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Indoor Air and Molds

Indoor Air and Molds. PRESENTED BY: STEVEN C. STRAYER, CIH, CSP, REHS, RS COCCIARDI AND ASSOCIATES, INC. (717) 766-4500 sstrayer@cocciardi.com. REGULATORY AGENCIES AND “WANNA BE’S”. REGULATOR WANNA BE OSHA/MOSHA NIOSH HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ATSDR EPA/DEP ASHRAE

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Indoor Air and Molds

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  1. Indoor Air and Molds PRESENTED BY: STEVEN C. STRAYER, CIH, CSP, REHS, RS COCCIARDI AND ASSOCIATES, INC. (717) 766-4500 sstrayer@cocciardi.com

  2. REGULATORY AGENCIES AND “WANNA BE’S” REGULATORWANNA BE OSHA/MOSHA NIOSH HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ATSDR EPA/DEP ASHRAE *TREND  RISK ASSESSMENTS

  3. INDOOR AIR QUALITY

  4. POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY (SICK BUILDING SYNDROME) MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION HAZARDOUS MATERIAL EXPOSURE (CO, DIESEL EXHAUST, ALCOHOLS, ETC.) ASBESTOS LEAD BASED PAINT “TYPICAL” AIR QUALITY ISSUES

  5. UNDERSTANDING IAQ • HEALTH EFFECTS vs. COMFORT • CAUSITIVE AGENTS • SOURCES • CONTROL METHODOLOGIES

  6. HEALTH EFFECTS SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) VS BUILDING RELATED ILLNESS (BRI)

  7. HEALTH EFFECTS • SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) • A PERSISTENT SET OF SYMPTOMS IN > 20% • CAUSE(S) NOT READILY RECOGNIZABLE • COMPLAINTS/SYMPTOMS RELIEVED AFTER EXITING BUILDING

  8. HEALTH EFFECTS • SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) • EYE, NOSE, OR THROAT IRRITATION • HEADACHES • FATIGUE • REDUCED MENTATION • IRRITABILITY

  9. HEALTH EFFECTS • SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) • DRY SKIN • NASAL CONGESTION • DIFFICULTY BREATHING • NOSE BLEEDS • NAUSEA

  10. HEALTH EFFECTS BUILDING RELATED ILLNESS (BRI) • MORE SERIOUS THEN SBS • AGENT DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A DIAGNOSABLE ILLNESS Ex. ASBESTOS, LEGIONELLA

  11. COMFORT ISSUES ASHRAE Criteria • CO2 • Humidity • Temperature (summer vs. winter) • Others: CO, dust, etc. (NAAQS)

  12. CAUSITIVE AGENTS • INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANT TYPES • COMBUSTION PRODUCTS (heating, cigarettes, etc.) • VOLATILE CHEMICALS & MIXTURES • RESPIRABLE PARTICULATES • RESPIRATORY PRODUCTS • BIOLOGICS & BIOAEROSOLS • RADIONUCLIDES (Radon) • ODORS (TOXIN OR NUISENCE)

  13. CAUSITIVE AGENTS • COMBUSTION PRODUCTS • CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) • OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NOX) • OXIDES OF SULFUR (SOX) • CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) • POLYAROMATIC HYDROCARBON’S (PAH) • TOBACCO SMOKE COMPONENTS

  14. CAUSITIVE AGENTS • RESPIRABLE PARTICULATES • METALLIC DUSTS • LEAD • ORGANIC DUSTS • PAPER DUSTS • POLLEN

  15. Causitive Agents • ODORS • ODORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANT TYPE • INDEPENDENTLY • IN COMBINATION

  16. CONTROL METHODOLOGIES • PREVENTING IAQ PROBLEMS • SOURCES OUTSIDE THE BUILDING • HUMAN ACTIVITIES • BUILDING COMPONENTS & FURNISHINGS • OTHER SOURCES • VENTILATION SYSTEMS • BIOLOGICAL/WATER

  17. CONTROL METHODOLOGIES • SOURCES OUTSIDE THE BUILDING • POLLEN, DUST, FUNGI • INDUSTRIAL POLLUTANTS (NOX, O3, etc.) • GENERAL VEHICLE EXHAUST • EXHAUST RE-ENTRAINMENT • SEWER GAS

  18. Control Methodologies HUMAN ACTIVITIES • HVAC Modification • Odor “Masking” • Food Storage • Amazon Decor • Smoking • Open Chemicals (janitorial staff) • Pesticide Application • “Dirty” Conditions • Copying • Respiration • Construction/Renovation • Storage • Air Cleaners

  19. Control Methodologies Building Components • Asbestos • Lead-Based Paint • New Material/Paint • Off-gassing (formaldehyde, acetic acid, VOC’s, etc.) • Exhaust/Intake Locations • Lighting • Fibrous Glass • Mercury Switches

  20. Control Methodologies • OTHER SOURCES • ACCIDENTAL EVENTS • SPILLS • FLOODING • FIRE DAMAGE (PCB’S) • SUBSURFACE CONDUITS (i.e. sewers) • RADON VENTILATION

  21. Control Methodologies HVAC • Maintenance (filters, condensate pans, etc.) • Balance • Energy conservation compromise • Additional diffusers/returns • “dead air” • Humidification / dehumidification

  22. CONTROL METHODOLOGIES Biological/Water • Animals/Insects/Plants • Minimize water infiltration • Microbials

  23. MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS • NO REGULATORY CRITERIA • DECISION MAKING/CHARACTERIZATION • REMEDIATION • NYC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH • U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

  24. I. DESCRIPTION • Kingdom – Mycota (Mold, mildew, yeast, mushrooms, etc.) • Produce sexually and asexually • Physical Appearance: black, green, brown, gray, white, etc. “fuzzy”, “slimey” – Spores, Hyphae, Mycelium • Likes – organic material (your building) and water/moisture – Poor construction, HVAC management and maintenance

  25. DESCRIPTION Dislikes – lack of moisture and ventilation e.g. – Water Activity Constant < 0.8 – Primary Colonizers (i.e. Penicillium) • Colonizers 0.8 – 0.9 - Secondary Colonizers (i.e. Cladosporium) • Colonizers > 0.9 - Tertiary Colonizers (i.e. Stachybotrys)

  26. WANTED FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, HEALTH, AND PROPERTY • Mycotoxins – Defense mechanism (endo– or exo-) Irritation, respiratory disease, cancer, and immune disorders (i.e. Aspergillus, Aflatoxins; Penicillium, Stachy and Fusarium – Macrocyclic trichothecenes) • VOC’s – Metabolites (“Musty” smell) Chemical sensitivities and effects associated with alcohols, ketones, hydrocarbons, and aromatics • Spores and Fragments – Allergies/ Hypersensitivity • Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS) (i.e. Aspergillus/Penicillium) Symptoms: Fatigue, fever, flu-like symptoms, eye/skin irritation, red blotches, cough, runny nose, congestion, etc. – possibly even death

  27. III. Causes A. Spores B. Food (your building) C. Moisture in materials/air (> 60% rlt) • Leaks (wet greater than 48 hours) • No HVAC make-up air • HVAC humidifiers • Lack of vapor barriers • Tight construction and interference with natural circulation (i.e. mulch, etc.) • Poor drainage • Improper kitchen/bathroom ventilation • Building trauma

  28. IV. IDENTIFICATION • Visible (often hidden in interstitial spaces) • Air Sampling (spores, metabolites, PCR, etc.) • Bulk (similar to air) • Wipe/surface (similar to air) • Medical evaluation Recommend: Industrial Hygienist (certified), Mycologist, Biologist, Microbiologist, etc.

  29. APPROACH: POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS • Professional Remediator – Proper • Professional Evaluator (See Above) • Specifications – Clean-up Criteria • Remediation by removal, dispose, and clean (HEPA Vacuum) * Suggest segregation of area, if possible * Find and repair source of moisture first * PA Dept. of Health suggests following New York City protocols

  30. VI. LITIGATION AND INSURANCE ISSUES • Limited coverage • Construction Issues – Primarily negligence 1. Property Damage – Typically repair costs or value 2. Personal Injury – pain, suffering, medical care, lost wages, loss of earning capacity 3. Death – Loss of love, companionship, comfort, affection, society, solace, sex, moral support, physical assistance, financial support, etc.

  31. VI. LITIGATION AND INSURANCE ISSUES Examples: • $350,000 against homeowners association (chronic water damage) 2. $900,000 against residential builder (leaking roof) 3. $545,000 against homeowners association (leaking pipes) • $1,353,000 against seller (disclosure) 5. $6,000,000 against general/sub-contractors (4 year-old courthouse w/leaks) 6. $14,200,00 against contractor and surety companies (Sick Building Syndrome in three courthouse buildings)

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