1 / 12

Mold Task Force Update

Mold Task Force Update. Gregg Recer, PhD, Research Scientist 3 Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment. PHL Section 1384 – Background &Timeline. Chapter 385 of Laws of 2005 establishes Task Force DOH & DOS co-chairs Tasked with researching technical questions and issuing a report

josef
Download Presentation

Mold Task Force Update

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Mold Task Force Update Gregg Recer, PhD, Research Scientist 3 Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment

  2. PHL Section 1384 – Background &Timeline • Chapter 385 of Laws of 2005 establishes Task Force • DOH & DOS co-chairs • Tasked with researching technical questions and issuing a report • Dec 2007 – Aug 2009 Task Force public meetings & conference calls • Aug 2010 – Draft report for public comment • Dec 2010 – Final report submitted to governor & legislature

  3. General Conclusions • Mold growth is a symptom of moisture problems. • Focus actions on moisture problems – prevent & promptly mitigate. • Mold sampling has little value for decision-making. • “Toxic” mold not defined and not supported by clear evidence -- report considers all mold a potential concern

  4. Health Effects • Indoor mold can be a health concern for occupants • Overabundant mold growth is undesirable • Prevent building dampness to prevent mold growth & potential morbidity

  5. Building Codes • Codes used to prevent moisture problems in buildings • Strengthen codes with respect to preventing and correcting moisture problems. • Provide training and education to CEOs to address water and mold problems more effectively.

  6. Regulatory Approaches • Many different approaches were identified. • Comparative effectiveness not well studied. • At a minimum provide guidance about recommended work practices & available training. • Other more formal regulatory approaches could be considered.

  7. Exposure Limits & Mold Sampling • Reliable health-based exposure limits not feasible • Numerous technical problems with indoor mold sampling • Air sampling unlikely to help decision-making for cleanup or clearance • Promote use of qualitative assessment – “clean and dry”.

  8. Control & Mitigation • Some limited evidence for effectiveness of some mitigation protocols and antimicrobial treatments. • Generally supports much existing guidance to correct moisture problems and clean or remove mold sources. • Value of using antimicrobials will depend on circumstances, but often not much added value.

  9. Education & Research • Develop or enhance relevant educational materials & tailor to specific audiences. • Emphasize correcting dampness problems & mold source control to reduce potential health problems. • Research to fill data gaps would improve decision-making – e.g., remediation protocols, building materials, building assessment

  10. More Info NYSDOH Web site: www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/indoors/air/mold.htm www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/indoors/air/mold/task_force/ General mold/IAQ questions: CEH -- Indoor Health Assessment Section: 518-402-7810 MTF Report questions: Gregg Recer gmr05@health.state.ny.us, 518-402-7820

  11. Questions?

  12. Problems identified with sampling • Don’t know actual agent involved in health effects or dose-resp. • A standardized, validated method (sample device, analysis, sampling strategy) has not been agreed • Mold spores are heterogeneous mixtures; air samples with similar species/counts are not necessarily the same • Too many sources of variability unaccounted for • spatial/temporal air levels (grab sampling) • microbial products (allergens, VOCs, glucan, EPS, etc.) • other non-fungal agents present • different information from total/viable/molecular/surrogate • receptor susceptibility • Rarely informs effective response decisions -- interpretation subjective

More Related