WATER DAMAGE, MOLD*
GROWTH AND IAQ
*Mold and Mildew are fungi
What conditions may pose a problem
& why
What to do
My name is: Jacquelyn Brown
Environmental Protection Program Specialist
(Health & Safety Management),
References used in this slide presentation:
Dr. Harriet Burge EMLab P&K Chief Aerobiologist and Director
of Scientific Advisory Board
EPA
Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification
(IICRC )S500 Standards for water damage restoration.
Where are Mold Spores found?
Mold spores are ubiquitous;
They are found both indoors and outdoors.
Mold spores cannot be eliminated from
indoor environments. Some mold spores will
be found floating through the air and in
settled dust; however, they will not grow if
moisture is not present.
In the absence of a source of active mold
growth indoors, outdoor spore levels are:
usually higher than indoor levels during Spring,
Summer & Fall
may be less than indoor levels In the winter
especially after snow fall
Exposure to Fungal Allergens
Most exposure to fungal allergens probably
occurs from inhalation of spores in outdoor
air.
All of the fungi found indoors are also part of
the outdoor ecology, making separation of
indoor and outdoor exposures difficult.
Possible Health Effects of Mold Exposure
Allergic reactions which can be immediate or delayed such as headache, sneezing, runny
nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis).
Molds can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold
Molds can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of individuals whether or not they
are allergic to mold.
May cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an uncommon disease that resembles bacterial
pneumonia.
May result in opportunistic infections in those with compromised immune systems.
NOTE: Allergic responses are not unique to mold. People can have similar
reactions to dust mite feces, pollen, animal dander and many other
particulates in the environment. So it is difficult to say which reactions can
be blamed on mold.
When might the indoor environment pose a
mold exposure concern?
When conditions indoors allow mold to
amplify (grow) and result in elevated
concentrations of mold spores in the air
Conditions that Can Promote Indoor Mold
Amplification
(Prolonged) Relative humidity levels exceeding
60-65% can harbor biological growth
including molds and dust mites.
Presence of indoor sources of standing water,
water-damaged materials, or wet surfaces
which serve as a breeding ground for molds,
mildews, bacteria, and insects.
In order to grow, mold needs:
Moisture
Food Source (any organic material)
Water-Damaged Materials
If certain materials stay wet longer than
about 24-48 hours, microbial growth including
mold growth may occur.
Some common indoor materials that tend
to harbor mold growth when they stay
wet:
ceiling tiles, wallpaper,
wood, soiled fibrous glass
insulation, paper,
cardboard, cloth furniture,
carpets, glues, books,
painted surfaces
Some common indoor fungi
Cladosporium grows in moist, porous areas,
including wood and fabrics
Penicillium grows in duct insulation and carpets,
in addition to wallpaper and rotting fabrics in
water-damaged environments
Aspergillus grows in dust and compost piles
Alternaria grows in damp places such as showers,
windows and carpets
QUIZ
Question 1:
The most important factor influencing mold growth is:
A. Temperature
B. Light
C. Moisture or Water
D. Organic Matter
Question 2:
Molds have the potential to cause health effects such as allergic reactions.
True
False
Question 3:
Waterdamaged furnishings and building components should be dried within 2448
hours to prevent mold growth.
True
False
Question 4:
During the months of April through November, you are probably exposed to greater levels of mold spores outdoors
than indoors.
True
False
Question 5:
Mold cannot be eliminated from indoor environments. Some mold spores
will be found floating through the air and in dust; however, mold will not grow if
moisture is not present.
True
False
Recommended Water Damage Response Actions at DAS Leased Properties
The following actions will help minimize costs and potential indoor air quality issues associated with water damaged building components and
materials.
1. Agency representative should contact the property manager or other landlord representative and DAS leasing agent ASAP.
2. Until the property manager or other landlord representative arrives, occupying agency should attempt to minimize potential damage from
the water infiltration by moving state owned property from the area & controlling infiltration (ie placing container/s beneath the leak) if these
actions can be done safely. Occupants should be moved from the immediate area as necessary.
3. Response actions must include the following:
a. Controlling/stopping the leak ASAP.
b. Assessment of any structural damage if situation warrants.
c. Further evacuation of occupants as required.
d. Protection of state owned property (equipment, files furniture etc).
e. Determining if the leakage has affected possible asbestos containing materials (ACMs), and if so, implementation of appropriate regulatory
precautions.
4 . If situation warrants, the landlord should contact professional cleaning contractor immediately. Generally materials will need to be dried
within 24 to 48 hours in order to be salvaged. Contractor should be familiar with Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration
Certification (IICRC )S500 Standards for water damage restoration.
5. The source of water should be categorized in order to determine what materials can be saved and how cleaning must be performed.
a. Category 3/Black water raw sewage, toilet black flow from beyond toilet trap, ground or surface water (rivers streams), seawater,
chemically contaminated water
b. Category 2 /Gray water (i.e. dishwasher or washing machine overflow, overflow from toilets) water with some degree of chemical,
biological or physical contamination that would cause sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans. (gray water contaminated
materials sources will become black water if not attended to rapidly.)
c. Category 1/Clean Water- Water from potable water sources or other sources unlikely to pose substantial harm to humans (sink
overflow w/o contaminants, potable pipe lines, snow melt, and rainwater)
6. In general, these rules apply regarding water damaged materials: If category 2 or 3 water, replacement of all saturated porous
material including wallboard, insulation, ceiling tiles, carpet and underlying carpet cushion is typically the ONLY recourse. Removal of
these materials should be done immediately to avoid potential IAQ/health issues. If sub flooring is wetted, it should be professionally
disinfected and cleaned using at least two applications of appropriate biocide followed by thorough drying. Restoring carpet wetted
from gray water (not the underlying cushion which must be discarded) is possible using proper application of biocide and dwell time
followed by hot water extraction cleaning. If clean water:
Pull back base cove on wallboard abutting wetted flooring areas.
Drill holes along bottom of wallboard, direct fans to assist in drying behind wallboard.
Use sufficient fans and dehumidifiers to dry within 24 to 48 hours.
Clean carpet using hot water extraction method- dry within 24 48 hours.
7. If category 2 or 3 water, implement appropriate health and safety precautions. Do not handle materials or objects until they have
been disinfected.
8. Use (undamaged) HVAC system and de-humidifiers to aid in reducing relative humidity levels to below 50% if possible to aid in drying
of wetted materials and to prevent unaffected materials from absorbing moisture in the air. Remove undamaged paper items from
affected area if high humidity exists.
9. Work with occupying agency as needed to inventory damaged items.
10. Moisture meter should be employed to determine extent of wetted areas and to verify drying process and completion.
11. If walls or flooring or other materials are not dry within 48 hours, document areas- mark out areas and meet with DAS
representatives to lay out a plan of remedial action.
In the event of water infiltration
We ask that you contact Bill Falletti or your
Property Agent so that the proper clean up
actions will get started as soon as possible to
avoid possible IAQ problems due to mold
Materials that are wet need to be properly
addressed.
Source of water stopped AND corrected (so it isnt
likely to reoccur).
Cleanup Methods
Method 1: Wet vacuum (in the case of porous materials,
some mold spores/fragments will remain in the material but
will not grow if the material is completely dried). Steam
cleaning may be an alternative for carpets and some
upholstered furniture.
Method 2: Damp-wipe surfaces with plain water or with
water and detergent solution (except wood use wood floor
cleaner); scrub as needed.
Method 3: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum
after the material has been thoroughly dried. Dispose of the
contents of the HEPA vacuum in well-sealed plastic bags.
Method 4: Discard - remove water-damaged materials and
seal in plastic bags while inside of containment, if present.
Dispose of as normal waste. HEPA vacuum area after it is
dried.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Minimum: Gloves, N-95 respirator, goggles/eye
protection
Limited: Gloves, N-95 respirator or half-face
respirator with HEPA filter, disposable overalls,
goggles/eye protection
Full: Gloves, disposable full body clothing, head gear,
foot coverings, full-face respirator with HEPA filter
Containment
Limited: Use polyethylene sheeting ceiling to floor
around affected area with a slit entry and covering
flap; maintain area under negative pressure with
HEPA filtered fan unit. Block supply and return air
vents within containment area.
Full: Use two layers of fire-retardant polyethylene
sheeting with one airlock chamber. Maintain area
under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan
exhausted outside of building. Block supply and
return air vents within containment area.
Musty odors
Musty odors =volatile organic compounds.
musty odors can be caused by mold but can
be from other sources
If there is no water anywhere then musty
odors are probably not caused by mold. If
there is water, mold probably plays a role, but
may not be the entire problem.
Source of info: Dr. Harriet Burge EMLab P&K Chief Aerobiologist and Director
of Scientific Advisory Board
If there are reports of a lingering musty or
unknown odor
We ask that you contact Bill Falletti or
Property Agent so that the situation can be
investigated as soon as possible
Dont ignore occupant IAQ
concerns
Contact DAS Leasing and report concerns so
that they can be investigated and addressed
Mold Spores and Allergens
Recent researchindicates that allergens are released from a spore during
the germination process
So.. Exposure to allergens from airborne mold spores occurs only if the
particular types of mold spores that are inhaled into the respiratory tract
find the correct amount of moisture, nutrients, oxygen needed to begin
the germination process
Different molds germinate under differing conditionsnot all fungi will
release allergens when inhaled
Process may take from a few minutes to many hours.
Non living spores may not trigger allergic reactions as previously thought
Common fungal allergens
Basidiospores: mushrooms, rusts, smuts,
brackets, and puffballs (mostly outdoors)
Alternaria alternata: most common sensitizer
among fungi (in spite of the fact that
concentrations in air are generally much lower
than for many other fungi)
Penicillium
Aspergillus
Cladosporium
What is a toxigenic or toxic mold?
A mold that produces toxins (also called
mycotoxins)
Not all types of molds produce mycotoxins
Some are extremely poisonous/toxic when
ingested..like alfatoxin
Mycotoxinshealth effects
Health effects for most of the mycotoxins are known only from either agricultural
environments, or from laboratory experiments, and virtually all of the data involves ingestion
of the mycotoxins. Article by Dr. Harriet Burge July 2005 issue of the Environmental Reporter
The fact remains that no research has documented that anyone has ever been exposed to
enough mycotoxin from exposure to indoor fungal growth to actually cause any of his/her
symptoms with the possible exception of agricultural environments. In fact, there are no
publications that I can find that actually document the amount of mycotoxin exposure in a
moldy indoor environment. Aren't Mycotoxins Part of the Indoor Air Problem?
By Dr. Harriet Burge, February 2011 issue of Indoor Environment Connections
Extrapolating from the amount of toxin necessary to cause health effects by ingestion, and,
given that the toxin content of individual spores is quite low, inhalation exposure in non-
agricultural environments (i.e. in normal homes and offices) to enough spores of even the
most toxic strains to reach a dose likely to produce human health effects is unlikely and
probably very rare. Article by Dr. Harriet Burge July 2005 issue of the Environmental Reporter
Central HVAC Systems Filter
Supply Air
Typically, Filters in a commercial building have a
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating of at least
8 (MERV 8)
MERV 8 is able to filter 70-85% of particles in the
size range 3.010.0 m which includes most mold
spores, dust mite debris, cat and dog dander,
pollen, some bacteria
What helps to provide a healthy
work environment?
Adequate volume of filtered outdoor air
Routine housekeeping including vacuuming with high
efficiency particulate air (hepa) filtered vacuum
Rapid response to water infiltration incidents
Minimizing surface dust (so keeping work surfaces and floor
surfaces as free of paperwork, knick knacks, cardboard file
boxes etc to allow for better housekeeping)
Elimination (or minimize number of ) live plants
Minimize use of personal products in the work place
Properly maintained HVAC system
QUIZ
1. Quick action to address a moisture problem may make an extensive mold remediation effort unnecessary.
A. True
B. False
2. In a leased building who should be contacted right away in the event of water infiltration?
A. Property manager
B. DAS Leasing
C. Both of the above
3. As a tenant agency in a leased building, you have the authority to direct landlord in proper water clean up response.
A. True
B. False
4. Which of the following types of materials may have to be discarded when contaminated with mold or mold spores?
A. Hard surfaces such as linoleum or tile
B. Cellulose or fiberglass insulation
C. Plastics and metals
D. All of the above
5. Employees have general IAQ complaints in a leased building that never has experienced significant water infiltration. As a first
step, it is always a good idea to perform airborne mold testing to rule out possible mold problems.
A. True
B. False
6. Which of the following steps are necessary for determining the effectiveness of a mold removal project?
A. Determine that the moisture problem has been corrected
B. Visually ensure that water damaged and moldy materials have been removed from the site
C. Check to see that individuals returning to the site are not experiencing any health complaints or physical
symptoms
D. All of the above
7. Remediation and cleanup activities should be scheduled for off-hours, when building occupants are less
likely to be affected.
A. True
B. False
8. You should take inventory of all state property damaged by a water infiltration event.
A. True
B. False
