Considerations for Mold and Moisture Response in Schools

1. Considerations for Mold and Moisture Response in Schools James H. Morris, IIIVirginia Beach City Public SchoolsPete and Phyllis WoodheadDrying Solutions, Inc.Region VI ASSEGreater Tidewater Chapter ASSE

2. Disclaimer Please note that this is simply information provided for the consideration of those who may want or need such. Individual circumstances are often unique, so any information presented herein should only be considered as it relates appropriately for that situation. Consult state and local experts for more guidance regarding state and local laws and regulations.

3. Considerations Three Things Needed for Growth and Proliferation of Microbial Organisms on Building Materials Sources, Food and Moisture 1. Sources – All Around • Airborne • Waterborne • Vectors

4. Cloth upholstered products Any paper products; Insulation (particularly paper backing) Gypsum wallboard; Wood products; Ceiling tiles; and Carpet Considerations 2. Food Most building materials and building contents are great microbial food, including:

5. Considerations 3. Moisture • Standing water • Humid air • Wet surfaces

6. Considerations – Why Worry? • Health • • Direct illnesses from contaminated water and surfaces through inhalation, ingestion or dermal contact • • Allergic Reactions - sensitivity to mold or other organisms • Liability • • High profile topic – many lawsuits • • OSHA requires appropriate worker protection for hazardous material and environments • • Future users of building may be affected by inadequate cleaning and remediation efforts • Time • • The longer conditions remain, the more growth will spread • The sooner the problem can be addressed, the better

7. What Do I Do? • Address mold and moisture first to reduce risk to others who need to work in the building • EPA Recommendations: • Surfaces wet longer than 48 hours with“clean water” should be considered to be potentially contaminated; • Any surfaces in contact with “dirty water” should be considered to be contaminated

8. What’s the Plan for Cleanup? • Assess size of moldy area (square feet) • Consider the possibility of hidden mold • Clean up small mold problems and fix moisture problems before they become large problems • Select qualified remediation manager for medium or large size mold problem • Identify source(s) or cause of water or moisture problem(s) • Note type of water-damaged materials (wallboard, carpet, etc.) • Check inside air ducts and air handling unit • Throughout process, consult qualified professional if necessary or desired (Source: EPA)

9. Can I Do it Myself? Qualifications • Preferred qualifications for clean-up: • Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-Certified Firm • • At least 2 years’ experience in commercial mold remediation and structural drying • • Individual IIRC certifications such as: • Applied Structural Drying/Vortex Drying Certification • Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist • Applied Microbial Remediation Technician • Water Damage Technician

10. Can I Do it Myself? Qualifications (continued) Preferred qualifications for air duct cleaning:• Certified National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) Air Systems Cleaning Specialist

11. Can I Do It Myself? Personal Protection Small Areas (less than 10 square feet) • N95 respirator, Gloves, Goggles; no containment necessary Medium Areas (10-100 square feet) • Smaller Range Cleanup: Gloves, N-95 respirator or half-face respirator with HEPA filter, disposable overalls, goggles/eye protection; Limited Containment • Larger Range Cleanup: Gloves, disposable full body clothing, head gear, foot coverings, full-face respirator with HEPA filter; Full Containment Large Areas (more than 100 square feet) • Gloves, disposable full body clothing, head gear, foot coverings, full-face respirator with HEPA filter; • Full Containment (from EPA: assumes “Clean Water” situation with some mold growth; “dirtywater” situations should be assessed by qualified professionals; OSHA regulations apply for Respiratory and Personal Protective Equipment)

12. Can I Do It Myself? Relevant Guidelines • IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration • • IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation • • IICRC S100 Standard Reference Guide for Professional On-Location Cleaning of Installed Textile Floor Covering Materials • • IICRC S300 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Upholstery Cleaning

13. Can I Do It Myself? Relevant Guidelines (continued) • EPA Mold Remediation for Schools and Commercial Buildings; • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments • NADCA standard ACR 2005: Assessment, Cleaning,and Restoration of HVAC Systems, 2005 edition • Relevant OSHA Regulations (General Duty, Personal Protective Equipment, Respiratory Protection, etc)

14. (Source: IICRC S500 Water Damage Standard) Categories of Water During Water Damage • Category 1 – Clean Water • Category 2 – Gray Water • Category 3 – Black Water

15. Category 1 – “Clean Water” Water that originates from sources that do not have additives, contaminants, or large numbers of pathogenic microorganisms

16. Category 2 – “Gray Water” • Contains biocontaminants (fungal, bacterial, viral, algae) • Contains contaminants that microorganisms use for nutrients • Can cause discomfort or sickness to humans • If left untreated for 48 hours or longer, may change to Category 3 (“Black Water”)

17. Potential Health Effects from Categories 1 & 2 Water Damage • Allergic asthma • Allergic rhinitis • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (lung tissue inflammation) • Burning eyes, skin irritation • Low grade inflammatory response such as nausea, headache, fever

18. Possible Infectious Agents in Categories 1 & 2 Water Damage • Bacteria: • Legionella pneumophila • Escherichia coli • Streptomyces • Thermoactinomyces Saccharopolyspora (endotoxins) • Fungi and Molds • Histoplasma capsulatum • Cryptococcus neoformans • Aspergillus species • Penicillium • Stachybotrys chartarum (atra)

19. Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs): Give characteristic musty, moldy odor Produced by active bacteria and fungi Some individuals are extremely sensitive to MVOCs Possible Noninfectious Agents in Categories 1 & 2 Water Damage

20. Category 3 – “Black Water” • Contains pathogenic agents, and results in unsanitary conditions • and/or • • Contains silt and organic matter (visible) • and/or • • Water has been contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals, or toxic organic substances • • Color is not an indicator of Category 3 water

21. Examples of “Black Water” • Includes sewage (domestic, industrial, and non-point sources: ground, surface, sea, river, and atmospheric water) • Toilet backflows originating from beyond the toilet trap • All forms of flooding (sea water, ground and surface water, rivers or streams)

22. Examples of Bacterial Agents in Category 3 Water Damage • Bacteria – Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus (spore producing) • Soil organisms – Thermoactinomyces, Streptomyces, Saccharopolyspora, Thermomonospora

23. Examples of Other Pathogenic Organisms Possible in Category 3 Water Damage • Viruses – Rotovirus, Hepatitis A, Adenovirus, Norwalk-type Agent, Echovirus, Coxsackievirus • Parasites – Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, Balantidium coli • Helminths – Nematodes (roundworms), Cestodes (tapeworms)

24. Health Effects in Category 3 Water Damage • Severe diarrhea • Dysentery • Inflammation of the liver • Respiratory and eye infections

25. • If it can be thrown away, throw it away; Replacements may be less expensive in the long term (and short term) than attempting to decontaminate some surfaces • If it cannot be disposed of, decontaminate and then dry as thoroughly as possible; Moisture removal is a key factor to preventing future growth • Wallboard can often be cut to the point of contamination (and some measure beyond) and those sections replaced; Key Factors

26. • Mold may be present that cannot be seen. It only takes a little bit to grow to become a lot!• Clean all tools after use, or dispose if possible• Avoid direct contact as much as possibleExample: When cleaning silt and debris, use shovels and other longer handled tools – clean after each shift Key Factors (continued)

27. Other Hazards (few examples) • Shock Hazards • • Turning off the supply of electricity (circuit breakers) to damaged areas • • Anticipate that electricity may be restored suddenly without notice • Structural Integrity • • When in doubt, obtain an evaluation by a licensed and qualified builder or structural engineer before entering • Chemical Mixtures • • Attempts to mix chemicals to clean can cause further damage • Example – Ammonia & bleach mixed together can cause toxic gas release • Asbestos • • Asbestos-containing materials may have been disturbed during flooding, and upon drying, fiber releases could occur • • Check inspection reports or inspect materials

28. EPA “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings” http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html • Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) www.certifiedcleaners.org • American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)www.asse.org • Occupational Safety and Health Administration http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/hurricaneRecovery.html • National Air Duct Cleaners Association www.nadca.com • Local Experts – Consult for Applicable Regulations Other Resources