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Mold Hazards And Prevention

Mold Hazards And Prevention. Session Objectives. Understand the potential health hazards of exposure to mold Detect mold and know where to look for it Prevent mold from growing Clean up small amounts of mold contamination safely. Increased Risk of Indoor Mold Exposure.

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Mold Hazards And Prevention

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  1. Mold HazardsAnd Prevention

  2. Session Objectives Understand the potential health hazards of exposure to mold Detect mold and know where to look for it Prevent mold from growing Clean up small amounts of mold contamination safely

  3. Increased Risk of Indoor Mold Exposure • Tight building structures • Poorly designed or maintained HVAC systems • Human factors • Humidity • New harmful mold organisms • Tight building structures • Poorly designed or maintained HVAC systems • Human factors • Humidity • New harmful mold organisms

  4. Causes of Indoor Moisture • Flooding • Roof or plumbing leaks • Bathroom showers • Overhumidification • Poor maintenance of humidification units • Damp basements • Steam from cooking • Condensation

  5. Drywall Wood Carpets Ceiling tiles Indoor Mold Food Sources CEILING TILES DRYWALL CARPETS WOOD

  6. How Molds Affect Us • SPORES • MYCOTOXINS

  7. VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS THE AIR WE BREATHE How Molds Affect Us (cont.)

  8. Higher Sensitivity to Mold • Individuals with other allergies • Individuals with existing respiratory conditions • People with weakened immune systems • Elderly people • Pregnant women • Infants and children

  9. Allergic Reactions • Red, itchy skin or rash • Asthma • Mold allergy • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

  10. Fungal Infections • Toxic pneumonitis • Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis • Aspergilloma • Allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis

  11. Diagnosing Mold Allergy Wheresymptoms occur Physical exam Medical history Skin tests

  12. Treatment of Mold Allergy Get rid of mold Avoid contact with spores Take medications for allergy symptoms Consider allergy shots

  13. Avoiding Contact With Mold Spores • Stay indoors • Use HEPA filters • Clean air conditioners and dehumidifiers

  14. Mold and Your HealthTrue or False? All mold toxins only cause mild allergies. Indoor mold exposure has increased because of the way buildings are designed. Everyone is allergic to mold. Getting rid of mold and avoiding contact with spores are effective treatments for mold allergy.

  15. Mold and Your Health • Do you understand: • Mold exposure? • How molds affect us and sensitivity to mold? • Allergic reactions and fungal infections? • Diagnosing and treating mold allergies? • Avoiding contact with mold spores?

  16. Prevent Mold:Control Moisture • Use exhaust fans and vents • Dehumidify damp areas • Raise temperatures in damp areas • Minimize or control use of winter humidification • Increase indoor air circulation

  17. Prevent Mold: Clean • Scour sinks and tubs • Clean garbage pails • Clean refrigerators • Dry damp building materials • Discard old books, newspapers, clothing, and bedding • Wash mold off allhard surfaces

  18. Prevent Mold: Fix Leaks • Repair leaks promptly • Put plastic over dirt in crawl spaces • Direct groundwater drainage away from your house

  19. Prevent Mold:Building Supplies • Add insulation • Cover foam with plastic • Avoid carpet installed on concrete floors • Use storm windows

  20. Testing for Mold • Usually unnecessary • Not economically practical • No practical information • Cannot determine health risk • Usually unnecessary • Not economically practical • No practical information • Cannot determine health risk

  21. When to Test • Large indoor contamination • Compare indoor/outdoor mold concentration • Higher indoor counts indicate a health problem • Different mold species indicate a health problem • Large indoor contamination • Compare indoor/outdoor mold concentration • Higher indoor counts indicate a health problem • Different mold species indicate a health problem

  22. Small Mold Problems • Wear PPE • Use bleach and water • Replace porous or absorbent materials • Dry-clean surface • Seal the surface Image credit: EPA

  23. Large Mold Contamination • Hire a professional • Choose a mold remediation method Image Credit: Inspectapedia.com

  24. PPE • Gloves • Eye protection • Disposable coveralls • Head and shoe covers • Respiratory protection

  25. During and After Mold Cleanup • Highest mold exposure occurs during cleanup • Avoid the cleanup area • Monitor symptoms after cleanup • Persistent symptoms may not be mold related • Highest mold exposure occurs during cleanup • Avoid the cleanup area • Monitor symptoms after cleanup • Persistent symptoms may not be mold related

  26. Preventing Mold: Which Procedures Are Effective? Controlling moisture Getting a skin test Wearing a dust mask to clean Repairing leaks Cleaning with bleach and water Increasing indoor air circulation and decreasing humidity

  27. Preventing Mold • Do you understand: • Mold prevention strategies? • Mold testing? • How to clean up small quanitities of mold? • Procedures for large contamination cleanups?

  28. Key Points to Remember • We are all exposed to mold every day outdoors and indoors • Most people are not affected by mold exposure, but some might experience health problems • The best way to reduce mold growth indoors is to control moisture • Clean up small amounts of mold, but let professionals handle large contamination

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