MOLD: MURDER & MAYHEM IN THE STACKS

1. MOLD:MURDER & MAYHEM IN THE STACKS

2. SICK BUILDINGSSICK PEOPLESICK LIBRARIES & JUST PLAIN SICK OF IT ALL!

3. MOLD IS OLD NEWS LEVITICUS13:47-59 , 14:33-57 (CLEAN MOLDY CLOTHES,HOUSES,ETC.) KING TUT’S CURSE -1922 OPENED & 11 DIE -asperigillus flavus -aspergillus terrus -cephalosporium

4. MOLDY DISASTER ROLL CALL…. • 1997-2 NYPL BRANCHES CLOSED 2-6 MONTHS • 1998-ARKANSAS STATE U. -100,000BOOKS--$53,000 • 1994-CALIF. STATE-NORTHRIDGE -500,000 BOOKS--$100,000+ • 2001-SANTA FE PUBLIC LIBRARY-CLOSED MONTHS • 2002-RURAL HAWAIIAN LIBRARY LOSES HALF OF COLLECTION • 2003-N.C.CENTRAL UNIVERSITY -$500,000 & closed 1 yr.

5. MOLDY LIBRARIES-WALLERSTEDT LIBRARY BETHANY COLLEGE -- $400,000 MOLD PROJECT -- JULY 2002-APRIL 2003 -- REPLACE ROOF,CEILINGS, FURNITURE,COMPUTERS FLOORING -- REPAIR HVAC SYSTEM -- IMPROVE DRAINAGE --FUMIGATE ENTIRE COLLECTION OFF-SITE (chlorine dioxide) --RESHELF ENTIRE COLLECTION

6. MEET THE MOLD FAMILY .

7. M&M F&F • MOLD:A multi-cellular, microscopic vegetable plant which forms cobweblike masses of branching threads from the surface of which tiny fertile threads project into the air bearing the part of the plant from which spores develop. Mold may be of brilliant colors or black and white, depending on the type. Molds can develop on leather, cloth, paper, etc., especially in the presence of relatively high heat and relative humidity. • MILDEW: A growth caused by micro-organisms, whose spores, in a moist, warm environment, become molds. They derive their food from the substance on which they form, e.g., the materials of a book. During their growth they produce citric, gluconic, oxalic, or other organic acids, that can damage paper, leather, cloth, etc. They also at times produce color bodies, leading to staining which is difficult to remove. • FUNGI: A large number of the spores of fungi is always present in the atmosphere, and while paper is not a particularly suitable medium to support the growth of molds and fungi, under favorable conditions, such as relatively high temperature and high relative humidity. paper will support the growth of these micro-organisms, some of which have a similar action on paper to that of dry rot fungus on wood • FOXING:Stains, specks, on paper. Machine made paper 18-19 century has high acid & iron. Factor which controls foxing is relative humidity (R.H.). Fungoid in nature. http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/bytopic/mold/#terminology

8. A MOLDY ANATOMY

9. NOT WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE! • Active mold will go dormant & inactive mold will remain dormant as long as it has no moisture to “bloom”. • Active mold’s enzymes digest organic materials (paper, book cloth, etc.) It weakens or destroys them. • Mold is a potential health hazard whether active or dormant.

10. HIDDEN DANGERS in little used areas of the library

11. SYMPTOMS: FURRY & SLIMY • DIAGNOSIS: ACTIVE MOLD INFECTION GET HELP FAST OR IT WILL BE FATAL!

12. MOLDY BOOKS

13. MOLD STAINS

14. Note the pink "splotch" at the bottom-center of this photo. It is the telltale warning sign that there is a likely mold "bloom" behind the vinyl wall covering.AVOID VINYL WALL COVERINGS!

15. FURNITUREMOLD • CAN BE SAME OR DIFFERENT TYPE OF MOLD THAN ON BOOKS. • MAY NEED TO DESTROY FURNITURE IF HEAVILY SATURATED

16. WATER DAMAGE=MOLD INVITATION -FLOODS -PLUMBING LEAKS -LEAKY ROOF -WATER FOUNTAINS -HUMIDITY -POOR LANDSCAPING

17. HVAC • Adequately cool your building, but they do little or nothing to reduce the quantity of water in the air (the absolute relative humidity). Failure to dehumidify will often allow relative humidities to reach levels of 65% or higher — well into the region where mold growth is very likely.

18. Secure a clean, dry environment where the temperature and humidity are as low as possible. The temperature ideally should be below 70 degrees F. and the humidity below 50% to discourage…

19. “librarian’s lung” MOLDY BOOKS AFFECT THE HEALTH OF --LIBRARIANS --MUSEUM WORKERS --ARCHIVISTS

20. HEALTH EFFECTS OF MOLD • respiratory problems and symptoms. • Mucous membrane irritation, coupled with a dry cough and eye irritation, are common responses to continuous exposure. • Bronchitis and chronic pulmonary disease, while typically associated with smoking, may also be related to such allergic reactions in long exposure. • Allergic rhinitis and asthma, particularly among those who are constitutionally predisposed to allergies, is perhaps one of the most severe responses to mold exposure

21. EXTREME: MAN WITHOUT A FACE • http://mold-help.org/submenus/mold_stories/marktatum.htm • Mucormycosis and Blastomycosis

22. SMALL JOBS • HEPA VAC (High Effeciency Particulant Arrestant) • Use with soft brushes to gather up mold on collections • Take work outside on hot,sunny day

23. CHLORINE DIOXIDE • Effective against many molds & bacteria in a short time • Breaks down to a simple salt ion that is found in table salt & sea water • No toxic residue • Packets available for use in small closed areas • Ideal biocide (was used in 2001 anthrax cleanups in Washington D.C.)

24. MOLD PREVENTION…. • Keep books away from wall contact to allow air-flow behind books • Minimize live-plant areas as they increase humidity • Redirect water away from building exterior (sprinklers, gutters, hill landscaping)

25. MOLDPREVENTION cont. • -No long-term dark areas • -Dust collection religiously • -Caution when accepting donated books • -Quickly fix plumbing leaks • -Regularly inspect collection for mold

26. MOLD PREVENTION • NO EXTREME CHANGES IN TEMP/HUMIDITY • AIR CONDITIONER /HEAT MAINTENANCE • USE DATA-LOGGERS IN LIBRARY (records humidity & temperature fluctuations for long-term analysis)

27. CONSIDERATIONS: COST, EASE OF OPERATION, USE OF DATA RECORDING HYGROTHERMOGRAPHS: ------use a human hair bundle to measure humidity. Circular & drum charts available to be recorded on. Charts available for daily, weekly, or monthly cycle. Continuous monitoring. SLING PSYCHROMETERS: -----Has two thermometers. One has wick that is wetted with distilled water. The instrument is swung for several minutes to get reading. Flow of air over wet wick cools the second thermometer and the difference between the dry and wet temps. Calculates the RH. DATALOGGERS: ---Use electronic sensors to record temp. & RH. Data can be transferred to computer to produce customized charts that illustrate conditions over time.

28. K.W.U.datalogger chart

29. PRESERVATION CALCULATOR

30. HEED THE WARNING SIGNS OF MOLD BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

31. Mold: Murder & Mayhem in the Stacks Presented by: Lynda Linder, associate librarian Kansas Wesleyan University 100 E. Claflin Salina, KS 67401 lyndal@kwu.edu 785-827-5541 ext.4150 or llinder22@yahoo.com 785-227-2514 • LI861A-E.S.U. Fall, 2003