health hazard. It looks oily and causes respiratory problems.
Cladosporium, which may appear green, brown or black on the surface. It can cause an allergic reaction and may grow on walls, wood, dust and insulation.
Aspergillus can look grey, brown, yellow, green, white or black. This type of mold can cause infection in people with weak immune systems and allergic reactions. It can grow on walls, insulation, paper products, soil, clothing and many other places.
Mold needs these things to develop and grow:
Moisture: Can be caused by leaky plumbing, minor or major flooding, even humidity
Food: Material to grow on: wood, paper, cotton, leather, food, insulation, etc.
Temperature: Above freezing and below 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50 °C). Between 70° and 90° is perfect for mold growth (20° and 32° C). Freezing does not kill mold spores, they just go dormant.
When looking for mold consider:
Sight: (Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do they show signs of mold growth or water damage?) - Locate all areas that got wet, even if they now appear dry.
Flashlight: Shine the flashlight along the surface being examined, not straight at the surface. Angle of illumination along the sides of small particles.
Surface mold can be an indicator of a deeper problem.
Discoloration: Mold often appears as discoloration (even after wiped away), staining, or fuzzy growth on the surface of building materials or furnishings. Mold can be any color.
Touch (with gloves): Actively growing mold may be soft, slimy, and damp and may smear when touched. Inactive/dead mold is dry, appears powdery and rubs off the surface easily.
Look for water leaks, standing water, water stains, and condensation problems. For example, do you see any watermarks or discoloration on walls, ceilings, carpet, woodwork or other building materials? * Use a moisture meter ( > 18% is too wet)
Investigate: Search behind and underneath materials (carpet and pad, wallpaper, vinyl flooring, sink cabinets), furniture, or stored items. Sometimes destructive techniques may be needed to inspect and clean enclosed spaces where mold and moisture are hidden - opening up a wall cavity, for example. Use a utility knife and make a hole in an inconspicuous place that can easily be patched (up to 4”x4”).
Mold Travels through HVAC systems: Check sheetrock and paneling around vents throughout home for mold.
Smell: Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earthy smell or a foul stench?
Dust versus Mold: Gravity will always pull dust to the top of a horizontal surface. If you ever find “dust” on the bottom of a surface, such as a shelf, you are looking at mold.
A visible dust cloud suggests high potential for exposure. However, activities can be associated with high fungal exposure even without visible dust.
In humid climates, significant mold contamination is assumed if the building’s interior was saturated with water for more than 48 hours.
How do you feel? Headaches and increased allergy symptoms can be an indication of moldy environments.
Action Plan if Mold is believed to be Present:
Protect Yourself: PPE must be worn to protect from mold hazards through inhalation, skin contact, and eye contact. Respirator protection, goggles (not glasses), tyvek suit with hood, and nitrile gloves must be worn throughout the sanitation process.
Isolate: Soft and porous items and materials are not able to be decontaminated from mold growth. These items need to be removed, bagged, and thrown away. Any vacuuming of mold growth to remove spores should go directly into a hepa-filter so they are not released into the air. Disposable PPE needs to be bagged and thrown away. Non disposable PPE and tools need to be cleaned and disinfected.
Remove and Treat: See Mold Sanitation standard work practices for information on removing and treating mold using shockwave. PPE must be worn that is designed for mold and the chemicals used for killing mold.
Reassess: If active mold and mold spores are not eliminated or if wet conditions persist, mold is likely to grow back.
Protect from Cross Contamination: On programs keep boot rack outside, install outdoor changing stations, bring change of clothes, don't lie in bed or sit in common spaces without changing clothes.
Appropriate PPE For Mold and Shockwave:
Mold and mold spores are particulates (sometimes classified as aerosols). Although the negative health effects of mold are well established, currently, there are no published exposure limits for mold. As the safest course, respiratory protection with “100” rated particulate filters should be used when working mold sanitation.
Mold is known to emit organic vapors, which are responsible for the characteristic moldy odors associated with damp indoor spaces. Though not required, a particle filter with nuisance level organic vapor relief, or an organic vapor cartridge in addition to the particle filter is suggested to eliminate the unpleasant odors found in moldy environments.
Shockwave, the product AHAH typically use to disinfect mold, needs to be protected from as well. With a pH of 11.7, Shockwave is strongly basic and may cause extensive tissue damage if it is exposed to the skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs. A tyvek suit with hood, nitrile gloves, eye protection (goggles or full face mask), and respiratory protection are necessary. Shockwave stays in liquid form at room temperature, and thus must be treated as a particulate. As with mold itself, respiratory protection with a “100” designation is the best way to protect the lungs from shockwave.
AHAH recommend a P100 filter attached to a half face mask, as the minimum respiratory protection for working in an environment with mold. This meets the suggested standard for the size of sites which AHAH commonly work within. The type of respirator should be revised, according to the below guidance set by the EPA:
For areas less than 10 square feet, filtering facepiece respirators (N95 disposable respirators) or half masks with replaceable particulate filters may be used in conjunction with non-vented goggles.
For areas between 10 and 100 square feet, either a half mask with non-vented face goggles, or full facepiece respirators with 100 level particulate filters should be used.
For areas greater than 100 square feet, full facepiece respirators with 100 level particle filters should be used.
AHAH commonly use 3M "pancake filters" in this case. The part number 2091 is a P100 particulate filter, without carbon filtration. The part 2097 is a P100 particulate filter with a "nuisance level" carbon filter to eliminate the unpleasant odors. Both of these parts are suitable for protection against mold contamination and can be used with both half face and full face respirators.
More information can be found at:
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